Meet Apex’s Talented Rock Climbing Guides!

 

Garrett – Owner

Garrett moved to Wisconsin to rock climb (weird choice). He’s working through higher levels of guide certification and, with a background in education, he’s able to apply his love of climbing and love of teaching here as a guide. If you want to know about local ecology or hard rock climbs here at Devil’s Lake, he’s your guy. His friends call him a chronic over-stoker, but we call him, Apex’s #1 Hardman.

Kenz

Kenz is in their fourth season guiding with Apex and their sixth year climbing at Devil’s Lake—meaning they’ve spent an unreasonable amount of time hauling gear up quartzite and reminding climbers that “grit, and maybe a little whimpering” are all part of the process. With ambitions of taking their climbing to taller summits, they have a soft spot for dragging friends into the masochistic joy of trad and crack climbing. The climber in Kenz has been showing since birth (probably trying to heel hook out of the crib), and their parallel love in life is photography—because if you don’t get the shot, did it even happen?

Audrie

Audrie started guiding for Apex in 2024 and, through sheer Italian determination (and probably a few stubborn standoffs with quartzite), clawed her way to Lead Guide within her first season. When she’s not roping up, she’s wrenching bikes at Wildside, proving she can fix just about anything—except maybe her habit of taking on too much. A true Boobinite (Baraboo Local), Audrie brings grit, professionalism, and just the right amount of stubbornness to make even the trickiest climbs (and climbers) cooperate.

 

Lulu

Lulu is a graphic designer, a dedicated trad climber, and a huge contributor to Apex’s Queer Open Climbs. She’s passionate about building community, whether at Devil’s Lake or back home in Milwaukee. With an artistic eye, a knack for connecting with climbers, and an endless drive to push her trad game, Lulu brings both style and stoke to every climb. If you ever lose sight of her on the trail, just look for the neon pink – she’s probably the only one glowing brighter than the rocks.

Anthony

Anthony is a climber, card trick wizard, and certified bringer of good vibes—ask nicely, and he might just blow your mind with a tattoo-related illusion. As a true DLFA disciple, he spends plenty of time in “the pain box,” a garage home wall dedicated to suffering in the name of strength. With a sharp sense of humor and a knack for keeping spirits high, Anthony ensures that even the pumpiest climbs come with a side of laughter.

 

Mark

Mark is pure old-school dirtbag—he’s been climbing longer than some of us have been alive, and it shows (in the best way possible). Living out of his trusty ’92 Dodge, he’s chased snow, rock, and adventure around the world, collecting stories and wisdom along the way. With a lifetime in the mountains and an endless stoke for Devil’s Lake, Mark brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for the sport to every climb. A fun fact about Mark is he’s related to Frank Lloyd Wright!

Jacob

Jacob has been climbing for ages and migrates south to Mexico in the winter—just like the sandhill cranes he’s always stoked to spot at Devil’s Lake. When he’s not chasing warm rock, he’s all about ice climbing and dry tooling, so much so that he built his own dry tooling barn wall from scratch (because of course he did). Quite possibly the kindest human on the planet, Jacob would give you the shirt off his back—though there’s a good chance it’s already been shredded by ice tools and held together with climbing tape.

Chip

Chip has been climbing for well over a decade and has been coaching for nearly as long, even starting his own business, Balanced Rocks Climbing, to share his extensive expertise. He’s the kind of guy who’ll make you laugh so hard, your abs will feel like you’ve been on a V6 all day. Full of love, wisdom, and the ability to listen deeply, Chip brings both humor and heart to every session.

Sam

Sam is a true dirtbag, originally a surfer from California who got into bouldering to stay in shape while waiting for the waves to come back. Having spent some time living in South America, he’s traveled plenty, but there’s something about Devil’s Lake that keeps him coming back for more. He loves the old-school vibes, believing that nothing cuts your teeth better than sandbagged, ambiguously graded routes with traditional, no-bolting ethics. By day, he’s a middle school history teacher, and by summer, he’s off to Alaska—driving from Wisconsin to chase tall, pointy snowy things. He may be swapping sandstone for snow, but don’t worry, he’ll still be sending…just with more layers.

Johnny

Johnny brings the stoke like nobody else and has been guiding for Apex for four seasons, spreading good vibes with every climb. A proud Milwaukee native, he’s always repping his hometown and is as passionate about the climbing community as he is about sending hard. Whether he’s on the wall or belaying, you’ll always hear him—he can’t help but get hyped and vocal, making every send feel like a celebration (even if it’s just a warm-up).


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