Meet Our AMGA Certified Guides
As an American Mountain Guides Association Accredited Business since 2021, we take great pride in our commitment to excellence. Our team consists of experienced educators, environmental stewards, and life-long adventurers who share a passion for exploring and creating exceptional experiences in Joshua Tree National Park. With our focus on ethical business practices and unwavering dedication to providing unforgettable guided Joshua tree rock climbing trips and Joshua Tree guided hikes, we invite you to join us for a truly unique and memorable journey in Joshua Tree National Park.
Seth Pettit
Founder of Mojave Guides
AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide
AMGA Certified Rock Instructor
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor
Wilderness First Responder
Seth's first climbing experience was on an artificial wall at a Dick's Sporting goods in Indiana, around 1999. It didn't go so well, but apparently left him wanting more.
By 2008 he had visited most of the famous climbing areas of the United States and earned his first certification with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). His guiding career began the same year, as a Trip Leader for Indiana Universities' Outdoor Adventures program. In 2010 he received an outdoor recreation and natural resource management degree from I.U. with a focus on rock climbing (yes, you can get a university degree for rock climbing!). In 2013, following an intensive training period and subsequent exam, he earned an AMGA Rock Instructor Certification. This certification covers all rock climbing terrain available in Joshua Tree National Park!
Seth has been a Joshua Tree resident, enjoying the National Park and its exceptional rock climbing, since 2013. He has now worked with thousands of clients, through ten different organizations, in seven states.
James “Murf” Murphy
AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor
Wilderness First Responder
Murph is originally from Washington but he has spent the last decade climbing and guiding in New Hampshire and Maine. Like many others today his first climbing experience was in the gym, however, he was lucky enough to have a traditional climbing veteran take him under his wing and outside right away. After several years as a bartender with a climbing habit, he let his passion take over and dove head first into guiding. He’s had the opportunity to climb all over the country, some favorites include Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, and Maine, and of course, California. Climbing has even taken him internationally to locations like Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.
Ryan Mann
AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor
Wilderness First Responder
Born and raised in Maryland, Ryan was hooked on rock climbing in 2013 when introduced to the sport through a NOLS course in Squamish, BC. After beginning to develop his skills on rock around the Mid-Atlantic, he headed west to pursue this newfound obsession and a career as an outdoor educator and guide. Since then Ryan has worked year-round leading a variety of climbing and expeditionary trips throughout California and Washington and has instructed skiing in the Wasatch Range of Utah. Ryan's passion for all types of climbing has taken him all over the country and abroad, but the expansive landscape, quality rock, and abundant sunshine of the Mojave desert has led him to call Joshua Tree home. Whether going out with first-timers or seasoned climbers seeking to improve and build their skill set, Ryan looks forward to the opportunity to share his excitement for climbing and all that Joshua Tree has to offer!
Andrew Maver
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor
AMGA Assistant Rock Guide
AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
Wilderness First Responder
Born and raised in the ‘burbs of Southern Jersey, and relocated to central New Hampshire at the ripe age of nineteen, Andrew quickly fostered his relationship with the local crags and mountains. Cutting his teeth on the bolt-laden routes of Rumney’s steep, schist test-pieces and honing his mettle amongst the granite labyrinths of Cannon Cliff, he found himself with an unshakable desire to climb for life. He began his apprenticeship as a guide while also pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Adventure Education. Having finished college in 2017, he has since pursued work as a full-time rock and ice climbing guide, traveling all over the States in pursuit of “The Life”. He appreciates black coffee, peppermint tea, and fancies the idea of having cookies for every meal.
Heather Smallpage
(They/Them)
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor
Wilderness First Responder
Heather grew up in Wisconsin, and had their first climbing experiences on the little Quartzite crags of the area. It wasn’t long before bigger rocks lured them out west, eventually landing here in Joshua Tree in 2021.
One of Heather's biggest goals as a rock climber isn't about how hard they can climb, but about creating a space where all can feel welcomed, able to learn without judgement, and empowered in their bodies and minds. Heather believes that climbing can create a sense of connection - within ourselves and with our climbing partners. Heather's aim is to make climbing spaces more inclusive and eye opening for anyone who is willing to try.
In the Summer months you can find Heather in Utah or the High Sierras backpacking, playing hacky sack, climbing, dancing, or enjoying interesting conversations with people they meet along the way.
Defne Dilsiz
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor
Wilderness First Aid and CPR Certified
Defne was born and raised in Turkey until the age of seven when her family immigrated to the States. Defne spent her youth roaming Maryland’s suburbs and refining her talents in the theatrical arts. During an eight year stay in New York City, she would obtain a Conservatorship in Acting and a Bachelor’s Degree in Film. Her aspirations of becoming a theatrical actor were quickly swept away after her very first visit to a climbing gym. In the three years since then, Defne has sunk her teeth into all things climbing and, thanks to the invaluable friends and mentors she’s met along the way, is developing the skills to become the climber she one day hopes to be.
Mason Henke
AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide
AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor
Wilderness First Aid and CPR Certified
Born and raised in small-town Wisconsin, Mason first rock climbed as a step in earning his Eagle Scout with BSA, naturally. However, he did not really get into climbing until he started working at a wilderness adventure camp in Virginia. Mason let rock climbing sculpt his path forward as he chisled it into a career as well as a passion (borderline obsession). He has guided in three corners of the United States and is planning on making it four, you guess which one is missing! Mason had been quickly progressing through the joshua tree classic climbs and hopes to tick a bunch more off his list this season. Ask this guy about Leave No Trace ethics! He holds the unofficial record time for completion of the LNT Awareness Course (a requirement of all of our guides) during his hiring process.
Taylor Olson
AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide
Certified Wilderness First Responder
Taylor originally hails from Minnesota, on the banks of the Mississippi River. His first introduction to rock climbing was indoors at a young age, but didn't take roots in his life until his freshman year of college where he fell in love with the sport and lifestyle.
Concluding his undergrad in ecology and geoscience, he worked for the Dept of Agriculture for a short period of time. However, it was quickly evident that it wouldn't last long, and he went on to start guiding. Starting in Devils Lake Wisconsin, then the Red River Gorge, and now Joshua Tree.
When he's not climbing you'll find him picking some bluegrass or irish tunes on his mandolin or fiddle.
Emery Hightower
AMGA SPI Course Completed
Certified Wilderness First Responder
Emery began climbing in his local gym in Bloomington Indiana. While volunteering for the Youth Climbing Club, helping the kids learn the basics of climbing and climbing safety, Emery got his first taste of instructing in the outdoor industry. Soon after that he began his guiding career with Indiana University Outdoor Adventure, the university outfiiter, leading rock trips mostly to southern Illinois. Since graduating Emery has explored several of the climbing areas around the Western United States. Emery will be taking his AMGA SPI Assement in January of 2024, and hopes to continue to share his passion for rock climbing though teach and guiding here in Joshua Tree National Park.
Nolan Graham
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
CPR/First Aid Certified
Nolan is a passionate climber from San Diego, CA, who has found his home here in Joshua Tree. The desert has been an immense source of inspiration for him as a climber and an artist, with it’s vibrant community that shares his enthusiasm. In 2021, Nolan dedicated 10 weeks to volunteer as a Climber Steward in Joshua Tree National Park. During this time, he actively contributed to educating climbers, hikers, and visitors about responsible practices, collaborating closely with Joshua Tree Search and Rescue (JOSAR). When not scaling rocks, he can be found strumming his 5-string banjo and serenading the landscape with traditional bluegrass tunes.