Meet Our Guides

	Eli Simon is a Certified AMGA Rock Instructor and owner of ACS. Eli began climbing in 2000 in his hometown of Camden, Maine. Since then, he has climbed on every continent except Antarctica, including 8 big wall routes on Yosemite’s famed El Capitan, Fitzroy in Patagonia, and first ascents in Patagonia, Mexico, and Newfoundland. Besides climbing, Eli has sailed extensively, including a transatlantic crossing in 1999. Eli is a graduate of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Eli is a Certified Wilderness EMT, and an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course provider.
	Pete Fasoldt is a Certified AMGA Rock Guide. Pete has traveled and climbed extensively throughout North and South America — from his home turf of the Camden Hills in mid-coast Maine, to the legendary peaks of Patagonia. Also an avid sailor, Pete has sailed over 15,000 nautical miles in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Pete is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, where he earned a B.A. in Hispanic Studies & Spanish. Pete is a Certified Wilderness First Responder.
	Alexa Siegel is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and a Wilderness First Responder. She first started climbing in 2003 at the Boston Rock Gym and hasn’t stopped since. Alexa has traveled throughout the United States to pursue climbing. Her top two favorite places she has been are Indian Creek in Utah and the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2010 with a degree in Environmental Conservation Studies.  She studied for 4 months in New Zealand where she also climbed in world famous areas such as Castle Hill.  Since Graduating from collage, Alexa has taught Environmental Science to middle school children in New Hampshire and worked as a ski patroller.  Climbing has introduced Alexa to some of her best friends while allowing her to explore and appreciate the outdoors. She is excited to share her knowledge and experience with future students.
	Ryan Howes has been teaching in the outdoor adventure education profession for 10 years. Ryan has a M.S. in Experiential Education and B.S. in Adventure Education Leadership and Adventure Therapy. Ryan also has over a decade of climbing experience on rock, ice and alpine routes all over North America; from first ascents in the woods of Maine to Huge multi pitch routes in California. Ryan is a certified AMGA Single-Pitch Instructor and has completed the AMGA Rock Instructor course, and the AMGA Ice Instructor course. Ryan is a Wilderness EMT, a Leave No Trace Trainer, and has completed the AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course. When Ryan isn’t climbing he enjoys kicking around a soccer ball, and spending time with his partner and her two kids.
	Joel Enrico is a Maine native who has spent the last few years climbing throughout the western United States. He has visited areas like Yosemite National Park in California (where he climbed the famed Nose of El Capitan in less than 24 hours), Zion National Park in Utah, Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, and the Needles of South Dakota. When Joel isn’t traveling the globe he loves climbing right here in Acadia; with it’s flawless granite, unique style and surreal setting, Acadia National Park is Joel’s favorite place to climb. Joel honed his teaching, leadership, and communication skills with the National Outdoor Leadership School. Joel has completed the AMGA Rock Instructor course and is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and Leave No Trace Trainer. He is excited to share his love for climbing with you this summer on the coast of Maine.
	Sam Tyler has been on the move for the past five years , guiding and climbing everything from granite cliffs in Acadia to glaciated peaks in the Himalaya to America’s two highest mountains, Denali and Aconcagua. Although Sam spends most of the year in the bigger mountain ranges, he enjoys spending his summers in Acadia National Park climbing sea cliffs and offering his experience and innate abilities to his clients. Sam attended the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor and thus has a heightened knowledge of Mount Desert Island and all its offerings. He is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer and he holds an Avalanche Level 2 certificate through AIARE
	Ian Dorko grew up in Central Maine where he developed an interest in rock climbing at an early age. Ian has climbed extensively throughout the US and abroad. Ian is a graduate of the University of Maine with a B.S. in Computer Engineering. Almost all of his free time is spent climbing at local crags in Clifton or on the Mount Desert Island. Ian is a talented guide, a great teacher, and a wicked smart wizard! Ian is always looking forward to sharing his passion for rock climbing with others. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder, and an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor.
	Ansel Gifford’s climbing career began with some exposure to indoor climbing through a local gym. He moved to Vermont and quickly became captivated by the real thing: exploring the cliff bands of the Green Mountains. Soon, climbing was a driving force in Ansel’s life. Through this wonderful sport and lifestyle Ansel met some of his best friends, and visited some of the most beautiful places he has ever seen. Within Six years Ansel has climbed from Maine to California, with extensive stints in New Hampshire and Montana. Ansel has a Bachelors Degree in Adventure Based Programming from Lyndon State College and is Wilderness First Responder certified. Ansel is a certified AMGA Single pitch Instructor.
	Nate Miller “I was first exposed to climbing when I was 17 years old, within two years it had become a positive influence and great source of inspiration for me. From my perspective, climbing is a way of life which has led me to incredible places such as Ecuador, Clifton, Mount Desert Island, Mt. Katahdin, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Moab, I ndian Creek, and Colorado. I strive to be well versed in all aspects of climbing but I’m most interested in long free climbs, big walls, and new routes of any kind. I’m psyched on guiding because I enjoy sharing with other people the good times I’ve discovered through climbing.” Nate is a wonderful teacher and a talented guide. Nate is a PCIA Single Pitch Instructor and has completed his level one AIARE course. Nate is also a Wilderness First Responder.

Tipping your guide:

Many of our clients ask us weather or not to tip there guide, and if so how much. Tipping is never expected but always appreciated. Tips usually range anywhere from $20 to $100.