Don is a climber, writer and guide who has spent most of his forty-plus years of climbing here in the Adirondacks. His resume includes numerous rock routes throughout the country, multi-day ascents of Yosemite walls, new ice routes in Newfoundland as well as over a hundred first ascents here in the ‘Dacks. Among his books are four rock and ice guides to the Adirondacks, as well as three non guidebooks – Rock Climbing: A Trailside Guide, American Rock and Alpine Americas. Don also serves as a volunteer for the high-angle rescue team, the peregrine falcon restoration project, and the steering committee of the Lake Placid Outing Club. Additionally, Don’s been guiding professionally for more than thirty-five years. These days, Don admits to getting more of a kick seeing the light go on in the eyes of a newcomer than in any climbs he gets to author on his own.
Born: 1953
Education: B.A. in English – University of New Hampshire, Masters in Education/Counseling – St. Lawrence University
Guiding disciplines: Ice and Rock
Dream trip: Any long, moderate climbs in a wilderness setting
Preferred Adirondack cliff: Wallface (over 50 ascents!)