Austin Shannon, International Mountain Guide

Austin Shannon Austin Shannon grew up in Bend Oregon where his love for the mountains began. He followed that passion to Colorado for college at Colorado Christian University. During His time in Colorado he enjoyed all that it had to offer, from rock climbing and ice climbing, to snowboarding and mountaineering. One of the most influential times in his life was when he spent a semester in Patagonia, Chile with the National Outdoor Leadership School where he learned to be comfortable and survive in any outdoor environment. Austin is a certified Leave No Trace educator and a Wilderness First Responder. He has now returned to the Northwest to further his passion for being in the outdoors.
30Jun

AMGA Alpine Guides Course

By Austin Shannon

Keep Learning, Keep Training, and Keep Pushing

This mantra was the theme of the training course I recently attended in Rock Mountain National Park. Back home in Washington, now able to reflect on the Alpine Guides course I am thankful for the resources at our fingertips here in the Northwest. We have survived a rigorous ten days of climbing, learning, and sharing experience.  The last ten days has taught me much about myself, my abilities, and areas I need to improve.  I am incredibly lucky to work for the people that I do.  The guiding industry is rapidly maturing and evolving.  In order to be on the forefront of that movement we must all continue to learn and grow in our daily endeavors.  By immersing myself in this training program I hope to supplement my involvement in the progressive movement of the guiding industry as a whole.

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13May

A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER…

By Austin Shannon

Or a big truck with a camper on the back.

The life of a dirt bag is incredibly difficult to describe to some folks.  I recently pulled into a local coffee shop, ordered my morning fix and the girl smiled and said, “oh are you going camping?” I replied, “haha, no this is my home.” An awkward exchange of smiles and I drove off. I realize having all of my worldly possessions in the back of my truck is a bit unconventional.  Others have described it as living like a turtle.  Living the nomad lifestyle, as I like to call it has its difficulties, but they are easily over looked when weighted with the rewards.  I have the best life ever—if I may boast for a moment.  Waking up to sunny sand stone in Nevada, or fresh cold snow in Washington with a French press of coffee steeping on the stove then crawling back into my down comforter at the end of the day, all in a days work.  Recently I parked my camper at IMG in Ashford and guided a week trip up Mt. Rainier.

Another great Denali prep seminar is done and gone.  With the ever-approaching summer season Ashford is buzzing with guides getting ready for the season, phone calls are coming in from clients preparing for climbs this summer.  And I am preparing for a few trips on Rainier then off to Alaska for a Mt. Bona trip.  During the week we had all types of weather and great times.  We had a smaller group this time so we were able to move quickly with maximum efficiency.  One day we had beautiful sunny skies, Mt. Rainier was out if full exposure.  Then next day we had a foot of fresh snow and 50 mph winds.  Oh want a beautiful adventure….but do not fear we had two mornings of bagel, cheese, and bacon sandwiches, and yes the French press was there as well.

Once the week was over I hopped back in the camper and skied a few days at Crystal Mountain….More adventures to come.

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25Mar

Anytime is a good time for something new…

By Austin Shannon

 
What makes you get out of bed in the morning?  Is it that fresh cup of coffee, a hot shower, or possibly the thought of something unexpected happening?  Working and living in the outdoors brings a certain essence of excitement—as a wise man once said, “you never know what you’re gonna get.”

I love waking up in the morning, warm in my tent, knowing it just snowed 15 cm.  Dusting off the cook tent and firing up the stoves to make some breakfast.  Everything is frozen in a perfect white serenity.  Pouring a fresh cup of coffee I watch the sunrise and realize, its moments like these that get me out of bed in the morning.  It’s the thought that beyond what I see in front of me at that very moment; I have no idea what’s around the next corner.  We are people created for greatness. Find your adventure and let nothing stand in your way of going after it. 

In the near future I challenge you to dig deep and truly discover what it is you enjoy in life.  If you find this question difficult to answer, find someone that has an answer, or take a walk about.  Go somewhere, do something spontaneous, what is there to loose?

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11Feb

Keep a Little Perspective

By Austin Shannon


Photos by Austin Shannon

From one season to the next, from one walk of life to another, life seems to fly by.  Recently I sat down and caught up on about a month’s worth of email.  My inbox was full of emails from trips to Mexico and guiding schedules, to future work opportunities that are currently taking place this winter.  Deleting some of those old emails and returning some others, I was able to get caught up and clear out my inbox.   While this provides a wonderful feeling of relief, I realized one important lesson; no matter where I am in the world, I cannot forget where I have come from.  As I have written before, I am incredibly thankful for all of the amazing people in my life, but all of this is for nothing if I don’t acknowledge who helped make it possible. 

I recently had the opportunity to take a group of six men up Mt. Rainier in the heart of winter.  This week-long trip was a training program preparing these guys for future winter climbs.  I was a bit nervous going into this trip because it was my first time being the lead on a trip of this magnitude.  With my assistant guides at my side we walked into the white winter wonderland of the Muir snowfield.  During our week we had all kinds of adventures, from 60 mile an hour winds to blue bird climbing days.  The clients learned all about avalanche science, beacon rescue, and strategic shoveling techniques.  It was wonderful to take a group of six random guys into a place completely out of their element, and by the end of the week, the result was much more than anyone could have imagined: we all learned more about ourselves than we ever thought possible.  Thank you for the lessons, guys!

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15Nov

Adventure Junkies — Aren’t We All?

By Austin Shannon


I am currently riding the train north up the west coast from San Diego.  The sun is beginning to rise over the hills of southern California, people are sipping their coffee contemplating what the day may bring, and I am preparing for the next adventure.  Reminiscing of adventures past, wondering in anticipation of adventures to come.  What is it that drives us to adventure? Is it the unknown?  Is it the idea of discovering something new or the fact that we are a little bit out of control?  I believe one of the things that drive us to adventure is the idea that we are a small part of a huge world.  Adventure brings things into focus jand reminds us that we are still human.  And we think, maybe, just maybe, things are not as bad as they seem.  When we have a good balance of adventure in our lives we are able to stay inspired and live a bit longer. 

I have been on the road for the last month and a half.  I left Washington in mid-September and headed south with my good friend Eric and his girlfriend Anna.  We stopped to see some friends and family in San Francisco.  During our time there we drank some good wine, listened to some good music and had intriguing conversation.  From there we continued south and ended up in Red Rocks, Nevada.

Once in Red Rocks I began training and climbing for three weeks.  During those three weeks I took a Rock Guide course taught by the American Mountain Guide Association.  This training course taught me how to be a more effective guide in all types of situations.  I also had a few days of work directly after the course where I was able to apply all that I had learned.  While I was climbing and training Eric introduced Anna to the vertical world of rock climbing.  She did quite well despite the fact that she is afraid of heights.  On and on throughout our time in Red Rocks Eric, Anna and myself met new people and continued to seek adventure. 
After Red Rocks I headed west to beautiful, warm San Diego.  There I stayed with my Aunt, Uncle and two cousins.  My cousins are just about done with high school and would love nothing more than to live in a van by the ocean and surf all the time.  I quickly had the same desire after a few days in the ocean.  Everything seems to come into balance when you’re able to float in the ocean for a few hours.  Time seems to stand still when you’re in the water just watching the world turn—it’s quite relaxing.

Through all of my travels over the past few weeks I have realized that we all need to experience adventure in some form.  Whether it’s trying a new kind of coffee on your way to work or going on an African Safari, we need to feel alive. If we don’t, than we are just wasting away.  So wherever you are, seek adventure and learn all you can along the way!

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