Ian’s boundless passion for the mountains shines through in everything he does, whether climbing rock faces, summiting peaks, or carving turns on skis. His enthusiasm is infectious, often inspiring those around him to reach greater heights. Ian is an internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide, certified as an Alpine, Rock, and Ski Guide through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). He has also served on the AMGA National Instructor Team since 2015; Ian has taught over 150 AIARE Level 1 and Level 2 courses and is also an AIARE Pro-Instructor and an AIARE Instructor Trainer teaching professional level avalanche courses and helping teach the next generation of AIARE instructors. Beyond Guiding, Ian authored the books SUPERTOPO: Washington Pass Climbing, Climbing Self-Recue: Essential Skills, Technical Tips & Improvised Solutions and is set to have the book Glacier Climbing and Crevasse Rescue: Essential Skills for Snow Travel which is set to be released in 2025. He is a former Senior Editor for OutdoorGearLab, and a professional observer for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). Ian’s climbing accomplishments include establishing over a dozen first ascents in the Cascades as well as opening new routes in remote and challenging locations such as the Waddington Range, Patagonia, and the Alaska Range.
