Sierra Mountain Guides 312 North Main Street, Bishop, CA 93514

"I had a wonderful trip in 2021 with Ashley Burton and I hope to travel again with her very soon! She put together an outstanding expedition for me through two mountain passes. I highly recommend her as a guide. Further, she was extremely considerate and helpful when I inadvertently locked my keys in the trunk of my rental car at the national forest parking lot, on the way out of the mountains. She is a consummate professional."

"This review is based on the preliminary engagement that I had with both Danny and Kevin at SMG to build a Big Ice day for March 16th of 2023. The scope of the Big Ice Day was to spend time with Kevin at whichever Venue he would declare as best fit for the trip. Whether it be Chounaird in the Lee Vining area or June Lake; my partner and I were open to it. We confirmed the trip Agenda that was thoughtfully put together by Kevin. It was everything we were looking for. I made my FULL payment on March 8th, 2023 and realized... This winterstorm is still going full steam! I saw a post on Instagram about the 395N Mono Lake area being affected by the winterstorm. I was thinking, wait a minute - Why didn't Danny or anyone else at SMG tell us that our trip would be at risk of cancellation? What beta have the SMG team recieved about the June Lake and/or Chounaird venues? I ALSO ASSUMED, they would have details as to the current conditions. As I reached out to Danny on March 9th regarding venue conditions, he deferred me to reach out to Kevin. Is it my responsibility or SMG's responsibility to ensure the conditions are safe and approachable? Danny could've reached out to Kevin no? Well, I don't mind reaching out to Kevin - it's my trip right? Danny is just the middle man at this point. All good. March 9th Afternoon - Kevin responds back to my inquiry regarding current venue conditions - Letting me know "Lee Vining Canyon has been significantly impacted by recent winter storms, and no one has been into the canyon in several days. June Lake still has climable ice, but will likely not be safe to climb on our scheduled days..." WOW! When was Kevin going to let me know about the venue and it's current conditions. We tried to reschedule for a time day that is best fit for everyone's schedule and was not able to do so. I even suggested a Big Ice Day with a 1/2 day on a Weekend... That was also NOT FIT for the schedule. I asked for a refund $495.00 and was denied by Danny - Citing their REFUND POLICY. As a father of two, I'm out $450.00 dollars in consulting fees to have Kevin build out a Big Day Program for Skot and I. Danny didn't apologize a single time. Lack of communication and lace of focus on the client. Disappointed, they could have had a client for life. Business before clients. Beware! Tread lightly!"

"Barbara was the best guide we could have ever hoped for. This was my groups first back country and it couldn’t have gone better. We had some tough weather but Barbara knew where to take us and we scored some awesome snow. She was extremely knowledgeable and extremely helpful with gear malfunctions! Like I said we could not have had a better experience. Also Jessica in the main office was so great. We had some people drop out right before we where scheduled to go out and Jessica made everything super easy. We are going to use SMG again and again. I can’t recommend them enough!"

"I just finished a 2-day private climbing session with SMG and it was fantastic. I am an experienced climber and wanted an intensive coaching session to help me elevate my skills. Howie did a great job of understanding my goals and tailoring the two days accordingly. I learned a ton that I will take with me as I continue climbing. I strongly recommend Howie and SMG and I will be a repeat client."

"On Dec. 2nd, 2015, I was sent a cascade of ice and struck by a large block of ice from and while belaying SMG guide, Viren Perumal, ice climbing in Lee Vining. My right arm was bruised and right hand immobile, now both are partially paralyzed. This traumatic injury triggered Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (A.L.S); which this Summer will prove fatal."