Well that’s a wrap! We just finished up our inaugural Weston Sierra Splitboard program in beautiful Mammoth Lakes with an AIARE Level 1, Splitboard only course. Big thanks to all the participants who came out for the Weston Splitboard Program and to those who only attended our Split AIARE Level 1. It was beyond a pleasure to meet and hang with you all as you up’d your game in backcountry education. Big shout out to GSG AIARE Leader Jan Czyzewski for facilitating another great course for our students and to GSG Instructor and Splitboard guru Jonathan Cahill for assisting with the delivery of the curriculum, you guys slayed it. Also, HUGE thanks to our partner Weston Backcountry for providing the splitboards throughout the program and for your support on the backend, stoked to call those guys not only a partner but friends. And finally, shout out to GSG Ambassador Jameson Schultz for capturing the AIARE course photos and to Miles Weaver for assisting with the Split 101 shoot, couldn’t do it without you guys.
This is just the beginning of our Splitboard programming in the Eastern Sierra. We’ve got another Split 101 launching soon so stay tuned. And we’ll have a full recap of the Weston Sierra Splitboard Program up in the coming week. Until then, stay safe, keep up on the continued backcountry education, and go forth and slay POW🤙🏻📷 @jamesonschultz.studio
@westonbackcountry @aiare_official @janczyzewski @jcizzler @milesweaverphoto @jamesonschultz.studio @karakorambc @sparkrandd @g3gear @visitmammoth @mammothlakeschamber @mammothlakesrecreation @monocountyofficial @monocountytourism @exploreinyocounty
#sierrasplitboarding #westonsierrasplitboardprogram #westonbackcountry #westonbackcountrysplit #splitboarding #mammothlakes #mammothmountain #optoutside #neverstopexploring #goldenstateguiding #gsg #gsguides #gsgambassadors #goforthandslaypow
Adaptive Climbing Program
The smile says it all😊 So fortunate that @madisyn.taute reached out to us back in October to put together an Adaptive Climbing Program with a scholarship she accepted from the @cafoundation! The program consisted of 6 outings in the San Diego region and focused on honing Madisyn’s outdoor climbing skills with everything from knots and hitches, top rope anchors, rappelling and on her final day she sent her first lead climb! Big shout out to Madisyn for having the courage to conquer what many of us unknowingly take for granted on any given day, it was an incredible journey to follow. Also, big thanks to GSG Lead Guide @gregasaurus_flex for facilitating all 6 outings, great job as always Greg🤙🏻 Looking forward to getting you out with us again next month Madisyn!
Weston Sierra Splitboard Program
Besides the low tide conditions in the Sierra we couldn’t have asked for a better weekend to kick off our Sierra Splitboard Program with our partner Weston Backcountry! Following up to our Split Social a few weeks back, participants of the program gathered for our Split 101 where we focused on avalanche awareness and equipment, tour planning and the tools needed to execute a good plan for a day out, and of course, our partner Weston styled out all of our participants with a Splitboard! Big thanks to everyone who attended our inaugural Split 101, it was a real treat getting to spend the day with all of you. Also, big shout out to GSG Split Guide Will Sperry for executing the curriculum for our guests, excellent job out there. Big thanks to Miles Weaver for shooting photos on day 1 and to our friends and partner Ridge Merino for styling out our guests with dual lined buffs and guide tops, you guys rock! And thanks to Karakoram and Spark R&D Bindings for the rad demo fleet! Stay tuned for some epic photos from Miles coming soon. And for all of our participants, we’ll see you in 3 weeks for your final AIARE Avalanche course, looking forward to it!
@westonbackcountry @themountainsareglowing_imustgo @milesweaverphoto @ridge_merino @karakorambc @sparkrandd
#westonbackcountry #weston #gsg #gsguides #goforthandslaypow #karakoram #karakorambc #karakorambindings #sparkrandd #sierra #easternsierra #optoutside #splitboarding #split101 #neverstopexploring #ridgemerino
GSG Welcomes Cody Kaemmerlen to the Ambassador Family!
