Jerry Anderson

I moved to Yosemite in 1965 as a rock climber and was fortunate to be in the famed Camp 4 for the "golden years" of Yosemite climbing. In the early 1970's I began to guide for the original Yosemite Mountaineering School under the direction of Wayne Merry, a member of the team that made the first ascent of El Capitan. Over the years I have guided climbing, fly fishing, day hiking and backpack trips and, as of 2006, have 35 years of guiding experience.

I have also been teaching skiing and back country ski patrolling since 1986, starting at Badger Pass in Yosemite and currently at Northstar at Tahoe. I am a PSIA Level III certified instructor and also train new ski instructors. I have been married since 1975 and my wife, Sigrid and I have a grown son and daughter. I love the experience of guiding and I can't imagine anything more rewarding than the opportunity to meet people of all kinds and share the Sierra with them.

Colby Brokvist

Colby Brokvist hails originally from New England, a place where it is unusually difficult to commit to only one sport. Having a background in backpacking, mountaineering and rock climbing, he is a perfect fit for anything the Sierra has to offer. An enthusiastic naturalist, Colby also holds a degree in Environmental Sciences and finds his passion for guiding in providing interpretive and educational experiences for all of his clients.

Describing his love for guiding, Colby wrote "It is both the serenity and excitement of the wilderness that compels me to it and I only hope to enjoy it with good friends". Colby can be found typically leading our longer backpacks such the John Muir Trail, Yosemite High Passes Loop, and Trans-Sierra Trails. He has personally hiked the entire Appalachian Trail as well as most of the Pacific Crest Trail. When not in the high country, he can be found sea kayak guiding the warm waters of the Caribbean or ice climbing in Colorado.

Csuri Odry (Chude)

Csuri (pronounced "Chudy"), but we all call her Chude, was born to Hungarian parents who settled in the Yosemite area in the 1980's. She has been a local for over 20 years and it shows! Chude is one of the most versatile guides we have on the staff.

Chude can guide naturalist day hikes in Yosemite one day, rock climbing in the high country the next and prepare and leave for a 23-day John Muir Trail the following. Her backcountry ethics and wilderness first aid skills are legendary making her reputation as a mountain-woman the real deal. But don't let that fool you, her sense of humor, pleasant demeanor in the backcountry, and ability to relate to all walks of life make her one the most respected guides in the area. When not guiding in the summers, Chude works as ski patrolwoman in the winter, spends time with her daughter, and manages to travel each year to such places like Thailand and Costa Rica. This winter she plans to get to Annapurna, Nepal to research a new trekking trip that many of her past clients what her to lead them to.

Tim Bluhm

I was born in Los Angeles, 1970. My parents were, and still are, avid outdoorspeople and from before I can remember I was cruising the mountains of California. The Sierra Nevada, in particular, is a place of inspiration for me. I learned to ski and climb here, and have passed many sun-drenched days in the high country with my family and friends. It is a place I associate with health, freedom and adventure. The passing of the sun, the stars and the moon, and the sound of ones' own footsteps take over, slowing the internal clock to a normal rate, a slower speed that is all but forgotten in the race of modern life. It is a privilege to share this experience with others who seek it.

You can read more about Tim's adventurous lifestyle as a mountain guide and accomplished musician in December's OUTSIDE MAGAZINE feature article entitled "The 25 Coolest People Now", where he was chosen along side athletes and icons such as Lance Armstrong, Laird Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Phelps and Kerri Walsh. For Tim Bluhm music, go to the Mother Hips web site. Tim will also be leading a unique High Sierra Singer-Songwriter Workshop trip again this summer.

Greg Aiello

"Greg Aiello is one fantastic guide" said one our clients this summer and that about says it all! Greg is a Yosemite area native and local and the love for his backyard, the Sierra, shows in every moment spent with him in the mountains. Greg works as a videographer for the news in Fresno in between guiding and has won emmy's for his work. He is currently working on our DVD brochure with all the footage he takes each trip.

Last summer Greg led our longer backpack and horsepack trips through the Yosemite areas as well as the John Muir Trail in Sequoia National Park. Greg also is a mountaineering guide and will be leading an ascent of Aconcagua next January, 2007. Greg's high energy, passion for the mountains, and sense of adventure make him an outstanding guide.

Jeff Zotz

Jeff puts his BA in Environmental Studies from UCSD into action on a daily basis. Since graduating in 1999 he has worked as a staff biologist and ski instructor for Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe, has led 18-26 day expedtions for Longacre and has been a program director for Naturalists at Large. His latest adventure venture is his own company Waxing Crescent Adventures, which seeks to take school age kids into the wilderness and to the oceans for educational adventures. He has found a home here at SYMG where his work ethic, enthusiasm, and knoweldge of the outdoors make him a perfect fit for our staff.

