Marty Molitoris
Founder; Director
AMGA Certified Rock Guide, AMGA Certified Alpine Guide, New York State Licensed Guide, Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Level I, II, AAA Level 1 Pro, Leave No Trace Master Educator, General Class Amateur Radio Operator -KC2IZD, Eagle Scout. Author of An Ice Climber's Guide to the Catskill Mountains, and co-author of A Rock Climber's Guide to the Peter's Kill Climbing Area.
Marty began climbing in 1988, and guiding in 1991. His first visit to the Gunks was during Columbus Day weekend in 1990. After a good number of return visits, he began guiding here in the fall of 1995 commuting (from his hometown in PA) for work until moving here in 1997. During the season of 1997, he worked part time at Rock and Snow until becoming a Level One Certified Rock Guide in October. From then on, he has guided full-time and considers himself lucky to be able to make a career out of guiding. He has shared the experience of climbing with many guests at many different locations throughout the country - some guests have climbed with him regularly for over 20 years. Over that time they have swapped leads, shared experiences, grown friendships, and set future climbing goals. While he enjoys all types of climbing, he prefers the solitude, self-reliance, and commitment you gain from climbing traditional multi-pitch routes.
Marty strives to offer the most professional services possible, and continually works on improving his standards. He has been involved with the AMGA since 1993; participated in the Basic and Advanced Rock Guides courses, successfully completed two rock exams - Level One and Rock Guide, participated in both the Alpine and Advanced Alpine Guides courses, and successfully completed the Alpine Exam, he is now working on the skills needed for the ski discipline. He served two full terms on the AMGA Board of Directors (2009 - 2015), and served on the Accreditation Committee, and as an instructor for the Rock Instructor and Single Pitch Instructor Courses.
Marty is also the author of An Ice Climber's Guide to the Catskills Mountains, and co-author (with Mike Rawdon) of A Rock Climber's Guide to the Peter's Kill Climbing Area in Minnewaska State Park.
Jon Crefeld
AMGA Certified Rock Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide, AMGA Apprentice Ice Instructor, New York State Licensed Guide, Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator
Jon started climbing trees when he was five to scare his Mom. Growing up in northern New Jersey, he didn’t know there was much else. Then he went to school out in Colorado, and officially started climbing rock in ’92 with a class from Bryan Becker. During a five year stint in the military he climbed wherever they put him: Georgia, South Korea and Washington State. Since then, Jon’s climbed in the Cascades, Tetons, Utah, Nevada, Yosemite, and found that some of the best rock climbing in the world is here in the Shawangunks of NY, right near where he grew up in NJ. Jon couldn’t be more proud to become a Certified AMGA Rock Instructor and work with Alpine Endeavors. He looks forward to seeing you out on the rocks!
Bob Clark
AMGA Certified Rock Guide, AMGA Certified Alpine Guide, PSIA/AASI Certified Ski & Snow board Instructor, New York State Licensed Guide, Wilderness First Responder
Bob has been guiding for over 27 years. Former owner of CMR (Connecticut Mountain Recreation) Bob has guided all over the US and abroad. - More to come.....
Mike Rawdon
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, New York State Licensed Guide, Wilderness First Aid
Mike grew up in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains and began hiking with his father at an early age. As he grew up, he enjoyed the peace that the woods offered and often found relief from life's challenges there. By age 18, he climbed the 46 highest peaks in the Adirondacks. While in college, rock climbing supplemented backpacking as his favorite pastime. After graduation he moved to the Hudson Valley (over 26 years ago) and the Gunks became his "home crag". A chemist by training, with both industrial and academic experience, he appreciates the problem-solving nature of the sport as well as the technical nature of the various gear systems employed. His motto is, "A lousy day ice or rock climbing beats a good day behind a desk."
Jaron Widom
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, New York State Licensed Guide, Wilderness First Aid
Jaron moved to the Hudson Valley in 2005, he was drawn to the beauty of the Shawangunks, inspiring him to explore, hike, and climb on the Mohonk Preserve. He has visited various parts of the country looking for new adventures in areas such as: Zion, Mountains in Washington, Red Rocks, Joshua Tree, Smith Rocks, White Mountains, and the Catskills. He has been guiding since 2011 and loves introducing people to new experiences and helping them overcome the challenges they bring.
