Meet Our Guides

• Tim is one of the original founders of SWS Mountain Guides and has been leading climbs and expeditions for over 45 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 44+ 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 32 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.

A true adventurer at heart, Nate is based in Bear Valley, California, where he guides in the winter and explores the mountains by snowboard and snowmobile. Originally from Havre, Montana, he brings a rugged, down-to-earth energy to everything he does.

In the off-season, Nate takes on a different kind of challenge—working as a wildland firefighter, helping protect landscapes across the West. He’s also the Host and Producer of The Not Snowboarding Podcast, where he shares inspiring stories from the outdoor world. On top of that, he’s the founder of Shred Soles, a company making performance insoles for snowboarders and skaters since 2009. Nate is also the co-founder of Bear Valley Backcountry a tuning shop, guide service in partnership California Ski Guides / SWS Mountain Guides.

Whether he’s guiding in deep snow or swapping stories on the mic, Nate is all about building connection through adventure. Known for his friendly vibe, deep local knowledge, and love of dogs, Nate makes every day in the mountains one to remember.

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.

Tony found climbing in Montana back in 1997 while attending college—and from that point on, he was hooked. Since then, he’s dedicated much of his life to the vertical world. He began guiding in 2004 and became an AMGA Certified Rock Guide in 2007.

With years of experience climbing across the American West and a few solid trips to Europe under his belt, Tony brings deep technical knowledge and a calm, thoughtful approach to guiding. He’s also a full-time science teacher and a proud dad, raising two future crushers who are already showing serious potential on the rock.

Tony’s passion for climbing and teaching runs deep, making him a guide who’s not just experienced, but also genuinely invested in helping others grow in the sport.

Certifications:

• AMGA Certified Rock Guide

• Wilderness First Responder

• Leave No Trace

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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

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

I started climbing around the age of 16 in Mexico where I’m from. From a very early age I was introduced to rock climbing & Mexico’s Volcanoes, Spanning from 14,000’to 18,000’, It is there that I developed the love for the mountains and the people partaking in these activities.

After many years of climbing Mexico’s endless crags & mountains, I finally felt ready to tackle the mythical Alps, it’s then that I moved for a whole year to a small village named Verier in the French Alps and got to learn the language as well as make some really strong connections, both with it’s mountains & it’s people.

Eventually, after my time was up in The Alps, I found myself moving to Squamish, Canada. It’s here that I really got to develop and push my climbing skills, with its beautiful & endless granite slabs. But needles I still had the bug. So I found my way to sunny California where the start of the next chapter was gonna unfold for me.

It’s here in California that I met the climbing partners, as well as consolidated the skills that would lead me to my next big adventure half way across the world, El Chalten. Climbing in El Chalten, the Argentinian side of Patagonia, was one of the most mind-blowing experiences I’ve had. It just proved to me something I already knew, that my life was meant to be spent in the mountains.

And so after over a decade of climbing & traveling the mountains I decided to begin my path towards becoming an IFMGA guide, with the hope of spending as much time up in the mountains learning all the secrets they have to share with us, to then put myself in a place where I can share those experiences and lessons to my community and the people around me.

• AMGA Aprentice Rock Guide
• Avalanche Level 1
• Wilderness First Responder
• SPRAT – Level 1
• IRATA – Ropes Certification

Bio Coming Soon.

• National Ski Patrol Candidate
  
• Basic Life Support
  
• Leave No Trace

Born and raised in Lukla, Nepal, Lhakpa Sherpa brings over 30 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 16 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 & guided 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.

Born and raised in Mérida, Venezuela, Kique grew up scrambling up 4,000mts peaks. Summers saw him taking 72hr bus trips to explore the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. After graduate studies in Switzerland at the ETH and in California at UC Berkeley, Kique completed a 15 yr career as a Program Manager at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory while leading 15 expeditions to South America. Since then he joined SWS and his organizational skills, attention to detail, AMGA training, and in depth knowledge of the Andes allowed him to tailor highly successful expeditions for all experience levels. Kique was fluent in English, Spanish, German, and Japanese. He was a certified IFMGA guide having accreditation through the AMGA.  Kique unfortunately is believed to have past away on Mt. Cook in 2024.  He, nor his climbing partners have been found at of November 6th, 2025