Mobile Cribs with Jonathon Spitzer – AMGA Certified Guide
Cribs is back! Well not really. But in true #Dirtbagdreams style, we’re showing you the envy of most pros — the most epic Mercedes Sprinter van!
Today we get to peek into IFMGA/AMGA certified guide, Jonathan Spitzer’s EPIC traveling home. This beast looks like it can handle just about any adventure you set your mind too. Jealous yet? Don’t worry, we are too.
Jonathon grew up hiking, climbing, and skiing around Washington State. He received his bachelor’s degree from Western State College of Colorado in recreation and business. These days his hobby has become his profession, and he can be found splitting his time between Washington, Utah, Nevada, California and Europe. After spending four years going through the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA/IFMGA) training program, Jonathon passed his final exam in the fall of 2009 and became the second youngest American to be fully certified in all three disciplines (rock, alpine, and ski). During the spring and summer months, he guides throughout the Cascades, the Alaska Range, British Columbia, French Alps and in Red Rock, NV. In the winter, he is a professional helicopter ski guide and avalanche educator. With trips to the Ecuador volcanoes, Denali, Mt. Waddington, and various other places in North America, he has significant expedition climbing experience as well as being a competent technical climber. (Source).
A little Q & A with Jonathon:
Q: Where is the favorite place you have traveled to in the van?
A: The Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park in Colorado! The quiet and remote camping appeals to us along with the adventurous multi-pitch climbing.
Q: Why is van life appealing to you?
A: After living our of various tents and small vehicles for 15 years, an upgrade to more space was needed. Knowing that we wanted to expand our family and continue our outdoorsy lifestyle, we started the process of buying a van. We love having the increased space and ease of camp set up and take down, especially when the weather is poor and we are tired from climbing all day!
Q: Any advice for potential van buyers?
A: Do lots of research on the various designs and models that will best meet your needs. There are so many options in terms of vans and interor build-outs, so there is something for everyone!
The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) is a educational non‐profit that is dedicated to supporting the American mountain guiding and climbing instructor community. As the leading organization of America’s most vibrant, inspiring community of climbers and skiers, the AMGA offers cutting-edge knowledge and hundreds of years of collective experience. AMGA guides and staff are the experts in the business of being a guide. They have spent 30 years setting standards for American guiding instruction, protecting the guiding environment, and organizing a powerful, unified community of guides and clients. Learn more at amga.com.