Meet Our Guides

Eli Simon is the lead guide and owner of ACS. Born and raised on the coast of Maine Eli began climbing in 1999 in his hometown of Camden. Since then Eli has climbed or guided on every continent except Antarctica, including nine big wall routes on Yosemite’s famed El Capitan, Fitzroy in Patagonia, and first ascents in Patagonia, Mexico, and Newfoundland. Eli is a dedicated educator and is Maine’s only provider of the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course. This course is the only nationally and internationally recognized training program of its kind. In this capacity Eli has certified hundreds of guides all across the nation. Eli is a graduate of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Besides guiding Eli has worked professionally as a nationally registered emergency medical technician and a sail boat captain, holding a U.S Coast Guard 50 ton captain license. Although climbing and guiding takes Eli all over the globe, there’s not place he would rather be than on the beautiful coast of Maine sharing his love for climbing with others.

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 is a certified AMGA Aspirant Guide, a Certified AMGA Rock Instructor, and has completed the AMGA Rock Guide course. In addition Joel is a certified 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.

Hanna Lucy is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and also holds a Wilderness First Aid certificate. Hanna grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she began exploring the area’s many crags at a young age. After a short stint as a would-be collegiate ski racer, she headed west for bigger rocks and deeper powder. For the past three years, she has lived in Bozeman, Montana, pursuing a degree in Art Education at Montana State University. During her time at MSU, Hanna has climbed throughout the state, both on rock and ice. She has climbed in a handful of western states, with especially memorable trips to the Black Hills of South Dakota and Tuolumne Meadows in California. During the winters, Hanna skis the “cold smoke” Montana powder and coaches skiing. Though she has come to appreciate the spectacular landscape of the west, Hanna is excited to return to New England, where she feels most at home with the dense forests, granite cracks, and 80% humidity.

Grant Simmons grew up in Maryland, but once he discovered climbing, he was gone, searching for the perfect place to live the climbing dream.  During time spent in the southwest, he discovered the irresistible gravity that big mountains hold, and soon all his climbing ambition became focused on pursuing those inspiring landscapes.  Over the years, that inspiration has brought Grant to one incredible place after another and has introduced him to amazing people the world over.  It was actually a chance meeting in the Patagonian jungle that brought him to ACS.  Now, he happily spends his summers on Mount Desert Island, climbing and exploring in a place that he feels totally supports his dream.  Grant is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor who is also Wilderness First Aid certified.

Dane Sterba is a AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness first responder, Leave No Trace Master, and holds a ARAIE Avalanche 1 certification. Dane grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has since lived in Maryland, Virginia, and Arizona. He has traveled around the world from Kenya to Peru and is always ready for an adventure. Dane is a graduate of Prescott College in Arizona holding a degree in adventure and environmental education. Since Dane started climbing in 2005, and most of his climbing experience has been honed in the Southwestern part of the US in renowned areas like Indian Creek, Cochise Stronghold, and Joshua Tree National Park. Dane has been working in the field of adventure education working as an instructor for Prescott College leading backpacking trips in the desert south west. Dane also spent the last year teaching environmental education to 5th grade students in Arizona. In addition to climbing Dane is an avid skier and has done extensive ski mountaineering in Colorado, Arizona, and Idaho. Dane is a very fun loving guy and makes a mean cheese dip!

Richard Parker is an AMGA certifed guide (RI) who began climbing in 1973 and guiding in 1977. He has guided extensively in the Alps, the Wind Rivers and throughout the east. Previously employed by EMS in North Conway and Mooney Mountain Guides in Plymouth, NH, Richard also directed the climbing programs at Proctor Academy and Holderness School for a total of 23 years. He first climbed on the island in 1973, and our pink granite is his favorite rock to climb. Holding degrees from Middlebury, Dartmouth and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, Richard spend 31 years in education and is now retired but still guiding part time because he loves sharing climbing and the natural world with others. His favorite thing to do is to spend time with his three grandsons.