Chockstone Climbing Guides are committed professionals.
- Each of our climbing guides brings a wealth of diverse climbing, professional and outdoor experience to our team.
- Our Smith Rock climbing guide staff and instructors are American Mountain Guide Association certified and trained within their scope of practice.
- We are all local to the region and enjoy sharing our knowledge, passion for climbing and appreciation through many years of climbing together and guiding in Central Oregon.
Jim Ablao
AMGA Certified Rock Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Instructor / AMGA SPI Provider / Wilderness First Responder
Gabe Coler
AMGA Certified Rock Guide / IFMGA American Mountain Guide / Wilderness First Responder
After moving west for college, he cut his teeth in most of the major western climbing areas including: a free ascent of The NorthWest Face of Half Dome, alpine ascents throughout the Cascades, test-piece alpine climbs in the Canadian Rockies and the French Alps.
Gabe has been climbing at Smith Rock since 1999, and has been guiding there since 2003. Gabe is an American Mountain Guide. AMGA Certified Rock, Alpine, Ski and AIARE Level II.
Gabe inspires those around him through his teaching style, personality and his humble attitude towards climbing.
Michael Alfonso
AMGA Certified SPI / Wilderness First Responder
Michael discovered rock climbing in high school after gaining an appreciation for the outdoors through adventures as a child. He learned to climb right here at Smith Rock and it remains one of his favorite places in the world to work, play, and explore. Michael enjoys using climbing as a vehicle to explore the natural playgrounds of North America and has spent time climbing in areas such as British Columbia, southern Utah and Nevada, Northern Mexico, California, and all over the Pacific Northwest. With a background in technical instruction, youth programming, conservation, and guided backcountry trips, Michael draws on his breadth of experience to provide his clients with a fun, fulfilling experience no matter what their goals may be. He aspires to instill in each of his clients the same wonder and appreciation for climbing and the outdoors that drives him every day.
Evan King
AMGA Certified Apprentice Rock Guide / Wilderness First Responder
Evan has been living and working as a rock climbing guide at Smith Rock for 5 years. His favorite things about living at Smith are relaxing by the river under the ponderosa trees, going rock climbing, and enjoying the colors of the sunset after a full day out.
Climbing for over 13 years, Evan is an accomplished climber; he has completed The Nose, a 30 pitch route up El Capitan in Yosemite, climbed multiple 5.12 traditional lines in Red Rocks and boulders V8 in Bishop. Ask him for beta on Churning in the Wake, a 5.13 he has sent at Smith!
With patience, kindness, and passion, Evan will teach you anything you want to know about climbing. He enjoys mentoring new climbers in the fundamentals with a, learn at your own pace style of instruction. Evan wants to help you reach to your climbing goals.
Rosa Padilla
AMGA Certified SPI / Wilderness First Responder
Jeff Struck
AMGA Certified SPI / Wilderness First Responder
Dean Kelly
AMGA Certified SPI / Wilderness First Responder
Taylor Nause
AMGA Certified SPI
vantage points. He loves taking people climbing for their first time and sharing their excitement. He has climbed and skied Denali as well as enjoyed long alpine routes throughout the Northwest. Taylor is a gourmet baker of bread and pizzas in his own handbuilt pizza oven. As well as rock climbing Taylor enjoys skiing and sailing. Taylor hails originally from Greenwood Mississippi. Taylor is an SPI certified guide with the American Mountain Guide
Association.
Wolf Porter
AMGA Certified SPI / Wilderness First Responder
Patrick Dunn
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor / Apprentice Rock Guide
Sam Singer
Certified Single Pitch Instructor / Leave no Trace Trainer / Wilderness First Responder / Rec Level 1 AIARE Certification
Sam grew up sport climbing and backpacking in Central Oregon before moving to Tacoma Washington to attend college at The University of Puget Sound. In 2021 Sam received his BS in Physics with a minor in Mathematics. During his time in Washington Sam began focusing on traditional rock climbing and mountaineering in the North Cascades. Sam began his professional guiding career in 2021 with International Mountain Guides and has guided multiple routes on Tahoma (Mt Rainer) and Komo Kulshan (Mt Baker). In 2022 Sam began working with Chockstone Climbing Guides at his home crag of Smith Rock. In his free time Sam enjoys crack climbing, skiing, and making pottery. Sam is a certified Single Pitch Instructor, Leave no Trace Trainer, Wilderness First Responder, and holds a Rec Level 1 AIARE Certification.