"My best day gets repeated every day we are in the mountains. It is an
awesome experience being up there no matter what you are doing or what day
it is," explains Maridy Loftis, a Nevada-based mountain guide.
Experienced mountain guides lead groups through treacherous, but beautiful,
terrain. Guiding isn't a cakewalk; guides spend hours mapping the safest
and most enjoyable hiking trails. During the climb, guides put their own recreational
needs on hold while they patiently teach and aid their clients. Even if it
is a job, mountain guiding provides some great rewards -- beautiful country
and clean, fresh air.
Loftis is a part-time guide who works for the Ascent program for children.
"I started the leadership program when I was 13 years old and became an actual
guide for Ascent when I was 18," she explains.
A full-time college student, Loftis guides three to four weekends during
the summer and one to two weekends during the winter. "Our busiest months
are July and August because that is when kids are out of school and want to
go backpacking," she says.
Typical days for Loftis and her crew start early. Everyone is up by 4:30
a.m. and on the trail by 5 a.m. Six hours of constant hiking later, or when
they reach the summit, they break for a short lunch. Then it's back down
the mountain again for dinner. Although her day may seem unnerving to couch
potatoes everywhere, the rigorous exercise is not the most difficult aspect
of her job.
"The leadership takes a lot out of a person emotionally. I would say that
the responsibility of 12 to 15 lives on your shoulders is the hardest part
of my job."
Leadership may be the hardest part of Loftis' job, but avoiding injury
is another concern. As a guide, she is responsible for her safety, as well
as that of her clients. Injuries can range from simple cuts and bruises to
nausea and death.
Unexpected events can always happen, even to a guide, so an experienced
guide must be prepared. "One day I fell and a boulder...smashed the pinkie
finger on my right hand. I had to be taken to the emergency room. I was in
a lot of pain and thought I wouldn't be able to come back and finish
the climb. But it turned out OK, and I ended up climbing to the summit," Loftis
remembers.
Brian Morton understands that unexpected climbing events can happen. "The
worst day I've had on the job was the day a group we were rappeling next
to on Mount Currahee, Georgia, threaded their rope directly through their
sling. The friction melted it.
"The climber fell about 60 feet down a large slab, and I had to give him
first aid and assist in his transportation back to the road. It was sad for
me to see so many unprepared climbers in one place and how catastrophic these
accidents can be," Morton explains.
With his extensive guiding experience, Morton has some sage advice for
future guides. "Go...scout areas before you become a guide and climb lots
of routes, regardless of rating. Get a routine down and have lots of experience
before you apply for your AMGA [American Mountain Guides Association] certification."
Although training and certification is hard work, Morton sees his mountain
guide career as a perfect way to blend work and play. "I like my job because
I have a chance to have fun while doing what I do best. I also enjoy taking
inexperienced camp groups and teaching them a sport they get hooked on. Climbing
is addictive!"
Alison Andrews has a successful business getting paid to do what she does
best. She is part of a husband-and-wife guiding team and owns a successful
guiding business. She develops custom mountain-guiding packages to scenic
destinations.
"My busiest months are March and April for skiing, and July and August
for climbing and mountaineering," she explains.
Andrews has a full line of equipment for her varied guiding tours. "Depending
on season and activity, I may use ropes, climbing protection, specialized
shoes, skis, crampons and ice tools."
Andrews agrees that responsibility for people's lives is a challenging
component. She has had to assist in the body removal of two avalanche victims,
so she soundly understands the possible perils and pitfalls.
However, despite the dangers, Andrews loves her career choice. "I like
the variety, the constant decision making, the scheduling flexibility and
the job environment. You choose to become a guide because you love the mountains
and the lifestyle."