Berg Adventures World-Class Mountain Guides and Support Staff
Our International Mountain Guides
Wally Berg, Chief Guide and BAI Founder –
Wally Berg is one of the most respected guides in the mountaineering world. With four Everest summits to his credit and over two decades of expedition-leading experience, Wally is world-renowned for his expertise, knowledge and mountaineering accomplishments. He was the first American on the summit of Lhotse (1990), and he stood on the summit of Cho Oyu, alone, in 1987.
Wally's achievements in planning, organizing, and guiding successful mountaineering expeditions have established him as one of worlds foremost expedition leaders. Successful expeditions to Mt. Everest, Mt. Vinson, Ama Dablam, Aconcagua, and Ojos del Salado are recent accomplishments.
Wally is known as the world's premier "Seven Summits Guide." The goal of climbing the highest peak on all seven continents has been attained by a number of Wally's climbers. And the list of those "having fun trying" is even longer. Since 1992, he has guided more than 47 successful ascents to the top of continental high points. From Everest to Antarctica to Kilimanjaro, more than 500 people have stood on top of the world's greatest mountains with Wally Berg.
Luis Benitez –
Over the last decade Luis Benitez has quietly emerged as one of the most experienced, respected and busiest professional guides in the world. Luis is a mountain guide known for the achievement of his clients rather than his own personal records. His selfless and dedicated support of people from all walks of life has won him a loyal following. He has guided climbers to the summit of Mt. Everest six times. He guided blind climber Erik Weihenmayer to his historic 2001 Everest summit. Luis has also become one of the world’s foremost “Seven Summits” guides, having led others the top of the continental highpoints a cumulative 32 times.
Born in St. Louis Missouri, Luis was diagnosed with severe asthma as a baby. He spent much of his childhood in the protective isolation shielded from the airborne allergens that might kill him. Spending his adolescent summers with his father’s family in Ecuador, Benitez began trekking in the Andes Mountains where he realized exposure to high altitude air has helped him meet asthma's persistent challenge. He first climbed Cotopaxi at age 16! Luis says that when he reached the 19,350 ft summit at sunrise, a lightning flashed over the jungle below, he was hooked.
In the early 1990’s Luis, a young instructor at the Colorado Outward Bound, met Wally Berg. Although the two never worked Outward Bound courses together they would sometimes pass briefly in the Outward Bound office in Denver and share perceptions and dreams of far off ranges. In the years to come the affinity they shared for learning, travel and adventure brought them together in locales around the world, each time realizing that they had much in common. Today BAI is proud to have Luis as a program consultant as well as an international guide.
Brent Bishop –
Brent Bishop's roots as a mountaineer and expedition leader run deep. Brent's father Barry made the first ascent of Ama Dablam in 1961 and stood on the summit of Everest with the first American Expedition in 1963. Young Brent lived in Nepal at the age of 3 and 4 and he has returned there many times to climb.
In 1994, Brent was part of the Sagarmatha Environmental Expedition (SEE) and summited Mount Everest himself. On this trip more than 5000 pounds of trash were removed from Everest and a new paradigm for environmental work at altitude was set. SEE showed that a small team on a shoestring budget could climb successfully as well as make an environmental impact. Under Brent's supervision SEE work continued in '96, '97, '98 and '99. In all 20,000 pounds of trash were removed from Everest.
Now a two-time Everest summiter, Brent has also managed projects in the Baltoro Region of Pakistan. While leading a climbing Expedition to Gasherbrum II in 1997, his Porter Training Institute educated more than 251 Balti people in first aid, health and environmental topics. He was part of the successful BAI guide team on a recent expedition to Ama Dablam and Lobuche Peak.
Brent is a successful businessman, administrator and athlete. He epitomizes the BAI approach that mountaineering is about people. Accomplished on both rock and ice in North America and the Alps, Brent's judgment and leadership have been refined at altitude on every continent.
The owner of Barrel Mountaineering, and father of Bear and Reed, Brent divides his time between Bozeman, Montana and the mountains of the world.
Osvaldo Cortez –
Osvaldo Cortez has been guiding for Berg Adventures since 2003. You will find him leading our groups in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador or Bolivia. Osvaldo was born in La Paz, Bolivia at 4000 meters above sea level. He has the high altitude of the Bolivia Altiplano in his blood but he is a lover of all mountain terrain around the world. His spirit and enthusiasm for life in the mountains are contagious when you are on a trip with him.
