Moxie Mountain Guides: Taking Inclusivity To New Heights
Photos courtesy of Moxie Mountain Guides
In the male-dominated world of climbing and mountaineering, Kristin Arnold and Sheldon Kerr stand high atop a summit of their own making. The owners of Ridgway-based Moxie Mountain Guides, they are two of only 17 internationally-certified female guides in the United States. And, while their formidable technical skills and rigorous training are fundamental to their success, their commitment to breaking down barriers and meeting each client where they are — not just on the mountain, but in life — is key to their success.
Certified in rock, ski and alpine guiding, Arnold and Kerr met in Alaska where they were working for other companies. Their experiences taught them that they could have a bigger impact if they struck out on their own. “We got to the place where we wanted to run the Kristin and Sheldon show and undo the atrocities we witnessed in guiding and in our world as women,” says Arnold.
In January 2023, they founded Moxie Mountain Guides, intentionally opening their doors to everyone regardless of gender, color, physical attributes, experience or ability to pay.
“We work to make sure that our programs actively welcome those who haven’t traditionally felt welcome,” explains Kerr. This means programming for climbers of size, queer climbers, women and non-binary skiers, and other groups who have long been invisible in the world of technical mountaineering.
Their goal is inclusivity, where everyone feels comfortable and can find someone who looks like themselves on the mountain, and this includes men. “We work with everybody and anybody, as long as they are nice,” laughs Kerr.
Jonathan Weinberger is a nice guy and a satisfied repeat customer. He met Kerr when she guided him in France over a decade ago. “Sheldon did something really special for me on that trip,” he explains. “It was completely in character for her to be looking at the needs of the whole person, not just getting a client from A to B or up a route.” He has since climbed with Kerr and Arnold in Chile, Alaska, Colorado and Nevada, adding that he “hopes it keeps going.”
Allegra Mangione agrees, citing Arnold’s and Kerr’s ability to take a group with diverse experience levels and ensure that everyone feels adequately challenged and confident. “I had always let my climbing partners take the lead,” she explains. But, after a four-day women’s trip in Red Rock, Nevada, Mangione was empowered.
“I felt I could know my own safety, keep my partner safe and become more of a leader outdoors instead of someone who goes with the flow.”
The ethos of being open to all and to honoring people where they are extends to business operations at Moxie Mountain Guides. Programs with Moxie are “pay what you should,” which means the actual cost of each program is published and clients are asked to pay what they think is appropriate based on their means. Clients paying more than the published price subsidize those who pay less, and with almost one year of operations complete, more than $15,000 of programming has been subsidized. In addition, contributions from industry partners — Sterling Ropes, Osprey Packs, Petzl, Julbo and Norrona — have further opened doors.
10 months in, Arnold and Kerr are awed by Moxie Mountain Guides’ success. Their goals for the future include expanding funding for subsidized programming and creating a wider array of programming.
10 months in, Arnold and Kerr are awed by Moxie Mountain Guides’ success. Their goals for the future include expanding funding for subsidized programming and creating a wider array of programming.
“We are amazed by the success,” says Kerr. “We are keeping our heads above the water and rising to the occasion.”
“And, we are excited to do so,” adds Arnold.
Interested in adventuring with Moxie Mountain Guides? Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @moxiemountainguides for information on upcoming, year-round programming and trip reports from past expeditions. In addition to their scheduled programs, they also guide individual bespoke trips around the world.
Originally published in the Winter 2023-24 issue of Spoke+Blossom.
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