Kristie Kayl

Kristie Kayl

Senior Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

Kristie was raised in the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. For the past decade, Kristie has worked as a ski patroller and avalanche dog trainer in winter months. During the warm season she lives and breathes climbing and guiding of all disciplines. Kristie brings her background in international travel and expedition guiding to mountains around the world. She spends her fall season rock climbing and praying for snow.

Take 5 with the Guide

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not guiding?
Climbing

What was your first mountain?
Mt Hood

What’s always in your snack bag?
Variety

If you could be stuck with anyone (past or present) at base camp for a week, who would you choose?
Kevin Kayl

One piece of advice for aspiring mountaineers
Go climbing

5-year

Significant Ascents

Denali
Kilimanjaro
Aconcagua
Mt Vinson
Mt Rainier
Mt Baker
Mt Jefferson
Mt Hood
El Capitan in Yosemite Valley
Many alpine and rock routes throughout the US and abroad

Certifications

Wilderness EMT and CPR certified
Pro 1 Avalanche Certification
AAIRE Rec. Level 2
Leave No Trace Trainer
AMGA Rock Guide Course
AMGA Alpine Guide Course

Strong program, strong guides. Vern is very charismatic and generally fun to have on an expedition. Vern did things in particular that set himself apart. Lakpa is extremely talented, he very much enabled many things through his boundless energy, work ethic, calmness, and mountain wisdom. And he grills one hell of a ‘pan de pasqua’ […]

ALPINE ASCENTS BLOG

  • Cascades Classics Beyond Rainier & Baker

    Climbed Rainier and Baker and wondering what’s next? In this webinar recording, Alpine Ascents Senior Guide Lyra Pierotti explores three classic “next step” Cascades objectives: Mount Shuksan (Sulphide Glacier), Glacier Peak, and Mount Olympus. From remote rainforest approaches and long wilderness journeys to glaciated travel and alpine scrambling, each climb offers a completely different adventure. […]

  • Fueling The Climb: Nutrition for Mountaineering

    In this webinar recording, Alpine Ascents International welcomes registered dietitian Alyssa Leib of Uphill Athlete for a practical, science-backed deep dive into nutrition for mountaineering performance. Alyssa breaks down how to properly fuel for training, long days in the mountains, and demanding expeditions—plus shares actionable strategies you can immediately apply to improve energy, recovery, and […]

  • Training for Mount Rainier (and Beyond): How to Train Smarter for the Mountains

    What does it really take to feel strong, steady, and capable in the mountains? In this recorded webinar, Alpine Ascents guide Dom DeMatteo breaks down a practical, individualized approach to training for Mount Rainier and other mountaineering objectives—without disappearing down a rabbit hole of exercise physiology. Instead, Dom focuses on the real demands of climbing […]

Partners & Accreditations

Alpine Ascents International is an authorized mountain guide service of Denali National Park and Preserve and Mount Rainier National Park.
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