Vince is a third generation native to Colorado and has called the mountains his home for his entire life. He climbed his first mountain at age five and started skiing at eight. When he is not out guiding and having fun, he makes his home in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Vince earns his living as a fully-certified IFMGA professional mountain and ski guide. Since 1994, he has guided his clients on custom ice climbing adventures around Colorado, the Canadian Rockies, the Alps, Alaska, the Himalaya, the Karakoram and the Andes. During the winter climbing season he specializes in taking clients to the Ouray Ice Park and surrounding areas to explore the region and teach both fundamentals and advanced ice climbing techniques.

Since 1998, Vince has been certified through the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA). This is the highest level of certification available to mountain guides world wide. Vince is also involved training mountain guides as an instructor and examiner for the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA).

In addition to his role as a professional guide, Vince is also passionate about climbing in his personal time. He has ice climbed competitively from 2001 to 2008, attaining sixth overall in the World Ice Climbing championship (Austria) in 2002, and has competed in the annual Ouray Ice Climbing competition on numerous occasions. Most recently, he has been the route setter for this event. He is also an alpinist who abides by the “light is right,” single-push, alpine style ethic. Most notably, he and climbing partner Steve House completed a new route on the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat (26,660?, ninth highest mountain in the world) in alpine style without oxygen in eight days during September of 2005. The two were awarded the Piolet d’OR (Golden Ice Ax) for their efforts, the first time for any North Americans. In 2008, Vince and Steve completed a new route on the North Face of Mount Alberta in the Canadian Rockies.

You can check out more on Vince at Skyward Mountaineering. Skyward Mountaineering is a small and exclusive mountain guiding service owned and operated by Vince Anderson in beautiful Western Colorado. They offer customized climbing programs and adventures in Western Colorado, Eastern Utah and around the globe.

A super big thanks goes out to Gold level sponsor Patagonia for hooking us up with Vince!