Ron Paproski
AMGA Certified Multi-pitch Instructor, AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide, AMGA Ice Instructor Course Graduate, New York State Licensed Rock and Ice Guide, AIARE Level I and II, Wilderness First Responder, Sam’s Point Search and Rescue, Amateur Radio KD2-HQF, Leave No Trace Trainer.
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide, AMGA Ice Instructor Course Graduate, New York State Licensed Rock and Ice Guide, AIARE (avalanche training) Level I and II, Wilderness First Responder, Sam’s Point Search and Rescue, Amateur Radio KD2-HQF, Leave No Trace Trainer.
Ron has been climbing ice and rock since 1986 and first climbed at the Gunks in a year later. He was first registered to Guide rock and ice in New York 1994. Throughout the years he has avidly climbed throughout North America favoring longer alpine climbs. He has climbed many of the 50 Classics in North America, with his most memorable being in the Bugaboos, Cascades and Canadian Rockies. He enjoys ice climbing in the Catskills, Adirondacks and White Mountains.
A Professional Engineer, he planned and then spent nearly 4 years backpacking throughout the world where he visited almost 50 countries. While on this trip, he climbed on all continents but Antarctica. While temporarily residing in northern Europe, he climbed throughout the region primarily in Scandinavia.
In 2008, he rode his motorcycle on dirt roads/trails across the USA on TransAmerica Trail camping along the way. To finish off his 6 week trip, he headed south and circumnavigated dirt roads of Mexico before returning to New York.
Living in the Hudson valley, he enjoys instructing rock and ice climbing, as well as continuing his AMGA training.
Jennifer Robinson
AMGA Certified Multi Pitch Instructor, AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, New York State Licensed Guide, Wilderness First Responder, AAIRE I, II, AAA Level I Pro, Swift Water Rescue
Sometimes described as passionately hilarious and always with a smile and helping hand, Jennifer is an experienced climber, hiker ,SUPer, and mountain biker - and occasionally dabbles in mountaineering.
Jennifer first tried top-roping in college and quickly fell in love with the challenge. After becoming a licensed teacher in Canada she focused on special and physical education before moving to the US. She started climbing again in 2010 and quickly fell in love with the challenge and the solitude she found in pushing herself to climb.
Since getting back into the sport she has climbed in Mallorca, British Columbia, Patagonia and across the continental US.
She has also has extensive experience backpacking and finds peace in her many adventures, including the Catskills, the Adirondacks, the West Coast Trail, the Long Trail, the Appalachian Trail, Patagonia and Canada.
While now living in Vermont she makes her home away from home in the Gunks area where she loves the laid back culture and community.
Jennifer is fluent in French.
Mike Cherry
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, New York State Licensed Guide, USA Climbing Certified Climbing Coach, Basic First Aid
Mike began climbing over thirty years ago and has climbed sport, traditional, and alpine routes throughout the United States. Besides climbing, Mike enjoys math, writing, and art. He has a B.F.A. in graphic design and is the author / illustrator of “The Adventures Of Plusman”, a humorous math comic book. (Yes, math can be humorous). What binds all of these pursuits together for Mike is the creative process that goes into exploring them.
Although people approach puzzles differently, they share the same joy in solving them. The essence of delving into a mathematical concept or the complexity of movement required to complete a rock climb are essentially parallel creative processes. Helping students unravel the complexity of a problem and seeing the sudden understanding on a student’s face is what motivates Mike to teach, regardless of the discipline.
Simon Thompson
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Assistant Rock Guide, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide, AMGA Ice Instructor Course Graduate, New York State Licensed Guide, NYS Registered Nurse
Simon became interested in climbing after a family trip to Colorado in 2005. After a few more trips to CO and classes in Wilderness Education at SUNY Potsdam, he began seeking the experience necessary to become a climbing guide. His passion for climbing and thirst to gain experience took him on many trips to crags and peaks all over the United States including Yosemite, the Cascades, Tetons, RMNP, Red Rocks, Wind River Range, Red River Gorge, and White Mountains. In between trips he spends most of his time climbing at home in the Gunks and Adirondacks. Simon enjoys almost any type of climbing, but is most inspired by Alpine-style adventures and overnights in the big mountains. He is psyched to be able to share his knowledge and love for climbing while living out his dream of working as a professional guide.
