Joey grew up in New York state where he began skiing and rock climbing in the Adirondacks and Canada. In October 1993, he moved to Colorado where he now lives with his wife Susan. After taking on various jobs to support his outdoor pursuits, Joey realized he wanted to empower others to enjoy the mountains and experience the places he holds dear.
Joey loves both climbing and skiing in all of their forms, but he is most passionate about adventures that blend and combine the mountain disciplines, especially in one outing. Joey has a lifetime of guided ascents and ski mountaineering descents, including committing alpine lines around the world, desert rock climbs in the American South West, and traversing the high peaks locally in Colorado, the US, and beyond. On his days off from guiding you can find Joey questing in the mountains with his alpine climbing and skiing buddies, searching for the next adventure, enjoying the places he loves the most.
Joey became the 92nd guide to become fully certified by American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA), and is licensed by the International Federation of Mountain Guide Association (IFMGA), the highest level of professional guiding in the world. To this day there are only 138 IFMGA certified guides in America. Achieving IFMGA certification was the culmination of many years of work and commitment to the mountain guiding profession. Several years ago, Joey became an instructor for the AMGA. He teaches and examines in the alpine, rock and ski, disciplines for the AMGA. He is bringing his enthusiasm and passion to the next generation of American guides.
He holds 2 of the highest Avalanche forecasting certifications in the US with the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education and the American Avalanche Institute. Joey is an AIARE course leader of the recreation program and pro avalanche trainer with AAI. In addition to Joey's extensive experience and certifications, in 2013 he was recognised by the AMGA as Outstanding Guide of the Year for his exceptional dedication to the mountain craft and his clients. In 2009, he was awarded Colorado Mountain School’s Guide of the Year.
Joey is Director of Mountain Guide Development with the Colorado Mountain School (CMS) in Estes Park where he guides full time in all of the mountain disciplines alpine climbing, ice climbing, ski mountaineering, and rock climbing. He currently leads guided rock, ice, alpine climbing, and ski mountaineering trips in Alaska, Canada, Wyoming, Washington, Colorado, Switzerland, France, and Asia.
Joey professionally represents Backcountry Access in the snow safety/ ski environment. Additionally, he is a guide athlete at C.A.M.P.
Notable Ascents
- Jedi Mind Tricks, (M13), Canyon City - Second spurless ascent
- Redbeard (M11+), Vail - First traditionally protected ascent of a route of the grade (final ice was missing)
- Circling Sharks (M8+ 200m), Rocky Mountain National Park - First ascent
- Californication (5.13-), Little Si, WA
- StratoFortress (in reverse) (M13), Vail - Flash, French DTS
- Mustang (M14-), Vail - French DTS