Seth Heydon Zaharias has called Joshua Tree home since 1999, where he lives with his wife, partner, and constant co-conspirator Sabra Purdy at the internationally famous desert oasis known as the Sethspool. A lifelong climber, Seth was introduced to rock climbing in 1990 and was immediately hooked. The adventure, the mental chess match of solving sequences on the rock, the physical intensity of long days in the mountains, and the vibrant climbing community all pulled him in. By the age of 21, he knew outdoor education would not just be a job, but his life’s work.
Now with 30 years in outdoor education, Seth has logged more than 3,000 professional guide days, which translates to roughly eight full years spent on the rock guiding clients. His work has taken him across many iconic climbing destinations including Joshua Tree, the Eastern Sierra, Devils Tower National Monument, Montana, and El Chorro in Spain. In 2002 he spent a season working with the elite Yosemite Search and Rescue team.
Seth is a Professional Climbing Guides Institute (PCGI) Certified Multi-Pitch Guide and Mentor, one of the highest levels of certification offered by the organization. In addition to guiding, he trains and mentors the next generation of professional climbing guides.
Seth is also the co-founder of Cliffhanger Guides, which he launched in 2010 to share the world-class climbing of Joshua Tree with visitors from around the globe. Beyond guiding, he has become a prominent community member, fundraiser, and event producer, organizing climbing festivals, conservation initiatives, and community gatherings that support public lands and strengthen the desert community he loves.
Known for his larger-than-life personality and endless energy, Seth brings equal parts experience, humor, and wild desert spirit to every adventure. For him, guiding isn’t just work—it’s a way of life built around adventure, connection, and sharing the magic of the outdoors.
Certifications: PCGI Mentor; Wilderness First Responder