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MAS Guides & Instructors


 

guides

About MAS Staff
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MAS prides itself on working with some of the best guides and instructors in the business. MAS staff are hired for their technical and personal skills and have proven themselves as professional educators, mentors and leaders. The MAS staff takes pride in leading safe, educational and fun programs.

MAS understands that your time and money are valuable and therefore strive to provide the best customer service and top-quality experiences whether the program is held 10 minutes or 10 miles from your car. MAS routinely receives strong accolades for instructor and course quality. We think you will notice the difference.

"Another great day courtesy of MAS. Tony is an excellent guide and we had a great day of climbing. I don't know how you and Aaron find them but you must have excellent hiring practices because everyone associated with MAS is first class! I look forward to my next adventure with MAS and thank you again for a great day."
(Ken Smith, June 2005)

MAS Guides
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aaron

Aaron Johnson is one of the owners and lead guides at MAS. Aaron has been an active leader in the outdoors for over 20 years and has spent most of his adult life recreating and leading folks safely through the mountains. Aaron is an enthusiastic rock climber, telemark skier and business developer at MAS.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR), PSIA Level III Telemark Instructor, Level I Alpine Instructor, Professional Member of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and graduate of the AMGA Rock Instructor Course.

 

kimi

Kimi Johnson is also an owner and guide at MAS. Not only is Kimi in charge of the books at MAS and BaseCamp, but you will often see her teaching telemark, mountaineering, and rock climbing programs.  Kimi also summitted Denali via the West Rib route in 2003.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and a PSIA Level III Telemark Instructor, AIARE Level I Avalanche instructor

 

gary

Gary Bard has been avid backcountry traveler, instructor, skier and guide for over 30 years.  Gary is the driving force behind the MAS Avalanche Education Program and is a trainer for MAS guides. Gary also serves on the Board of Directors and Technical Committee for the American Institute of Education and Avalanche Research (AIARE).
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR), AIARE Level II Instructor, AMGA Professional Member, AIARE Technical Committee.

 

tony

Tony Brown lives in Gardnerville Nevada where he has quick access to Calaveras Dome, Bear Valley and our HIghway 50 climbing areas (Lovers Leap, Phantom Spires and Sugarloaf.  Tony is a strong climber that enjoys sharing his skill and knowledge to enthusiastic climbers.
Certifications:  Wilderness First Responder (WFR), AIARE Level II graduate; AMGA Advanced Rock Guides Course Graduate

 

marty

Marty Simpson moved to Bear Valley and started working with MAS in 1998.  Marty came to MAS with a rich background of personal adventures and leading outdoor recreation for youth.  Marty quickly became a certified telemark ski instructor and transition into a mountaineering and rock climbing instructor as the seasons changed.
Certifications:  Wilderness First Responder (WFR), PSIA Level II Telemark Ski Instructor, AIARE Level I Avalanche instructor

 

michael

Michael McCarthy originated in the Pacific Northwest and started guiding with Mountain Madness.  Michael moved to Bay Area in 2003 and started working with MAS shortly thereafter.  Michael is a well rounded mountaineer with vast amounts of teaching and guiding on glaciers, ice, snow and rock. 
Certifications:  Wilderness First Responder (WFR), AIARE Level III Avalanche graduate, AMGA Ski Guide Course graduate, AMGA Rock Instructor Course graduate, AIARE Level I Avalanche instructor

 

paul

Paul Henrickson has been working with MAS since 1997. Paul commands a wealth of knowledge from the nordic ski world and is also an experienced avalanche educator, mountaineer and rock climbing instructor. Paul has received countless accolades for his depth of knowledge, clear communication and great sense of humor.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR), PSIA Level III Telemark Instructor, and Level III Cross Country Instructor.

 

pete

Pete Ryan has been part of the MAS team since 1999.  In that time Pete has worn many hats at MAS from BaseCamp manager, lead rock and avalanche guide plus our team building and leadership facilitator.  Pete's professionalism and good nature has earned him a reputation as a talented and gifted educator.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Level I AIARE Avalanche Instructor, WMI Instructor, PSIA Level I Telemark Instructor, and Level I Cross Country Instructor.

 

caroline

Caroline Duell has been a core member of the MAS team since 1998.  Not only is she the staff coordinator at the Bear Valley Telemark Festival but she is a competent and inspirational rock climbing and mountaineering instructor.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

 

Gratuities
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MAS guides work hard to provide top quality outdoor programs and experiences. Tipping your guide or instructor is a customary way to acknowledge that you have had a great experience.