Jonathon Spitzer

    Jonathon Spitzer

    Guide: International, Washington, Alps Director

    Jonathon grew up hiking, climbing, and skiing around Washington State. He received his bachelor’s degree from Western State College of Colorado in recreation and business. These days his hobby has become his profession, and he can be found splitting his time between Washington, Utah, Nevada, California and Europe. After spending four years going through the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA/IFMGA) training program, Jonathon passed his final exam in the fall of 2009 and became the second youngest American to be fully certified in all three disciplines (rock, alpine and ski). During the spring and summer months he guides throughout the Cascades, the Alaska Range, British Columbia, French Alps and in Red Rock, NV. In the winter, he is a professional helicopter ski guide and avalanche educator. With trips to the Ecuador volcanoes, Denali, Mt. Waddington, and various other places in North America, he has significant expedition climbing experience as well as being a competent technical climber.

    10-year

    Take 5 with the Guide

    If you could only take one album on an expedition?
    Unplugged – Pearl Jam

    Favorite movie?
    Wedding Crashers

    What was your first mountain?
    Sahale Arm in the North Cascades with my dad when I was 10

    What’s always in your snack bag?
    peanut-butter pretzels

    One piece of advice for aspiring mountaineers?
    Cherish the time outdoors whether on the summit or watching sunset from camp.

    Certifications

    IFMGA Certified Guide
    AMGA Certified Rock Guide
    AMGA Certified Alpine Guide
    AMGA Certified Ski Mountaineering Guide
    Avalanche Level III
    Wilderness First Responder/CPR
    Leave No Trace Trainer
    ifmga ifmga-coloramga-rock amga-alpine amga-ski

    Awards & Recognition

    Black Diamond Equipment: Field Tester/Product Development Team
    Outdoor Research Clothing Connector Program
    2008 W.L Gore Scholarship

    Tremendous experience but the weather was not our friend so failed in our Mt Blanc and Matterhorn Objectives but achieved in my objectives of spending quality time with my son and getting him hooked further on mountaineering while keeping him safe. Jonathon was very focused and tried hard to ensure we had a good experience […]

    ALPINE ASCENTS BLOG

    • Denali Webinar

      Dominating the already immense landscape of the Alaska Range, Denali “The Great One ” is the tallest mountain in North America, rising a lofty 20,310’ above Denali National Park.  Mountaineers flock from across the globe to test their strength and climbing prowess on this ultimate alpine test piece.  If you have Denali on your list […]

    • Backcountry Tour Planning Webinar & Trip Planning Tools

      When conditions are prime for winter backcountry adventure, it’s easy to get caught up in the stoke and overlook essential pre-trip preparation in a rush to get on the skin track. In this webinar, guide and backcountry powder chaser, Elias Zane Holt, lays out how to plan a successful and safe trip into the mountains, […]

    • Ski Boot Fit Basics

      Spring volcano season is right around the corner and having well-fitted, comfortable boots is essential for long days on the skin track and epic descents.    We teamed up with the legendary boot whisperer, Megan Jackson, of Backcountry Essentials in Bellingham to outline the basics of boot fit.  In the video below, she discusses physical […]

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