GSG is ringing in the new year with a great addition to the GSG Ambassador Family. We’re excited to announce good friend and all around awesome human, Cody Kaemmerlen as our latest addition to the GSG Ambassador Family! Cody’s commitment to the climbing community, involvement in local organizations, and efforts towards environmental sustainability fits the GSG bill perfect. Cody is the voice behind the Wilder Mind podcast which recently transformed into @wildermind.co, a collective of outdoor enthusiasts working with environmentally conscious brands to help tell their story, give them a follow and see what they’re up to! We couldn’t be more stoked to welcome Cody to the GSG family and begin collaborating on projects in the future. Welcome to the GSG Ambassador Family Cody! Cheers to some fun times ahead! Click the button below to view Cody’s Golden State guiding Bio. 📷 @mattburbach
2020 Reflection & Looking Ahead
Rounding the corner on 2020; a quick reflection on 2020 and a thanks to our community. Words by Owner and Guide, Ryan Hartegan...
“Rewind back to February 1st, 2020 when I had a conversation with GSG Guide and Tera Kaia co-owner, Lauren Breitenbach, in downtown Bishop while checking out there new retail storefront... Me: I think 2020 is going to be a breakout year for GSG and Tera Kaia. Lauren: Yeah, I totally agree. Two weeks later the world began to shutdown due to Coronavirus, bookings and events for our service were cancelled, and we began settling in to a new way of life and uncertainty as we locked down the country... Lauren and I could not have been more wrong! Just like business, the future is hard to predict, no matter how much work you put into it. There will always be peaks and valleys throughout life, the key is to stay the course, remain humble, and ride it out.”
“What a crazy year 2020 has been indeed. Between the pandemic and lockdowns, suspension of commercial operations in the Spring, and record setting fires across California and the Sierra, we think it's safe to say 2020 will go down in the history books and will be talked about for some time. With that being said, we want to take this moment to thank each and every one of our guests, supporters, and followers for your continued support with our service and your understanding and flexibility you've allotted us as we've navigated this stressful and heavyhearted year. The outreach from the community throughout 2020 has been overwhelming and incredibly encouraging. Although there were numerous blockades we had to navigate, and inevitably more on the way, we've got a lot of momentum heading into 2021 and we look forward to continuing to facilitate memorable outings for our community, bring education to the forefront of our service, and expand our programming to better serve the outdoor industry. From the bottom of our hearts, the GSG Family thanks you all for your continued support and we look forward to nothing but unicorns and rainbows in 2021 🦄🌈!” 📷 @kylieclarke_photography
Happy 40th to GSG Lead Guide Josh Reinig
Happy 40th Birthday to this guy! GSG Lead Guide Josh Reinig has been an integral part of our guide service since nearly day one. His enthusiasm for life, passion for climbing, and love for his family is an inspiration to us all and something we should all strive towards. Happy 40th @senseisplitter ! Hope you enjoy the day🤙🏻
Slay @ Home Speaker Series
In conjunction with our Weston Backcountry Sierra Splitboard Program happening this winter in Mammoth Lakes, California, we’re pleased to present the Slay @ Home Speaker Series, sponsored by our partner, Weston! Education has always been at the core of our guide service and supporting our community of backcountry travelers through educational courses is a top priority of ours. Weston’s Slay @ Home Speaker Series hosts an array of educational courses focused on topics such as backcountry basics and how to get started, gear recommendations, avalanche education, and trip planning. The panelist’s facilitating this first series consists of some of the most reputable guides and instructors in our industry from all over North America. Big thanks to our partner Weston for providing these webinars to our community of backcountry travelers!
Click on the button below to register for these free backcountry education webinars and be on the lookout for a Golden State Guiding sponsored event early 2021! Cheers to beginning the process of getting educated and to the journey of a lifelong session of slaying pow!
1% for the Planet member // 2 Year Anniversary!
