(Amanda and Todd - Owners)
Apex Adventure Alliance is a group of elite guides who have come together to bring highly technical adventures to the Midwest. We take pride on maintaining the integrity of the climbing community and the places we visit by keeping groups small and well organized. When you travel with Apex you are being invited into a close group of outdoor enthusiasts and we hope that you will transform not only into a better athlete but into a friend as well.
When we bring people to the outdoors we have done our job; when we help bring the outdoors to the inside of people, then we have provided a higher service. - Todd Stowell
Todd Stowell
Todd is our lead guide with over 14 years of experience instructing in the outdoors. He became certified through the A.M.G.A. (American Mountain Guide Association) in 2005. He is also a National Snowboard Examiner for A.A.S.I. (American Association of Snowboard Instructors). Besides rock climbing and ice climbing he enjoys sailing with his father and composing music on his classical guitar. He has traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and 33 other countries. He Studied psychology, pre-med, and music at the UW of Madison. From the remote parts of South America to teaching Kindergarten in Taiwan, his experiences are
endless. Todd with his wife Amanda and new baby boy, Harper, live in Baraboo, WI just a couple miles from Devil's Lake State Park. If Todd is your guide then you'll likely meet his dog Neva, who loves to hang out at the cliffs and wiggle.
Sarah Albert
Sarah became a Top Rope Site Manager through A.M.G.A in 2005 and has been guiding with Apex ever since. She is also A.A.S.I. certified snowboard instructor. She has lead trips to Havasu Falls, Taylors Falls, and throughout Southern Illinois, and is becoming a local expert at Devils Lake. She has climbed in Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana and Utah, but still claims that one of her favorite spots to climb is Devils Lake. Ice climbing has become a favorite of hers, and she has been tearing into the vertical ice walls in Montana and Wisconsin. She also loves to pass the time fishing, canoeing, and backpacking. So if she's not rock climbing, ice climbing or boarding out West, she's probably indulging in one of the many ways to enjoy the great outdoors with her dog, Montana, who you will surely meet, if she is your guide. Keep up with her adventures through her blog: www.richasthesun.blogspot.com
Adam DeJardin
Adam has been climbing for 10 years all around the country. Some of Adam's favorite climbing areas include Joshua Tree, the Red River Gorge, and Devil's Lake. Along with being a climbing fanatic, Adam enjoys canoeing, backpacking, mountain biking, and camping. He has been a guide with Apex for the last 5 years, and was recently involved with ski racing in the local ski areas. His newest passion is digging his ice picks into the walls of ice in Wisconsin. If you have Adam as a guide, make sure to quiz him on all he knows about meteorology! Visit my blog at: http://www.devilslakelifeontherocks.blogspot.com/
Steve Johnston
Steve is going into his third season of guiding with Apex Adventure Alliance. He was recently certified through P.C.I.A. Steve has an impressive resume which includes Certified Wilderness First Responder, former EMT-I, firefighter, high school teacher, and has a degree in Technology and Engineering Education. Steve has been teaching high school for 20 years. Steve is an avid hiker with many great hikes under his belt. He enjoys creating new adventures with his son, Gabe. This father-son team likes rock climbing, backpacking,softball, fishing, bow hunting, canoeing, mountain biking, and downhill skiing. Steve is currently working toward a National Ski Patrol Certification. From sky diving in Mexico to teaching Photography near LaCrosse, Steve is an excellent guide and teacher. Steve's son Gabe is also an excellent addition to any climbing adventure. Check out his blog at: http://johnstonoutdooradventures.blogspot.com/
Nick Ryan
Nick is an experienced climber and guide with P.C.I.A. training and certification. Feel safe that Nick is Nationally registered Paramedic, Lieutenant at his local fire department and graduated with a bachelors in Human Biology.
His passions beyond rock climbing include kayaking, biking, skiing, running and camping. Nick's always on the rock or in the gym. His dedication and technique make him an impressive climber. Nick's passion and drive make him an excellent guide and a valued member of our staff.
Andre Fisher
Andre has been certified through the A.M.G.A and guiding with Apex Adventure Alliance for 9 years. Andre has been climbing for 16 years and enjoys meeting new people and swapping stories while in the back country. He also likes to spend time on long airy routes, especially in Utah, where he snowboards in Little Cottonwood Canyon and climbs in Moab, all in the same week. Andre is one of our most experienced and motivational guides who always has fun.