In La Paz Osvaldo’s family is well known as handcrafters of carnival masks. These uniquely Bolivian works of art can be seen on the streets during festival times. An intriguing mix of colonial and native traditions they represent Ovaldo’s ties to his culture. We always love being with him when he shares his insights into ancient Andean traditions.
Perhaps the best way to describe Osvaldo was a recent quote we received by one of the climbers he guided on our last Bolivia expedition. “Osvaldo reminded me of what true leadership is all about. It’s getting people to out-perform themselves because deep inside you hold a conviction that they are capable of more than they realize”. A true professional, Osvaldo is a man who has found a way to see his passions realized through his career. His experience, confidence and good humor have contributed to rich experiences and summit success for many Berg Adventures climbers.
Kellie Erwin –
Since leaving her hometown of Aspen, Colorado in 1975, Kellie Erwin has dedicated her life to adventure, climbing and outdoor education. Her diverse blend of experiences has taken her from the high Himalayas including Mount Everest, and Gasherbrum II, to the Atlas Mountains of Northern Africa, the New Zealand Alps, as well as to the rivers and mountains of North and South America, the jungles of Borneo and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Kellie's professional endeavors include becoming an AMGA certified Mountain Guide where she served on the board and helped develop their ski and accreditation programs.
Kellie's climbing and expedition resume includes four trips to Mount Everest, 100's of first ascents of rock and alpine routes in North America, and the first Nordic ski traverse of Denali. She is one of BAI’s head guides on Africa's Mt. Kilimanjaro and Russia’s Mt. Elbrus. Her work in adventure documentary cinematography with projects such as the CBS film "Footprint on Everest" and the documentary "Everest at the Millennium", has received awards, and has established Kellie's competency in yet another arena of wilderness performance.
John Freeman –
John Freeman is a talented athlete who has focused on mountain climbing for the last 8 years. His endless enthusiasm for people and climbing are what makes him such a great leader. Those fortunate to join John on one of his expeditions will enjoy his natural ability to teach and guide. John has a strong commitment to climbing education and sharing that knowledge with beginners in the sport. His travels in climbing, from mountaineering to rock climbing, have brought him to New Zealand, Europe, Ecuador, Bolivia and much of the United States. He is currently on the path to becoming a fully certified ACMG guide.
Dave Hahn –
Dave Hahn has become one of the most respected names in adventure in the worlds highest and coldest places. With 20 years experience, he is a consummate professional mountaineer, known for his quiet easygoing leadership style, which one of our climbers recently noted “makes him a perfect fit on the Berg Adventures Team.” His recent ascent of Mt Vinson with a BAI team was Dave’s 23rd ascent of the highest peak in Anatactica. He has made multiple ascents of both sides of Mt Everest, (three on the North Side, two on the South) and 15 ascents of Denali. His wry, literate Internet accounts and his writing about the world of expedition mountaineering show humility, respect for the power of the mountain world and Dave’s own subtle brand of humor. Dave is a crafty, resourceful expedition leader who knows how to have fun, be safe, and get teams to the top and home again with great stories to tell.
Grant Meekins –
Born and raised in the Yukon Territory, Grant Meekins lived above the Arctic Circle for several years and spent most of his youth in the mountains and on the rivers of northern Canada. Involved in sports from an early age, he was Yukon's "Athlete of the Year" in 1979. Grant began climbing in 1980, and has been a climber ever since. After getting degrees from the University of Fairbanks-Alaska and Laval University in Quebec, Grant moved to Canmore, Alberta where he enjoys rock, ice and mixed climbing. In 1997, he lead a successful expedition to Mt. Logan, Canada's highest peak. He has numerous first ascents to his credit, and has climbed several of the worlds most difficult mixed climbs.
Nicholas Minja – Director of Operations, Tanzania
We are proud of the high standards that Nicholas and his team maintain. Since 2003 he has been in charge of our entire Tanzania program. A sense of fun, reverence for the mountain and respect for humanity as well as the natural world are always paramount with Nicholas and his staff.
Nicholas and Wally Berg are well known to other operators on Kilimanjaro as the team with the highest standards on the mountain. The best equipment, staff, route selection and attention to detail are their standard. For this reason the BAI teams are often photographed by members of other expeditions who pass by their camps on Kili, “That’s the way to do this mountain, I just want to show my friends back home…” is typical of the comments we hear.
Juancho Miranda –
Juancho Miranda is a strong, dedicated and extremely competent climber. He is the epitome of a word we sometimes use to describe our best mountaineering companions, “solid”.
