Karin Pocock

Karin grew up in Vancouver, BC and was lucky enough to grow into a climber and ski mountaineer exploring the Coast Range and Cascades from an early age. She became a rock guide in Canada at a young age and some of her earliest objectives included guiding long multi pitch climbs in Squamish, BC and glaciated alpine climbs in the remote ranges of Vancouver Island.

Much of Karin’s career has been split between the mountains of Western Canada and the US Southwest due to specializing in ski guiding and avalanche work in the winters and having a deep love for the splitter crack climbing in the Utah desert.

Karin is a Certified Rock and Ski Guide with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and is one exam away from becoming a Certified Alpine Guide and gaining IFMGA status. She is a professional member of both the Canadian Avalanche Association and the American Avalanche Association and directs professional avalanche programs throughout the winter in SIlverton, CO when not guiding on skis in the backcountry.

Karin delights in long days and when not on the skin track or a long alpine ramble, you can find her ultra distance bikepack racing throughout the western states. She has many podium finishes in this niche sport and finds that it is yet another way to embrace the beauty and quiet of the mountains.

Take 5 with the Guide

What was your first mountain?
Kings Peak, Vancouver Island, BC (I was 15 /in outdoor education)

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not guiding?
Bikepack racing long distances on a hardtail mountain bike

What’s always in your snack bag?
Peanut butter and apricot marmalade sandwich

If you could be stuck with anyone (past or present) at base camp for a week, who would you choose?
Adam Grant – the social scientist/contemporary author

One piece of advice for aspiring mountaineers
Enjoy every step of the journey so that whether you summit or turn around partway to the summit you have a worthwhile experience and spent your time doing what you love.