OUR TEAM
Adventure Awaits with Our Skilled Rock Climbing And Mountaineering Guides
Our Grand Junction-based team of certified rock climbing and mountaineering guides are passionate about sharing their expertise and love of climbing. With decades of experience on Colorado’s classics, Alaskan peaks, and international routes, we’re ready to help you achieve your climbing goals, big or small.
VINCE ANDERSON | Grand Junction, CO
Vince Anderson is a third-generation Colorado native with an insatiable passion for the mountains. As a seasoned rock climbing guide based in Grand Junction, he has been leading exhilarating climbing expeditions since 1994. Whether it’s navigating the rugged landscapes of Colorado, exploring the Canadian Rockies, or conquering peaks in the Alps, Alaska, Himalaya, Karakoram, or Andes, Vince brings unparalleled expertise and a calm demeanor to every adventure.
In 1998, Vince achieved the prestigious International Federation of Mountain Guide Association (IFMGA) certification, marking him as a top-tier guide globally. He now shares his wealth of experience as an instructor and examiner for the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), shaping the next generation of mountain enthusiasts.
Outside of guiding, Vince is an accomplished alpinist, having made history with Steve House by completing a groundbreaking new route on the formidable Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat in alpine style. He also co-led the first ascent of K7 West in Pakistan and tackled new routes in the Canadian Rockies. Vince’s dedication as an AMGA-certified mountain guide ensures a safe and fulfilling experience for all his clients in Grand Junction.
STEVEN VAN SICKLE | Ouray, CO
Steven Van Sickle is a certified IFMGA & AMGA mountain guide dedicated to delivering exceptional climbing experiences in Grand Junction. Originally hailing from New Mexico, Steven’s climbing journey spans diverse landscapes, from the granite cliffs of the Sandia Mountains to the high-altitude peaks of Colorado, Alaska, France, Italy, and India.
After a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, Steven went back to New Mexico to attend school and found himself learning to climb on the steep granite cliffs of the Sandia mountains in northern New Mexico. After years of big wall climbing and hard rock climbing in America’s great climbing areas, the natural progression to alpine climbing brought him to Ouray, CO.
In 2012, Steven began the Alpine Mentor program. This unique opportunity allowed him to climb challenging routes in Colorado, Alaska, France, Italy, and India with world class mentors from around the world. Today, Steven’s focus is on completing high altitude technical alpine routes on peaks throughout China and Asia, and exploring every corner of his home in the San Juan Mountains.
BUSTER JESIK
A native to the Front Range of Colorado, Buster Cruz Jesik began climbing at age 10, and has since made ascents of rock, ice, and alpine routes in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Buster was introduced to mountaineering through boy scouts. His troop was active in hiking the Colorado 14ers, backcountry skiing, and rock climbing. In middle school, Buster discovered indoor rock climbing. By age 13, he had made a winter ascent of the North Face of Longs Peak leading the technical pitches and began traveling to Ouray during the winters to climb ice. During high school, Buster continued to attend the Ouray Ice Fest, attending clinics from world class ice and alpine climbers. After graduating high school in 2004, Buster began pursuing a career as a musician while attending community college. After graduating with an associate’s degree, he began working as a rock climbing guide while also teaching music lessons. Eventually his love of the mountains won out, and Buster became serious about becoming a guide.
In his personal climbing, Buster has primarily focused on making speed ascents of classic big wall routes in Yosemite, Zion, and the Black Canyon. As an alpinist, he has summited Denali multiple times, climbed classic routes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Canadian Rockies and the Alps, and made the first ascent of an unclimbed 17,000 foot peak in a seldom visited corner of the Indian Himalayas. He was also selected to participate in the first Alpine Mentors Program, started by Steve House to train and mentor the next generation of alpine climbers.
As a guide, Buster loves to teach modern techniques for climbing safely and efficiently. He has experience coaching and training rock climbers who want to maximize their performance, and used these skills to lead the Fountain Valley High School climbing team to a state victory. His work has taken him up and down the Front Range of Colorado to the classic ice climbs and backcountry skiing of the San Juan’s, the desert rock of Utah and Nevada, and the world class alpine climbing of Alaska. Buster’s calm demeanor and expertise is ever present, whether its sharing his enthusiasm for climbing with a beginner or working with an advanced climber looking to up their game.
KATIE BERINGER
Katie is an avid rock climber, ice climber, skier, and runner. Originally from Arlington VA, she moved west in 2013 and to the San Juans in 2016 where she fell in love with the Western Slope of Colorado. She has called Ouray home ever since. Katie is passionate about sharing the outdoors, especially rock climbing, with others. She has been professionally guiding rock and ice since 2016. Outside of Ouray, her favorite places to climb and guide are the Black Canyon, Unaweep, Red Rocks, Joshua Tree, and the Red River Gorge. When guiding, she tries to expand her clients perceived physical or mental limitations, communicate the importance of outdoor recreation, and learn about them. Katie is also passionate about fitness and training for alpine goals. She is excited to work with clients who want to train for a specific objective, like summiting a peak via a difficult route, or a fitness goal, like climbing 5.12. Katie is an AMGA certified Rock Climbing Guide.
OUR ROCK CLIMBING SERVICES
Our team of AMGA/IFMGA certified guides are passionate about sharing their expertise in all aspects of climbing, helping you reach your climbing goals in Grand Junction’s breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned climber looking for a challenge, we have the perfect rock climbing service for you:
Top Rope Climbing:
Learn the fundamentals of climbing in a safe and controlled environment with our expert guides.
Master basic climbing techniques like belaying, rappelling, and safe movement on the rock face.
This is a perfect introduction to rock climbing for individuals and families.
Lead Climbing:
Take your climbing to the next level with expert instruction on lead climbing techniques.
Learn how to place your own protection and lead the climb, increasing your independence and sense of accomplishment.
This program is ideal for experienced climbers looking to push their limits.
Multi-Pitch Climbing:
Experience the thrill of longer climbs with breathtaking views of Grand Junction’s iconic canyons and mesas.
Our guides will teach you the necessary skills for navigating multi-pitch routes, including rope management and anchor building.
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure on some of Colorado’s most scenic climbs.
Custom Rock Climbing Trips:
Design your dream climbing adventure in Grand Junction’s iconic locations like Unaweep Canyon and Colorado National Monument.
Whether you’re looking for a challenging trad route or a scenic sport climb, our guides will work with you to create a personalized experience that matches your skill level and interests.
Let Skyward Mountaineering be your guide to a truly unique rock climbing experience.