Adrian Ballinger is one of the USA’s premier high-altitude mountain guides, and the only American guide to have both AMGA/IFMGA guide’s certification (one of roughly 100 in the USA) and more than 10 summits of 8,000 meter peaks (12 total, including 6 summits of Mt. Everest). As founder and head guide of Alpenglow Expeditions, Adrian has been guiding full-time for fifteen years and has led over 100 international climbing expeditions on 5 continents.

In 2011 he, along with 2 Sherpa partners, became the first people to summit three 8,000 meter peaks in only 3 weeks (Everest twice and Lhotse once). He is also the first person to ski Manaslu, the 8th tallest mountain in the world, from its summit, and the first American to successfully ski two 8,000-meter peaks. These personal successes are combined with Adrian’s passion for guiding and teaching others. Adrian has led expeditions where more than 100 clients have successfully summited Everest, Lhotse (the 4th tallest mountain in world), Cho Oyu (6th tallest) and Manaslu (8th tallest).

Whether on skis, in rock shoes, or mountain boots, Adrian thrives on sharing the big mountains with friends and clients, and helping them to build their skills and experience to be successful on the world’s most beautiful mountains. In the coming seasons Adrian plans on continuing to enjoy big-mountain skiing, climbing, and guiding in the Himalaya, South America, Alaska, and of course closer to “home” in Squaw Valley, CA. Adrian is a sponsored athlete for Eddie Bauer, La Sportiva, Petzl, Kaenon, Goal Zero, Hypoxico, Alpenglow Sports and High Altitude Fitness.

Learn more about Adrian at adrianballinger.com

Chad Peele has been guiding for 15 years and works full time as a mountain guide. Based out of Ridgway Colorado, Chad spends his winters instructing and guiding on some of the best ice terrain the U.S. has to offer. Outside of Colorado he has traveled and guided extensively throughout North and South America with several trips to the Himalayas including Everest and Ama Dablam. When not in the Mountains Chad does clothing and equipment design for Eddie Bauer’s First Ascent outdoor line.

Chad is a AMGA certified Rock & Alpine guide.

Jaime is Alpenglow Expeditions’ senior lead guide. A native Ecuadorian, Jaime has been guiding and climbing throughout South America and the world for twenty years. He has successfully led groups on challenging routes like the Southwest Ridge of Ama Dablam (Nepal), the Shield Route of Huascaran (Peru), the Polish Direct on Aconcagua (Argentina), and El Altar (Ecuador). We have been guiding, climbing, and traveling with Jaime since 1998 and the feedback from members is always the same: there is no better teammate. Whether climbing a tough ice route, humping a huge pack, or stuck in a storm, Jaime will keep you laughing, learning, and glad to be in the mountains. He is an ASEGUIM certified mountain guide.

Monica has been working as the doctor on expeditions to extreme altitude since 2007. She has been on more than 10 expeditions to some of the world’s highest peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Manaslu where her work has ranged from monitoring team members’ health throughout the expedition, treating locals and visitors for common illnesses, to treating frostbite and potentially fatal altitude related illnesses and offering diagnostic and therapeutic advice over the radio for unwell climbers being rescued above 8000m.

Over the years Monica has gained a huge amount of experience in this highly specialized field of medicine and she has embraced the challenges of providing the best possible health care in a hostile environment with pragmatism and skill. Combining the reality of the practical limitations imposed by the mountains with the provision of gold standard medical care is demanding but undoubtedly where Monica has made her niche.

Monica trained and worked her early years as a hospital doctor in Edinburgh and New Zealand. When not on expedition, Monica now divides her time between the UK- where she works part time in Emergency Medicine, her home life in Spain and personal climbing and skiing in Europe and beyond.

Director of Operations / Guide

Logan has been guiding professionally for over 10 years in the disciplines of Rock, Alpine and Ski Mountaineering. When not out guiding, Logan keeps things running smoothly as the director of operations at Alpenglow Expeditions. From one day ascents of El Capitan to big Alpine climbs in the Himalaya, from ski descents on Denali to backyard ski tours in Lake Tahoe, he can’t help but smile when out running around the hills. Logan is an IFMGA aspirant mountain guide, a certified Ski and Rock Guide through the AMGA, an Avalanche course leader through AIARE, as well as a wilderness EMT. In addition to guiding, Logan has extensive experience in mountain rescue, having worked for rescue teams in both Yosemite and Denali National Parks, and volunteering locally for Tahoe Nordic SAR. When not out in the hills, he lives in Truckee, CA with his lovely wife Lynette and spotted dog Arlo.

