Ian McConnell
Hailing from the east coast, Ian spent his childhood sliding down the icy slopes of the Poconos and going on “nature walks” with his dad. It wasn’t until his early teens, when his family began taking an annual Colorado ski trip, that he realized his natural draw to the mountains. After high school, Ian moved west and began exploring the various ranges of North America on skis and in a harness. He also found time to earn his degree (after dropping out of school more times than he can count) in outdoor leadership and business administration on the western slope of Colorado. When he’s not playing in the mountains, you can often find Ian creating obscure culinary delicacies in the kitchen or pretending he’s not thinking about being in the mountains.
Significant Ascents
Mount Rainier via DC, Emmons, Kautz
Mount Baker via Easton Glacier, Coleman-Deming
Mt Hood – ski descent
Mt Shasta – ski descent
Crestone Peak via numerous routes
Crestone Needle via the NW Couloir
Mt Sneffels via the North Buttress
Gannett Peak via SE Couloir route
Mt Massive ski descent
Quandary Peak ski descent
Numerous rock and ice climbs throughout California, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and beyond
Traverse of the Homathko Icefield in the Coast Mountains of BC
Certifications
WFR / CPR
Avalanche Level 2
AMGA Alpine Skills Course
AMGA Ski Guide Course
Leave No Trace Trainer
I was extremely impressed with the overall program, from the information we received beforehand to prepare for the trip, the PDF documents and lists, the emails we received, the rapid response to our queries from Gordon Janow and the input from Willi and Ellie