Happy 2 year anniversary to us! Hard to believe it's been 2 years since GSG signed up to become a 1% for the Planet member! Two years ago we took a pledge to support the places we recreate in by becoming a 1% for the Planet member and donating 1% of our annual gross profit (not NET) to the organizations of our choice underneath the 1% umbrella. Through this commitment, organizations such as the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, Yosemite Conservancy, Protect Our Winters, and Friends of Joshua Tree have been the beneficiaries of our 1% contribution. These organizations play vital roles in supporting the areas we recreate in and help to keep us safe while enjoying what we all love to do! Big thanks to our community for your continued support towards our guide service. It's because of you we're able to support these awesome organizations!
Weston Sierra Splitboard Program // Registration Open!
Registration officially opens today for our Weston Backcountry Sierra Splitboard Program in Mammoth Lakes, CA!
Golden State Guiding is excited to announce our new partnership with Weston Backcountry, a splitboard and ski company based out of Minturn, Colorado! GSG was drawn to Weston specifically for their dedication to education in the backcountry, their desire to support guides and guide services in our industry, their commitment to the environment and being a 1% for the Planet member like we are, and the overall stoke they have for winter time backcountry travel, whether that be on a splitboard or skis!
With the support of Weston, Golden State Guiding is rolling out our Sierra Splitboard Program in the Mammoth Lakes area for the 2020/2021 snow season! The programming will be multifaceted and will cover a wide variety of topics in the field and also in a classroom setting. The overall goal of our Sierra Splitboard Program will be to introduce snowboarders and splitboarders to a new medium in their sport, to familiarize them with the current equipment in the market, to give them entry level tools to access the backcountry, and most importantly, lay a foundation for good practices in the future to make the best decisions possible when traveling in avalanche terrain. Click the link in our bio to learn more and to register for our Weston Backcountry Sierra Splitboard Program! Looking forward to a great program with all you shredders out there!
@westonbackcountry @karakorambc @sparkrandd @g3gear @visitmammoth @ridge_merino @mammothlakesrecreation @mammothlakeschamber @exploreinyocounty @1percentftp @monocountytourism @monocountyofficial @snowboardermag @patagonia_snow @darkstartsbc @mesarim_mm @mesarim_mv @mesarimclimbing @mesarim_nc @verticalhold @aacsandiego @officialacsd @themountainsareglowing_imustgo @aiare_official @janczyzewski @jcizzler
#weston #westonbackcountry #sparkrandd #karakoram #karakorambc #karakorambindings #easternsierra #mammoth #mammothlakes #splitboard #splitboarding #shred #shredthegnar #shredthemountain #optoutside #neverstopexploring #goldenstateguiding #aiare #aiareavalancheeducation #avalanche #avalancheeducation #avysavvy
Ladies Weekend Out Registration is Open!
We’re getting back in the saddle with our regularly scheduled events, albeit in a much smaller capacity! Golden State Guiding and our good friends Tera Kaia and Saint Archer Brewery are throwing another awesome Ladies Weekend Out event in Joshua Tree National Park, October 16th - 18th! Twelve lucky ladies will have the opportunity to climb some of Joshua Tree’s most coveted rock climbing crags with our AMGA certified guides. Both days will be packed with fun climbing for all abilities, technical clinics introducing you to outdoor climbing, camaraderie, community and fun for all!
Our Ladies Weekend Out events are quickly becoming the go-to, all female climbing events to attend! The smaller group size sets the stage for a more intimate weekend where participants really get to know one-another and receive more personalized instruction. The relationships formed from our LWO events is what makes these events so special and such a success! Click here to view a photo gallery from our LWO, Fall 2019 event in Joshua Tree! We hope to see you out there, it's going to be another memorable weekend! Click the button below to learn more!
Crystal Crag Guiding // Mammoth Lakes, California
Another fun day out in the Eastern Sierra in Mammoth Lakes, CA! GSG Guide Joshua Reinig leading the way up Crystal Crag with guests Catherine Dang and Dan Kaiahua. Have a watch and enjoy the show!
