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 expeditionary 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 grade V alpine routes in the North Cascades, to long rock routes in the desert Southwest, to demanding ice climbs in the Canadian Rockies. Finally, Stephen is an AMGA certified Single Pitch Instructor and is actively pursuing certification in both the Alpine and Rock Disciplines.
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
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
AMGA Rock Guide
Alpine Guide Course, Ice Instructor Course
AIARE Avalanche Level II
AIARE Pro Level 1
Leave No Trace Trainer
Wilderness First Responder
This is an awesome program that has been carefully planned and put together by Alpine Ascents. The level of preparation required by participants is very high however, Alpine Ascents makes sure months in advance that participants train accordingly.