Russ Clune
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, New York State Licensed Guide , Basic First Aid
Russ started climbing in 1977 while attending the University of Vermont, and has been a leading figure in Gunks climbing over the years. He’s done dozens of first ascents on the cliffs here, including many at Sky Top. He enjoys all aspects of rock climbing, from bouldering to big walls, and has climbed at a world-class level. Russ was the first American climber to participate in an international competition at Bardonecchia, Italy in 1985. He also competed in the former Soviet Union in 1986 in their speed climbing competition.
Russ is one of the most well-traveled rock climbers around, having climbed virtually everywhere throughout the States, as well as having done thousands of routes at hundreds of crags in over 35 countries on every continent except Antarctica.
After getting his Masters degree from Columbia University, Russ moved to California to work for Chouinard Equipment, and was a member of the buyout team that created Black Diamond Equipment. He moved back to this area in 1991, working for Black Diamond as a sales representative.
Rita Strauss
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, NYS Licensed Rock and Ice Guide, PSIA Alpine Ski Instructor, AIARE Avalanche Level I, and Wilderness First Responder.
Rita grew up in New York City, and now calls the Hudson Valley home. After a career as a workers’ rights attorney, and later as a judge, she shifted gears and began guiding rock climbing.
Rita has traveled, adventured and climbed extensively, including in Spain, Italy, France, Peru, Thailand, and throughout North and South America.
When not climbing, she spends time with her kids, gardens, cooks and enjoys tinkering and problem-solving. She volunteers with several organizations to expand access to rock and ice climbing for LGBTQ+ communities. Rita is conversant in Spanish.
Thaddaeus Welch
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, New York State Licensed Guide, Leave No Trace Trainer, National Registry Emergency Medical Technician, CPR
Thaddaeus has a healthy thirst for the exploration of the unknown. Upon learning of guiding as a career option, he immediately knew that was what he wanted to pursue. His desire for the freedom of the hills took him climbing in many parts of the United States, including the Tetons, Sawtooths, Deserts of the Southwest, Smith Rock, Seneca Rocks, Looking Glass Rock, and the White Mountains. The cliffs of the Shawangunks, Adirondacks, and New England are where he frequently climbs when not on quests that take him further away from his home in New Paltz. In addition to climbing, Thaddaeus has also thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Long Trail, and many other shorter trails. He considers himself very fortunate to live out his dream of working as a professional guide; and would be honored to tie in on a rope or share a trail with you to embrace all the natural world has to offer.
Ben Rosenberg
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, NYS Licensed Guide for Rock Climbing and Hiking, Wilderness First Responder.
Cal Seely
AMGA Apprentice Rock, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
Cal sees spending time climbing as a catalyst for positive personal change. He is eager to facilitate growth of skills among those interested in climbing so they can seek their own adventures in a safe and thoughtful way. After being raised in Western New York, he found his way to the Adirondacks to study Expeditionary Studies and Journalism at SUNY Plattsburgh. His personal and professional climbing has led him to the North Cascades, the Tetons, Northern Patagonia, the Cordillera Blanca, as well as countless other hidden gems. He lives in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire.
Memorable Ascents:
10+ summits of Mt. Rainier, including a half-day ascent of the Kautz Ice Chute.
Mt. Baker via North Ridge, Easton Glacier
Northwest Face of Forbidden Peak, in a day
Mt. Shuksan via Fisher Chimneys, Northwest “Arayete”
Mt. Torment-Forbidden Peak Traverse
Liberty Bell Range Traverse, Washington Pass
Multiple summits of spires in Frey, Argentina
Direct West Face of Yanapaccha, Peru
Katahdin via Cilley-Barber, Waterfall Gully, The Diamond
Christian Williams
AMGA Assistant Rock Guide, NYS Licensed Guide for Rock Climbing and Hiking, Wilderness First Responder.
Bio soon to come…