Stu Johnson Website

Stu Johnson

Mountain Guiding Expert

Stu Johnson is a mountain guiding expert based in Bellingham, WA. With over a decade of guiding experience, Stu has led expeditions to the Himalaya, Andes, Alaska Range, Cascade Range, and beyond. He has experience as the Lead Guide, Supervisor, and Field Operations Manager for International Mountain Guides, and is currently a Lead Guide at Skyline Mountain Guides. Stu is a Nationally Registered Wilderness EMT, holds an AST 2 Avalanche Certification, and is a Leave No Trace Trainer. He also has a degree from Western Washington University in Small Scale Sustainable Agriculture.

Education

  • BA, Small Scale Sustainable Agriculture, Western Washington University

Professional Achievements

  • Summited Denali in Alaska twice while guiding, successfully guided Ama Dablam in Nepal, has 40+ guided summits of Mt. Rainier in Washington state, and two guided summits of Aconcagua in the Argentinian Andes
  • Holds the Fastest Known Time on Bonanza Peak - the tallest non-volcanic peak in Washington
  • First climber to summit and ski Mt. Spickard in the winter, a remote peak in the Washington Cascades, with his climbing partner and best friend, Max Bond

Certifications & Organizations

  • Wilderness EMT certification
  • AIARE 2 (avalanche safety training) certification
  • Leave No Trace Trainer

Favorite Piece of Advice

Do not underestimate the importance of self-care and walking technique. I have seen extremely fit people not take care of themselves and not move efficiently while climbing, and they have had to turn around. Mountaineering is about doing the little hard tasks (hydrating, eating, focusing on breathing, resting, etc) regularly.

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Co-authored Articles (8)

How to

Read Topographic Maps

You may use topographic maps when you are hiking to help you navigate the trails. You can also use topographic maps when you are traveling to help you find a location or get a good sense of the roads in the area. Topogra...

How to

Prevent Altitude Sickness

As you travel to higher altitudes, such as the areas around mountains, many changes are observed in the environment that can affect you. These include cold, low humidity, increased UV radiation from the sun, decreased a...

How to

Read an Altimeter

An altimeter is a device that uses air pressure, or barometric pressure, to determine altitude above sea level. Altimeters are important instruments both in aviation and in wilderness activities such as hiking, climbing,...

How to

Climb Mount Everest

Despite Mount Everest being the highest and most lofty mountain in the Himalayas, it is relatively easy to climb, if you take the right route. Even staying to the easier route up the southeast edge you will face dangers ...

How to

Climb a Mountain

Mountain guiding expert Stu Johnson shares important safety tips for planning your first climbYou haven’t lived until you’ve seen the sun from the top of a mountain! The feeling of accomplishment you get once you rea...

How to

Use a Harness for Rock Climbing

A harness is one of the most basic pieces of climbing gear, but that also makes it one of the most important. Your harness is an attachment for your climbing rope and belay device. Before you can begin climbing, you have...

Hiking for Beginners: 14 Helpful Tips

Everything you need to know to have an enjoyable hikeThere are very few things more pleasant than hiking through the great outdoors. The sun warming your shoulders, nature all around you, and an incredible view before yo...

How to

Rock Climb

Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up or across natural rock formations or man-made rock walls. It is physically and mentally demanding, and tests a climber's strength, endurance, agility, and balance. ...