The idea for this book has been brewing since Luke, a mountaineer guide and man I deeply loved, died in a mountain accident on March 6, 2022. Luke and I met on a three-month long NOLS course. Like a glacially-fed river, our lives separated and weaved as we both pursued the evolution of guiding and seasonal avenues. It was a lifestyle that we both loved, in environments that allowed us to experience being fully alive amongst kindred spirits and wide-open spaces, but that also felt unbalanced. 

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The first article I ever had published was Luke's tribute on Climbing.com. The second article I wrote appeared on Outside Online Let Me Tell You The Truth About Being an Adventure Guide, introducing a lesser-talked about side of guiding, particularly around the lack of resources and access to mental health support. 

The amount of outreach I received from other guides (current, past and aspiring) and their loved ones has been astounding. Most of the messages saying "thank you, for putting words to something I didn't know how to talk about."

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We, amongst our outdoor communities, oftentimes exacerbate the physical risks and vulnerability required to pursue our activities, while diminishing the emotional vulnerability that it takes to show up truly courageously.

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This book will be a way for guides and their loved-ones to validate their lesser-voiced experiences, open up conversation and build sustainable community, both within the adventure context and hopefully, extending beyond.  

If you have a story that you are ready to share, reach out and let's have a conversation!