GUIDES & INSTRUCTORS
Andy Petefish  Andy on the Yellow Wall 5.10+, V The Diamond - Longs Peak, CO |
Experience: 35 Years Guiding & Teaching 40 Years Mountaineering, Rock & Ice Climbing, & Ski Mountaineering Andy on Road Map Cover doing another lap on Mr. Clean 5.11 at Devils Tower | The owner and director of Above Ouray Ice & Tower Rock Guides, Andy Petefish, is a Fifth Generation Western Coloradan that has been climbing rock & ice worldwide during the last 40 years, and has been guiding in these areas for the last 35. During the last 25 years while operating Devils Tower's oldest, safest, and most reputable local guide service, he has successfully climbed and enjoyably guided more groups to the summit of Devils Tower than anyone. His summit tally is well over 2,000 and growing. Andy has also pushed free climbing standards to a new level at Devils Tower by establishing many of its most difficult free climbs.His goal is to provide you with the best guiding and teaching skills he can. This is the reason he became Devils Tower's first Certified Rock Guide & USMGA Endorsed Rock Guide by successfully completing his AMGA Rock Guides Exam on the big walls of Yosemite Valley 18 years ago in 1991. Andy began his long guiding career the 1970's for a small guide service called Mountain Sense which was started by one of the owners of Marmot Mountain Works at that time in Grand Junction, Colorado. Along the way, Andy picked up a degree in Geophysical Engineering with a Minor in Geology at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. As a result, Andy can answer in detail all of your questions about the rock formations you are climbing on with him. Andy has also volunteered on many rescue teams and helped with the Instruction of National Park Service High Angle Rescue Seminars and Training Secessions at Devils Tower, WY; Colorado National Monument, CO; and at Joshua Tree National Park, CA.  Lenore, Andy, Dave, & Ann after a successful ascent of Moses 5.11, A0, IV |
During 1989, 1990, and 1991, Andy completed a large Voluntary Bolt Replacement Project at Devils Tower in coordination with the Access Fund and American Mountain Foundation. In the mid 1990's, Andy volunteered help during the early construction stages of the Ouray Ice Park in Ouray, Colorado. Andy's experience base, certification, and patiently warm happy go-lucky nature makes him the guide of choice for your next climbing adventure in the areas where we operate. References are available upon request.
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