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GUIDES
Al Wiberg (He/Him/His) retired in May of 2024 after 32 years as the Assistant Director of Operations for the Campus Recreation Department at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He received his master’s degree in Recreation Administration (with an emphasis in Adventure Education) from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and currently serves at the Executive Director of the Professional Climbing Instructor Association (PCIA). Al holds certifications as an Indoor and Outdoor Course Provider Trainer for the PCIA and serves as on the Programs committee for the PCIA. Al is also a current Wilderness First Responder through the Wilderness Medical Association. Al currently resides in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin with his wife Michele.
Sam Carney-Sandleback (She/Her/Hers) began her climbing instruction for the Environment Adventure Center at UW–Eau Claire, she then went on to work for the outdoor program at UW-La Crosse while obtaining her master’s in Recreation Management. She is now the Outdoor Coordinator at UW-Stout. Sam has guided around the Midwest at Devils Lake State Park, Interstate Park, Palisade Head, Shovel Point, Sugar Loaf, Casket Quarry, and Sandstone. She has also guided at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, AR and in Moab, UT. Sam is a current PCIA Single Pitch Climbing Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor for the American Red Cross. She is passionate about sharing her love of the outdoors with others and introducing them to the sport of rock climbing.
Tristen Collins (He/Him/His) began his climbing instruction at the UW - Eau Claire where he developed a
passion for introducing others into the world of climbing. Tristen is a Single Pitch Instructor through the
PCIA and holds a Wilderness First Responder certification through the WMA. He has guided climbing
trips all throughout the Midwest on both rock and ice. He specializes in guiding at Interstate Park,
however, also enjoys guiding at Devils Lake in Wisconsin and Sandstone, Palisade Head, and Shovel Point
in Minnesota. Along with guiding, Tristen enjoys instructing anchors courses and teaching climbing
safely and efficiently. He loves working with people and prides himself in providing a customized
climbing experience for all ages and ability levels.
Katie Berg (She/Her/Hers) got her start as a manager and team coach at Vertical Endeavors in Duluth while climbing all over the US and the world. She was on the board for the Duluth Climbers Coalition for several years, helping organize and teach clinics at the Duluth Ice and Mixed Festival. Currently, in between ice and trad climbing, she's an English Professor and Dance Competition Coach in the Twin Cities and Duluth. She's the author of the 3rd edition of Rock Climbing Minnesota Guidebook and the North Shore Adventures Guidebook.
Austin Perkins (He/Him/His) started climbing at a summer camp in 2009, and since then was hooked. He has spent his time working indoors, and outdoors in the climbing industry. His passions include bouldering, sport climbing, and trad climbing. He also loves the art of routesetting. Since moving from California to Wisconsin, Austin has gotten his Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) and Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) certificates through the PCIA. Some of his favorite places to climb are; Bishop CA, Red Rock NV, Horseshoe Canyon Ranch AR, and Devils Lake WI.
Maggie Israel (She/Her/Hers) grew up in Duluth, Minnesota camping, kayaking, and hiking which fostered her love of the outdoors. She first started climbing in 2017 and began her climbing instruction at the University Wisconsin Eau-Claire through the outdoor recreation program. She spent several years working at the climbing walls, ropes course, and as a trip leader at the Environmental Adventure Center. She pursued her passion and obtained her Single Pitch Instructor certification through the PCIA. Maggie is devoted to customizing each day to fit the needs and experience level of her climbers, and loves teaching new skills to enhance their overall experience.
Jake Brunnquell (He/Him/His) began guiding and instructing with MMG in 2014. Since then, he has forged a career as a climber and educator. He serves the PCIA as the Programs Director, leading curriculum changes and serving PCIA members around the world. Jake also works as a Program Manager and Outdoor Education professor at University of Wisconsin – River Falls, and currently lives in River Falls with his family. There, he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, going for trail runs, training for triathlons, paddling, fishing, enjoying local beers, and of course, climbing!
Tori Ward (She/Her/Hers) got introduced to climbing while attending college in Duluth, Minnesota. She quickly got involved in the climbing community, and first began guiding for her college. Tori has experience guiding adults, children, and experience with adaptive climbing. She also has experience guiding on both rock and ice. On top of being a climbing guide, Tori works as a nurse in the Duluth community. She can often be seen on the trail throughout the year mountain biking or hiking, and enjoys escaping to the mountains to go skiing in the winter.
Vicente Delgado (He/Him/His) serves as the Assistant Director of Outdoor Pursuits for the University of Northern Colorado. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and received his master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado. Vicente has been an active member with the Professional Climbing Instructor Association (PCIA) since January of 2015. Since then he has become a Climbing Wall Instructor Course Provider and is currently pursuing his credentials to be a Single Pitch Climbing Instructor Course Provider. Vicente finds adventure through sport and trad climbing. His favorite areas to climb include the City of Rocks ID, Moab UT, Red Rocks NV, Devils Lake WI, and Palisade Head MN. Outside of climbing he enjoys gravel biking and grilling food for his friends.
Kevin Hoffheins (He/Him/His) Born in Colorado and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I've always loved the adventure of the mountains. Growing up, any of my free time was spent wandering the hills of Southern Oregon trying to find the next source of adventure. When I got to college at Oregon State University, my adventure became about taking others outside. Guiding and leading trips for OSU as well as commercial guide services, I was exposed to many facets of the outdoor industry and the places that that industry can take a person. Fast forward to now, I get my adventure by teaching students in the outdoor program at Texas Tech University about being the next generation of stewards in our outdoor spaces.
Jack Wanner (He/Him/His) Although he grew up climbing at Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin, Jack really developed his passion for climbing, guiding and instructing while he attended the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He began his journey of instructing and guiding while working for the Environmental Adventure Center (EAC), where he really developed a passion for introducing people into the world of outdoor climbing. During his time at the EAC, Jack earned his Single Pitch Instructor Certification (SPI) through the PCIA, his Wilderness First Responder through the WMA, and he has worked in both the outdoor and education world after graduating from UWEC. While Jack enjoys climbing with his friends, he also has a great passion for getting anyone and everyone out for a great day on the rocks.
Ben Johnson (He/Him/His) got his start in the climbing world through the Environmental Adventure Center on campus at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Several years of dedication to the program, and personal climbing progress, has brought him up to a Single Pitch Instructor through the PCIA and working towards becoming a provider in the association. Heavily drawn to Devil's Lake, he rarely passes up an opportunity to spend time with the quartzite, and loves to show folks around the park. He has found a passion for instructing, and would love to take anybody and everybody out into the beautiful, vertical world.