Submission by Esteban Usuga, a member of the 2024 BIPOC Guide Development Program.
After two exhausting years in graduate school, pursuing a career in medicine, I hit a wall—and not the cool kind of bonk that comes from pushing your body to its limit. This was deeper. I was mentally drained, struggling under the weight of a path that didn’t align with who I was. I’d followed a story I thought I was supposed to live, especially as the son of immigrant parents who had built a life from scratch in this country. Their success story seemed to culminate in me becoming a doctor, but the more I tried to fit that mold, the more I felt my soul slipping away.
Climbing had always been my escape, a hobby I’d nurtured for over a decade. I daydreamed about building a life around it, but the idea of guiding felt out of reach—something other people did. I admired the guides I knew but never imagined myself in their shoes. I was starting to consider a career in guiding when I stumbled upon the Alpine Ascents BIPOC Guide Development Program—it felt like the perfect opportunity to turn that idea into reality.
Unfortunately, I’d missed the application deadline that year. Determined to give it my all the next time, I spent the following year preparing. I became an AMGA-certified Single Pitch Instructor and sought out every guiding opportunity I could, hoping to build my resume.
The day I found out I’d been accepted into the program, I was still living in Colorado. I felt equal parts joy and disbelief—this dream was becoming real. Ready to seize the moment, I packed my life into my car and drove to Seattle, eager to start fresh.
The program’s pillars are community, training, mentorship, and access. While I was excited about all of them, mentorship stood out the most. Finding good mentors is hard these days, and the chance to learn from accomplished climbers and guides was invaluable. Mary Brown, the program’s leader, matched each of us with mentors based on compatibility, and she nailed it.
One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was being in a space with peers who looked like me and shared similar experiences. The BIPOC focus of the program created a sense of belonging and acceptance that’s rare in the outdoor industry. I felt comfortable being myself, knowing my identity was understood and valued.
My two mentors, Bobby Cosker and Zack McGill, couldn’t have been a better fit. Their laid-back attitudes and obvious love for what they do made an immediate impact. Right after meeting Zack, he invited me to climb and ski the North Ridge of Koma Kulshan (Mount Baker). I was beyond stoked. It was more than I’d hoped for—an adventure that combined mentorship with real experience.
On that trip, I picked Zack’s brain about everything: his journey through AMGA training, balancing guiding with personal relationships, and navigating life as someone constantly chasing the next season. That experience opened my eyes to what the program could offer and the kind of guide I wanted to become.
Beyond the formal mentorship, every guide I encountered through the program was generous with their time and knowledge. Even after teaching at the Arc’teryx Climbing Academy, Sam Hennessey took the time to go over skills with me, calming my nerves before my AMGA Rock Guide exam. The support didn’t stop when the program ended. Many mentors urged me to keep in touch and reach out whenever I had questions.
Moving from Colorado to Seattle was tough. I left behind a strong community and initially felt lost in Washington, questioning whether I’d made the right decision. But the Guide Development Program’s emphasis on building community made all the difference. Thanks to the tireless work of Mary Brown and everyone involved with the program, I quickly found myself surrounded by like-minded people.
Now, after just one season in Washington, I feel deeply connected to this place. I’ve found a community of caring, skilled people who are eager to help each other grow. For the first time, I feel grounded in Washington’s guiding scene, and I’m excited to continue developing as a guide in these beautiful, inspiring landscapes.
This journey has been more than a career shift—it’s been a complete transformation. I’ve found a path that stokes my fire and brings me joy, surrounded by a community that feels like home. I’ll always appreciate the importance of spaces like this, where shared experiences create belonging and open doors to new possibilities.
