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Mark Synnott is renowned in the climbing world for his many big wall and alpine climbing adventures. His travels have taken him on nearly 30 expeditions, ranging from big walls of Baffin Island to the scorching hot Ennedi Desert. Mark has pioneered four big wall first ascents on Baffin Island, including a grade VII on the 4700-foot north face of Polar Sun Spire, an epic wall that required the team to spend 36 nights in portaledges. In the Karakoram, Mark has established two grade VII big wall first ascents: The Ship of Fools on Shipton Spire and Parallel Worlds on Great Trango Tower. The latter, a 6000-foot wall topping out at over 20,000 feet (completed with Jared Ogden and Alex Lowe in 1999) is one of the longest rock climbs in the world. Mark reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2019 via the Northeast Ridge, an adventure chronicled in The Third Pole: MYSTERY, OBSESSION, AND DEATH ON MOUNT EVEREST.
As a free climber, Mark has onsighted 5.12 and redpointed 5.13. In Yosemite, Mark has climbed El Capitan 22 times, including one day ascents of the Nose, Tangerine Trip, Lost in America and the West Face. Equally comfortable on ice and mixed terrain as he is on rock, Mark has climbed Grade 6+ testpieces in the Candian Rockies, France, and Norway.
Despite his numerous trips to exotic destinations around the world, Mark is passionate about climbing and skiing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. If you spend some time on Cathedral Ledge in the summer or on Mount Washington in the winter, you'll probably run into Mark.
When he's not in the mountains, Mark works with The North Face Research, Design and Development team. Mark has also worked extensively in the film and television industry, both in front of and behind the camera. His credits include work for National Geographic Television, NBC Sports, Warren Miller Entertainment, and Rush HD. Mark has written many articles over the years and his work has appeared in National Geographic, National Geographic Adventure, Men's Journal, Outside, Climbing, Skiing, New York Magazine and many other publications in the US and abroad.
Books:
In 2016, Mark attained the highest level of certification from the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). The AMGA’s American Mountain Guide Certification is the highest level of credential attainable by a professional mountain guide, and is an achievement recognized in more than 20 International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) member countries.
As an IFMGA certified guide, Mark is available for custom guided trips to a variety of locations across the US and world. Please inquire for details.
Jim is a native of North Conway, where he learned an appreciation for the mountains at an early age. He was on skis by the age of 4 and started climbing waterfall ice at the age of 14. While still a teenager, Jim established what was then the hardest technical rock climb in New Hampshire, with his historic first ascent of Liquid Sky (5.13b) on Cathedral Ledge. Subsequent years saw him pioneering new hard routes throughout New England and the Rocky Mountains.
Jim has ventured to the top of remote peaks in Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Baffin Island, Patagonia, Peru, and has climbed to 8000m on Mount Everest.
In addition to working as a guide for the past 30 years, Jim is one of the world's most accomplished adventure cameramen. He has worked with a diverse portfolio of clients that includes National Geographic, Warren Miller Entertainment, Discovery, MTV, The North Face, Patagonia, Eddie Bauer, Peter Jennings Productions and others. From Mount Everest to Antarctica, Jim has operated cameras in the world's most extreme environments, keeping up with world-class athletes and adventurers to get his shot.
Jim is a team leader for Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) and is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR).
For Nick Aiello-Popeo, New Hampshire has been the ideal training ground for climbing across North America. From bigwall rock climbs in Yosemite to icy Alaskan peaks, it all began with experience gleaned from nearly two decades in the White Mountains. Living with his wife just south of Conway, Nick splits his time between home and trips to places like the Rockies, Sierra, Cascades, and the Central Alaska Range. Since 2010, Nick has spent every spring climbing and guiding in Alaska, completing around a dozen expeditions up Denali (20,310’), as well as many other technical alpine climbs on nearby peaks. Nick’s favorite climb is Ham and Eggs (AI4, 5.9, 2,900’) on Alaska’s Mooses Tooth. You can check out some of Nick’s photography and writing in Alpinist Magazine.
Nick's Certifications & Training:
Joe Consavage has been climbing for 20 years and guiding for Synnott Mountain Guides since 2009. He has lived in Alaska, Colorado (skiing many of Colorado's 14,000' peaks), and has traveled extensively across the western United States.
For the past 15 years, Joe has been based in the White Mountains, where he continues to pursue his passion for backcountry skiing, climbing, and mountain running. He has climbed and/or run all of New Hampshire's 4,000' peaks and has skied off 30 of them. Few people can keep up with Joe in the hills when he's trying to move fast. Some of his local claims to fame include climbing Cannon Cliff, Pinnacle Buttress in Huntington Ravine, Cathedral Ledge, and Whitehorse Ledge...all in a single 12 hours push, including drive time. He has completed a girdle traverse of Whitehorse Ledge in 2 hours and climbed Thin Air on Cathedral Ledge in 10 minutes.
