Hannah McGowan

    Hannah McGowan

    Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

    Hannah is an avid skier, climber, sea kayaker, and all around outdoor enthusiast. She is perpetually seeking ways to interact with the natural world that are creative and engaging, which has led her to work outside as an instructor and guide for over ten years. In that time Hannah has traveled to several continents to climb mountains and rocks, and has particularly come to enjoy guiding people in big mountains. When she’s not guiding, Hannah works as a ski patroller and makes her home in Taos, New Mexico, where there are seemingly enough steep slopes and canyon walls to keep her occupied for a long time.

    Take 5 with the Guide

    If you could only take one album on an expedition?
    Malibu – Anderson Paak

    Favorite movie?
    The Life Aquatic

    Guilty pleasure?
    Getting a pedicure while drinking champagne

    Dream climbing partner for your dream climb?
    Mt. Logan with Beyonce

    Most people don’t know that…
    I have synesthesia, so I involuntarily see colors with other sensory input

    Significant Ascents

    Denali – 6 expeditions, 5 summits
    Aconcagua – 3 expeditions, 2 summits
    Pico de Orizaba
    Iztaccihuatl
    Rainier – 30+ summits via 3 routes
    Baker via 2 routes
    Mount Hood, ski descent
    Mount Shuksan via 2 routes
    Saipal (7031m, Nepal) expedition
    Ski traverse, Pika Glacier to Denali Basecamp
    Trek to Everest Basecamp
    Personal expedition to the Ruth Gorge, AK Range
    Personal expedition to the Pika Glacier, AK Range
    10 day solo kayaking trip Valdez to Whittier, Prince William Sound, AK
    Rock climbs in the western US, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Thailand and Australia

    Certifications

    Wilderness First Responder / CPR
    Emergency Medical Technician
    Avalanche Pro 1
    AIARE Avalanche Instructor
    AMGA Ski Guide Course
    AMGA Alpine Guide Course
    Leave No Trace Trainer
    AMGA Advanced Rock Guide Course

    Having just returned from the expedition, I wanted to say what a truly wonderful experience it was. The whole expedition was extremely smooth. My guide is an insightful and dynamic leader.

    ALPINE ASCENTS BLOG

    • The Art of Choosing What Goes into a Pack for Fast and Light Alpine Style Objectives

      by Bobby Cosker Things to consider when packing for bigger objectives. Martha Stewart once said, “life is too complicated not to be orderly.” The same couldn’t be truer when discussing the topic of what to consider when packing your backpack for alpine climbing in the bigger mountains. Being thoughtful and orderly in how and what […]

    • 2023 Denali Season Review

      by Jessica Flandro When I, a member of the logistics team, first arrived at the Alpine Ascents office in Talkeetna, Alaska to begin preparing for the upcoming climbing season there was an unseasonable amount of snow still on the ground and more winter storms forecasted over the coming weeks. Ever the optimists, we assumed the […]

    • How To: Prepare for a Glaciated Climb

      By David Shuer  After seeing Tahoma (Rainier) from your flight into SeaTac, or reading Into Thin Air, or living in the Pacific Northwest looking up at the volcanoes that dot the skyline, you’ve got the bug and want to climb some glaciers. The options are endless in the PNW; ranging from small pocket glaciers and […]

    Partners & Accreditations

    Alpine Ascents International is an authorized mountain guide service of Denali National Park and Preserve and Mount Rainier National Park.
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