Andy grew up right here in the High Desert—a true blue, homegrown Joshua Tree native. At 13, a friend asked, “Want to go climbing?” They went. It was fun. That was it. The hook was set.
Since then, climbing hasn’t just been something Andy does—it’s something that threads itself through life as spectacle and practice, community and philosophy, metaphor and humbling reality. It’s an ever-rewarding challenge, a teacher that doesn’t raise its voice but always makes its point. Guiding, for Andy, is sharing that thread and helping others discover how climbing can shape the way they move through the world.
Andy is a man of many trades and talents. As the former manager of JT’s local gear store, Nomad Ventures, he is a walking rolodex of gear knowledge—ropes, cams, rubber, and why your anchor idea might need a second look. He’s also an arborist by trade, comfortable moving through trees with the same economy he brings to stone, and a substitute teacher with an endless patience to handle a gaggle of 5 year olds (praise Andy!). Whether he’s dialing in your rack, pruning palms under a desert sun, or explaining geometry to a room full of teenagers, Andy is, at heart, a guide.
Andy is one of our few guides that hangs around during the summer. The heat doesn’t bother him one bit, although he occasionally escapes to the mountains to sample rock further afield. Still, he strongly maintains that Joshua Tree’s monzonite granite is the best (he’s biased, and unapologetic about it) even though some of his most memorable days have unfolded in the Blue Mountains, the sea-carved limestone of Les Calanques, and the basalt walls of Múlagljúfur Canyon.
Beyond climbing, Andy loves skydiving, scuba diving, and film photography. He once lived on a sailboat for a few years, worked a summer at Disneyland, and met his wife while playing accordion. He shares life with his dogs and maintains one steadfast truth: he does not like peaches. He wishes he did. They bring joy to others. But to him? Gross.
A day of climbing with Andy means exploring the desert through the eyes of someone who grew up in the Mojave and has a deep love of the desert and the stunning rock formations we play on—sharing the park’s history, flora and fauna, and unforgettable stories from a lifetime of adventure
Certifications – PCGI Single Pitch Guide; First Aid/CPR