Mike Elges

Mike grew up in a small Colorado town at 9500ft surrounded by mountains. At 18, a passion for snowboarding and desire to stay away from a “real job” landed him at Colorado Mountain College pursuing a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership. During this time he discovered climbing and joined a community of people pursuing mountain craft as a profession and way of life. His early career was spent guiding rock climbing and teaching environmental education in Colorado and New Hampshire. Over the years, climbing and skiing has taken Mike all over the lower 48, Alaska, Canada and Peru.

In 2016, Mike moved to Washington to start a new chapter in his guiding and climbing career among the glaciated summits of the PNW. Bellingham Washington is now very much home and he and his wife have no intentions of going anywhere. In addition to working as a full time guide in the winter, spring and summer seasons, Mike owns and operates a seasonal business in the fall, Northern Lights Holiday & Event Lighting. This “side hustle” has been a key ingredient in his success as a mountain guide, allowing him work year round close to home and helping to fund professional development courses with the AMGA & AIARE.

Take 5 with the Guide

If you could only take one album on an expedition…
That’s a tough one… maybe some Rage Against The Machine

Favorite childhood breakfast cereal
Gotta have my Pops!

If you could be stuck with anyone (past or present) at base camp for a week
My dad (he’s alive I just miss him)

What’s always in your snack bag?
Peanut m&m’s

One piece of advice for aspiring mountaineers
Adapt and move on. In the mountains we are often faced with challenges that are out of our control. All we can do is adapt to the situation and do our best to make good decisions.