• Tim is one of the original founders of SWS Mountain Guides and has been leading climbs and expeditions for over 43 years. With more than 100 summits each on Mt. Shasta and Mt. Whitney, his experience in California’s high country runs deep. He’s also an avid backcountry skier, with numerous ski descents on Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen, and several Trans-Sierra crossings under his belt.

  Internationally, Tim has led 43+ expeditions across the globe, including ascents in Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Tanzania, Nepal, and Russia. His breadth of high-altitude experience and calm leadership have made him a cornerstone of the guiding community.

  Tim is committed to safety, education, and sustainable travel in the mountains. Whether teaching avalanche courses, guiding big objectives, or mentoring new guides, he brings a wealth of knowledge and a down-to-earth approach to everything he does.

  Certifications & Education:

  • AMGA Alpine Guide Course

  • AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor

  • PCGI Certified Top Rope Guide

  • Wilderness First Responder

  • A3 Avalanche Level 3

  • A3 Pro 1 & Pro 2 Instructor Training

  • National Avalanche School Graduate

  • Leave No Trace Certified Trainer

  • American Alpine Club Member since 1997

  • B.A. in Geography – Cal Poly Humboldt

David is one of the principal owners of SWS Mountain Guides and brings over 30 years of hands-on guiding and management experience to the team. A veteran in the field, he has summited Mt. Shasta more than 100 times and has guided international expeditions in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Russia, Morocco, and Argentina.

While he has extensive high-altitude experience around the world, David’s heart lies in the rugged Palisades, where he thrives on mixed alpine routes and technical climbs. His passion for challenging terrain, combined with decades of leadership, makes him a go-to mentor for both clients and guides.

David is based in Mount Shasta, where he also operates the main SWS office—keeping things running smoothly on and off the mountain.

Certifications & Education:

• AMGA Alpine Guide Course (10-day)

• AMGA Single Pitch Instructor

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

• A3 Avalanche Professional Level 1

• National Avalanche School Graduate

• 15 years as a Professional Ski Patroller

• B.S. Degrees in Biology, Zoology & Oceanography – Humboldt State University

Dr. Emily Sagalyn-Brown is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and holds the internationally recognized Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM)

Dr. Emily Sagalyn-Brown is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and holds the internationally recognized Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM) training in glacier, high altitude, avalanche, and helicopter rescue. She is also the faculty of the DiMM program through the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS). Emily received her B.A. from Columbia University in New York, NY. She received her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts in Worcester, MA. She completed her Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, and a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine and EMS at the University of Utah. While in Utah, she also completed her MPH. She serves on the board of the Wilderness Medical Society and earned their Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM). Emily has been the consulting physician for SWS Mountain Guides since 2010. She has provided wilderness medical care at the Kunde Hospital in Nepal, the medical clinics in Big Sky, Montana and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and various locations throughout Utah.

Certifications & Training:

• AIARE Avalanche Level 1
• AASI Level 2 Ski instructor
• Wilderness First Responder

Matthew joined the SWS team in 2013 and is always looking forward to sharing his joy of the great outdoors and help you create new and unforgettable memories of your own.

Simran brings a calm, thoughtful presence to the mountains and a true passion for helping others discover the joy of climbing. Originally from Chicago, she followed her love for the outdoors out west and hasn’t looked back since. Drawn to the beauty and challenge of Mount Shasta, she’s become a key part of our guide team, known for her supportive style and steady confidence.

When she’s not guiding, Simran is hitting the books at Central Oregon Community College and working at one of the country’s largest ski resorts—continuing to blend her outdoor lifestyle with her professional growth.

Whether on rock or snow, Simran is all about helping guests find their strength, build skills, and have an unforgettable experience in the mountains. Her quiet leadership and approachable nature make every trip feel both exciting and welcoming.

Certifications & Education:

• A3 Avalanche Level 2

• A3 Avalanche Rescue

• Wilderness First Responder

• Leave No Trace

John is a Mt. Shasta local who grew up exploring the trails, rivers, and wild corners of Northern California. His passion for the outdoors really took off during college, where he discovered rock climbing and later developed a strong love for skiing. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Outdoor Adventure and Expedition Leadership from Oregon State University, and he’s used that education to travel and guide in some incredible places—from the peaks of the Himalayas to the tropical islands of Indonesia.

John brings a deep passion for sharing the outdoors with others. Whether he’s guiding a climb or leading a backcountry ski tour, his focus is on helping people connect with nature and push their own limits.

Certifications & Education:

• B.A. in Outdoor Education

• M.S. in Outdoor Adventure & Expedition Leadership

• A3 Avalanche Level 1

• A3 Avalanche Rescue

• Wilderness First Responder

• Leave No Trace

Kory is a South Lake Tahoe native who’s been skiing since he was three years old. He started out as a ski racer, but in high school, his focus shifted to basketball with dreams of going pro. After earning a degree in Biochemistry from Southern California University, the mountains called him back—and he hasn’t looked back since.

For the past Five years, Kory has been part of the ski patrol at Heavenly, where he’s combined his love for the mountains with a growing interest in snow science and backcountry safety. In the summer months, you’ll find him back on the water—coaching water skiing and captaining boats on the lake.

Whether he’s skiing fresh lines or guiding on rock, Kory brings great energy, local knowledge, and a real passion for creating memorable outdoor experiences.