Sierra Single Pitchn' Success!
Another incredible event is in the bag! Such a great weekend with these awesome individuals at our 3rd annual Sierra Single Pitchn’ event! Big thanks to everyone who came out for the weekend to climb with us in a beautiful place, we had a blast showing you around some of our favorite places to climb on the Eastside! Also, as always we couldn’t do it without our talented guide and ambassador team. Big thanks to GSG Guide @gregasaurus_flex for facilitating the weekend and to GSG Ambassador @jameson.schultz for capturing all the special moments! Looking forward to the next SSP in 2021! 📷 @Jameson.schultz. Click the button below to see the Sierra Single Pitchn’ photo gallery!
GSG Alpine Guide Training
Keeping the GSG fam sharp! Alpine skills training days on the Eastside with IFMGA guide Ryan Huetter. Mentoring is a big part of the equation when it comes to staying sharp and continued education outside of the regularly schedule AMGA programs which are currently on hold. GSG Guides Josh Reinig and Greg Davis spent 2 days in the alpine where they were able to work on their alpine techniques and systems while being observed by fellow IFMGA Guide Ryan Huetter. Big thanks to Ryan for helping facilitate this mentorship program and to GSG Guides Josh and Greg for the willingness to expand their knowledge and participate in the days out.
Sierra Single Pitchn' Registration is Open!
Golden State Guiding is excited to announce the third annual Sierra Single Pitchn’ event is back this July 25th - 26th in the Mammoth Lakes area!
Come join us for an unforgettable weekend of climbing and camaraderie in the beautiful Mammoth Lakes area, conveniently located in the heart of the Sierra and just a short drive from Yosemite National Park!
Throughout the weekend you’ll have the pleasure of climbing at beautiful alpine crags on an array of high quality Sierra granite and volcanic rock and the opportunity to meet new, likeminded people looking to have a good time! Click here to check out pictures from our Sierra Single Pitchn’ event last year! We hope to see you out there, it’s going to be another fun event! Click the button below to learn more and to register for SSP!
Eastern Sierra Rock and Alpine Climbing Is Back!
While there are many more important things happening in our country right now, GSG still feels its necessary to update our community regarding our current operations. As of June 8th, GSG is excited to announce that we’re officially guiding again in the Eastern Sierra! We are taking all the necessary precautions in retaliation to COVID-19 and have our new operating procedures and guidelines posted on our website for all to view. We’re incredibly excited to get back into the mountains and do what we love to do, Guide! Click the button below to book your next adventure in the alpine!
Break up with your Bank
We only have 1 Planet, let's do what we can to ensure she's around for future generations to enjoy. Break up with your bank and support a financial institution that is moving in the right direction with policy change that supports clean energy.
In the last 4 years a collective 35 banks throughout the world have contributed 2.7 trillion dollars to the fossil fuel industry, the top 5 donors being JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi, Bank of America, and RBC. While we understand no financial institution is perfect, we feel it makes sense to support the ones that are moving towards funding clean energy, ensuring we have a planet to recreate on in the future. The banks who are leading by example are those updating their policies to support clean energy in the coming years. For these reasons Golden State Guiding has decided to partner with Bank of the West.
Golden State Guiding is a proud donor of Protect Our Winters through our 1% for the Planet annual donation. Big thanks to our friends at POW for spearheading this campaign and for bringing awareness to our community. Give them a follow if you don’t already @protectourwinters . Click the button below to learn more an to support a worth cause!
@bankofthewest @chase @wellsfargo @citibank @rbc @bankofamerica @bnpparibasopen @1percentftp @yosemitenps @amga1979 @yosemiteconservancy @joshuatreefriends @jeremyjones @grahamzimmerman @patagonia @aiare_official @patagonia_climb @missiontrails_regionalpark @joshuatreenps @exploreinyocounty @friendsoftheinyo @americanalpine @terakaia @terakaiabishop @terakaiacollective @aacsandiego @officialacsd @mesarimclimbing @verticalhold @sheltahats @outdoorresearch @mammothlakeschamber.