Beginning in 1999 Juancho got the opportunity to climb, learn and train with some of the finest UIAMG certified mountain guides from Europe in his home mountains in Bolivia. He quickly learned that his interest and skills matched international standards and his decision to become a professional mountain guide was sealed.
He has guided for Berg Adventures in Bolivia, Chile and Argentina and is known as a great companion on the streets of Mendoza, La Paz or Santiago as well as the man that you want to be with on an Andean summit day.
Dave Scott –
Dave Scott is a fully certified ACMG mountain guide and has been guiding professionally in Canada since 1991. Alpine climbing, alpine rock climbing and ski mountaineering are his main areas of interest at both work and play. He enjoys all facets of the guiding life, in particular being able to introduce visitors to the incredible beauty and climbing potential of Canada's mountains. Highlights of the last ten years include an ascent of the Cassin Ridge on Denali, a guided trip to the East ridge of Mount Logan and the first ascent of the North Face of Pinnacle Peak in the St. Elias Range. Dave lives in Revelstoke B.C. with his wife and two daughters.
Ang Temba Sherpa – Director of Operations, Nepal
Ang Temba is our Director of Operations in Nepal and in charge of all Sherpa logistics pertaining to our expeditions and treks. He stood on the summit of Everest in 1991 as member of an all Sherpa team. Since that time he has been Sirdar, or chief Sherpa, of some of the best Expeditions to operate on Everest including the National Geographic 50th Anniversary climb and Berg Adventures Everest 2003.
He is known as an excellent liaison and communicator about Sherpa life. For years our trekkers and climbers have been welcomed into his home during their treks in the Everest region. Along with his wife Yangzing, Ang Temba is famous for Sherpa hospitality with a western twist. He is a man who is comfortable in two worlds, solidly rooted in his culture, yet comfortable in the United States, Japan or around the world during his many travels outside Nepal. He also works with media, including Outside Magazine, the BBC and National Geographic, which published one of his photographs on the last page of the May 2003 Everest issue.
Carl Trescher –
Carl Trescher grew up in British Columbia with the Bugaboo Spires in his back yard. At an early age he took to the classic granite of this alpine playground and this provided the perfect training ground for climbing. Now Carl is a fully certified ACMG Mountain Guide. In the winter he keeps himself busy working as a heli-ski guide, in the summer he is found teaching BAI Canadian Mountain School courses. Carl’s quiet good humored leadership style has made him extremely popular with our groups.
Tanzania Staff –
The Berg Adventures Tanzania Team is well known for their enthusiasm, compassion, skill and professionalism. From the moment you are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport, through your stay in Arusha, your climb on the mountain and your adventures on safari you will know that you are with friends. One of our recent Kili climbers commented when he came home: “the esprit de corps of your staff is truly inspirational”.
Our Support Staff
Leila Silveira – Director of Programs
Formerly with the Brazilian Foreign Service, born in Rio de Janeiro, Leila has an exceptionally strong international background. She has lived in several European countries, Japan, Central Africa, and the United States. Leila now lives in Canmore, Alberta. Her role as BAI program coordinator involves trip planning and coordinating the many details that set our BAI trips apart.
Her background as a whitewater kayaker, climber and traveler in remote regions worldwide make her an excellent source of advice as you plan your next adventure. Leila has spent more than eight months paddling, trekking and climbing in Nepal, as well as traveling throughout South America, Tanzania, Russia, Alaska and, of course, in the Canadian Rockies. She’s been a part of successful BAI expeditions to Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Bolivia, Everest Base Camp, Ojos del Salado and Aconcagua. If you have any doubts about where you would like your next trip to be, talk to Leila about your expectations. She has the experience to recommend the perfect trip for you.
Tracy Jacobson – Operations Manager
Tracy moved to Canmore to pursue her love of the outdoors. She enjoys rock and ice climbing, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, camping and hiking - staying active has always played a huge role in her life. Tracy has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa, and North America and her volunteer work includes Hands Across Africa, where she climbed Kilimanjaro in 2006 for AIDS/HIV awareness. Her professional experience includes being a small business owner, management training and experience on many different levels, she also has an extensive background as a professional actor. Tracy carries a passion for the arts and enjoys writing scripts, taking acting classes and learning to play her guitar.