Laura Steinbach

My first visit to the Sierra Nevada was back in 2002 on a three month backpacking trip along the Pacific Crest and John Muir Trails. Since that very trip, I have been infected with all that these mountains have to offer and, following that hike it took me only one year to find my way back to California on a more permanent basis.

I'll be the first to acknowledge that it was the backpacking, climbing and horseback riding that drew me here, but what I find most intriguing is difficult to describe and certainly isn't apparent in photographs. It's the sound of the spring meltwater, the feel of the warm Sierran granite, and the haze that settles over the mountains just as dusk falls. These are the things that can only be realized by being here in the midst of it all. Throughout all of my travels, I've never found a better playground... er office.

Joel Bisson

Joel grew up in the mountains of New Hampshire and like a lot of kids, dreamed of growing up and becoming a "millionaire" as a professional. Now older and wiser Joel talks about the real passions in his life, mainly experiencing and sharing the great outdoors with others.

After studying Forestry at Humboldt State on the beautiful North coast, Joel worked for a timber company in Oregon before moving to Yosemite Valley. Within the five years he has spent in Yosemite, he's hiked and backpacked almost every mile of trail in the Park and climbed many of the famous rock formations. He is a genuine lover of the Sierra and guides year round taking people climbing, hiking, backpacking in the Summer and teaches snowboarding in the Winter at Mammoth Mountain. Joel often jokes about his seasonal existence by saying "in my office, I always feel like a millionaire.".

Katie Williams

My name is Katie Williams. I am originally from England, and have lived in America for the last twenty years. I received my college degree in Outdoor Recreation from Eastern Washington University. On my travels, I have trekked through Europe, the Himalayas, the Cascades, the Presidential Range, and New Zealand. This has allowed me to hone my outdoor skills, meet some interesting people, and appreciate some incredible places in the world. After living in Yosemite for the past six years, I have enjoyed joining friends on the 800 miles of trails in the park. Luckily for me, now I have the opportunity to take guests back and show them the beauty of the Sierra.

Guiding offers me the opportunity to show people the beautiful mountains, lakes, creeks, and campsites that I love. Every day brings new adventures, new lessons, and new friends. I look forward to sharing some quality time together in the mountains.

David Merin

David developed his passion for nature at a young age while growing up in the desert southwest. His parents encouraged him to enjoy the outdoors by teaching him to ski and hike since the time he could walk. He moved to Portland Oregon and attended Lewis and Clark College where he earned a B.S. in Biology. While working in The Link Lab at the University of Colorado, Boulder (helping to make brake-throughs in understanding Alzheimer's disease at the molecular level) he often got away to rock climb in the nearby famous canyons of Colorado, a passion that has now led him to a full time career in guiding.

David has been climbing now for over 10 years and has completed the level 1 course towards his pursuit of an AMGA certification for rock guiding. David has a genuine and pure love for climbing, the outdoors and looks forward to sharing his passion with you. His favorite places to climb are El Dorado Canyon and Yosemite. His personable style and positive energy will surely enhance any great day out of the rocks or on the trails.

Rob Segula

Rob hails from Columbiaville, Michigan where he grew up studying fly fishing and perfecting casts with his two brothers. He was introduced to the sport by his father who caught a 22 Brown while Rob slept atop his shoulders. His favorite waters are The Pere Marquette River, The Ausable, The Escanaba River, and The Carp River, and the Little Red River in Arkansas (home of the world record Brown Trout he likes to point out).

In addition to fly fishing his passions include acting, teaching, and more recently rock climbing. Rob is a veteran of the Marine Corps, and was the Founding president of a fraternity at Northern Michigan U. But what he truly lives for is the subtle rise of majestic native trout or the slow swing of a big trout out of a deep pool to a rising Nymph. I have to caution you before booking a trip with him his passion for the sport is extremely contagious. Every fishing experience to him is of a spiritual nature. He is very conservationally oriented and he practices very strict catch and release to the point that he does not eat any fish. His favorite saying when asked about this is "Fish are Friends not food."

Heidi Vetter

For as long as she can remember, photography has been a pivotal force in the life of California large-format photographer, Heidi Vetter, leading her into marriage, children and owning her own business. For Heidi, photography is a bridge between insanity and balance, a reflection of her self, defining who she is and what she wants to say. In 2002, this drive to photograph, to take chances and to seek meaning in her life resulted in a three month solo journey through the Sierra Nevada High Country. The body of work that grew from this journey is emotive and inspirational, and a testament to one women's confrontation with nature and her existence. Now her vision has taken on a new voice, a stronger one, ominous and daring as she hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams and to find their own sense of stillness in nature.