Thomas Greider
With over 25 years of climbing and back country experience, Thomas Greider, a lead guide for Apex Adventure Alliance has guided many peaks throughout the Cascades, Sierras, Rockies and Appalachia , as well as ice climbing throughout the far north. Summer technical climbs have ranged throughout the many crags of the U.S. , including Yosemite , Joshua Tree, and Devil's Tower, as well as locally at Devil's Lake.
In addition to Thomas' extensive national mountaineering and rock climbing experience, he has been an avid international adventurer. With several recent European climbs and expeditions in South America and Africa; his international exposure continues to grow. From sailing and canoeing the waterways of the globe, to riding the extreme single track trails of the West and Midwest, he has many adventures to draw from and to share with others. As the former publisher of Vertical Jones Magazine, Thomas has a strong motivation to inspire others to "Quest for Adventure" in all its forms. His photos and gear reviews have been featured in Back Packer, Rock&Ice, Climbing and AdventureQuest magazines.
During more than fifteen years of instructing and guiding, Thomas has gained a reputation for attention to detail in planning and preparation, and continues to enjoy turning people on to the wonders of the wilderness.
Chris Hoppe
Chris has been climbing for 11 years in various places around the country. He has been teaching for 9 years and passed the A.M.G.A 7 years ago. He is also a ski and snowboard instructor at Devils Head Resort. Chris is the founder and former president of the UW-Platteville Outdoor Adventure Club. Chris has lead trips to Joshua Tree, Red Rocks, Zion, Moab, Arapahoe Basin, Devils Lake and several other places. His favorite places to climb are Red River Gorge, Red Rocks, Moab, and Devils Lake. Chris is an engineer for SC Johnson developing earth friendly products. Besides climbing he can teach you how to build a rotating compost, rain buckets, or get your car to run on bio-diesel or water, yep water. If Chris in not at home with his wife Kim and baby girl Taryn then he is out mountain biking, backpacking, skiing, snowboarding, and trail running. He'll take any excuse to get outside.
Amanda Stowell
Dr. Amanda will surely keep you smiling on the cliffs. She spent the last 4 years traveling and climbing with her husband (Todd) and other Apex guides . She is a Veterinarian at Hill-Dale Vet. Hospital in Baraboo, WI. Amanda has climbed at Joshua Tree, the Red River Gorge, and has backpacked throughout Europe, Ecuador, and Thailand. Having competed in gymnastics all through her life, she's got more grace on the cliff then the rest of us dream of. While she loves helping animals and climbing rocks, nothing gives her more joy then being a new mom.
Lynn Mallach
Lynn comes to us with a world of knowledge. Lynn's credentials in the realm of snow sports is incredible! In the past, as part of the National Ski Patrol for 13 years. She has been trained in Avalanche Rescue and is an American Heart CPR instructor. Currently she been tackling the Snow sports industry by earning the highest level of Certification by the Professional Ski Instructors of America. She has also earned a level 2 certification for Snowboarding through the American Association of Snowboard Instructors. As the hill trainer for Cascade Mountain and part-time instructor for Snowbird, Utah, she has logged
thousands of on-hill experiences. Her many hobbies also include Mountain Biking, hiking, roller-blading, sail boarding, canoeing, and water skiing. "I have always enjoyed working in the outdoors. The partnerships and friendships I have made have enriched my life. Introducing the novice into a sport, or working with experienced clients is equally rewarding for me. See you in the great outdoors - Lynn"
Jill Griffis
Jill is a recent graduate of Carroll University. Having recently earned her degree in Organizational Leadership, she comes ready to work with groups on rock, land, or water. Jill is Wilderness Water Safety and Wilderness First Aid certified. She has experience working at an outdoor wilderness camp where she has led canoeing trips in the northwoods of Wisconsin.
Jill enjoys exploring new territory, canoeing, snowshoeing, coffee, and sushi (but not coffee and sushi together). She is ready for the world, but the world may not be ready for her.
Eric Haugen
Eric first started to explore his passion for climbing more than 12 years ago. He has climbed in many parts of the midwest, as well as at Joshua Tree and Devil's Tower. In 2003 he began ice climbing and continues to hone his skills each winter.
Besides climbing, Eric also enjoys kayaking, canoeing, mountainbiking, and skiing. If you hear someone calling for a monkey at the crag, it will be him looking for his son, nicknamed "Monkey."
Eric is excited to share his experience and expertise as a guide. He looks forward to introducing new climbers to the rock and ice.