Instructor Bio

(760) 920-7135

Howie is an UIAGM internationally certified ski and mountain guide, and one of the owners of Sierra Mountain Guides. He was fortunate to learn to ski soon after learning to walk. Howie started alpine climbing in 1988 on a summer trip to the Tetons. The highlight of the trip was climbing the Grand Teton via the upper Exum Route with famous Yosemite climber Chuck Pratt. Howie decided there to spend the rest of his life in the mountains. Since then, he has extensively climbed, skied, and guided rock, ice, and snow, throughout the U.S., Europe, Alaska, South America, Canada, and Mexico. Howie has been a professional guide since 1993. He is one of the co-designers of the acclaimed A.I.A.R.E. Avalanche Course Curriculum and teaches Level 1-3 Avalanche Programs. He has been involved with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center locally as a Board Member. Howie is also an instructor and examiner for the AMGA Training and Certification Program and serves on the AMGA’s Technical Committee as Ski Discipline Coordinator. Howie loves to flatpick on his guitar and can be seen jamming with string musicians all over the Eastern Sierra. Howie’s wife, Karen, is the proud owner of a new retail shop in Bishop, CA called Sage to Summit. They live in a geodesic dome in nearby Big Pine, CA.

Sierra Mountain Guides is an international guide service based in the Eastern Sierra Nevada of California. We specialize in guided trips and courses for backcountry skiing/snowboarding, avalanche courses, alpine climbing, rock climbing, ice climbing, trekking, and mountain running. We offer trips worldwide in the European Alps, Alaska, Canada, South America, and other exciting venues, including our backyard, the Sierra Nevada.