Mountain Savvy's founder, Glenn Kessler, started teaching avalanche safety courses 20 years ago as a way to mentor backcountry skiers and help the local community enjoy the backcountry in a safer, more responsible way.

In 2014, Glenn brought aboard two new partners to help fill the demand for avalanche education, Wes Baumann and Dave Watson.  Both men are professional ski patrollers logging countless hours in avalanche terrain.

Wes Baumann

-Professional ski patroller for 20 seasons working on Mt Hood

-Climbing Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park

-Climbing Ranger on Mt Hood

-Emergency Medical Technician 

-President of the Crag Rats Mountain Rescue Organization

Dave Watson

-Professional ski patroller for over 20 years, 14 on Mt Hood

-Mountaineering, rock climbing and ski guide

-5 time Mount Everest summitter

-Wilderness First Responder, Outdoor Emergency Care, CPR for the Professional Rescuer

-Leave No Trace Trainer

-Certified Rope Access Technician

Anna Hicks.

Anna grew up in Washington state.  She discovered her love for winter when she went snowboarding for the first time in high school.  After a decade of resort riding she started dabbling in the backcountry in 2008, the same year she started to learn how to ski.  Now a dedicated skier, Anna is an AMGA apprentice ski guide, rock guide, and mountain guide, and she has been guiding for 10 years.  Prior to becoming an AIARE instructor in 2018 she was also a ski patroller at Crystal Mountain then Stevens Pass in Washington State.  Anna loves teaching, especially the AIARE curriculum, which is finely tuned to teach a systematic approach to risk mitigation in the winter backcountry, with an intentional focus on adult education techniques.  Her experience and qualifications include:

- MBA in Sustainable Systems

- AIARE Pro 1 instructor

- AIARE Recreational Course Leader

- 10 years mountain guiding 

- 10 years working for the National Park Service

- 3 years on professional ski patrol

- AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide

- AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide

- AMGA Apprentice Mountain Guide

- Wilderness First Responder

- Leave no trace trainer

Non-Discrimination Policy

MountainSavvy does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

MountainSavvy is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We endeavor to provide you with an experience that feels inclusive and respectful. Our purpose is to facilitate a process of leaning that will keep you and your backcountry partners physically safe. Our instructors and management team are dedicated to creating an environment that feels emotionally safe and supportive, zero judgement and respectful. We feel very strongly that any behavior that throws shade, or disrespects in any way is absolutely lame and unacceptable.