Joe spends the majority of his time guiding out of Moab, Utah and Seattle, Washington. Clients describe him as being professional, knowledgeable, capable, detail-oriented, encouraging, low-key, and fun. They report that Joe has a knack for reading energy and have described their experience with Joe as being one of the best days of their lives, unforgettable, and thrilling. Providing these types of memorable and potentially transformative experiences is, in large part, why he loves his work.
In addition to guiding, Joe also works for Grand County Search and Rescue (Moab area SAR) and Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Search and Rescue. He has played roles in numerous rescues including high angle technical rope rescues. Joe’s SAR training and experience along with his guide training and climbing experience informs his judgment, which he applies to guiding.
His climbing abilities and mountain sense was developed through many days challenging himself in places like the Bugaboos, Squamish, Index, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Red Rock, Moab Area, Tetons, Eldo, RMNP, Lumpy, Cochise, Devils Tower, the Gunks, and El Potrero Chico.
Additionally, Joe has worked as a Backcountry National Park Ranger, a patent attorney at a nationally recognized law firm, and a mechanical engineer. Joe also founded a company that builds custom vans and. He draws on his varied life experience to provide a quality experience for his clients.
TRAINING/ EDUCATION
AMGA Rock Guide Course
AMGA Advance Rock Guide Course
Rigging for Rescue Custom Advance Course
Western Technical Rescue Training (National Park rope rescue training)
Grand County Technical Rope Rescue Trainings
Wilderness First Responder, NOLS
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Sociology, highest distinction, University of Minnesota
JD, University of Minnesota, Walter Trogner Scholar (full merit scholarship)
** Guiding is not a licensed profession in the United States. In other words, no particular trainings/certifications are legally required for rock and canyoneering guides in the US. The AMGA is a reputable organization in the United States that provides training and its own certifications for guiding. Joe guides terrain consistent with his training and experience.