Business Partner

A lifelong adventurer in both the mountains and business, Aaron Ollivier is a critical member of the Alpenglow team, advising the office on a daily basis and helping navigate through the folding terrain of a growing business. Aaron also provides wisdom on important subjects like how to have the most fun in life. An accomplished climber himself, ACO, as the team affectionately calls him has climbed high altitude mountains in 5 continents. While outdoor adventure and creating human bonds are his main passions in life, ACO is also the CEO and founder of Precision Concrete Cutting based in Provo, Utah. PCC has been recognized in Forbes list of top 400 franchises since 2012 and only continues to grow with Aaron’s passion and leadership. Aaron is the loving father of two young boys and is often at Alpenglow’s Lake Tahoe headquarters looking for the next powder day in the backcountry or sunny day of climbing on Donner Summit. If you’re lucky enough to catch him in person, make sure to give him a high five and be ready to tell him your 5 year plan… because he’ll ask.

From bushwhacking miles of Manzanita in ski boots to traversing huge glaciers in exotic ranges, adventure draws Zeb in. Originally from Vermont, Zeb has been hooked on big mountains since his first ski tour in Jackson Hole and has pursued skiing, climbing and exploring ever since. Zeb has climbed and guided in the Himalaya, Alaska, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador and Asia among others and he’s working hard to keep that list growing. Working as a mountain guide allows Zeb to share his passion for human powered movement in the mountains and to pass along what he’s learned along the way.

Zeb has successfully guided Mt Everest [29,029′], Mt Cho Oyu [26,906′] including a ski descent from the summit, Lobuche East [20,075′],  and four expeditions on Denali [20,320’], including a ski descent from the summit. He has completed 64 summits of Mount Rainier [14,410’]. Additional credentials include 12 summits of Mount Shasta [14,179’]; 5 summits of Mount Shuksan [9,100’]; 3 summits via Mount Baker [10,678’], including one ski descent from the summit, and two ski descents via the North Ridge; 2 summits of Aconcagua [22,841’]; 1 summit of Cotopaxi and 1 summit of Cayabme; 2 summits of Ixtacihuatl in Mexico; 3 summits of Orizaba in Mexico, including a ski descent from the summit; and numerous rock, alpine and ski summits from the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, Coast ranges and Rockies.

Zeb is an AMGA certified ski guide.

Topo’s formal name is Esteban Mena, but he goes by his nickname. Topo is 28 years old and began his guiding career at 19, when he climbed Aconcagua’s South Face and became the youngest person to accomplish this difficult climb. Topo began guiding in Ecuador and Peru. In 2012, Topo summited Manaslu and in 2013, he summited Everest – both without using supplementary oxygen. Topo again summited Everest in 2016 while supporting his wonderful partner Carla as she successfully summited without supplemental oxygen. He also has climbed challenging new routes in Kyrgyzstan and China and one of his climbs (Kyzyl Asker) has been nominated for the Piolet d’Or (as part of an Ecuadorian team).

Ben has been in love with the mountains from a young age. He began hiking and skiing with his family and quickly decided he never wanted to stop. After finishing university in Portland, OR Ben moved back to Washington State and began guiding on Mt. Rainier and around the Cascades. For the next many years he followed the seasons, skiing, climbing and pursuing the art of human flight through out the world. He has made expeditions into both polar circles, skied first descents in Afghanistan and climbed throughout the Americas and Europe. When not looking forward to the next adventure he thoroughly enjoys roasting coffee, reading and taking his dog out for walks.

Ben is a fully certified IFMGA/AMGA mountain guide, Certified Level III Avalanche Professional, and Wilderness First Responder.

With notable first descents in the Alps, Tim Dobbins represents Alpenglow’s cutting edge guiding philosophy providing only the best guides for every trip and expedition.

Growing up in Oregon, Tim started out skiing at the young age of 4 years old. Tim grew up ski racing for 9 years before he moved on to backcountry skiing in Aspen, Colorado. He spent 4 years working as ski patrol at Snowmass Ski Resort.

Tim moved to Chamonix in the mid 90’s where he spent 6 seasons skiing and climbing while studying French. Tim says that Chamonix is where he really started leaning how to ski tour, rock climb, ice climb and eventually began skiing the steepest lines he could find.

