2024 was a year of significant change and new beginnings. I fully embraced nomadic life, left the tech world behind, and dedicated myself to climbing and guiding. Among the highlights were a summer spent working with AAI, the exciting transition to van life with my partner, and completing important guide training courses to prepare for the future.
Winter
January was my month of ice climbing and solo exploration. After New Years, I drove out from Seattle to Ouray, Colorado to attend All In Ice Festival. I took an ice climbing clinic and met the warmest community. Halfway through the month I drove to Bozeman, Montana in a snow storm and spent the rest of the month climbing with people I met on the local ice climbing Facebook group. I snuck in some snowboarding at Big Sky and a day trip through Yellowstone while I was there. Then in February I came home to Seattle for the month, snowboarded and climbed locally, and then headed out for Las Vegas for the Spring. I drove with my dad down through the Eastern Sierras, and we stopped in Mount Shasta, Bishop and Death Valley on our way.
Spring
I spent the Spring in Las Vegas, NV and Moab, UT. I loved having the month and a half in Vegas to settle and feel at home. After leaving Seattle, Vegas feels the most like home.
Summer
Summer brought me back to Washington, for my first season guiding with American Alpine Institute. In between trips for AAI, I snuck in two Rainier summits, and some personal climbing in Leavenworth, Index, and Washington Pass (all my favorite places). I underestimated the time and energy that work trips would take — a day before and after to prepare and rest, and felt some disappointment at not getting to climb as much for myself, and feeling the loss of pure rock climbing fitness. But the season on Mount Baker did give me a lot of what I was hoping for — experience on the mountain, a feeling a comfort and competence in the terrain, and the opportunity to host, empower, and guide others in the outdoors.
Fall
The fall was intended to be spent just between Moab and Vegas, but had some extra trips thrown in. We made two trips out to Boulder, CO so I could prepare for and take my Advanced Rock Guide Course. Then, we bought a van, took a trip to San Diego and Seattle to see family, and brought our new van up to Canmore, CA to kick off the ice climbing season.
What’s to come in 2025
2025 is shaping up to be a full year! Ken and I are both thrilled and grateful to have so much work lined up. Since leaving software, my focus has been on gaining the experience and opportunities needed to make full-time, year-round guiding a reality. In 2025, that dream is taking shape, with guiding work scheduled almost every month. Plus, having our van now makes traveling and living on the road together so much more sustainable.
To start the year we’re in Ouray, Colorado, where we’ll be through mid-February. Ken has an exciting new administrative role with the Ouray Ice Park(!), and I’m prepping for my Ice Instructor Course in early February. From there, we’ll head to Las Vegas in March for some rock guiding work with both AAI and The Mountain Guides Red Rocks. Spring will see me working with She Moves Mountains in Moab and Smith Rock, Oregon. This summer, I’ll return to Bellingham and AAI, but with my additional guide certifications this year, I’m excited to expand beyond just Mount Baker trips and take on more diverse work.
Fall plans are still in the air, but we’re envisioning time in Moab and Las Vegas, and fingers crossed, a trip to France with my family. We’ll return to Ouray for the winter for Ken’s work at the ice festivals and the park, and I’m hoping to pick up some ice guiding opportunities as well.
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Mia Climbs 
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