Our Guides

Since 1977, the mountain guides of Aspen Expeditions Worldwide (AEW) have been  recognized as among the most trained, experienced and credentialed in the country.  The history of mountain guiding and AEW is rich with personal accomplishments, as well as national and international certification credentials. Our founder, Dick Jackson, was the 15th American ever to receive the coveted International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA) “pin” and was one of the first Americans to guide in Europe, where the history of organized guiding is as old as the USA. Dick went on to become president of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) for 8 consecutive years, simultaneously running his company at the highest international guide standard.  Amos Whiting, Head Guide since 2002 and co-owner since 2017, was the 20th American to become IFMGA certified and has been a senior instructor and examiner for the AMGA since 2006. Our other co-owner, Britt Ruegger, has obtained his Aspirant Mountain Guide status with the AMGA, guiding clients in Colorado and across the United States for over a decade.  All of the guides at AEW hold an AMGA certification and many are on track to becoming IFMGA certified. We hold bi-annual in-house AEW guide training sessions, facilitated by IFMGA Head Guide Amos Whiting, ensuring that each season our guides are up-to-date on the latest AMGA standards for technical systems, rescue protocols, route knowledge, etc.

We pride ourselves on a high standard of professionalism. In addition to AMGA training and certifications, all our guides hold Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or greater (EMT-Paramedic) medical certifications. We have diverse backgrounds, which adds to our strength, laden with experience working for a number of outdoor education organizations such as Outward Bound, Prescott College, Colorado Mountain College, and other regional/national reputable guide services. AEW is an official Leave No Trace (LNT) partner, ensuring the highest standard of outdoor ethics is both practiced and preached while operating in the field. We are world class professional educators that truly enjoy sharing our knowledge and experience with our clients.  

We look forward to an adventure with you soon!

AMOS WHITING

Owner & Head Guide
IFMGA Certified
AIARE Course Leader
AMGA Instructor/Examiner
Worked at AEW since 2001

 

BRITT RUEGGER

Owner & Guide
AMGA Certified Rock & Ski
Assistant Alpine
AIARE Course Leader
Worked at AEW since 2007

SAMMY PODHURST

Guide / Sales & Marketing
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
AMGA Apprentice Ski/Rock/Alpine
AIARE Course Instructor
Worked at AEW since 2011

SCOTT EDEN

Guide
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
AMGA Assistant Rock & Ski
AMGA Apprentice Alpine
Worked at AEW since 2015

TODD REEVES

Guide
AMGA Rock Instructor
PSIA L2 / AASI L3
AIARE Level 2
Worked at AEW since 2010

JACK CODY

Guide
AMGA Certified Rock Guide
AMGA Apprentice Splitboard Guide
AIARE Level 2
Worked at AEW since 2014

BLASE REARDON

Guide
Avalanche Forecaster
AIARE Level 3
A3 Executive Committee
Worked at AEW since 2016

NATE EMERSON

Guide
AMGA Certified Rock Guide
AMGA Assistant Ski
AMGA Apprentice Alpine
Worked at AEW since 2016

STEVE DENNY

Guide
AMGA Apprentice Rock
AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide
AIARE Pro 1
Level 3 USA Cycling Coach
Worked at AEW since 2019

DIRK BOCKELMAN

General Manager
Worked at AEW since 2006

 

WHITTON FEER

Guide/Adventure Photographer
AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
AAA Pro 1 Certified
Worked at AEW since 2018

DICK JACKSON

AEW Founder & Advisor
IFMGA Certified
Worked at AEW since 1976