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GUIDES
Al Wiberg (He/Him/His)
Al Wiberg is the owner of Midwest Mountain Guides. He got his start in climbing while he was the Program Manager for the Environmental Adventure Center at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, and his passion for the sport bloomed from there. Al loves instructing Single Pitch Instructor courses with the company and flies all over the country to teach them to a variety of different groups. In addition to MMG, Al is also the Executive Director for the Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA). His favorite piece of gear is his nut tool.
Positions: Owner
Certifications: Indoor and Outdoor Provider Trainer, Wilderness First Responder, CPR and First Aid Instructor
Tristen Collins (He/Him/His)
Tristen got his start in climbing at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He quickly fell in love with the sport and the community at UWEC, and it wasn’t long before he joined the Midwest Mountain Guides Team. Tristen loves guiding smaller groups and getting to know the climbers he works with on a personal level while helping them become independent and safe climbers. When he’s not out guiding, Tristen mentors youth and runs two small businesses, Misfit Climbing and Stomp Stoppers. His favorite piece of gear is his rope, of course!
Positions: Instructor and Guide
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, Training to become an Indoor and Outdoor Provider
Katie Berg (She/Her/Hers)
Katie got into climbing when one of her friends brought her to the wall while they were both attending University of Minnesota Duluth, and her love for the sport escalated quickly from there. Katie LOVES working with Women/Trans/Femme groups and Girl Scout groups, especially when introducing them to the sport. The built in support and sense of community, even during a one-day clinic, is absolutely magical in Katie’s eyes, and many lifelong connections have stemmed from these groups. When you can’t hear Katie’s contagious laugh the moment you arrive at the crag, she’s probably teaching English at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in the Minnesota State Colleges & University System. Katie’s favorite piece of gear is her pink tri cam.
Position: Guide, Co-Author of "Rock Climbing Minnesota" with FalconGuides
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor, Outdoor First Aid
Austin Perkins (He/Him/His)
Austin started climbing at the age of 15 while working for a summer camp run by University of California Berkeley. His passion only grew as he furthered his skills while attending the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, especially in the route setting field. He loves teaching and running special events, but his favorite part of being a guide is seeing the joy in people as they discover a new love for climbing. During the day, Austin works as a Special Education Assistant at an elementary school. His favorite piece of gear (unless there’s a heel hook required) is his 5.10 Moccasyms: “Best shoe ever”.
Positions: Instructor and Guide
Certifications: Indoor Provider Trainer, Single Pitch Instructor, First Aid CPR
Maggie Israel (She/Her/Hers)
Maggie started climbing in high school, and once she was attending the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, she got involved with the outdoor program there. She loves teaching and working with groups, and her favorite part is being able to get people outside and feel confident in their abilities. Outside of MMG, Maggie is a Jewelry Maker at Hello Adorn. Her favorite piece of gear is her thermos, preferably filled with coffee.
Position: Guide
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder
Jake Brunnquell (He/Him/His)
After finding the climbing wall at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Jake quickly got a job and never looked back! His path with MMG only grew from there, and his favorite moments with MMG are instructing courses and special events. Jake recently started down his realtor career and started his own company, Master Point Realty. His favorite piece of gear is his nut tool!
Positions: Instructor and Guide
Certifications: Indoor Provider Trainer, SPI Provider, Wilderness First Responder
Tori Ward (She/Her/Hers)
Tori got her start in climbing while in college at the University of Minnesota - Duluth, where she worked at the rock wall and started guiding. Her favorite part of working for Midwest Mountain Guides is guiding beginner ice climbers, but when she’s not swinging an ice axe, she’s busy working as a Home Health or Hospice Nurse, or she’s working at Ursa Minor Brewing. Tori’s favorite piece of gear is her hollow block
Positions: Guide
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor, Registered Nurse, CPR
Vicente Delgado (He/Him/His)
Vicente started climbing at the campus while attending the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Since then, he has gained many certifications in the climbing worlds while working for MMG. Vicente loves teaching people how to climb outdoors independently and watch their skills improve over the course of his time working with them. When he’s not teaching people how to climb, Vicente is an Elementary School teacher and a high school climbing coach. His favorite piece of gear is his climbing rope
Positions: Instructor and Guide
Certifications: Indoor and Outdoor Provider
Kevin Hoffheins (He/Him/His) Born in Colorado and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I've always loved the adventure of the mountains. Growing up, any of my free time was spent wandering the hills of Southern Oregon trying to find the next source of adventure. When I got to college at Oregon State University, my adventure became about taking others outside. Guiding and leading trips for OSU as well as commercial guide services, I was exposed to many facets of the outdoor industry and the places that that industry can take a person. Fast forward to now, I get my adventure by teaching students in the outdoor program at Texas Tech University about being the next generation of stewards in our outdoor spaces.
Kevin Hoffheins (He/Him/His)
Kevin grew up wandering the hills of Southern Oregon looking for his next adventure, and when he started attending college at Oregon State University, he got started in guiding others on their adventures. Kevin enjoys the adventures he now gets to have teaching students at the outdoor program at Texas Tech University and sharing how to respectfully use our outdoor spaces.
Positions: Guide
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor
Jack Wanner (He/Him/His)
Jack started climbing before he can remember, frequently heading out to Devil’s Lake with his dad at a young age. Though the sport did not stick through childhood, Jack started climbing consistently again while attending the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. After graduating, it wasn’t long before he started guiding with Midwest Mountain Guides, and he has a strong passion for teaching others everything about climbing. When he’s not out at the crag, you can find Jack running the outdoor program at the University of Wisconsin Stout. His favorite piece of gear is his stitch plate, a trusted hand-me-down from his dad.
