Joe Hampton

Occupation: Climbing Guide & Navy EOD Officer

Location: Western North Carolina/Virginia Beach

Full Bio: After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2015, Joe began the training pipeline for Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal which included dive school, EOD school, Airborne, and additional training. 

From there, he led EOD platoons in support of conventional and special operations in the Middle East and South America.  What he loved most about being a Navy EOD technician was the diversity of the job–from casting into the Arabian Sea with 20lbs of C-4 to nighttime HAHO jumps over the Arizona desert to diving on german U-boats with sand tiger sharks off the coast of North Carolina, each day was a surprise.

While looking for mountain training for one of his teams in preparation for deployment to the Andes, he met IFMGA guide Karsten Delap and decided that he wanted to be a guide when he grew up.  He currently works for Karsten at Pisgah Climbing School as a guide and continues to serve as an EOD tech as a reservist. 

He hopes to follow in the footsteps of the great Ed Viesturs by continuing his education and development as a guide and pursuing a doctorate in veterinary medicine.  He has climbed all over the United States, but he still thinks North Carolina has the best climbing.


David Pappas

Occupation: Police Officer, SWAT Operator, Military Veteran

Location: Riverview, MI

Full Bio: David has been a police officer for 12 years and prior service MI Army National Guard for 13 years (Military Police and Infantry).  In his law enforcement career, he has gone from road patrol, Detective Bureau, back to the road, eventually becoming a SWAT Operator at 35 years old.


Mitch

Occupation: Air Force Special Operations

Full Bio: In 2008 Mitch joined the military and over the last 17 years has served in a variety of special operations units around the world. Throughout, he has learned that joy is found on the other side of hardship, be it combat or a kettlebell. 

Mitch believes strongly that we belong in the wild and is at his best in steep terrain and rough seas. 

He lives in South Florida with his wife and 3 boys. 


Alex Ackerley

Occupation: Strength & Conditioning Coach

Location: Squamish, BC., Canada

Full Bio: Alex’s journey in the world of sports starts with High-Performance Rugby and a degree in Sports & Exercise Science, leading to Squamish today where he has now accumulated 15 years of leadership in the Vancouver Fitness Industry, fully immersed in Mountain Sports, working with World-Cup level Mountain Bikers, Tour Divide Gravel Riders and Ultra Marathon Runners.

Now with a young family, he practices what he preaches and spends as much time in the outdoors as he can. Like most of the Athletes he works with, he juggles the responsibilities of real life with his passion for Athletic Performance and enjoys this great place he calls home.


Sam Schwartz

Occupation: Entrepreneur & Athlete

Location: Jackson, WY

Full Bio: Sam is an entrepreneur and athlete. He spent 10 years as a professional big mountain skier before transitioning into entrepreneurship with his reusable packaging start-up Avant Delivery.

As a professional big mountain skier Sam won a Junior World championship in 2013, was named #1 backflip by Freeskier Magazine, and placed 7th in the Kings & Queens of Corbett’s competition.

In 2020 Sam moved into ski mountaineering and ultra-marathon running. He has climbed & skied a handful of classic mountains across the world and has finished multiple ultra marathons including a 200-mile race.


Wyatt Jobe

Occupation: Wilderness Paramedic

Location: Valdez, Alaska

Full Bio: Jobe is an Alpinist and wilderness professional dedicated to exploring the limits of human potential in the world’s most challenging environments. With extensive experience climbing and guiding in remote alpine and glaciated terrain, he has summited peaks across Antarctica, Alaska, India, and the Lower 48, continually pushing his physical and mental boundaries.

Driven by internal fortitude for testing athleticism and endurance, Jobe thrives in austere conditions, balancing technical skill with adaptability. These achievements underscore his relentless pursuit of self-improvement and attempts at self-mastery in the mountains.

His certifications, including AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide and Avalanche Professional Level 1, a Nationally Registered Paramedic, all complement his leadership roles in Search and Rescue and field safety operations in remote regions. His work in Antarctica demonstrated his ability to operate in extreme environments while supporting scientific missions and fostering respect for the chaotic nature in which we even exist.