Examples of those steep lines were the North East face of Les Courtes, Couloir Barbey from Aiguille D’Argentiere, Couloir Couturier from L’Aiguille Verte, Couloir du Diable on Mont Blanc du Tacul, East face of the Matterhorn and many, many others.

Tim has recently spent the last 8 years guiding and instructing in rock, ice, alpine and skiing as well as becoming an IFMGA aspirant mountain guide, an AMGA certified ski guide and AIARE level 1 course leader. He lives on Donner Lake in Truckee with his wife Gisele and sweet daughter Manu. 

Peter has an enthusiastic passion for skiing the backcountry. His ski guiding career began 35 years ago working in the Sierra and Cascades. Over the years his professional ski career brought him through North America and Japan, working to train ski guides, military personnel and guide skiers in search of the backcountry skiing experience. He is a AMGA certified ski mountaineering guide and a member of the AMGA instructor team. He is an AIARE Level 2 avalanche course leader and PSIA Level 3 ski instructor. With over 35 years guiding under his belt, you’ll discover that Peter’s enthusiasm for skiing in the backcountry is contagious.

If you are looking for a split boarding mountain guide, Jules is your man. He has been guiding for 10 years and spends his winters in Tahoe and summers in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

He is one of only a few splitboarders who has become certified with the AMGA as a ski guide. Whether it’s a ski day or time to board, Jules enjoys the rewards that the backcountry experience provides. He is an AIARE 1 course leader and has logged many adventures in mountains up and down the west coast learning about the avalanche phenomena. Jules is also an Ambassador Guide for Jones Snowboards.

In addition to guiding, Jules has worked as a climbing ranger at Mt Rainer and a mountaineer for the US Antarctic Program and has many stories to tell from his time on Search and Rescue in those locales.

Pete Fasoldt is a certified AMGA Rock Guide who is thrilled to call Donner Summit his “home crag”. Originally hailing from Maine, Pete has worked as a ski patroller, as the owner of a rock guiding outfit in Acadia National Park, and as a first mate on sail boats, traveling thousands of offshore miles, including a recent attempt at transiting the famed Northwest Passage. Pete has completed several ascents of El Capitan, including a one-day solo. He has established first ascents in several countries across the globe and has a particular love of hard to reach alpine granite objectives. In 2004 and 2006 Pete became certified as a Wilderness First Responder and an Outdoor Emergency Care technician, respectively. Pete has guided people of all different climbing abilities, all over the country, and brings patience, humor, and a deep love of the sport to each course he leads.

Chris grew up in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains before moving to Oregon and becoming a guide in 2006, and has been climbing and skiing across the globe ever since. He is a fully certified IFMGA Mountain Guide, and can regularly be found at work from the French Alps to the Canadian Rockies and Norway’s Lofoten Islands. His achievements include everything from big walls to virgin summits, first ski descents and traverses, and his guiding career has taken him from the Matterhorn to Denali, and from Mt. Hood to Mont Blanc. An avid alpinist and expedition climber, Chris has received the prestigious Mugs Stump and Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Awards for his ascents of hard new routes on unclimbed peaks in the Nepali and Indian Himalayas, as well as the rest of the world, including the famed East Face of Alaska’s Mooses Tooth. He is easily excited by rocks, snow and ice, and by travel, coffee, beer and greasy food of any sort.

Nolan embodies the spirit, history, and progression of climbing, crimping and jamming his way through over a decade of experience on the rocks. Whether he’s scaling Sierra spires, wiggling up walls or cramming his crack-addicted (and never taped) hands into Tahoe splitters, Nolan’s enthusiasm and knowledge is contagious. Cutting his teeth on the rough granite monzonite of Joshua Tree and the polished proving grounds of Tahquitz, Nolan’s climbing developed amidst the proud ethics and traditions established by the Stonemasters. Ascents of the Rainbow Wall in Red Rock, Sierra gems such as Bastille Buttress, the Incredible Hulk, and Mt. Whitney as well as numerous Needles classics solidify Nolan’s traditional climbing resume and hint at his passion for big adventure. Nolan’s love for the mountains and appreciation for wild places cannot be contained solely by climbing; his backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering resume includes a descent from the third highest mountain in North America, Mexico’s Pico de Orizaba, as well as numerous corn-cruising missions on Mt. Shasta. Nolan is no stranger to those huge, soul-feeding days in the alpine and enjoys sharing outdoor experiences large and small with those around him. Nolan currently holds the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Wilderness First Responder certification.

