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She has been a guide for EMS for seventeen years; a guide in general for 25 years; is certified through the American Mountain Guide Association; recently retired as a collegiate level field hockey coach; and holds high-level degrees in teaching and education.
Anne’s love of guiding is fueled by her love of teaching. She loves watching people end a guided trip feeling the sense of accomplishment that comes from being able to do something they didn’t think was possible. Her role is to equip her guests with technical information and support, and they do the rest. She loves instilling that confidence in them.
Her first taste of climbing started with a school climbing program in the UK. Alongside fellow students she was taken on a two-week camping trip, and true to its stereotype the UK weather was brutal. Upon completion of those two weeks, learning to climb through agonizing conditions, Anne realized a true fondness for the challenge of the sport - but more so the comaradery. She loved the feeling of coming together as a group to work together toward a common goal.
Looking back on her climbing career, Anne has achieved a lot. While she can rattle off the number of ascents she has achieved up Mount Washington, and the treks she has taken up mountains around the country, and world, she doesn’t like to get caught up in those metrics.
According to Anne, “everybody has an Everest. Climbing - for me - is about the pursuit of getting better; improving my technique, and mastering my craft.”
“Every time I go up Mount Washington in the winter, I always learn something. It’s the gnarliest mountain I’ve ever climbed.”
Speaking of gnarly weather, the first piece of advice Anne will give anyone looking to adventure up Mount Washington is to check the higher summit forecast through Mount Washington Observatory.
Weather at the top of the mountain is MUCH different than that at the base.
Hikers can enjoy 70-degree weather in the valley, and begin their hike in shorts. Once they're above alpine level, they may find themselves caught in 30-degree weather with rain or even snow. Being prepared for the variability of weather on this mountain is imperative.
“Always check the weather, and bring a rain jacket, and a pair of rain pants. No matter what.”
Eastern Mountain Sports School offers courses specific to learning a new skill, Mount Washington traverses, rock climbing, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, avalanche safety courses, and more. Guests can customize their trips with a specific ascent or focus, or they can sign up for a predetermined group trip.
What a guest will experience regardless of what trip they sign up for, is that Anne, and any EMS guide, will meet them where they are. Everyone who signs up for a trip is looking to do something different. Anne will identify what your goal is, and then give you individualized support in achieving that. She will give you the tools needed to become a sufficient and independent recreator.
Anne also leads all-women guided climbing trips. This is especially important to her, as it allows female climbers the opportunity to learn and strengthen new skills, in a pressure-free environment. As a long-time climber Anne is used to being the only woman on climbing expeditions. This has given her specific insight as a teacher and the understanding of the importance of being comfortable when looking to achieve a new climbing goal.
Anne recognizes the power of sharing what she’s learned over almost two decades of climbing. To attempt something one has never done before is to be forced into a vulnerable position. She hopes that her experience and support can alleviate that vulnerability and help guests push through to the other side of it.
For more information on booking a guided trip through Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School in North Conway, NH, click here.
For more information on planning your Mt. Washington Valley vacation, sign up for our monthly newsletter! But before you do anything, first, we implore you take the MWV Pledge to promise to protect them! Sign your name and join the others who pledge to care for the White Mountain National forest to ensure it sticks around for years to come!
For complete trip planning resources and information, explore this site, visitmwv.com, or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to a Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce rep. To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.
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