Meet the Guides | Mark Vermeal

Mark Bio Picture Mark Vermeal • 22yrs Climbing | 11yrs Guiding
- M.Ed. Science - Plymouth State College, 1994
- B.S. Forestry - University of Maine, Orono, 1986

When I think about my role as your guide, I believe that Gaston Rebuffat said it perfectly. In Starlight and Storm he wrote: “ People have a fixed idea of what a guide is: a professional, who, in return for a certain sum of money, takes you to the summit to which you aspire. But, the guide is more than that: (s)he is a competent friend who controls the party, but who also teaches you and stimulates your interest. … The choice of companion is as important as the choice of the climb.”

Although as a professionally trained and experienced guide, my role is one of risk manager; it’s significantly more. Yes, I will work diligently to bring you to the top of the cliff or mountain, however, like Rebuffat, I believe that is only part of my responsibility. I am a guide because I love the mountain environment and want to share my knowledge of these places with you. I feel it’s my responsibility to provide you with the instruction and inspiration to enjoy these places as much as I do. As your knowledge of the systems and equipment we use increase, you will develop a greater sense of security, and confidence. As your technique improves, so will your satisfaction and you will find yourself inspired to seek new challenges. Every step of the way we will work as a team to further your understanding and enhance your experience. As a seasoned teacher with over 20 years of classroom and wilderness skills instruction experience, I know how to modify the learning environments and feel that almost any setting or situation can provide us with opportunities for instruction.

Depending on your skill level, experience and goals, I will customize each day to your needs. Beginner climbers will require more instruction. More advanced climbers may simply want to cover more difficult terrain or just more terrain than they can on their own. Either way, I want to be your personal guide and someone who assists you to achieve your goals and inspires you to continue to progress.

American Mountain Guides Association Professional Member
AAIRE Level II Avalanche Training Course
Director of the Wilderness Skills Program - White Mountain School
Wilderness EMT-B (Nationally registered and New Hampshire licenced)
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Instructor
American Canoe Association certified Whitewater Open-boat Instructor
American Mountain Guides Association Rock Instructor Course '01
Ascents in Tetons; Rock Mountains; Adirondaks; Shawanagonks; with extensive experience in the Italian Dolomites, Red Rocks, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.