Interview with a Montana Hiking Guide

Q: Can you tell us about your background and how you got into hiking guide work?

A: My background is unique for a hiking guide. I started my career as a Chemical Engineer (and I love to incorporate that knowledge into hikes!) I then left that career and hiked 1000 miles in 2019 while on a 4 month-long road trip before settling in Montana. I then realized I wanted to pursue the idea of guiding in the Bitterroot because it was THE BEST place out of all of these other places I had just recently visited, and there was nobody else guiding there. I didn't have much guiding experience at first. I had led many successful trips for friends and family, but never for another company. I did my research, got the certifications and licenses I needed, applied for permits, got permits, and then started hosting tours nearly 5 years ago!

Q: What do you find most rewarding about being a guide?

A: The most rewarding part(s) of being a guide is being able to do what I love (hiking + helping people) and hearing that my hikes are the #1 highlight of my guests' trips to Montana!

Q: What would you say to someone who's considering hiring a guide?

A: Hiring a guide or instructor is the best way to fast-track a novice into intermediate levels. There are usually many things that go wrong in the initial outings of a new activity or sport and hiring a guide will help newcomers avoid those mistakes and build confidence early on!

Q: Can you share an interesting or memorable experience you've had while guiding?

A: On one night in the backcountry, we had a creature wander into camp and mess with our belongings. Just as I was falling asleep, I was abruptly awoken to very nearby rustling, stomping, and grunting. Instantly, my brain thought "Grizzly", but I wanted to confirm first. I grabbed my bear spray and my headlamp, then shone it on the creature. It was a mountain goat! The goat circled our camp, causing shrieks of fright from others in the group as it clumsily clomped past each of our tents. I managed to scare him off, but every time I would do so, the goat would return 10 - 15 min later. Eventually, we decided to let the goat wander the campsite and go to sleep. At this point, we had secured all of our equipment inside or near our tents so we weren't worried about the goat getting into anything... Not long after this, the goat sauntered over about 50 ft away from my tent and flopped down onto the ground. The goat had decided to take a nap! In the morning, just as dawn was breaking, I woke up, it woke up, we made eye contact, then he promptly darted off. It was absolutely one of the weirdest wildlife interactions I've ever had!

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work?

A: The biggest challenges I face are marketing and the perceived value of guiding services! Marketing is difficult for many reasons. One of those reasons is that people avoid hiring a guide because it's expensive. They think that hiking is usually a free activity, so why should they hire a guide? This thinking is flawed because hiring a guide is an investment in knowledge, and mental and physical health! The time and money saved by avoiding failed outings and worse, outings that end in injury, is invaluable. Even for experienced hikers in new locations that they're unfamiliar with, a guide's knowledge of the local area can ensure that their trip goes smoothly!

Q: What's your favorite location to guide in and why?

A: Favorite location to guide in is the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. If we were to combine it with the adjacent Frank Church River-of-No-Return Wilderness, it creates the largest wilderness in the lower 48 of the US. You get spectacular scenery without any of the national park crowds and its amazing. I call it the "Mecca" of backpacking.

Q: What's your favorite part about the hiking experience itself?

A: I feel invincible after summiting a big ol' peak with a bit of scrambling! Even if it's a small hill, I love going to the top to see the view!

Learn more about Bitterroot Backpacking