Certifications & Education:

• Ski Patroller – Heavenly Valley

• A3 Avalanche Professional 1

• Wilderness Emergency Medical Tech

• Leave No Trace

Driven by a deep respect for the mountains, Alex specializes in alpine climbing and high-altitude objectives. His experience includes multi-day pushes, steep snow and ice routes, and navigating complex terrain in unpredictable conditions. He has climbed extensively in both the Cascades and Appalachian ranges, always with a focus on pushing limits—safely and thoughtfully.

Alex values efficiency, sound judgment, and strong partnerships, bringing a calm and capable presence to every trip. Whether leading from the front or supporting behind the scenes, he’s committed to crafting meaningful, memorable experiences for every guest. For Alex, it’s all about the shared goal: a safe, successful ascent and the lessons found along the way.

Certifications:

• A3 Avalanche Level 1

• Avalanche Rescue

• Wilderness First Responder

• Leave No Trace

Melina grew up in Bellingham, WA, and moved to Oregon to kickstart her personal mountain career. In winter, you’ll find her on Mt. Ashland helping first-time snowboarders gain confidence and have fun on snow.

With a background in instruction, gear tech, rental management, and leadership (and followership!) development through a degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, Melina brings a well-rounded skill-set to the mountains. Her training emphasizes emotional intelligence, group dynamics, and soft skills—tools she uses to create welcoming, supportive experiences, especially for women new to the outdoors.

She values clear communication, thoughtful decision-making, and never hits the trail without a stash of sour gummy worms. As part of the SWS team, Melina is excited to continue building her mountain skills through hands-on experience. When she’s not guiding, she’s likely climbing, surfing, or exploring the backcountry.

Degrees & Certifications :

• BS Outdoor Adventure Leadership – Southern Oregon University

• Avalanche Professional 1

• Wilderness First Responder

• Snowboard Instructor

Raised in the high desert of northern New Mexico, Eliza has always felt at home in the mountains. Since 2017, she’s been working in outdoor education, first in Montana, where she quickly discovered a passion for helping others connect with wild places—whether on snow, water, or rock.

Now based in Bozeman, Montana, Eliza spends her winters as a full-time professional ski patroller and avalanche educator. Her calm presence, deep experience, and love for mountain travel make her a valuable guide and a trusted educator. Eliza brings focus, care, and a strong commitment to safety and learning in the outdoors.

Certifications:

• Professional Full-Time Ski Patroller

• Avalanche Professional 1

• Emergency Medical Technician

• Avalanche Instructor

Born in Coeur d’Alene and raised in Bend, Oregon, Creighton splits his time between the slopes, the alpine, and the road—often out of his trusty Astro van. When he’s not chasing powder or exploring ridgelines around Idaho and Wyoming, you’ll find him guiding and teaching as an avalanche educator with international experience.

Creighton’s mountain style is a mix of bootpacking grit, pole-whacking precision, and straight-lining flair. Off the snow, he’s equally passionate about filmmaking and photography, using visual storytelling to capture the magic of wild places. Whether he’s guiding, teaching, or filming, Creighton brings creativity, enthusiasm, and a deep love for the mountains to everything he does.

 Certifications:

• Avalanche Science ASG3

• Avalanche Level 1

• Avalanche Rescue

• EMT

Growing up in Boise, Idaho, I fell in love with the alpine at an early age. Summers and winters were spent climbing and skiing in the Sawtooth Mountains or backpacking the surrounding wilderness. That early connection to the outdoors shaped who I am today.

When I’m not in the mountains, I’m usually river surfing, mountain biking, or behind a camera. Videography is my creative outlet—I’ve spent years making short films that capture the moments and memories from adventures with friends.

The outdoors have changed my life in the best way possible, and guiding gives me the chance to share that experience with others.

Certifications:

• Avalanche ASG3

• Avalanche Rescue

• Wilderness First Responder

• Leave No Trace

Born and raised in Lukla, Nepal, Lhakpa Sherpa brings over 28 years of experience in Nepalese tourism to the team. He began his career at the age of 14, working alongside his father as a porter. Through dedication and passion, he climbed the ranks to become a trekking guide and eventually founded Khumbu Excursion, a company focused on sustainable trekking and climbing adventures in the Himalayas.

Lhakpa has been guiding with SWS Mountain Guides for over 14 years, while simultaneously operating his own business in Nepal. His experience and enthusiasm for the mountains shine through in everything he does.

As a mountaineer, Lhakpa has summited & guide the following peaks multiple times such as Mera Peak, Island Peak, and Lobuche Peak. But for him, the greatest reward is sharing his home—the Himalayas—with people from all over the world. His deep knowledge of the region, warm personality, and love for cultural exchange make every trip with him an unforgettable experience.

James Brown, aka “JB,” was one of the principal owners of SWS Mountain Guides with over 20 yrs of guiding experience. After college, “JB” moved to the mountains of Wyoming and Utah to live his passion. JB climbed or guided in almost every significant range in the US and four continents. With SWS, he guided in the Cascades, Eastern Sierra, and Internationally. In addition to his guiding career, JB was also an avid backcountry skier and ski mountaineer. If you couldn’t find him skiing big mountain lines in the winter, you could find him teaching, guiding, or mentoring in the western mountains’ mountain ranges.

• IFMGA Guide
• AMGA Certified Ski Guide
• AMGA Certified Alpine Guide
• AMGA Assistant Rock Guide
• PSIA Alpine Instructor level II
• Certified Backcountry Instructor
• Avalanche Level Pro 2
• Board Member, Sierra Avalanche Center
• Leave No Trace Certification
• ADA Specialist
  JBs favorite trip to guide was Island Peak, Nepal.