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

    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!

    ALPINE ASCENTS BLOG

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      By Mike Coyle Editor’s Note: Alpine Ascents offers an annual $1,500.00 climbing grant for AAI guides to explore and climb in unique and seldom visited areas. The grant promotes climbing on new or remote routes in the world’s great mountain ranges.  In 2022, Mike Coyle and John Collis were awarded the grant for an expedition […]

    • Hot tips: Keeping warm in your sleeping bag

      By Andy Souder Getting a good night’s sleep can be the make-or-break factor on summit day. Being well-rested and full of energy will make sure you’re set up for success. The most common people don’t sleep well is they run cold or are not used to sleeping on snow. Fortunately, the guides of Alpine Ascents […]

    • Changing Season, Changing Gear

      By Trevor Husted Ah yes, the changing of the seasons…which happens, well, every season. To help you embrace new adventure beginnings, we are back with another blog post to help you get geared up for the sunny summer days ahead. It may have been just yesterday (literally) when you were skiing or splitboarding full throttle, […]

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