For our new WILDERNESS PHOTOGRAPHY and WOMEN'S ADVENTURES with Heidi click here.

To learn more about Heidi, and see more of her images, go to heidivetter.com

Sean Jones

I'm 35 years old and live in El Portal (10 min. from Yosemite) with my wife Maggie and my 4 children. I've been in the Sierra since the age of 7 and started technical climbing at 17. I love to climb everything!...big walls, small ones, hard and easy and especially putting up new routes. I climb professionally for Mammut, Five Ten, and Julbo, as well as guide for Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides.

I guide because it gives me the opportunity to share with people the things I love most in life. When it comes to being in nature, whether hiking, climbing, swimming, or sometimes just sitting and looking, I can't seem to get enough. I always look forward to meeting new people and especially going on an adventure with them. A good adventure always brings people closer together. I look forward to sharing my experience with you and creating new ones together.

Photo Credit: Shawn Reeder Photography

Samantha "Mac" McLemore

I grew up with my mother and brother in the Navy, living and traveling around the globe. Vacations meant packing the car full of camping gear with holes for my brother and me to squeeze into and finding campsites providing tranquility. No Disneyland for us. While stationed in Oakland in the early 80's, my mom succeeded in exposing us to the awesome beauty of Yosemite at least once every season. I learned early to enjoy the pleasures and adventures awaiting me around every bend. I would climb to the top of boulders and sit pondering how to get back down. I hiked to the base of Half Dome for the first time when I was 11. My fascination with the exhilaration of being in the backcountry truly began with my first backpacking trip in the Hoh National Rainforest of WA when I was 13, and led to a two week course of hiking in the Lake Superior wilderness and sea kayaking around Isle Royale with Voyageur Outward Bound in 1999.

Since those early experiences, I have meandered in the mountains, roamed the rivers, wandered the deserts, drifted along the shorelines, and strayed into cities from Whistler, BC to Las Vegas, NV to find myself living in the Sierra Nevada during the summer. Along the way, I acquired my B.S. in Anthropology from the University of Oregon, volunteered as a tour docent and a mentor, learned how to surf and walk a slackline, obtained a teaching license in social studies, and substituted for grades 7 thru 12 in multiple subjects. My passion for rock climbing led me to move to CA three years ago permanently. My positive, optimistic, "Can Do!" attitude has helped me to continue procuring knowledge, realize awareness, accomplish goals, and share my joy of experiencing the expansiveness of wilderness with others, and it is what maintains the love and peace in my soul.

Justin Bond

Although a Chemical Engineer by trade ( University of New Hampshire, BA 2004), Justin hasn't been able to commit to the work-a-day world of engineering quite yet. Instead, professional Fly Fishing guide is his title. Justin grew up in southern New Hampshire, fishing the lakes and rivers extensively at a young age. His grandfather introduced him to fly fishing and canoeing at the age of 12. The White Mountains served as his back- drop for all outdoors activities: fishing, hiking, and biking being his favorites.

After finishing college Justin worked as a guide at a private fishing ranch in southern Colorado, before heading to California to become our head fly fishing guide this year. Justin is a graduate of the Sweetwater Fly Fishing Guide School in Fort Smith, MT, is certified as a Wilderness First Responder on top of being an excellent fisherman and patient teacher!

Roberto "Oso" Flores Rodriguez

Oso's (The bear) climbing and guiding career began in 1984 on Popocatepetl, Iztaccihuatl and Pico de Orizaba. He now has over 20 years of professional experience in guiding and instructing. On El Pico de Orizaba he has reached summit 166 times with clients during the last 10 seasons, including many times with SYMG. Oso is the chief guide on our Aconcagua expeditions in Argentina as well as Mexico and Peru.

Oso also climbs and guides in the mountains throughout the Alps and South America with Peru being his favorite: Vallunaraju, Pisco, Huascaran (North and South), Chopicalqui, Copa, Ishinca, Urus, Tocllaraju, Alpamayo to name a few.

He has climbed Huayna Potosi, Ancohuma, Illimani in Bolivia, Plomo, Tupungato in Chile, and Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa (Dofourspitze) in the Alps. Oso also serves as a mountain rescue instructor for the Socorro Alpino de M'exico (Mexican Mountain Rescue) and for Protecci'on Civil (Government Emergency Agency) of Puebla and Veracruz. When he is not guiding, Oso works as staff member at Extreme Sport Competitions in different regions of Mexico. He loves to introduce people to the mountains and to share incredible experiences with them. His wonderful smile and infectious laugh are known all through the climbing world.