Ian Snider began his guiding career working as a BSA High Adventure instructor for Camp Old Indian in Traveler's Rest, South Carolina. Moving to Boone, NC for college Ian began working for ASU Outdoor Programs and eventually became a Land-based Trip Leader. Helping to design and implement a variety of mountaineering courses he cut his teeth on Teton classics and the age-old trading routes of the Garhwal Himalaya. While serving as an apprentice with Moving Over Stone Guides Ian helped Doug Robinson and company put up new routes in the Palisades of the High Sierra. Returning home brought Ian to kindred spirits like Ralph Fickle and the rest of the Rock Dimensions crew. Ian is currently in the process of launching a non-profit organization for the purposes of sustainable mountain development. One project of which keeps him on the business end of a draft horse team skidding selectively harvested logs in the mountains around Boone. A staunch traditionalist, Ian enjoys teaching the many aspects of climbing but feels especially called to guide those who seek communion with the mountains.
Ian is a certified Wilderness First Responder through SOLO wilderness medicine, and is certified through the Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA) as Top Managed Climbing Instructor (2008). Ian holds a Masters Degree in Geography and Planning from Appalachian State University.