Stephen Williams

    Stephen Williams

    Senior Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

    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.

    5-year

    Guide For:

    Aconcagua
    Denali

    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

    amga-rockamga-spiamga-alpine

    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.

    Denali BLOG

    • Denali Webinar

      Dominating the already immense landscape of the Alaska Range, Denali “The Great One ” is the tallest mountain in North America, rising a lofty 20,310’ above Denali National Park.  Mountaineers flock from across the globe to test their strength and climbing prowess on this ultimate alpine test piece.  If you have Denali on your list […]

    • Denali: A Photo Essay

      by Brooke Warren Denali “The High One” is the third highest of the seven summits, right behind Everest and Aconcagua, at 20,310 feet. It is an “ultra-prominent” peak with soaring vertical relief of 18,000 feet, greater even than Mount Everest (a mere 12,000′ of vertical relief) when measured from its 2,000-foot lowlands to its lofty […]

    • Dear Alpine Ascents: Insulating Ice Axe Handles?

      Hey Alpine, I’m headed up to Denali this May (!!!!) and I heard that climbers insulate their ice axes? Interesting… What’s the rationale and how do I do it? Thanks in advance and see you in Talkeetna! Sincerely, Seeking Toasty Mitts Hi Toast Mitts, Thanks for reaching out and stoked you’re headed up to the […]

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