Meet the Instructors

WesLey Calkins

Meet Wes.  Like so many, he didn’t know that climbing would change his life when he started.  It was just a boy scout trip to Shortoff Mountain, but it awakened a sense of adventure and curiosity that has never diminished.  He followed that feeling all over the world, from the Bugaboos in Canada, to the ice in New England, to the Italian Alps.  It all started here in North Carolina and other Appalachian climbing areas though.  

It takes skill to climb all over the world, and Wes learned those skills by bushwhacking to hidden gems in Linville Gorge.  He learned to push through hardship.  Wes linked up climbs in the amphitheater of Linville Gorge like the Mummy-Daddy-Prow combo; he learned efficiency and routefinding.  Wes honed his free climbing and trad on sandbagged 9+ test pieces; he learned to manage risk as a climbing athlete.

Wes left the east coast for Colorado in 2016, where he had a successful and ongoing career guiding in the Front Range of Colorado and other places like Red Rock Nevada, Moab Utah, North Cascades National Park Washington, and other areas.  The whole time though, the Appalachian Mountains and climbing in the Southeast were always on Wes’ mind, and he returned to the area in 2021.

Qualifications: AMGA Rock Guide, AMGA Rock Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide, AMGA Ice instructor Course, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Program Provider, Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Avalanche Course Instructor, Pro 1 Avalanche Course, Leave No Trace Trainer.

RyAN Mallon

Raised amidst the salty breezes and crashing waves of the New Jersey coast, Ryan developed a love for adventure and exploration from an early age. However, it wasn't until he discovered the rugged beauty of the Appalachian Mountains that his true passion was ignited. Nestled within these ancient peaks, Ryan found not only a playground for outdoor pursuits but also a profound connection to the natural world. Having dedicated the last 13 years to coaching athletes of all ages, skill levels, and across multiple athletic endeavors, Ryan holds a deep understanding of the human body and its potential for greatness. He is driven by a singular mission: inspire climbers to push beyond their comfort zones and discover new heights of strength and resilience - all while being immersed in the cleansing spirit of adventure that rock climbing provides. Drawing upon years of experience between scaling the granite cliffs of the east and navigating the narrow slots of the American west, Ryan ensures that every ascent is not only memorable but also secure. Beyond guiding, Ryan is a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship and conservation. He believes in the importance of preserving our planet for future generations, and actively participates in conservation efforts and outdoor education initiatives to help protect the fragile ecosystems of the mountains he calls home.

Qualifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, SOLO Wilderness First Responder

Josh Whitmore

Born in Brevard NC, Josh has been guiding multi-pitch rock and ice climbs in Western North Carolina for over 25 years. A career outdoor professional, Josh has accumulated a lifetime of experience in outdoor education, mountain guiding, and skills instruction. Some highlights include: Chief Climbing Instructor for the NC Outward Bound School, Lead Instructor-Trainer for the NOLS Mountaineering Program, Seasonal Climbing Ranger for Denali National Park, Has Guided 3 of the 7 summits (Denali, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro), and Earned a B.A. and M.S. in Outdoor Education.

Overall, clients report that Josh creates a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere where learning is enjoyable and climbing is fun! Josh is particularly talented at fostering a positive and supportive guide-client relationship based on trust, empathy, and effective communication. Described as being an all-round nice guy, Josh excels at client care and matching the climbing experience to your exact needs, goals, and abilities.

These days, Josh guides rock and ice part-time while mainly focusing on his own business, MTB Skills Factory, a full-service mountain bike skills instruction company located in Western North Carolina.

Qualifications: AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide, AMGA Ice Instructor Course, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, Pro 1 Avalanche Course

Peter Dickson

I had first experience climbing at the age of 13 on the South Side of Looking Glass. 40 years later the love of climbing is still strong and I enjoy helping people discover the world of climbing, moving over rock and experiencing personal self-growth. I instructed climbing at Camp Carolina in Brevard, NC for 9 summers in the 1990's and while I've been pursuing a professional career in Computer Science since then, my love for climbing hasn't diminished.

I have 2 beautiful children in their teens who have been getting out on the rock and ice with me their whole lives. In 2018/2019 I sought to reflect on my climbing technical skills and enrolled in an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course and completed the assessment and obtained the AMGA MPI certification in 2022.

Qualifications: AMGA Multi-pitch Instructor, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder