Chris Warner, the owner of Earth Treks, is our senior climbing guide. He is a certified Alpine guide and has led over 150 international mountaineering expeditions. Chris is one of the nation's leading Himalayan mountaineers, with ascents of Everest, K2, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Shisha Pangma, Ama Dablam and Shivling. Please see his bio for more information about his qualifications.  

Rock Climbing Guides

Nelson Laur, has been guiding for Earth Treks since 1997. He has been a lead guide for Ice, Rock and Mountaineering Expeditions. Nelson has guided Earth Treks trips in Nepal, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Tanzania, Russia and throughout the U.S. Nelson has summited Ama Dablam and Cho Oyu and has been on expeditions to Nanga Parbat. He also spent time working as an instructor for Colorado’s Outward Bound Schools, a part time gig in the Grand Canyon as a backcountry ranger, and a river guide on the Snake River in Jackson, WY. Nelson currently splits his time between guiding outdoor and mountain courses at Earth Treks and working for himself as a carpenter in Baltimore, Maryland where he lives with his family.

Syl Mathis, has been guiding for Earth Treks since the mid-90s. Syl has run our trips in Ecuador and Tanzania.  A 30+ year veteran of the outdoor education world, his outdoor resume reads like an issue of Outside Magazine. If a sport involves mud and sweat, Syl excels at it. In his twenties, he was a competitive kayaker, competing in World Cup events. He is an Olympic Kayaking judge, an award winning artist/sculptor and director of the Voyager Program at St. Albans and the National Cathedral School. Syl, with his master's degree in Kineseology regularly kicks Chris Warner's butt on a mountain bike. He calls those sessions "coaching opportunities."

Dan Jenkins, In the summer of 1978 Dan began his climbing career on the rugged and precipitous cliffs of Carderock overlooking the majestic Potomac River. Since then he has ventured into the mountains of 5 continents with ascents throughout the western US (including Denali), Pakistan, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Russia, Tanzania, India and Nepal. Dan's love for guiding is apparent as he conveys the beauties and subtle lessons to be learned from ascending peaks in the remote regions of the globe. Dan is Earth Treks' Director of Instructor Development, training all of the companies aspiring guides and teachers.

Austin Paulson, Austin has been a veteran of more than 70 international mountaineering expeditions. He has received advanced rock and alpine climbing training from the American Mountain Guides Association, is a level 2 avalanche forecaster and is trained as an Emergency Medical Technician. Austin has also been involved in the development and management of several university and college adventure programs in the Northeast and currently is the Director of the Outdoor Leadership Program in Greenfield, MA. 

Evan Horst- Originally from South Central Pennsylvania, Evan grew up exploring the hills the Appalachians had to offer.  Evan's obsession for the outdoors grew when he found climbing as an adolescent.  Seneca Rocks, WV, quickly became the preferred venue for all of his climbing excursions.  From Seneca Rocks to the mountains of South America, Africa and Asia, Evan has been sharing his passion with climbers all over the world.

Evan received a Bachelors degree in Recreation with an emphasis in Outdoor Leadership & Instruction from Western State College in Gunnison, CO.  He spent much of his time volunteering for the local Search and Rescue Team in Gunnison, CO, training and teaching technical rigging systems and search planning.  He also was a member of the Gunnison Valley EMS Special Operations Rescue Team which assisted Fire and EMS in fast response vertical rescues.  Evan is a certified Wilderness First Responder and AMGA Top Rope Site Manager.  

Ramiro Donoso, A resident of Quito, Ecuador, Ramiro has worked with Earth Treks since 1989. He has twenty years of experience scaling the most challenging glacial peaks in the Andes and has summitted Cotopaxi more than 250 times. Ramiro works with Earth Treks in Ecuador. He speaks English, Greman, French and Spanish.