AMG Guides
Ian Osteyee is the first, and only AMGA certified local guide with more than 25 years of climbing experience. Ian is also a Wilderness First responder. Ian began climbing in the Adirondacks in the early eighties and started making first ascents as early as 1984. Ian has climbed throughout the U.S. including Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Europe, and Nepal. Ian is sponsored by Camp, Cassin, and Blue Water Ropes. Ian started guiding in the Adirondacks in 1986 and worked for various other guiding companies on and off as he travelled the world. Ian then founded Adirondack Mountain Guides, raising the bar for professional guiding in the Adirondacks. Ian does much of the guiding himself, but invites some of his experienced climbing partners/guides to help out. This has kept the standards at Adirondack Mountain Guides consistent and high.
Stephen Mergenthaler (Mergs) has been climbing for 40 years, and guiding for the past 21. His climbing resume covers rock, ice, and snow across National and International borders. A passion for climbing is how Adirondack locals know Mergs, as he continues to push and train local young guns as a mentor and partner. Mergs is a Wilderness First Responder, member of the Keene Valley High Angle Rescue Team, member of the Whiteface Mountain Gondola Evac Team, Technical Rock Instructor for North Country Community College (NCCC) Saranac Lake, NY (10 years), National Sports Academy Lake Placid, NY (18 years), Rock Guide for Rock and River Keene, NY (10 years). In 2003, Stephen launched Redline Mountain Guides. He now joins forces with friend and climbing partner, Ian Osteyee. With many first ascents, Stephen keeps moving forward with a passion and hunger for climbing.