Career Highlights: Multiple First Ski Descents on Unnamed Indian peaks; Keystone Greensteps, Solo; Moose’s Tooth Climb, Meteorite Mountain, Dragons Spine Splitboard descent, First Ascent/ Descent Panda mountain E Ridge, Wrangel Saint Elias Alaska, Castleton Tower Climb, Elephants Perch Climb, Grant Teton Full Exum Climb, Climbing Unclimbed Ice Bergs Frozen in Antarctic Sea Ice


Adam Aikens

Occupation: Outdoor & Defense Industry

Location: Fredericksburg, VA

Full Bio: Adam graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 2010 and spent the next 10 years as an Infantry Officer in the Marine Corps (Active and Reserve), including a 3-year role in the mountaineering community. Since 2018, he’s worked in the outdoor & defense industry. Adam grew up in the Shenandoah Valley, VA, where he developed a love for hunting, fishing, and marksmanship with his Dad. Adam is an avid hunter; outside of work, he stays active outdoors competing in shooting matches and enjoys spending time with his wife (his high school sweetheart) and their three daughters.


Kim Palmer-Nicks

Occupation: Strength & Conditioning Coach, Owner of Spear Strength Wellness

Location: Oregon

Full Bio: I am an online Strength & Nutrition coach with a deep passion for the outdoors. Growing up, I spent my time camping, hunting, and playing sports—always embracing being “the strong girl” on my teams.

My journey took me to The University of Texas, where I walked on to the Women’s Rowing team. It was there that I truly fell in love with strength and conditioning—not just because I got stronger, but because I felt a new level of confidence in my body’s ability to take on any adventure. Whether it was backpacking, hunting, kayaking, or camping, I knew I was ready for it all.

Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to studying the human body—how it moves and functions from the inside out. I turned my passion into my profession, becoming a strength and nutrition coach with a mission to help women discover that being strong means more freedom, confidence, and the ability to live their adventure to the fullest.

 


Jonathan Edwards

Occupation: Tech Consultant, Ultra Marathon Runner

Location: Sandy, Utah

Full Bio: Born and raised in Florida, I made the move with my wife to the mountain west to fully embrace an active lifestyle outdoors. My hobbies and interests are primarily archery hunting, chasing birds with my Griffon, ultra trail running, skiing, and hiking. My goal is continual self improvement and expanding my personal limits. After transitioning from road running to trail, I also incorporate cycling and strength training to be well-rounded and capable. Alongside my physical pursuits, I’m dedicated to lifelong learning, always diving into new topics to sharpen my mind and expand horizons.

2:44 road marathon PR, Ultra trail races completed at 50K, 50 mile, 100K, and 100 mile distances (with 1 win and multiple top 10 finishes)

 


Chris Sanders

Occupation: Firefighter, Paramedic, Wildland Firefighter, Tactical Medic, Paramedic Instructor

Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Full Bio: With over six years of continuing service to the Corpus Christi Fire Department currently holding the rank of Firefighter II-EMS, Chris serves at a central city station, balancing the time on both a Ladder company and ambulance.

Outside of normal duties, Chris is a part of multiple special operations teams. As a member of the department’s Wildland deployment team, they collaborate closely with the Texas Forestry Service, deploying to wildfires across the state. Additionally, as a tactical medic with the SWAT team, he provides medical support during incidents locally as well as across the state, deploying with the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force.

As an instructor, he serves in a training role as a paramedic instructor and field trainer for new academy cadets with the Fire Department. Chris also helps coordinate and develop training for field personnel on multiple fireground operational skills.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys the great outdoors. Whether camping, trail running, or hiking new paths, he finds balance and adventure in nature

 


Kevin Carey

Occupation: Climbing Guide, Special Operations Climbers Coalition President, Military Veteran

Location: Brevard, NC

Full Bio: Kevin Carey retired after 20 years in the Army, and served in 3rd Special Forces Group and USASOC HQ as a Green Beret. He now guides for Pisgah Climbing School, and enables military veterans transitioning to guiding through the Special Operations Climbers Coalition. Kevin is also a volunteer with the Transylvania County Rescue Squad, which covers a wide swath of the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. 

Kevin lives in Brevard, NC with his family, but makes regular trips to the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, and New Hampshire to climb and ski. He is constantly looking to optimize his performance, while pursuing rock and alpine certifications through the American Mountain Guide Association. Kevin works hard to stay fast and strong for unexpected rescue calls and big climbing trips, while minimizing the wear and tear of 20 years in special operations. 


Cam Gallegos

Occupation: Retired Fire medic, Ski Patroller, Current PA Student

Location: Bozeman, MT

Full Bio: I was a two sport college athlete in Iowa. I played baseball and soccer and majored in kinesiology. I got to spend offseasons dropping and losing significant weight for each sport. This started my journey in sport specific modalities and the plusses and minuses of being a gym rat mixed with endurance sports. After college I got right into the fire service. I spent 15 years in Fire/EMS. I worked in the Denver Metro area for ten years and then moved to Bozeman. I went through the ups and downs of crossfit, Gym Jones, and every tactical programming you can think of. All the while, keeping my time in the mountains. On the side, I got more into endurance sports including multiple 100milers and mtb epics. I was on the fitness committee at the two departments I worked at, as well as wildland and tech rescue teams.

