Guide Jobs!!

“If any one knows how to get my foot in the door to doing guide work drop me a note. I've had enough of the 9-5 B.S. and want to try and make a living at what I love most-hiking!! I've got a AT thru-hike under my belt plus years of hiking and climbing in New England-cheers-Shaphan”

“If you want to guide in Maine and get paid for it, you have to become a registered Maine guide.”

“How do u go about becoming a Maine guide?”

“nucc97, talk to Mel.”

“Man I'd love to quit my job and do that!




Maybe when I win the Lotto!”

“Who's Mel?? email addy??”

“Maine Guides webpage. send them an email. there are links at the bottom of the page on "join us","contact us", etc.

mel guides in the sierra's out in california. she has llamas and has offered her services at reduced rates to people on this board. look under the thread titled MAAAAAAATT. Its too YUPPIE! click on her name and you will find her email addy and a link to her webpage.”

“Dude, you could check out the following companies. Suntrek, Trek America, and Cross Roads. I used to "guide" for Suntrek some years ago and had a blast. As with most guiding services you will not make a lot of money but it will be fun. Although, this type of guiding isn't all hiking or catered to a specific activity it allows for many short stints. A typical trip will be three weeks with which to hike, canoe, kayak, bungee jump, horse back riding, river raft, helicopter rides, camp, party everynight, visit major cities and most National Parks throughout North America, scuba, snorkel, sail... Did I mention party.

It's pretty much a seasonal job up to 8 months duration. Very little personal time as you're always catering to the clients. Typically you'll have one day off for every 3 weeks and that day off is cleaning equip and getting ready for the next departure the next day.

The majority of clients are european with some Aussies thrown in. You should be so blessed to have a group Aussies. They're the funniest folks on the planet.

Income: Well, like I said it's not much. It used to $2000/mo your first season with $100 increments each season there after. You can double that with tips and commission though. But if you don't have mortgage/rent, dependents, or student loans to pay off go for it.

Over the years I've met some really cool folks from all over the world with invitations to visit whenever I visit their country of origin.

Most of the guides I worked with were in the early twenties with one being about 50. If you need more info just ask...”

“Get ahold of somebody at Outward Bound, or The Yosemite Institute, or maybe NOLS.

They all do leadership training and the guides are the best.

I'm on the fractured fringe.
Teach yourself, kill yourself, learn through experience by the time you're 50.

Buy some idiot llamas and you all go out and try to kill each other for a few years.

By that time, IF you all survive, you can maybe go get your Red Cross Certification, and food handlers certificate.

IF you want to do the dandified treks with animals.

I hate to think what's required to be a climbing guide.

Uh.....NO.
Not me.”

“nucc97 - I live in western MA and was an AT ridgerunner for two summers. The MA DEM has two positions each summer, a 16 week and a 10 week stint. The state'll pay you to hike the AT three days a week and spend two days doing maintenance. My last summer, '96, it was about $360 a week. It's not guiding, but it's something. VT and CT also have the same programs, but most states like to hire in-staters if possible. Lemme know if it's something you might be interested in and I can get you contact names.”

“Thanks for everyone's help...Mel I was actually talking to you earlier today...sent my resume to yas'...anyways thanks for all the info., I'll take as much help as I can get-Cheers-S GA-ME '00”