Mountainfest

Guest Athletes

An all-around climber with over 28 year of experience, establishing over 200 new routes; everything from traditional, sport, and mixed climbing. However, his biggest accomplishment and legacy is not how hard he can push himself, but what he can pass on to the next generation of climbers as a coach and mentor, especially to help develop the next generation of Olympic Caliber athletes. When not teaching climbing clinics, Marcus can be found in Durango, Co at the climbing gym, running peaks, swinging tools, working on photography skills or just chilling at home.

Joey Thompson - Rab

Joey grew up in New York state where he began skiing and rock climbing in the Adirondacks and Canada. In October 1993, he moved to Colorado where he now lives with his wife Susan. After taking on various jobs to support his outdoor pursuits, Joey realized he wanted to empower others to enjoy the mountains and experience the places he holds dear. Joey became the 92nd guide to become fully certified by American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA), and is licensed by the International Federation of Mountain Guide Association (IFMGA), the highest level of professional guiding in the world.

Nikki Smith - Grivel

An artist, writer, photographer, guidebook author, runner, and climber based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nikki started climbing in the early ’90s and has been working in the outdoor industry and climbing world since 1998. Nikki’s photography has been featured in many outdoor publications and is a National Geographic Adventure photo contributor. She’s authored five climbing guidebooks to date and has written many feature articles for climbing magazines. More than 150 first ascents throughout the west and has traveled the world to climb, Nikki is also an athlete representing Brooks Running, REI, Mountain Hardwear, Scarpa, Grivel, and more. Now, much of her work focuses on building a more inclusive, diverse, and safe community within climbing and the outdoors. An advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, she serves as a Patient Advocacy Board Member for the University of Utah’s Transgender Health Program, and a committee member for the American Mountain Guide Association’s JEDI committee.

Alan Rousseau - Grivel/Liberty

Alan has been a part of over 30 expeditions around the world, but has largely focused on climbing in Alaska, and the Himalayas. In 2020 Alan along with Tino Villaneuva were awarded the prestigious Piolet D’or for their ascent of the West face of Tengi Ragi Tau in Nepal. Alan has also completed fast one day ascents of some of the largest walls of the central Alaska range including the North Buttress of Mount Hunter (WI6,M6,4000’) the Infinite Spur of Foraker (M5,AI4,9000’).

Ian Osteyee - CAMP

Ian Osteyee has been climbing since 1983, and has enjoyed climbing adventures throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Nepal. Ian has guided in the Adirondacks for years and was one of the first local guides to pursue AMGA training and certification. With a number of first ascents in the Adirondacks and several more scattered around, Ian is best known for climbing very thin, difficult ice routes, and gritty mixed routes, many of which have never seen a second ascent. If asked about favorite ascents he struggles to narrow it down, but includes: “Losar” WI5 700m with blind climber Erik Weihenmayer in Nepal, the first ascent of “Shaugdro” WI5 500m in Nepal, the first ascent of “Simian” WI 5+ X at Poke-O-moonshine, Adirondacks.

Zahan Billimoria - Patagonia

Zahan has spent his life searching for winter’s magic moments, where steep mountains, deep snow and quiet wilderness are all part of the experience. His passion for human-powered ski exploration has taken him around the globe, and his professional guiding career includes work with Exum Mountain Guides and Teton Gravity Research to lead remote first descents and teach freeride athletes high-level avalanche and technical skills. Zahan also owns and operates Samsara Mountain Training, which specializes in skiing and climbing exploration of the world’s greatest alpine playgrounds.