Joe is currently a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and has taken the AMGA Rock Instructor and Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) courses. Joe has an intense passion for cooking and you're in for a treat if you get him as a guide for a course with an overnight.
With 57 years of climbing experience and 34 years working as a guide, Paul Cormier is one of most experienced mountain guides in New Hampshire. In the White Mountains, he has more than 150 first ascents on both rock and ice with unparalleled knowledge of our local peaks.
Personal trips have taken him to Katahdin, Patagonia, British Columbia (Bugaboos), Yosemite (El Capitan, Half Dome, Leaning Tower, Washington Column, Middle & Higher Cathedral), Zion (Prodigal Son), and a 64 day traverse of the Chilliwack Range in the North Cascades. Paul has guided in Grand Teton National Park, Mount Rainier, Mount Shasta, and Chamonix. Further afield, Paul has led guided expeditions to Tanzania (Kilimanjaro), Argentina (Aconcagua, Tronador) and Ecuador (Cotapaxi, Chimborazo, Antisana, Illaniza North and South).
Paul has been on ten expeditions to Bolivia and has climbed so many peaks that he can't remember them all. A partial list includes: Hauyna Potosi, Sajama, Piramide Blanca (2nd ascent of the American Route - West Face), Pequeno Alpomayo, Cabaza de Condor, a significant attempt on the east face of Illampu, Parinacota, Wila Llojeto, Jankho Huyo, Ancohuma, Illimani, and Tiquimani (possible 1st ascent of West Face).
Scott Lee is an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) certified Rock Instructor with a passion for teaching others how to be safe and efficient on ice, rock, and in alpine terrain. Scott has climbed extensively throughout the United States, climbing routes up to 5.11 and grade 5 ice. He has climbed to 20,000' in Bolivia and climbed numerous routes in British Columbia. Scott lived in Utah for 8 years, ski mountaineering in the Wasatch Mountains, and ice & rock climbing throughout the West. The lure of whitewater led him to many multi-day kayak and rafting trips, including 3 self supported expeditions down the Grand Canyon and rafting class 5 on the Apurimac River in Peru. Scott lives with his wife (guide Jean Lee) and son in North Conway, New Hampshire.
Charlie started climbing around 1976 and has been guiding professionally for over thirty years. While he spends the majority of his time on his favorite cliffs and crags of the White Mountains, he has also been pretty scared in the Adirondacks, at the Gunks, and on innumerable bits of rock and ice throughout the continental US. Charlie has enjoyed many successful climbs in the Canadian Rockies, but also endured an equal number of epics there. He spent three winters climbing in Scotland, there was a trip to Ama Dablam, some forays to the Cascades, and visits to Red Rocks & Yosemite.
Over the years, Charlie remains most proud of his record in Alaska and has summited Mt. Hunter via both the West Ridge and the Moonflower Buttress. He managed the second ascent (1st alpine style) of Mt. Foraker's striking Talkeetna Ridge, and enjoyed climbs or attempts on Mt Huntington, Mt. Barille, the Moose's Tooth, and routes in Little Switzerland. With his longtime climbing partner and brother-in-law, it took Charlie three attempts to finally snag the first ascent of Mt. Russell's East Face, where the key to success turned out to be their descent by paraglider.
Charlie's passion for climbing education saw him joining the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) quite early on. He became an AMGA Certified Rock Instructor before they even called it that, and he was instrumental in building up the Accreditation and Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) programs during two terms on the AMGA Board of Directors. He remains one of a handful of SPI Provider Trainers in the country, and when you combine that role with his nearly three decades in management with the EMS Climbing School, Charlie has assisted dozens and dozens of climbers in their quest to become professional guides. Charlie has two wonderful daughters, is a championship curler, and a beekeeper.
Chris "Grammy" Graham has been climbing rock and ice for over 35 years and has guided for 20+ years. In addition to his prolific new routing in the White Mountains, Grammy's travels have taken him to Yosemite, Tuolumne Meadows, Red Rock, the Tetons, Shawangunks, and Smith Rock.
Internationally, Grammy has climbed in Peru, Ecuador, and various European venues. He is known for his thoughtful, patient, and thorough teaching style. So, whether you are new to climbing and want to see if you like it or perhaps are looking to take your rock, ice, or alpine abilities to the next level, Grammy will help you to achieve your climbing goals.
Credentials:
Favorite Routes to Climb and Guide:
Ryan began winter camping and mountaineering in the White Mountains of New Hampshire at the age of sixteen. For some reason, these ill-prepared and terribly executed winter camping trips solidified his love for the mountains. Present day, Ryan has been technical climbing for over a decade and is as excited as ever to get out and climb. His favorite activity is climbing in the bigger mountains and this interest has taken him to the North Cascades, Alaska, and the Canadian Rockies. Guiding is an opportunity for Ryan to share his excitement for the mountains and he loves every minute of it. Plus, when you go out for a day with Ryan, you get the knowledge gleaned from his years of making mistakes and suffering needlessly. When not climbing, you can find Ryan trail running and hanging out with his best friend Rupert, who is a dog.
