Andrew Yasso

Andrew was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Hong Kong. He is now based out of Red Rock Canyon, just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada but splits his time between Red Rock Canyon, Alaska, Washington State and British Columbia, guiding alpine and rock objectives.

Andrew started climbing in 2006 at age 18. After university, where he obtained degrees in hydrology and outdoor recreation, he pursued climbing and full time guiding. He has been guiding full time since 2009, is an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Certified Rock Guide, and has completed his Alpine Guides Training.

Andrew says that climbing changed his life, and he wants to share it with other people because he knows the power it can have for someone, not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually.

When we asked Andrew what he likes most about climbing his reply was, "When I am climbing, my thoughts do not drift from the moment. It demands your attention and requires you be present. In our highly connected and digital world, these moments are few and far between, and so special when we get them. I also love how every failure in climbing has taught me so much more than the successes, and that even an “unsuccessful summit,” could be the most fun trip ever."

Andrew says he thinks of climbing as inherently selfish in the best way possible. “Standing on top of a peak for the sake of it is a pretty pointless endeavour, but if it allows you to connect with a part of yourself that you can’t otherwise, and allows you to relax and recharge so that you can go home and be a better person to those in your life, then it has meaning. Guiding allows me to take a selfish act and turn it into a more selfless act. When I guide, it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with empowering and enabling my guest. I really enjoy that.”

Ama Dablam (6,828m/22,401ft)

• Guide 2014