"My best day gets repeated every day we are in the mountains. It is an awesome experience being up there no matter what you are doing or what day it is," explains Maridy Loftis, a Nevada-based mountain guide.
Experienced mountain guides lead groups through treacherous, but beautiful, terrain. Guiding isn't a cakewalk; guides spend hours mapping the safest and most enjoyable hiking trails. During the climb, guides put their own recreational needs on hold while they patiently teach and aid their clients. Even if it is a job, mountain guiding provides some great rewards -- beautiful country and clean, fresh air.
Loftis is a part-time guide who works for the Ascent program for children. "I started the leadership program when I was 13 years old and became an actual guide for Ascent when I was 18," she explains.
A full-time college student, Loftis guides three to four weekends during the summer and one to two weekends during the winter. "Our busiest months are July and August because that is when kids are out of school and want to go backpacking," she says.
Typical days for Loftis and her crew start early. Everyone is up by 4:30 a.m. and on the trail by 5 a.m. Six hours of constant hiking later, or when they reach the summit, they break for a short lunch. Then it's back down the mountain again for dinner. Although her day may seem unnerving to couch potatoes everywhere, the rigorous exercise is not the most difficult aspect of her job.
"The leadership takes a lot out of a person emotionally. I would say that the responsibility of 12 to 15 lives on your shoulders is the hardest part of my job."
Leadership may be the hardest part of Loftis' job, but avoiding injury is another concern. As a guide, she is responsible for her safety, as well as that of her clients. Injuries can range from simple cuts and bruises to nausea and death.
Unexpected events can always happen, even to a guide, so an experienced guide must be prepared. "One day I fell and a boulder...smashed the pinkie finger on my right hand. I had to be taken to the emergency room. I was in a lot of pain and thought I wouldn't be able to come back and finish the climb. But it turned out OK, and I ended up climbing to the summit," Loftis remembers.
Brian Morton understands that unexpected climbing events can happen. "The worst day I've had on the job was the day a group we were rappeling next to on Mount Currahee, Georgia, threaded their rope directly through their sling. The friction melted it.
"The climber fell about 60 feet down a large slab, and I had to give him first aid and assist in his transportation back to the road. It was sad for me to see so many unprepared climbers in one place and how catastrophic these accidents can be," Morton explains.
Morton is serious about climbing. He's affiliated with the Climbing Sports Group, the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and the World Climber's Federation.
With his extensive guiding experience, Morton has some sage advice for future guides. "Go...scout areas before you become a guide and climb lots of routes, regardless of rating. Get a routine down and have lots of experience before you apply for your AMGA certification."
Although training and certification is hard work, Morton sees his mountain guide career as a perfect way to blend work and play. "I like my job because I have a chance to have fun while doing what I do best. I also enjoy taking inexperienced camp groups and teaching them a sport they get hooked on. Climbing is addictive!"
Alison Andrews has a successful business getting paid to do what she does best. She is part of a husband-and-wife guiding team and owns a successful guiding business. She develops custom mountain-guiding packages to scenic destinations.
"My busiest months are March and April for skiing, and July and August for climbing and mountaineering," she explains.
Andrews has a full line of equipment for her varied guiding tours. "Depending on season and activity, I may use ropes, climbing protection, specialized shoes, skis, crampons and ice tools."
Andrews agrees that responsibility for people's lives is a challenging component. She has had to assist in the body removal of two avalanche victims, so she soundly understands the possible perils and pitfalls.
However, despite the dangers, Andrews loves her career choice. "I like the variety, the constant decision making, the scheduling flexibility and the job environment. You choose to become a guide because you love the mountains and the lifestyle."