All programs begin with a gear check and orientation, during which we go over trip logistics in detail. Please bring all of the items on the gear list and be prepared to unpack your kit with your group and guide. This is a comprehensive gear list that includes items needed for trips in all weather and conditions. Some items may end up being left behind if they are not needed. If you have extra items that you’re unsure about, bring them and run them by your guide. We’ll help you refine your kit to strike a balance of being prepared and keeping your pack light. We rent ice axes, crampons, and harnesses. Please let us know if you need rentals so we can be sure to get your needs met! We provide tents, wag bags, ropes, fuel, breakfast and dinner. Please bring your own lunch and snack food.
I grew up in Durango, CO and began venturing into the mountains of the North and South San Juans at an early age. In college, I studied Elementary Education and Communication at the University of Colorado in Boulder and worked for the Colorado Outward Bound School for 7 years – leading long expeditions (15-52 days) throughout the Southwest and Alaska. Colorado was where I began my guiding career working for several small guiding operations as well as the Colorado Mountain School before moving to Bellingham, WA in the spring of 2017 to work for Baker Mountain Guides. The North Cascades are home now and I'm not going anywhere. 7 months out of the year, you can find me on skis teaching avalanche courses, ski guiding, or dreaming of shredding pow in between rain events. The remaining months, I work as a guide and instructor for everything from alpine rock to glacier mountaineering in the Cascades.
Certifications:
AMGA CERTIFIED SKI GUIDE
AMGA CERTIFIED SPI
AMGA APPRENTICE ROCK GUIDE
AMGA APPRENTICE ALPINE GUIDE
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER/CPR
AIARE COURSE LEADER
AIARE INSTRUCTOR TRAINER
AIARE PRO 2
LEAVE NO TRACE TRAINER
I grew up in Durango, CO and began venturing into the mountains of the North and South San Juans at an early age. In college, I studied Elementary Education and Communication at the University of Colorado in Boulder and worked for the Colorado Outward Bound School for 7 years – leading long expeditions (15-52 days) throughout the Southwest and Alaska. Colorado was where I began my guiding career working for several small guiding operations as well as the Colorado Mountain School before moving to Bellingham, WA in the spring of 2017 to work for Baker Mountain Guides. The North Cascades are home now and I'm not going anywhere. 7 months out of the year, you can find me on skis teaching avalanche courses, ski guiding, or dreaming of shredding pow in between rain events. The remaining months, I work as a guide and instructor for everything from alpine rock to glacier mountaineering in the Cascades.
Certifications:
AMGA CERTIFIED SKI GUIDE
AMGA CERTIFIED SPI
AMGA APPRENTICE ROCK GUIDE
AMGA APPRENTICE ALPINE GUIDE
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER/CPR
AIARE COURSE LEADER
AIARE INSTRUCTOR TRAINER
AIARE PRO 2
LEAVE NO TRACE TRAINER
Some product links below are affiliate links. When you buy through our links, Zack McGill and Cache7 may earn a commission. Thank you for supporting the outdoor community.
Paid Links
MSR
Reactor 1.7L Stove System
Add to cache
Rocky Talkie
FSR Radio
Add to cache
Rite In The Rain
Stapled Notebooks
Add to cache
Leatherman
Skeletool
Add to cache
Julbo
Shield Spec
Add to cache
Black Diamond
Storm Headlamp
Add to cache
Easy Care First Aid
Hand Sanitizer - 1.25
Add to cache
Liberty Mountain
Kula Cloth
Add to cache
Badger Balm
40 SPF Mineral Sunscreen Cream
Add to cache
Adventure Medical Kits
MOLLE Bag Trauma Kit 0.5 - 45 Pieces
Add to cache
Smith
Squad Goggles+ ChromaPop(TM)
Add to cache
Badger
Lip Balm SPF 15
Add to cache
Big Sky
Endurance Mohair Ski Skins
Add to cache
Mammut
Barryvox
Add to cache
Folkrm
Wyeast Ski Poles
Add to cache
Black Diamond
Mission 55 Backpack
Add to cache
Black Diamond Equipment
Vision Climbing Helmet
Add to cache
Mammut
Avalanche Probe - 280 Speed Lock
Add to cache
Mammut
Alugator Light Compact Avalanche Shovel
Add to cache
Patagonia
Women's Active Mesh Bra
Add to cache
Outdoor Research
Vigor Lightweight Sensor Gloves - Mens
Add to cache
Mammut
Mammut Selun FL Sun Hoody - Women's Quartz Dust Extra Small
Add to cache
Mammut
Men's Broad Peak IN Hooded Jacket
Add to cache
Mammut
Mammut Selun FL Sun Hoody - Men's Neo Mint Large
Add to cache
Outdoor Research
Highcamp Glove
Add to cache
Outdoor Research
Infinium Gloves
Add to cache
Icebreaker
Oasis Long Sleeve Crew
Add to cache
Outdoor Research
Echo Ubertube
Add to cache
Outdoor Research
Mount Baker 5 Panel
Add to cache
Outdoor Research
Drye Beanie
Add to cache
Mammut
Women's Albula IN Hooded Jacket
Add to cache
Mammut
Men's Albula IN Hooded Jacket
Add to cache
Mammut
Aconcagua Light ML Hooded Jacket
Add to cache
Mammut
Men's Taiss HS Hooded Jacket
Add to cache
Mammut
Women's Aconcagua Light ML Hooded Jacket
Add to cache
Outdoor Research
Tundra Aerogel Socks
Add to cache
Darn Tough
Edge Thermolite OTC Midweight Ski Sock - Mens
Add to cache
Icebreaker
150 Anatomica Boxers
Add to cache
Icebreaker
200 Oasis Leggings w/ Fly - Men's
Add to cache
Black Diamond
Stance Belay Pants
Add to cache
Hoka One
Speedgoat 5 GTX Shoe
Add to cache
Outdoor Research
Hemispheres Gore-Tex Bibs
Add to cache
Outdoor Research
Trailbreaker II Pants
Add to cache
Black Diamond
Raven Pro Ice Axe
Add to cache
Black Diamond
VaporLock Screwgate Carabiner
Add to cache
Black Diamond
Hotwire Wiregate Non-Locking Carabiner
Add to cache
Blue Ice
Choucas Harness
Add to cache
Black Diamond
Neve Pro Crampons
Add to cache
Big Agnes
Big Agnes Divide Insulated Sleeping Pad - Yellow 5.5in x 9in
I grew up in Durango, CO and began venturing into the mountains of the North and South San Juans at an early age. In college, I studied Elementary Education and Communication at the University of Colorado in Boulder and worked for the Colorado Outward Bound School for 7 years – leading long expeditions (15-52 days) throughout the Southwest and Alaska. Colorado was where I began my guiding career working for several small guiding operations as well as the Colorado Mountain School before moving to Bellingham, WA in the spring of 2017 to work for Baker Mountain Guides. The North Cascades are home now and I'm not going anywhere. 7 months out of the year, you can find me on skis teaching avalanche courses, ski guiding, or dreaming of shredding pow in between rain events. The remaining months, I work as a guide and instructor for everything from alpine rock to glacier mountaineering in the Cascades.
Certifications:
AMGA CERTIFIED SKI GUIDE
AMGA CERTIFIED SPI
AMGA APPRENTICE ROCK GUIDE
AMGA APPRENTICE ALPINE GUIDE
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER/CPR
AIARE COURSE LEADER
AIARE INSTRUCTOR TRAINER
AIARE PRO 2
LEAVE NO TRACE TRAINER