Anna Keeling

Anna is an IFMGA Mountain Guide originally from Christchurch, New Zealand who currently splits her time between Castle Hill Village (in the Canterbury high country of NZ) and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Anna was drawn to climbing (and eventually guiding) following an expedition to ski Kedarnath Dome in the Indian Himalaya in 1991, at age 21.

Her most memorable climb is a solo climb of the classic East Ridge-West Ridge traverse of Mt Edith Cavell in the Canadian Rockies. Known for her speed climbing she was actually disappointed after completing the climb in 6.5 hours, car-to-car... "I was having such a great time - I wanted to keep going."

In 1997 Anna became a fully qualified IFMGA/NZMGA Mountain & Ski Guide.

When we asked her what she likes most about guiding she said, "The days when someone tells me that I met or exceeded their expectations and those really special days when someone tells me they just had the best run or day of their life!"

Anna has climbed and guided in NZ, Canada, USA, India and Nepal and has a degree in Parks and Recreation Management.

Aside from climbing, her passions are ski mountaineering and adventure racing. She has won several endurance events including NZ's Coast to Coast, Alpine Ironman, and the first Raid Gauloises Expedition Race. She placed 3rd in the Adventure Racing World Championships in 2005. She also does some freelance writing and is a ski columnist for the Christchurch Press. Lastly, she says, "I am a total gumby surfer... but I love it."

Denali

• Via the West Buttress in 20 hours return from 11,000 feet, 2003

Grand Teton

• Fast solos (possible female record), 2003

Huntington, Alaska

• West Face, 2002

Ama Dablam 6,828m

• Guide, 2003