[School History]
Sierra Climbing School was founded by longtime Yosemite guides Aaron Jones and Mark Grundon after both made the Eastern Sierra their home. Having spent years climbing and guiding throughout Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, Aaron and Mark wanted to build a climbing school centered not only on guided climbing, but on high-quality climbing education. From the beginning they built Sierra Climbing School around a strong belief in professional training, certification, mentorship, and continuing education through the American Mountain Guides Association.
Who We Are
Aaron Jones
Co-Owner, Head Guide
Aaron Jones began climbing in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge during high school. He first climbed in California’s Sierra Nevada in Yosemite in 2003 and moved here to climb full time in 2004. Aaron has climbed and guided many of the Sierra’s biggest climbing objectives including El Capitan (47 times, including several one day solo ascents) and multi-day alpine climbs in the range. AMGA Certified Rock Guide since 2012, Certified Alpine Guide, Assistant Ski Guide, AIARE Avalanche Course Instructor, Wilderness First Responder since 2010, and a Leave No Trace Trainer. Aaron now calls Bishop, CA home with his partner Christy and two dogs, Tilly and Abbey.
Mark Grundon
Co-Owner, Head Guide
Mark grew up in Vermont and began climbing at the age of 15 there. In college he got hooked with the climbing bug in Gunnison Colorado. He has began climbing in the Sierra 2002 and has made his home in Lee Vining, where he lives with his wife Norma, daughter Isabella and dog Camelia. He also guides trips in Mexico's El Potrero Chico and runs El Potrero Chico Guides. Mark is a strong believer in “living the dream”, and following your passions whatever they may be. Mark has his EMT, a Leave No Trace trainer certification, is an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Provider, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide, and AMGA Certified Rock Guide.
Benton Mitchell
Lead Guide
Benton Mitchell is a Certified AMGA Rock Guide and Wilderness First Responder with a degree in Adventure Education. Originally from Pennsylvania, Benton has been climbing since 2015 and has climbed all over the country, as well as in Israel. He has hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest trail, Continental Divide Trail. Benton has also guided rock climbing and canyoneering in areas including Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountain range. His climbing resume includes El Capitan routes and other big walls, as well as difficult boulders. His passion is for finding the balance between adventure and challenge. He also has a passion for introducing and mentoring people into the sport of climbing by sharing the joy that climbing can bring.
Ian McEleney
Lead Guide
After cutting his teeth on rock and ice crags on east coast he traveled all over making ascents of everything from short roadside rock climbs to big peaks in the wilderness. Ian first climbed in the Sierra in 2008 and moved to Mammoth Lakes a few years later, where he still lives with his family. Though he loves all kinds of climbing, big walls and winter routes hold a special place in his heart. He rounds out the year with forays to Red Rocks, Joshua Tree, Moab, the North Cascades, Alaska, and Canada. Ian is an AMGA Certified Alpine Guide, Assistant Rock Guide, and Single Pitch Instructor. He is also a Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Master Educator.
Nick Lozica
Lead Guide
Nick Lozica is from the San Francisco Bay Area, and found climbing at an early age in the gym. Nick's love of rock climbing brought him to the Eastern Sierra in 2020 and has been climbing non stop since. As well as climbing, backcountry skiing has become a winter passion. Nick is currently an Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Ski Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, AIARE Instructor, Certified SPI and Wilderness First Responder.