Guides

Guides

Our guides include Seven Summits guide and 9 time Everest summiteer, Ben Jones, and Everest guide extraordinaire, Jangbu Sherpa;  renowned alpinist, Sam Hennessey, and renaissance guide Arielle Todd, who guides trips for Alpine Ascents from Denali to Aconcagua and many spots in between.

Our guides are medically trained (avalanche certification and Wilderness First Responder or EMT-certified, and LNT-trained) and have experience guiding in the Antarctic and other extreme climbing environments. This quality of our guide staff has been the hallmark of our acknowledged expertise. We strive to educate climbers on each and every expedition, an area in which we can excel more than most outfitters. When we say “educate,” we mean safe, resourceful, successful, sensitive climbers with a real appreciation for wild places and the cultures that inhabit them. This is truly part of the Alpine Ascents difference.

Guide Staff

Bryce Hill

Bryce Hill
Senior Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

Ben Jones

Ben Jones
Senior Guide: International, Washington, Alaska

Kristie Kayl

Kristie Kayl
Senior Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

Geoff Lodge

Geoff Lodge
Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

Jangbu Sherpa

Jangbu Sherpa
Senior Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

Vern Tejas

Vern Tejas
Senior Guide: International, Washington, Alaska

Arielle Todd

Arielle Todd
Senior Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

Don Wargowsky

Don Wargowsky
Senior Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

Yes, I very much enjoyed the expedition. We enjoyed a fantastic weather that made everything easy. I would say this trip was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Disembarking on the ice from our Illuyshin 76 private jet. Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Moving to Base Camp from our Twin Otter landing strip. Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Neighboring Mount Shinn from High Camp. Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
High Camp. Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Summit Ridge. Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Vinson Summit. Lakpa Rita Sherpa becomes the first Sherpa to summit Mount Vinson, and the Seven Summits. Photo: Andy Tyson
Plenty of daylight. Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Climbing towards summit ridge. Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Ralaxing at Union Glacier Camp. Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska
Mount Vinson, Antarctica. Photo: Monika Witkowska

ALPINE ASCENTS BLOG

  • Training for Denali Webinar

    If Denali is on your horizon, it’s time to get serious about training. Join world-renowned alpinist, Uphill Athlete founder, and co-author of Training for the Uphill Athlete, Steve House for a deep dive into what it truly takes to prepare for North America’s highest peak. In this session, Steve breaks down the key principles behind […]

  • Cascades Conditions Report 9/3/2026

    Hello climbers, It felt like the switch to fall happened in the mountains this week!  Cool temperatures and precipitation have returned to the mountains.  New snow returned to mid and upper elevations over the last couple days, and a handful of inches is expected over the next few days and leading into the weekend as […]

  • Cascades Conditions Report 8/19/2026

    Hello climbers, Conditions continue to stay phenomenal around the mountains in Washington. Smoke forecasts look really good throughout the rest of the week and into weekend. We are starting to see some mid to late August weather patterns start to creep in, with blip of cooler temperatures and light precipitation working its way into the […]

Partners & Accreditations

Alpine Ascents International is an authorized mountain guide service of Denali National Park and Preserve and Mount Rainier National Park.
© Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved. Alpine Ascents International