MEET OUR GUIDES
At New River Mountain Guides, our guides are accomplished climbers who are chosen based on their expertise, knowledge of the area, friendliness and the ability to teach. They take their profession seriously, are committed to excellence and proud of the line of work they have chosen. You'll find that their professional approach and warm personalities makes for a rewarding experience. Simply stated, our guides truly set us apart from the rest.
Owner/Operator New River Mountain Guides and Chicks Climbing & Skiing
Testimonial:
Superb. She is knowledgeable, professional, organized, and very approachable. All perfect qualities for an instructor. --Rich S.
ELAINA
ARENZ
AMGA Certified Rock Guide
AMGA Assistant Alpine Guide
AMGA SPI Provider Trainer
Warriors Way Trainer
Wilderness First Responder
NRMG Owner-Operator
Elaina has 27 years of climbing experience and has been working as a full-time climbing guide for 22 years. She's well versed in all forms of climbing, having redpointed 5.13 sport and 5.12 trad, aid climbed El Cap, and has sent M9 and WI5. All that said, sunny sport climbing is by far her favorite discipline.
Elaina serves on the Board of Directors of the American Mountain Guide Association, is a member of the Technical Committee, and is a Single Pitch Instructor Provider Trainer.
When she's not on the rocks, she loves exploring the countryside on her dirtbike.
Jeff on Team Machine 12a
Photo by Fixed Line Media
JEFFERY
HEARN
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
AMGA Assistant Rock Guide
Warrior's Way Trainer
Wilderness First Responder
NRMG Operations Manager
Years with NRMG: 11 years
Jeff hails from Cleveland, Ohio and has over 22 years of climbing experience. He's a crack climbing wizard with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Jeff runs our day-to-day operations in the office and out in the field. Jeff has developed a strong following of return clients who are taken by his patient teaching approach and his ability to relate to people of all ages.
Hearn also is our head counselor for our Teen Rock Camp Program.
JORDAN
REDING
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
AMGA Assistant Rock Guide
Wilderness First Responder
Years with NRMG: 2
Jordan is from Columbus, OH and attended OSU where he studied environmental sciences. He's a former North Carolina Outward Bound Climbing Instructor, who loves to teach and share his knowledge with others.
"I love teaching new and experienced climbers alike, and find great fulfillment in both the “aha” moments and general enjoyment clients and students receive from climbing achievements."
TESTIMONIAL
"I just want to write to say that Jordan was a fantastic teacher, guide, and motivator today. He was so thoughtful and responsive and intuitive. We had an amazing time with him, learned so much, and felt so well taken care of. -Karen S.
MARY
KEEGAN
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
Years with NRMG: 1
Mary hails from Virginia by way of California. She started her climbing journey in the New River Gorge and earned her Single Pitch Instructor certification in Joshua Tree. She’s delighted to return to the New and share this amazing climbing destination with her clients.
CLAIRE
MURPHY
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
AMGA Assistant Rock Guide
Wilderness First Responder
Years with NRMG: 2
Claire is a lawyer on her climbing rest days and a crusher on both rock and ice. She spent her formative climbing years at Seneca Rocks, WV where she honed her trad climbing skills.
She now spends her summers at the New, and her winters in Ouray, CO chasing down snowy slopes and scratching her way up frozen waterfalls.
TYLER
ALLEN
AMGA Rock Guide
AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
Wilderness First Responder
Years with NRMG: 7
Tyler grew up in Edinboro, PA, and has been climbing for over ten years. He is an Eagle Scout and earned a degree in Geology in 2015. Tyler is an AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, certified Single Pitch Instructor, and a Wilderness First Responder.
Tyler loves pushing his limits on big climbing objectives and continues to develop his skills on rock, ice and snow as he works towards becoming an American Mountain Guide.
He's an athlete ambassador for C.A.M.P, Rab Equipment, and Skratch Labs.
"Tyler gave an outstanding introduction to rock climbing in all regards. He was extremely knowledgeable, professional, patient, and really fun to be around. He provided realistic but challenging objectives for a one-day adventure. I appreciated his attention to safety and his ability to manage a mixed-level group of climbers. I felt like I was in good hands and that’s really important while enjoying this sport." - Emme S