Mary MacDonald – Operations Coordinator
Mary is a true native to the beautiful Bow Valley. She was raised in what use to be a small coal miner town, Canmore. With the mountains as her backyard, she never took for granted the easy access to activities which have become her favourite pastime; backcountry camping, hiking, downhill and cross country skiing. She shares her enthusiasm with her two wonderful boys, Lucas and Kyle. With Mary’s 15 years experience in the administration field, her travels to Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, United States and Hawaii, and her newly acquired passion for international adventure travel she is a great fit to the Berg Team!
Lesley Phillips Reid – Canmore Operations Coordinator
Mountaineer, mother and educator. Lesley’s climbing background includes ascents of Denali, El Capitan in Yosemite and more than 20 years of rock climbing in southwestern U.S., the Tetons, Bugaboos, and the Coast Range of her native British Columbia.
Lesley’s spirit of adventure is ever-present. Her background in outdoor education includes 8 years working as an Instructor and Course Director for Outward Bound. She has been a nurse, public school teacher and always a climber and an adventurer. Lesley is a calm, experienced and encouraging voice when you call or visit our office.
Consultants
Bob Birkby –
From his Seattle, Washington home Bob keeps busy as a writer, adventurer and wilderness walking enthusiast. He frequently shows up at the Berg Adventures Alberta Headquarters where he maintains one of his worldwide "remote office" locations. Bob recently sent the final draft of his new book on the life of Scott Fischer, Mountain Madness, off to the publisher.
An instructor and backcountry crew leader with the Student Conservation Association for twenty-five years, he is author of Lightly on the Land, SCA’s trail building and maintenance manual. Other writings include current editions of the Boy Scout Handbook and Fieldbook. His long-distance backpacking trips include a solo hike of the Appalachian Trail. Bob has also engaged in the dangerous pursuit of teaching grammar and writing to college freshmen, and he occasionally appears on stage to startle his friends as a concert pianist. Bob has worked on international trips to Russia, Tanzania and Nepal and most recently he has accompanied a Berg Adventures team to Galapagos Islands.
Dominique Carrier –
Dominique is a reporter for the Rocky Mountain Outlook in Canmore, Alberta. Originally from Grande Prairie, Alberta, she moved to Montreal to pursue a degree in psychology from McGill University. After graduating in 2002, she decided to continue her studies and attend the journalism and communications program at Concordia University. Her true passion is writing. Dominique works on writing projects for Berg Adventures International and does an amazing job of transcribing BAI dispatches from around the world.
Elizabeth Hamilton – Accountant
Elizabeth left her native Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia) in 1968. Before settling in Canada, she lived in the Republic Democratic of Congo (Zaire), where her travel bug and newly acquired taste for safari adventures brought her to Kivu National Park, Burundi and Rwanda.
A couple of years later Elizabeth moved to Quebec City. The shock of sub-sub-sub-zero freezing temperatures of a typical Canadian winter was soon replaced by enthusiasm for skiing. She has since chosen Canmore, Alberta to as home for her family.
Elizabeth teaches computers and accounting programs to adults at the local college. Her role at Berg Adventures is to make sure we do not overcharge our customers or overpay our government taxes.
Donna Moll – Design Consultant
Donna has over 20 years of experience in the design field from academic to professional practice. Prior to starting her own consulting business in Connecticut and New York City, she spent six years teaching all levels of graphic design at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. Her passion and strong interest in typography and museum/exhibition graphics is evident in Senior-level positions held at the Guggenheim Museum, The Museum of Television and Radio, and The New York Public Library. She also served as a Design Consultant with The Museum of Modern Art, as well as other non-profit organizations.
When not glued to her computer, Donna has an insatiable love of the outdoors and travel. She is frequently found pursing her goals for physical accomplishment and her passion for adventure on one of our climbs, where she always endears herself to her teammates as the woman with great spirit, an irrepressible smile and endless compassion for her fellow climbers. Her addition to the BAI team as Design Consultant is a perfect fit, bring together her two worlds.
Guilherme Moraes – Weather Forecaster
Guilherme Moraes lives outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the mountain town of Nova Friburgo, where he is a public school teacher. He has become expert in generating critical weather forecasts for Berg Adventures climbs throughout South America and around the world. Guilherme’s informed and perceptive forecasts are always on time and accurate when they come in by satellite phone or on the Internet.
He has been known to be up late at night and very early in the mornings to gather and interpret the data that we are so eager to get when we are climbing. The weather news that he sends us is always delivered with healthy dose of humor and with empathy. He makes us feel that the BAI Brazil station is with us each step of the way.