Currently, I have moved on and am in PA school. I still live in Bozeman and ski patrol at Bridger Bowl. I spend my time in the mountains and on rivers. I am constantly chasing the balance of sport specific training, gym training, raising kids, careers, and time spent in the hurt locker.


Sean Herlihy

Occupation: Air Force Pararescueman (PJ), Mountain Guide, CEO/Founder Special Operations Climber’s Coalition

Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Full Bio: Sean Herlihy is a career Air Force Special Warfare Operator and Mountain Guide with San Juan Mountain Guides in Ouray, CO. In 2024, Sean, with the help of a couple of close friends established the Special Operations Climber’s Coalition to train, mentor, and provide financial assistance to veterans pursuing qualification as mountain guides through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). He’s a Nationally Registered Paramedic, Fellow in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM), and maintains his Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM).

He previously worked as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist at a private facility in New Jersey.  Sean has been in the military for 24 years and has conducted special operations missions on almost every continent, supporting the nation’s most elite counter-terrorism task forces.

Most recently, Sean served as the last Pararescue Senior Enlisted Leader in Kabul during Operation Allies Refuge during the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Sean lives with his family in Colorado and enjoys getting out with the 719 Alpine crew to smash local rock, ice, and ski objectives in the Pike’s Peak region. He also loves to hunt elk in the San Juan Mountains. His most memorable recent climb was the Grand Jorassess Traverse across eight 4000-meter peaks in Chamonix with one of his fellow PJ brothers.


Alex Potter

Occupation: Nurse, Photographer

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Full Bio:
Alex is a photojournalist, trauma nurse, and co-founder of Global Response Medicine, a humanitarian non-profit bringing emergency medicine to low-resource and high-risk areas. Alex spent her early career documenting conflict in the Middle East, before spending two years as a wildland firefighter in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. She moved to Alaska to pursue a career as a Combat Rescue Officer, and while a twist of fate (and knee) changed that path, she remains passionate about mountain pursuits, far-forward medicine, and the ability to help others achieve their goals


Carlton Greenley

Occupation: Mountain Guide/Infantryman

Location: Colorado

Full Bio:
Carlton was born and raised on the Colorado Front Range enjoying all that the Mountains have to offer since he was a child.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2018 becoming an 0341 60mm Mortar Section Leader and going through two deployments (India co. 3/5) and still finding time
to get out climbing and enjoying the Mountains.

After his enlistment Carlton and his wife moved back to Colorado to raise their children and for Carlton to start on the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Guide track. Carlton became an AMGA certified Single Pitch
Instructor (SPI) and is working towards full IFMGA certification.

Carlton decided to continue his service and combine his love for the Mountains by enlisting in the Colorado National Guard Mountain Infantry (1/157 th ) as an 11C Mortarman. Carlton enjoys being able to continue to
develop the Battalions Mortar platoon and line Mortar sections in both their Mountain and
Mortar proficiencies.

When he isn’t in the Mountains or in the gym, Carlton loves spending time
with his wife and their two sons.


Steve Swingle

Occupation: Law Enforcement

Location: Arizona

Full Bio:
I am a proud husband and father of three energetic boys and an incredible wife. I have been a police officer since 2018. Throughout my career, I have overcome multiple injuries sustained in the line of duty and have returned to full service. I have had the opportunity to assist both the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Border Patrol in apprehending violent fugitives and combating drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other crimes.

Before my law enforcement career, I played professional baseball in an independent league after receiving all-conference and all-region honors from multiple colleges and universities during my college career. I later attended and graduated from the University of Arizona in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Intelligence Operations, with a focus on law enforcement. Physical fitness has always been a major part of my life since childhood. I train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Muay Thai, and enjoy western bow hunting.


Derrick

Occupation: US Air Force

Location: Santiago, Chile

Full Bio:
Derrick is a 2010 graduate of the US Air Force Academy who has spent the past fifteen years in the intelligence field and continues to serve on active duty, supporting missions across tactical and strategic levels. His service in Colorado, Afghanistan, and South America ignited a lifelong passion for the mountains – a passion he now fuels in Chile, where his current role in international military diplomacy provides immediate access to the Andes.

Originally from rural Iowa, Derrick excelled in wrestling, football, hockey, and baseball. These days, he devotes his gym time to preparing for the next backcountry adventure, all while sharing his love for the outdoors with his two young sons and exploring alongside his wife, Saili.


 

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