18/06/2026
This guy, Charles Rutstein
This week was a great reminder that being a mountain guide is, first and foremost, about the people. Those I choose to share time with and create experiences for are the real reason I keep doing this work, 25 years later.
A guide’s climbing ability, technical prowess, mountain savvy, and ability to triage and manage a variety of risks and hazards are all just means to an end. They’re necessary, and they take years of dedication and hard work. But they’re still just tools we wield to create something out of nothing.
Early in my career, I was impressed (and maybe a little envious) by the relationships my mentors had with some of their longtime clients. They seemed as much friends as they were connected by business. And indeed they were.
I’m so fortunate to have found such a steadfast and generous friend in Charles. Anyone who knows him knows he’s the salt of the earth — committed to those close to him and always looking for new ways to give back and pay it forward.
From our first pitches in Jackson to convincing him to serve beside me on the AMGA Board of Directors (it didn’t take much convincing), it’s been a pleasure to spend the hours, the rope, and the summits with this guy.
Lots of laughs. Lots of fun pics. :)
Can’t wait until the next time, Charles!
