RYAN HOWES

Having grown up playing in the woods and waters of Maine, I became quite fond of nature and knew that I would make a living in the outdoors. Rock climbing in Maine during high school formed my decision to attend Unity College, where I would eventually earn degrees in Adventure Therapy and Adventure Education Leadership. This experience gave me ultimate outdoor access, technical and communication skills building, and of course, I focused that energy into rock climbing and eventually ice climbing in Maine.

Climbing requires good mentorship and Jerry Cinnamon, a Unity College professor, became my climbing partner. He authored books on climbing, such as The Vertical Dance and The Complete Climber’s Handbook, which Outside Magazine called, “Essential insights from a master of the sport” and “Praised by major climbing magazines”. Suffice to say, I was a very lucky young apprentice.

During those formative years I knew that professional guiding in Maine was my career path, so I signed up for my first rock climbing instructor course with the American Mountain Guides Association in spring 2007. I never turned back, quickly sharpened my skills as a climber and an educator, receiving a Master’s in Education from Minnesota State University in 2008.

Over the years I worked for Atlantic Climbing School, Mooney Mountain Guides, Synnott Mountain Guides and Acadia Mountain Guides, achieving head guide status of three of the four companies. I continued my training with the AMGA obtaining Rock Instructor and completing the Alpine Guide Course and Ice Instructor Course. Keeping these certifications requires Wilderness First Responder, and for Maine’s backcountry overnights, I received Maine Recreation Guide status from Maine’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

For over ten years, I trained with a volunteer mountain rescue group on Katahdin. We facilitated multiple high-angle technical rescues with park rangers and game wardens. We also trained Baxter State Park rangers and staff on wilderness medicine, avalanche awareness and rescue, climbing and rescue skills. Suffice to say I know my way around Maine’s wild places, including all the familiar faces.