Mary Harlan

Mary is an alpine guide and rock instructor for Aspen Expeditions in the summer, and guides the fourteeners in the area, including Pyramid Peak, Maroon Bells, Capitol Peak, as well as a host of single pitch and multi- pitch rock climbs on Independence Pass.

Mary started out her guiding career after moving on from a career as a professional ballet dancer in the Midwest. Having traveled the big cities across the United States and Eastern Europe, she longed for the more mellow and subdued nature of smaller towns, mountains, and desert landscapes. After a semester course with Outward Bound and several epic adventures of her own, Mary started guiding in 2000, and has guided single and multi pitch rock and ice climbing, technical mountaineering (glaciated and non-glaciated), avalanche level I courses, tele skiing, and snowboarding, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In the winters, Mary teaches AIARE certified Level I avalanche courses, ice climbing, snowboarding, and tele skiing. In addition, she guides in Red Rock National Recreation Area out of Las Vegas, NV, enjoying Grade IV and V multi- pitch rock climbs with her clients. She also guides in Potrero Chico, Mexico, a premier rock climbing destination for both beginner and seasoned rock climbers.

Currently, Mary is an AMGA Rock Guide Aspirant, and is working hard at her IFMGA Certification. This winter she will receive her Avalanche Level III Certification and prepare for her Rock Guide Exam in the spring, as well as her Alpine Guides Courses.

In addition to enjoying all forms of climbing and sliding down snowy slopes, she also enjoys putting up first ascents for rock climbing, trail running and competing trail running events. She enjoys cross-country skiing, cooking, writing, and water color painting, as well.