Hannah McGowan
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
It was hard and dirty. It was fun. The guides were great. My fellow team mates were awesome. Our guide was a great cook, and we ate well. The hotels were perfect, the logistics seamless. This was my first international expedition, and presented a great learning opportunity. I’d go back in a heartbeat!