#breakupwithyourbank #buwyb #gsg #gsguides #goldenstateguiding #1percentfortheplanet #neverstopexploring #optoutside #rockclimbing
GSG's 3 Year Anniversary!
It's hard to believe but Golden State Guiding's 3 Year Anniversary is May 1st! How quickly the time has passed! Starting up a small guide service in 2017, we never could have imagined how far down the road we would be in just 3 years. Within this short amount of time we've expanded our operations outside of Southern California to include the Eastern Sierra, Joshua Tree, and Red Rock. We've become a 1% for the Planet member supporting local organizations like Yosemite Conservancy, Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, Protect Our Winters, and Friends of Joshua Tree. We launched our winter programming in the Eastern Sierra and became an AIARE Avalanche Course provider, and we've had the opportunity to work with some amazing clients, whom we call friends, and organizations along the way. From the bottom of our hearts, we'd like to thank this incredible community for all of your support and for opening your doors to our service the past 3 years. We truly look forward to continuing to provide our community with the highest level of service in the years to come.
Without a doubt the biggest thing we'd like to acknowledge and say we are most grateful for is our GSG Guide and Ambassador family we've had the opportunity to get to know and work with over the last 3 years. We refer to our Guides and Ambassadors as family for reason. They're more than just people who represent our service, they are the backbone of our business, the face of our brand, the future of our service and industry, and most important, they're family. Thank you to each and every one of our talented Guides and Ambassadors for your dedication and loyalty to Golden State Guiding, for facilitating amazing outings for our clients, for bringing uncontrollable laughs and stories to share around the campfire, and for continuing to keep the dream and vision alive along the way. We couldn't do it without your continued efforts and support!
GSG Guide Sarah Barrile // COVID-19 Frontline Hero
We wanted to take a second to send an honorable shout out to GSG Guide @sarah___bee for working the frontlines as an ICU nurse during this global COVID-19 pandemic. Not only is Sarah an incredible guide, but her everyday 9-5 is beyond admirable. It’s truly incredible to see all the healthcare workers come together to serve our community in these trying times. Our hats go off to everyone doing what they can to keep people healthy and safe. Thank you for everything you do, Sarah! Also, fun fact... Sarah was our very first client ever for GSG over 3 years ago!
COVID-19 Update // Guiding Operations Currently Suspended
As with so many other businesses, which includes guide services throughout California and the world, Golden Sate Guiding made the decision to suspend all commercial guiding in our permitted regions until this virus has come to rest. Although not a decision any company wants to make, it was an easy one. It was a decision that never felt forced, and one we felt was our responsibility to see through to the end.
In our opinion, it's time to take advantage of this down time (or tough time), to reenergize, rejuvenate, decompress, collect your thoughts, and maybe stay off the Gram for a minute. We'll soon return to doing what we love most which is guiding and recreating in these beautiful places we're so fortunate enough to have. The resiliency of our community and industry as a whole will ensure we come out the other side stronger and smarter, we thoroughly believe this, so take notes along the way.
Moving forward in the coming weeks, play by the rules, don't visit the places we love so much if it involves leaving your local community, and focus on whats important right now, family and friends.
And lastly, for all the other guide services and guides out there, thank you for being such a great inspiration to our service, it's been amazing to see everyone coming together during these uncertain times. Hang in there, we're all in this together, whether being the new service on the block or seasoned vets. Continue to do what you do best which is inspiring and supporting our awesome community.
AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course Wrap Up
Our February AIARE Level 1 avalanche course in Mammoth Lakes has officially wrapped up and what a great couple days in the field it was! Big thanks to everyone who came out and attended our first AIARE Level 1, it was a pleasure having you out! And big thanks to GSG AIARE Leader @janczyzewski for facilitating a great course! 1 spot is still available for our March Level 1 running March 24th - 26th in Mammoth! Click the button below to register and learn more!
