Danny Innamorati doesn’t just chase summits—he’s built his life around them.

For the past nine years, Danny has lived on the move, guiding and climbing wherever adventure calls to him: from The Gunks in New York to Denali in Alaska – and now in our beloved and iconic Joshua Tree National Park. Nomadic at heart, Danny thrives in wild places and dreams of climbing big walls, committing alpine lines, and the kind of remote objectives that demand equal parts grit and technical prowess.

Danny’s true passion was forged not just on rock and ice, but through teaching. He loves sharing his knowledge and helping others discover what they’re capable of on the rock. Guiding is about partnership, progression, and the quiet transformation that happens when someone steps beyond their comfort zone.

Danny credits the unwavering support of his family, community, and friends back home in Massachusetts for setting him on the path to guiding. Without that foundation, he’s not sure he ever would’ve found his way to this work—or discovered just how much it would come to define his life.

When he’s not climbing, you’ll likely find him surfing, playing chess, trail running, cycling, ice climbing, or chasing new adventures alongside his wife—always moving, always exploring, always ready for the next horizon.

AMGA Assistant Rock Guide, AMGA Ice Instructor completion, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide; Wilderness First Responder

In the Summer of 2021 we heard through the grapevine of an up and coming guide in our area, Matthew Pena. From our very first meeting, it was clear that he was a perfect addition to our team. Matt is a Coachella Valley native and spent his formative climbing years cutting his teeth in Yosemite, Tahquitz, and Joshua Tree. A born thrill seeker and outdoorsman, Matt has traveled far and wide in search of adventure. His experiences backpacking through the mountains of Nepal are what first inspired Matt to pursue guiding as a career. The privilege of spending time in beautiful places, instilling respect for the environment in others, and sharing his passion for climbing is a dream come true! And what better place to do so than in his childhood backyard, Joshua Tree. Matt has an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor certification and continues to advance his technical skill set through PCGI coursework. When Matt is not climbing, you can likely find him at the local skate park or running into the mountains to snowboard. His undeniable talent and warm energy make him a pleasure to climb with.

Certifications: PCGI Lead Guide; EMT

Stephen Roriston was born and raised in New Jersey and found his love for climbing 9 years ago while attending high school in New Hampshire. His love for the outdoors eventually led him to Prescott College to receive his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Adventure Education. When Stephen isn’t climbing you can find him baking, playing Magic the gathering or occasionally dabbling in bike packing, rafting, or backcountry skiing. Stephan’s favorite part about Joshua Tree is the vastness and rawness of the terrain and how you can go from scrambling to caving to climbing all in one day. Stephen is full of energy and will brighten your day with his sense of humor and big laugh! 

• Born and raised in New Jersey
• Started climbing in 2014 in NH while in high school 
• Went to Prescott college to study Environmental Sciences and Outdoor Education 
• Likes baking, board games (especially Magic the gathering), and longboarding
• Favorite foods are Chicken Pot Pie and Ramen

Favorite climbs: Run for your Life, Double Dip, and anything else slabby. 

What I love about the park: is the feeling of adventure that the park has. I love scrambling, caving, and climbing all to create the most creative way to get from point A to point B. The openness/rawness of the park. It lays everything out in the open, what you see is what you get. 

Things I like to do outside: Mostly climbing and hiking. I dabble in bike packing, white water rafting, and backcountry skiing, but I love my warm dry sport of climbing 

Originally from Culpeper, Virginia, in a previous life Daniel graduated from the Naval Academy with a BS in aerospace engineering and a minor in Mandarin Chinese. He was commissioned as a Naval Aviator and flew the EP-3E Aries II from 2014 to 2020. Wow!! Now that he’s able to pursue his dream job, Daniel loves the days he has the opportunity to provide higher-level instruction to climbers of all skill levels. Climbing some quality pitches is always a bonus and splitter cracks are his favorite. He is a skilled photographer and coffee aficionado.

Certifications – AMGA Rock Guide; Wilderness First Responder; Leave No Trace Master Educator

Skyeler started climbing over 20 years ago, became a wilderness guide in 2001, began guiding international trips in 2005, and instructed mountaineering courses for Outward Bound in 2011. He led the first-ever expedition to the Himalaya by an American Outward Bound School in 2016 and went on to lead adventure-based and service learning programs in 13 countries. Highlights include 7 seasons in the Andes/Amazon, and multiple trips to the Himalaya.

Notable ascents include a One-Day-Winter Ascent of the Leaning Tower (West Face) in Yosemite, a One-Night-Full-Moon Ascent of Moonlight Buttress in Zion NP; a 15 hr car-to-car onsight of the Southern Arete of the Painted Wall in the Black Canyon, and onsight-Free Soloing a new route on an obscure 18,000′ peak in Nepal…

As fate would have it, Skyeler’s very first traditional lead climb was in Joshua Tree! He has cultivated a deep love and respect for this landscape and community ever since. His favorite routes/places in the park are the Astro Domes, specifically the routes Figures on a Landscape and Such a Savage. Skyeler’s currently obsessed with seeking out obscure lines established by historical figures of the climbing world.

When not climbing Skyeler is very interested in ethnobotany and herbalism, enjoys growing a variety of medicinal plants and making helpful salves, teas, and tinctures. He’s a serious student of Yoga, fermenter of cabbage & beet, mediocre ukulele strummer and singer of sentimental ballads.

Certifications: PCGI Lead Guide, Wilderness First Aid