Meet Our Guides

 

The core of our climbing school, or of any business, is its staff. At ACS our staff are expert climbers, dedicated teachers, and talented and friendly guides. As trained professionals, our guides are masters of matching a client’s needs with our local terrain in order to create courses that consistently exceed our client’s expectations. All of our staff are certified by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) for the terrain on which they guide, and we are proud to be the only guide service in Maine to have this distinction.

At ACS, we pride ourselves on our sterling reputation. With 19 years of outstanding performance, we strive every day to continue to be Maine’s premier climbing school.

In fun, in professional commitment, in everything we do — at Atlantic Climbing School, WE CLIMB HIGHER.

 

 

 

Eli Simon is a Certified AMGA Rock Instructor and owner of ACS. Eli began climbing in 2000 in his hometown of Camden, Maine. Since then, he has climbed on every continent except Antarctica, including 8 big wall routes on Yosemite’s famed El Capitan, Fitzroy in Patagonia, and first ascents in Patagonia, Mexico, and Newfoundland. Besides climbing, Eli has sailed extensively, including a transatlantic crossing in 1999. Eli holds a USCG 50 ton captains license. Eli is a graduate of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Eli is a Certified Wilderness EMT, and an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course provider.
Pete Fasoldt is a Certified AMGA Rock Guide. Pete has traveled and climbed extensively throughout North and South America — from his home turf of the Camden Hills in mid-coast Maine, to the legendary peaks of Patagonia. Also an avid sailor, Pete has sailed over 15,000 nautical miles in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Pete is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, where he earned a B.A. in Hispanic Studies & Spanish. Pete is a Certified Wilderness First Responder.

 

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 Rock Instructor, 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.
Ryan Howes is a certified AMGA Rock Instructor and has completed the AMGA Ice Instructor course. Ryan has been teaching in the outdoor adventure education profession for 12 years. Ryan has a M.S. in Experiential Education and B.S. in Adventure Education Leadership and Adventure Therapy. Ryan also has over a decade of climbing experience on rock, ice and alpine routes all over North America; from first ascents in the woods of Maine to Huge multi pitch routes in California. Ryan is a Wilderness EMT, a Leave No Trace Trainer, and has completed the AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course. When Ryan isn’t climbing he enjoys kicking around a soccer ball, and spending time with his partner and her two kids.                      
Ian Dorko grew up in Central Maine where he developed an interest in rock climbing at an early age. Ian has climbed extensively throughout the US and abroad. Ian is a graduate of the University of Maine with a B.S. in Computer Engineering. Almost all of his free time is spent climbing at local crags in Clifton or on the Mount Desert Island. Ian is a talented guide, a great teacher, and a wicked smart wizard! Ian is always looking forward to sharing his passion for rock climbing with others. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder, and an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor.

Ansel Gifford’s climbing career began with some exposure to indoor climbing through a local gym. He moved to Vermont and quickly became captivated by the real thing: exploring the cliff bands of the Green Mountains. Soon, climbing was a driving force in Ansel’s life. Through this wonderful sport and lifestyle Ansel met some of his best friends, and visited some of the most beautiful places he has ever seen. Within Six years Ansel has climbed from Maine to California, with extensive stints in New Hampshire and Montana. Ansel has a Bachelors Degree in Adventure Based Programming from Lyndon State College and is Wilderness First Responder certified. Ansel is a certified AMGA Single pitch Instructor.

 

Alexa Siegel is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and a Wilderness First Responder. She first started climbing in 2003 at the Boston Rock Gym and hasn’t stopped since. Alexa has traveled throughout the United States to pursue climbing. Her top two favorite places she has been are Indian Creek in Utah and the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2010 with a degree in Environmental Conservation Studies. She studied for 4 months in New Zealand where she also climbed in world famous areas such as Castle Hill. Since Graduating from college, Alexa has taught Environmental Science to middle school children in New Hampshire and worked as a ski patroller. Climbing has introduced Alexa to some of her best friends while allowing her to explore and appreciate the outdoors. She is excited to share her knowledge and experience with future students.

 

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.

Tipping your guide:

Many of our clients ask us whether or not to tip there guide, and if so how much. Tipping is never expected but always appreciated. Tips usually range anywhere from $20 to $100.