Ben comes to guiding after being a professional ski patroller for several years. Three of those seasons were spent working as part of the snow safety department. He is a member of the AMGA, has his AIARE level 3 certification and is also an AIARE 1 instructor. Ben has spent three spring climbing seasons in Alaska volunteering with the National Park climbing rangers on Denali. He has skied all over the Western US and Canada and has ski descents on Mt Baker, Mt Rainier, Mt Adams and Mt Hood. He has also done several single and multiple day objectives in the North Cascades, Sawtooths, and Sierra. Ben has a Master’s Degree in Anesthesia and he works as a CRNA in the summer months.

Nick is a native of northeastern California and has lived in Tahoe for about 15 years. Since 1997 he has worked as an EMT in fire, ski patrol, rescue, emergency rooms and on ambulances. Nick currently spends his summers as a paramedic in Tuolumne Meadows, for Yosemite Search and Rescue. He enjoys walks on deserted beaches, surfing small waves and documenting rare flowers of the world. In the winter months Nick lives in his van, teaches wilderness medicine, talks about avalanches and shares his stoke for the mountains.

Gaspar Navarrete

ASEGUIM Certified Mountain Guide

Gaspar hails from Ecuador, and has been guiding for over 18 years, and climbing since he was 12. He has extensive experience in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Patagonia, Aconcagua, the Himalaya, the Cascades, the Alps and the Pyrenees. Gaspar has established new routes in both Ecuador and Bolivia. As an active instructor with the Ecuadorian School for Mountain Guides, he has trained in Ecuador, Bolivia and France. He is a Wilderness First Responder, and has spent a great deal of time working at high altitude.

Gaspar joined one of Quito’s oldest climbing clubs at a young age, which gave him the opportunity to mentor under very experienced climbers. He considers the Andes, including Patagonia, his home, and he love to share his enthusiasm for the mountains, the Andean traditions, food and culture with his guests.

Panuru Sherpa is one of Alpenglow’s Sirdars (head Sherpa). At age 47, Panuru has 27 years of experience resulting in 10 Everest summits, 12 on Cho Oyu, 3 on Shishapangma, 1 on Manaslu, and 3 on Ama Dablam. Along with his younger brother Mingma Chhring and friend Karma Rita, Panuru became the 1st Nepalese to summit Gurla Mandhata (7700m) in Tibet in 2007. Panuru has also been a volunteer climbing ranger on Mt. Denali, Alaska, summiting 3 times. Panuru lives in Phortse, runs Phortse Guesthouse with his wife, Pasang Dikkiand, and serves as chairman and instructor at the Khumbu Climbing Center. Together, they have 2 daughters (ages 23 & 19) and one son (age 21).

Dorji Sherpa is one of the most accomplished and well-respected Sherpa in Nepal and Alpenglow is proud to have him as our sirdar (head Sherpa). With twenty 8000 meter peak summits, including 16 on Everest, and at least 6 summits of Ama Dablam, Dorji has the experience and strength to help our teams to climb safely and successfully. He hails from the beautiful town of Phortse, where he has helped instruct at the Khumbu Climbing Center. Dorji is married with two children, whom many of our climbers and trekkers meet, while passing through Phortse on their way to Everest, Lhotse, and Ama.

Director of Sales & Marketing

Starting at a young age, Sean has always had a desire to share the thrill of adventure with friends and family. Starting in the mid 2000’s Sean had a short but fun filled guiding career based in San Francisco where he took clients up to the high alpine areas of Tuolumne Meadows for weekend long backpacking excursions and even showed folks the joy of surfing in Northern California. If you ever get the chance, ask him about the time he was hired to search for pirate treasure on Bunny Wailer’s property in Jamaica. True story.

More recently he spent 7 years working at Squaw Valley Ski Resort. First as a ticket sales employee skiing every day before moving up the ranks and working in the marketing department for 5 years. Sean brings his knowledge of modern marketing as well as his easy going personality to the world of sales. Give him a call sometime, he’d love to hear from you.