Positions: Instructor and Guide
Certifications: Training to become an Indoor and Outdoor Provider, Wilderness First Responder, CPR and First Aid Instructor
Grant Herfindahl (He/Him/His)
Grant’s love for rock climbing began when he worked for the Albert Lea rock climbing wall in high school. He continued to work in the industry through college at the University of Wisconsin River Falls, and he even gained experience guiding out in Acadia National Park for a summer. He loves teaching rock climbing classes to students, which he thankfully gets to do all the time as the Assistant Director of Recreation at St. Olaf College. His favorite piece of gear is his offset nuts.
Positions: Guide
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor, Climbing Wall Instructor, Wilderness First Responder
Adam Thom (He/Him/His)
Adam got into climbing while attending college at the University of Wisconsin River Falls during the pandemic. He quickly fell in love with the sport and got involved with Midwest Mountain Guides. Though he loves all things climbing, Adam has a passion for teaching CWI courses with us. Outside of MMG, he is a freelance route setter and develops summer camp curriculums. His favorite piece of gear is his black tri cam.
Positions: Instructor and Guide
Certifications: Indoor Provider Trainer, Outdoor Provider Assistant, First Aid and CPR Instructor, Single Pitch Instructor (PCIA and AMGA), Wilderness First Responder
Mark Morrissey (He/Him/His)
Mark got into climbing as a teenager when people still tied their own harnesses and were taught how to body belay, and he continued on to run the university outdoor program at Bemidji State for twenty three years. He is looking forward to teaching Single Pitch Instructor courses, and as a new member of the PCIA board, he’s looking forward to seeing the very best curriculum and teaching methods to deliver to aspiring instructors and guides. Outside of MMG, Mark is the owner of Turtle River Safety Consulting, where he does independent consulting, risk management, and safety training with camps, universities, and outfitters. Mark’s favorite piece of gear lately is some of the toys from Edelrid, such as their Giga Jul for secure lead belays or their nifty sewn cord slings.
Positions: Instructor and Guide
Certifications: SPI Provider, Ski Patroller, EMT, WMA Instructor
Anthony Plechacek (He/Him/His)
Anthony got his start in climbing while attending the University of Wisconsin Stout; he met a great community there and has not been able to stop climbing since. His favorite part of guiding is seeing the major progress clients can make in a single day at the crag. Anthony is a Machine Engineer in Eau Claire, where he primarily designs industrial CNC machinery. His favorite piece of gear is his Chacos for the versatility, comfort, and style, but you’ll only find him wearing them recreationally.
Positions: Guide
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder
Trevor Smith (He/Him/His)
Trevor got his start in the climbing industry while attending Bemidji State University, where he worked at the Outdoor Program Center as a student instructor. His passion for climbing took him to the bay area in California, where he guided kids at Castle Rock State Park. Now, Trevor loves to guide small groups with MMG, though he also enjoys teaching and guiding at special events. When he’s not guiding, he works at the Virginia Fire Department as a Firefighter and Paramedic. Trevor’s favorite piece of gear are his cams; they’re his go-to for creating anchors and protecting himself on lead!
Positions: Guide
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor
Mike Hoover (He/Him/His)
Mike has been working in outdoor education, recreation, and leadership for over twenty years and thrives on the meaningful experiences the outdoor profession enables. He still remembers his first outdoor lead climb at Last Chance Canyon in New Mexico and the impact that experience has had on his climbing career. Mike continues his work as an outdoor instructor in his day job; he currently teaches coursework in Outdoor Leadership at the University of Arkansas. His favorite piece of gear is his trusty HMS carabiner.
Positions: Instructor and Guide
Certifications: Indoor and Outdoor Provider, LNT Master Educator, Wilderness First Responder
Trent Smothers (He/Him/His)
Trent got into climbing by pure luck; his best friend started working with a bunch of climbers, they took the two of them out one weekend, and that was that! Trent loves to guide anything that involves placing gear, whether it be a trad climbing clinic, building anchors, or helping indoor climbers transition into the outdoor space. When not guiding, you can find Trent renting out gear for others to explore the outdoors at Pack Rat Outdoor Center in Arkansas. His favorite piece of gear is his Micro Traxion.
Positions: Guide
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor
Hanna Meinders (She/Her/Hers)
Hanna started climbing her first week of college during a pre-orientation trip, and after experiencing the climbing side of Devil's Lake State Park, Hanna was convinced to take on a guiding role with the program. Similar to how she got her start, Hanna loves introducing new people to the sport and watching them fall in love with it. She recently graduated from the College of St. Scholastica now works as a Registered Nurse. Her favorite piece of gear are tri cams, though she adores everything except for hexes.
Positions: Guide
Certifications: Single Pitch Instructor, Registered Nurse
Kevin Taralseth (He/Him/His)
Kevin kicked off his climbing career on a week long trip his freshman year of college, and it wasn't long before he took a month long trip out west to climb at a bunch of major locations. He loves connecting climbing with education outside of the sport; whether it be the history of the sight or the ecological factors of the landscape, Kevin enjoys working with people who are interested in it all. When he's not guiding for MMG or on an epic climbing trip, Kevin is the Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs at The College of Saint Scholastica. His favorite piece of gear is his Prusik; its versatility makes it a must-have on his harness.
Positions: Guide
Certifications: Training to become an Outdoor Provider
Ben Johnson (He/Him/His)
Ben’s start in climbing was entirely by chance: he saw a cool YouTube video and thought, “Hey, I should give that a shot!” Since then, Ben has scaled the ladder in the climbing world and found a passion for sharing his love for the sport with others. He loves guiding small groups, especially at Devil’s Lake. When off the clock with MMG, you may see Ben driving an Amazon truck and delivering your packages. His favorite piece of gear is his .1 cam.
Positions: Instructor, Guide, Website Development
Certifications: Indoor Provider Trainer, Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder