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), moved 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 an artist, graphic designer, a dedicated trad climber, and a huge coordinator 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!

Katherine

Katherine is a PhD scientist whose enthusiasm for adventure climbing is impossible not to catch. Bold, confident, and deeply motivated, she approaches climbing with the same intensity and curiosity she brings to science. Around the crag, she’s known for her infectious excitement, strong presence, and the kind of energy that keeps an entire group fired up for the day.

Cassidy

Cassidy is an educator, outdoor adventurer, and all-around goofball who’s been chasing fun since his college days in Stevens Point. With his long hair, easygoing spirit, and endless enthusiasm for adventure, he’s just as happy climbing rock as he is riding bikes or getting out on the water. Easily one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, Cassidy brings warmth, laughter, and good energy everywhere he goes.

Josh

Josh is a soft-spoken old soul who spends his winters climbing the towering walls of El Potrero Chico and his days serving others as a firefighter and paramedic student. A father with a second kid on the way, he brings a calm, steady presence to everything he does—and having literally helped save lives at Devil’s Lake, you’re in very good hands with him around. Though he’s one of the kindest and best listeners you’ll ever meet, Josh is always quietly looking for the next challenge to push himself a little further.

Eamon

Eamon shows up with the biggest grin you’ve ever seen and a level of stoke that feels borderline unsustainable (yet somehow constant). He’s never in a bad mood and is always psyched to get his hands on some rock—real or plastic. A talented boulderer and movement nerd, he sets routes at multiple Madison gyms, including Apex partner Summit Climbing Gym, where his creativity shows up in every set. And if you’re nice, he might even let you in on the secret of where those cool dangly earrings come from.

Thomas

Thomas learned to climb through the UW-Madison Hoofers, where he was introduced early to one of Devil’s Lake’s best mentors and legends, Remo – an influence that likely helped him progress quickly through advanced technical rope systems at a young age. He’s also picked up a few stories along the way from his share of misadventures out West — nothing too serious, just enough to make good dinner conversation. We’re excited to have him on board this year, bringing a mix of skill, experience, and stoke to the team.

Matt

Matt is a longtime science teacher who knows exactly how to keep a room of rowdy kids engaged, entertained, and (mostly) under control. With years in the classroom, he brings a calm, patient energy paired with just the right amount of humor to make learning feel like an adventure. Around Apex, he’s earned the nickname “Nebula” thanks to his German last name—and it fits, because there’s always a little cosmic energy to the way he shows up.

Brad

Brad might love ice climbing more than anybody out there—seriously. He’s spent Minnesota winters living out of a van, stubbornly outlasting the cold like it’s a personal challenge (and possibly fueled by hotdish and pure Midwest determination), all for a few more days on ice. Originally a guide at the Winona Ice Park, his passion for sharing ice climbing is impossible to miss—he brings that same frostbitten enthusiasm to every climb, no matter how cold it gets.


Sign up for an adventure with Apex Climbing Guides

that have been around the longest!