Marketing & Office Manager

Kate joined the Alpenglow team last fall. She is a Tahoe local and enjoys skiing, trail running, climbing and mountain biking in the Sierras. Kate has lived in a variety of mountain towns across the west coast and is very happy to call Tahoe City home. She is fluent in Spanish and loves to travel. Before working for Alpenglow, Kate taught Elementary K-5, Spanish, and alpine skiing. In addition she has worked for local companies as an event coordinator and marketing specialist, as well as website/database coordinator and operations assistant. She brings a variety of experience to our office and continues to wear many hats. Come check out our new office and say HI!

Mountain Guide

Armando was born in 1968 and began climbing at the age of 16. From then on, nature, adventure, and wall climbing have been his passions. His conquests range from the Alps to the Andes and the big walls of North America and the Karakorum. He was part of the Spanish Expedition to K2 led by Araceli Segarra. He has made two attempts on Trango Tower in Pakistan and has climbed El Capitan five times. Armando has been guiding the Mexican volcanoes since 1992. He completed his professional thesis in alpine equipment, obtaining a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is the Rock Climbing Advisor of Federacion Mexicana de Deportes de Montaña y Escalada. With all that adventure, he still drives his car slower than his grandmother….

Cliff has been climbing for 13 years and guiding for 6 years. He currently lives in Bend, Oregon, where he guides year round in the Cascades, Smith Rock, and Mt. Hood. He fell in love with climbing in California where he learned to climb on rock and alpine routes and ultimately traveled all over the world. He says the combination of adventure and cultural exploration is what drives his passion for international expeditions. Some of his favorites places to climb are in Chile, Australia, Argentina and Canada. Cliff instructs Outdoor Leadership at Central Oregon Community College in Bend and writes gear reviews for national publications.

Cliff is an AMGA certified rock guide.

Logistics Manager, Peru

Alfredo is an essential component of all our Peru expeditions. A local of the Cordillera Huayhuash in Peru, Alfredo is an incredible backcountry cook (have you ever had freshly caught native trout in a gourmet garlic sauce at 14,000’ before?). He also plays an essential role in organizing our in-country logistics. Alfredo somehow manages to make everything run smoothly and on time in a country famous for roadblocks, breakdowns, and power outages. This is probably due to the sheer power of Alfredo’s personality. His friendliness and caring encompasses everyone, including each of us.

IFMGA/AMGA Certified Mountain Guide

Mark Puleio is a native New Englander whose lifelong passion for skiing naturally led him to a life in the mountains and exploration. He received a degree in Wilderness Leadership from Prescott College in Arizona in 1994, which provided a solid and diverse foundation to begin his career as a professional mountain guide. After working for a decade as a climbing instructor and guide, he attained his full IFMGA/UIAGM guide certification. Since moving to Vermont in 1996, he has helped create curriculum and instruct skill-focused leadership development programs for a number of local colleges and universities, focusing on technical climbing, skiing and avalanche awareness. These experiences complement and inform his guiding style by providing a broader understanding of experiential education and development for aspiring wilderness leaders. After 15 years, he recognizes his work more as a lifestyle than a job. The other gift that life as a guide and educator provides for him is time to pursue his grandest passion in life…family. When not guiding in the mountains, he is enjoying raising his children in a small village in the pastoral hills of Vermont.

AMGA Rock Certified Guide

Ian has been exploring the world of climbing for the past 15 years. Though he has been working as a guide for 10 years, his teaching career truly began a few years earlier as he taught his friends to be his climbing partners. Loving all disciplines of climbing, his achievements span from 5.12 sport routes in West Virginia and Thailand to long rock routes in Yosemite such as Astroman (5.11c) and The Shield with Freeblast (VI 5.11 A3); from M9 trad routes in the Adirondacks to alpine routes such as the North Face of Ranrapalca in Peru and an attempt on the South Ridge of Pumori (23,500’) in Nepal. His drive for his personal climbing goals fuels his passion for sharing these experiences with others as their guide. Ian is currently supplementing all of this adventure with his other job as a critical care RN at the University of Utah.

All Around Bad Ass

Emily was our office manager from 2009-2015. She left her provenance of New York City in 1998 and has been working odd jobs in Squaw Valley, CA for about 8 years in order to maintain her schedule, which demands time for skiing, biking or climbing on a daily basis. Working on the Alpenglow team was her first exposure to the world of high altitude climbing and she is finding herself increasingly intrigued by this discipline. Although she has moved on from day to day operations, Emily will always be a part of the Alpenglow family.