Tell us a little about yourself – Where you are from, how you spend your time, a fun fact, etc.
I’m 34 years old, from Costa Rica and mainly a rock climber. I like to spend my time being physically active – Anything involving the mountains and being slightly out of my comfort zone, whether it’s trail running, sport climbing or trad climbing. When I’m physically exhausted, I like to nerd out on innovative rope skills and theory and window shop for the lightest gear available.
Fun fact: I can open any carabiner one handed!
Why did you apply for the Adventure Guide Program? What stood out to you about the program?
I wanted to search for guidance and mentorship regarding my dream of becoming a mountain guide. What stood out to me was the longevity and the involvement the program offers to form guides. No other program seems to offer such a comprehensive instruction methodology.
What has been your favorite field course so far? How did it impact you?
Contrary to my expectation, Kayak 1 has been my favorite so far. It challenged me on so many levels that it really felt like a journey of self-improvement. I had so much trouble at the beginning handling the cold water, paddle strokes, and rolling maneuver that I started to get down on myself. After a quick talk with one of the instructors, it changed my attitude, and I got better from there. I challenged a hard line and even got my roll!
What advice would you give to someone considering applying to the Adventure Guide Program?
Come into the program with humility and a learner’s mindset. Everything feels so fast paced and peers seem more skilled and experienced than you, but no one is good at everything, and everyone brings something to the table that can be learned from. If you’re feeling doubtful, don’t worry as everyone feels the same way. The trick is to make peace with the “sweet uncertainty”. It wouldn’t be an adventure if we knew the outcome.
What new skills have you learned that you didn’t expect to when you first enrolled?
Self-regulation. It’s easy to get caught up in the enjoyable aspects of being an adventure athlete; always seeking another challenge and trying to take advantage of opportunities to get to the ultimate goal. There’s way more happening behind the curtains. The key is to know when to slow down and come to terms with shifting paces throughout the year.