Favorite Climbs
Certifications
Josh is a guide based in the Mount Washington Valley. Growing up here, he had the privilege of exploring some of New Hampshire’s most stunning and lesser-traveled areas, fostering a deep love for the outdoors. Josh's journey began on skis, and he's been climbing since elementary school, developing a lifelong connection to the mountains.
Josh particularly enjoys working with youth groups and those just starting out, sharing his experiences to help others discover the joys and challenges of outdoor adventure. New Hampshire offers an incredible variety of landscapes, perfect for all levels of experience and interests, and he feels fortunate to call this place his home.
As a guide, Josh prioritizes a learning approach that allows individuals to grow at their own pace while ensuring a positive, safe, and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself on the trails or simply enjoy the beauty of the mountains, he is available to help make your outdoor experience memorable and rewarding.
Certifications
Favorite climbs in New Hampshire:
Hanna Lucy is an artist, elementary school art teacher, and guide based in the White Mountains. She has been exploring the trails, cliffs, and slopes of these mountains since childhood, and taken the skills learned here to mountain ranges far and wide. Some of her favorite adventures include rock climbing trips to Patagonia and Chamonix, and ski trips to Alaska and British Columbia. Hanna is a passionate educator, and strives to make everyone feel more confident in the mountain environment.
Brian considers himself lucky to have spent more than a year of his life living in the alpine zone on Mount Washington while working in the AMC Hut System and as a weather observer for the Mount Washington Observatory. Since those early days, he’s continued to explore the White Mountains on skis, on foot, and with ropes. While the White Mountains feel like home, Brian has climbed and skied extensively in the western U.S. and has reluctantly boarded planes to visit Chamonix, France and Tanzania.
Brian is also a photographer, so he’ll do his best to take great photos of your adventure. He currently lives in Jackson, NH with his wife and two dogs.
Certifications, Training, & Volunteering
Blake grew up skiing East Coast community-oriented mountains like Butternut and Sundown. After moving to Seattle, WA, he found trusted friends and mentors who introduced him to the beautiful and seemingly endless skiing opportunities offered up by the North Cascades. Many happy days were spent charging up mountains with skis on his back and riding terrain that a few years before seemed impossible. After moving back East in 2010, Blake quickly found opportunities to share his love for backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering by teaching AIARE courses and ski guiding in the White Mountains.
In addition to working for Synnott Mountain Guides, Blake is earning a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health. Additionally, he is incredibly grateful for the continued support from Fischer Skis, Protect Our Winters, Gordini, and FlyLow. When he isn’t in the mountains, Blake is looking for waves to surf, clean rivers to fish, and good books to read. He and his wife Kennesaw, along with their cats Lucy & Iggy, love the close proximity of the ocean and mountains, and appreciate the endless gifts and opportunities they provide.
Mary Ignatiadis began backpacking and climbing in the southern Appalachians before moving to New England in 2013. She fell in love with backcountry skiing while teaching at Teton Science Schools in Wyoming, and has since explored ranges in Norway, Greece, and Colorado on skis. When she’s not in the mountains, Mary is a forest economist studying ways to sustain the lands and communities where we recreate. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR).
After an eye opening trip to Cathedral Ledge in 2012, Liam settled into the Mount Washington Valley eager to explore all of its cliffs, gullies, and boulders. While quiet tree skiing, steep powder days, and far and obscure granite cliffs are his favorites, Liam enjoys being out with good company in any terrain and condition. Liam is excited to share his love, style, and connection to skiing and climbing in New Hampshire through goal oriented progressions, spirit of adventure, and a sense of humor in humility.
Liam's a local middle school teacher, ski patroller, member of the Mountain Rescue Service, and serves with the local climbing organization, Friends of the Ledges. He has had the joy of several first rock ascents in the area, and when not skinning through labyrinthine spruce traps, is most likely dangling from a rope pondering a new route. Rarely lost but seldom found, a day out with Liam is sure to be a laughable learning adventure.
Aaron is a passionate backcountry skier and AIARE Instructor who loves exploring and discovering the secrets of the White Mountains in all seasons. Aaron's pathway into avalanche education began via his day job, where he was building and deploying decision making and error proofing tools, and human performance and training programs for pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. Having completed AIARE's Instructor Training Program, Aaron now shares his human performance knowledge with backcountry skiers and riders traveling in avalanche terrain (and in a classroom that is a much cooler place than a manufacturing plant).
When not skiing in the winter, Aaron is a super-fan at his son's nordic ski races. In the summer, Aaron can be found trail running throughout the range, mountain biking in the Hurricane zone, or rock climbing. Aaron lives in Jackson with his family, a lab Jack Russell mix who thinks she's a cat, and an orange cat who thinks he's a dog.
Favorite Ski Zones:
Recently Completed "Bad Ideas":
Stay tuned for Ryan's bio.
Stay tuned for Justin's bio.
