Bobby O’Connor Guiding since 2011
Living the dream, Bobby has to go climbing and skiing for his day job. Launching the Northwoods School Outing Club into the Adventure Sports Program has attracted many talented kids to this Lake Placid private school. He missed one Mountainfest because of a student-led ski trip to Japan, but guided Group Tours the day after flying home.
Bobby holds a M.S. in Expeditionary Studies from SUNY Plattsburgh and is an Adirondack Climbers Coalition Board of Directors.
AMGA SINGLE PITCH INSTRUCTOR
AMGA ROCK GUIDE APPRENTICE
AAA REC 2 AVY
AAI PRO AVY SEARCH & RESCUE
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER
NYS LICENSED GUIDE
Chuck Boyd Guiding since 2001
Chuck has introduced many to ski touring in the Adirondacks and has been ski guiding during Mountainfest since 2020. His resume is too deep to list (Everest 2004), but most important is what Chuck brings to our guide training and mentoring our newest guides. As an avalanche instructor, ski patroller, and veteran mountain guide, Chuck has a lot to offer those who share a day in the mountains.
When asked about a Mountainfest memory, Chuck recalls, “digging pits with a class and having a very reactive layer and getting questions from the students asking what this means. As I prepared to answer, I received a video on my phone of a group setting off an avalanche in the Cruciflyer (slide) on the same layer at the same time.”
“I love the Adirondacks, have been visiting here for 50 years, and now I live here. It’s a dream come true.”
AMGA ROCK INSTRUCTOR
AAA PROFESSIONAL MEMBER
NSP OUTDOOR EMERGENCY CARE
NYS LICENSED GUIDE
Elie Rabinowitz Guiding since 2015
As a professional outdoor educator and mountain guide, Elie splits his time between the Adirondacks and the Northern Rockies. Years of instructing for NOLS and North Country Community College-Wilderness Recreation Leadership make Elie one of the best backcountry guides in the distant mountain ranges and close to home.
Elie is incredibly patient, incredibly fit and his extensive knowledge of the High Peaks backcountry means he’s a skilled guide for the 46ers.
AAA REC 1 AVY
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER
NYS LICENSED GUIDE
Erika Schielke Guiding since 2022
Back in 2006, when Skifest was an independent Mountaineer event, Erika was a telemark participant on a Phelps Mountain Summit Tour. She is still a dedicated telemark skier and joined the team of guides in 2022. As a Teaching Professor of Biology at Skidmore College, she particularly loves introducing students to Adirondack ecology. For a decade she has been the faculty advisor for their Outing Club, helping to formalize their leader training and mentoring club leaders. With a much younger group, Erika coordinates a local chapter of the Bill Koch Youth Ski League, which introduces kids to Nordic skiing and the joy of winter recreation.
Her spring break tradition is to find solitude on a tour of the Botheration Pond in the Siamese Pond Wilderness. Erika Schielke lives with her husband, Jeremy Haas, and son in Glens Falls.
AAA REC 1 AVY
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER
NYS LICENSED GUIDE
Ian Measeck Guiding since 1997
“You have to be a bit hardy to ski here. I think that’s what makes it memorable and worth the effort”, says Ian.
One of the best qualities of a guide is being able to ski marginal conditions and still have the most fun. When conditions are great we all look good, but no one looks as solid in East Coast conditions as Ian. Equally experienced with Intro to BC skiers and those who like to ski in ice climbing terrain, Ian is both confident and supportive. He’s a longtime volunteer ski patroller at Gore Mountain Ski Area and lives in Warrensburg with his family.
AAA REC 2 AVY
NSP OUTDOOR EMERGENCY CARE
Jackson Deeney Guiding since 2019
He’s the most humble badass on the roster at Skylight Mountain Guides. As a multi-sport talent, Jackson can play with anyone and his inspiration to do better is infectious. If the Olympics had a Mountain Pentathlon, Jackson would probably medal in this event. Professionally he’s a NYSEF Freeski Coach (and alumnus) at Whiteface Ski Area and a friendly sales associate at The Mountaineer in Keene Valley.
What makes the Adirondack experience memorable? “It’s the closest a wanderer can get to quintessential wilderness. The Adirondacks never stop giving as long as you keep exploring.”
AMGA SINGLE PITCH INSTRUCTOR
AAA REC 1 AVY
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER
NYS LICENSED GUIDE
Jenny Mugrace Guiding since 2003
Jenny seems to get stronger and faster every winter, and she has been guiding folks in the High Peaks as long as anyone. Her boundless energy and fun-focused personality make any day in the mountains a great day. Jenny loves being a part of the Mountainfest Women’s Tour and she has helped refine our Intro to BC Clinic to the success that it is.
Living in Keene Valley, Jenny has the mountains at her front door. With so many slides and gullies to choose from she appreciates any ski adventure in John’s Brook valley.
NYS LICENSED GUIDE
Mike Bauman Guiding since 2006
Mike has been with Skylight Mountain Guides since Mountainfest 2019. An engineer by trade, Mike is our expert on ski equipment and navigation. He often hands out maps to participants and outlines the skill development that will happen during the day. His favorite place to ski in the Adirondacks is the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, with miles of trails, deep snow and ample solitude.
When asked about an Adirondack test piece he was proud to have experienced Mike replied, ”The alpine ice climb up Gothics North Face and ski down the True North Slide. This is a serious objective that will put all of your ski mountaineering skills and fitness to the test.”
AAA REC 1 AVY
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER
CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
CERTIFIED NUTRITION SPECIALIST
NYS LICENSED GUIDE
Noah Ball Guiding since 2021
A Guide with tireless legs and endless energy, Noah goes hard in the backcountry and at his day job as a pro patroller at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area. He’s the guy who works to get The Slides open or decides to close Skyward because it’s a 30o sheet of ice.
Noah is a Board of Directors for the Adirondack Community Avalanche Project and posts backcountry reports at adkavy.org.
AMGA SINGLE PITCH INSTRUCTOR
AAA REC 1 AVY
NSP OUTDOOR EMERGENCY CARE
EMT-B
NYS LICENSED GUIDE
Skylight Mountain Guides 