Stephen Williams
Stephen grew up in the Southeast and cut his teeth as a climber on the steep sandstone in West Virginia and Kentucky. He started working as a trip leader while studying ecology and mathematics at Oberlin College. Summer work gave him the opportunity to teach rock climbing, backpacking, and whitewater canoeing throughout the western US and Canada. After school, Stephen promptly moved to Washington drawn by the alpine summits of the Pacific Northwest.
Stephen started working for Alpine Ascents in 2015 and regularly guides in Alaska, Washington, California, and Argentina. An all-around climber, Stephen’s personal experiences range from alpine routes in the North Cascades and Alaska, to long rock routes in the desert Southwest, to demanding ice climbs in the Canadian Rockies. Stephen is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and Assistant Alpine Guide.
Significant Ascents
Aconcagua
Denali
Mt. Rainier (3 routes)
Slesse Mountain (Northeast Buttress)
Eldorado Peak (Northwest Face Couloir, Northeast Face and East Ridge)
Dragontail Peak (Triple Couloirs, Gerber-Sink, Serpentine Arete, Backbone Ridge)
Mt. Stuart (Ice Cliff Glacier, Stuart Glacier Couloir, Complete North Ridge)
Mt. Shuksan (6 ascents via the Sulphide Glacier, North Face, and Fisher Chimneys)
Goode Mountain (Northeast Buttress)
Mt. Triumph (Northeast Ridge)
South Early Winters Spire (Direct East Buttress, Southwest Rib)
Liberty Bell (Liberty Crack)
Grand Teton (Complete Exum Ridge, East Ridge)
Elephant’s Perch (Beckey Direct, Mountaineers Route)
Johannesburg Mountain (Northeast Buttress)
Torment-Forbidden Traverse
Juno Tower (Clean Break)
Mt Hood (2 routes)
Mt Baker (5 routes and ski descent)
Various Ice Climbs in Hyalite Canyon, MT and the Canadian Rockies
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder / CPR
AIARE Pro Level 2
Leave No Trace Trainer
AMGA Alpine Guide
AMGA Rock Guide
AMGA Advanced Alpine Guide Course
AMGA Ice Instructor Course
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
I was extremely impressed with the AAI Denali climb. It exceeded my expectations and reaching the summit of Denali was one of the best experiences of my life. The guides were awesome, the logistics were well taken care of, and safety was always paramount.
