alpha climbing was founded in 2017 to provide outdoor climbing opportunities and mentorship for ambitious youth and young adult athletes. In 2025 we’re expanding our program offerings to women.
Climbing gyms are increasing climbing opportunities at an amazing rate. Organized team training, coaching, competition, and clubs are developing climbers who are driven to achieve. Despite this growth, there are limited opportunities for motivated climbers to get outside on the rock with experienced mentors.
We recognize and appreciate this growing demand. There’s a mentorship gap and it’s our goal to help fill it.
Our summer trips and gap year programs are specifically designed for youth and young adult athletes who want to take their training and motivation to the best sport climbing, bouldering, and deep water soloing venues on the planet.
In 2025 we’re rolling out trips for adults including a women’s climb and wine-tour of southern Greece. We also offer coaching and consultation with our extensive experience.
Aaron Hjelt, founder and director
I've spent 32 years using climbing as a way to learn about myself, nature, and others. Luckily, I've had incredible mentors along the way and give utmost credit to them for helping me survive my mistakes and shortcomings.
My approach to climbing is one of sustainability. We can't climb if we are hurt, don't have the money, aren't prepared, haven't prioritized, have scared away all of our partners, destroyed the planet, and so on. I enjoy all types of climbing, from boulders to big walls. I love seeing youth get after it on hard rock climbs and boulders. It's about application and process and learning and everything that supports this. Youth is the future. It's my life work to get them outside on rock.
Robyn Ragins, lead mentor
Robyn was an athlete on our first-ever gap year program in 2017 and began mentoring in 2019. She’s relentlessly and genuinely enthusiastic for life and climbing and loves to give back to youth. She’s the perfect mentor: and ideal mix of experience, ability, empathy, and love!
Robyn has extensive international climbing experience. She’s coached beginner and elite athletes alike since her time as a national caliber competitor in her youth career.
Quinn Harper, lead mentor
Quinn has participated in alpha climbing programs since the beginning, and has seen his skill and confidence as a climber grow tremendously during this time. He is equally adapt on hard sport climbs and long trad routes. He received certification for EMT in 2019 from NOLS, and serves as our emergency procedure advisor. Quinn has been a mentor since 2019.
Olivia Harmanos, mentor
Olivia is pure joy. She embodies the alpha climbing mission with grace, kindness, patience, and quiet intensity. She’s a giver for sure, on rock, on belay, and with her amazing kitchen creations. She’s equally at home on steep cave routes as delicate face route. Every climber benefits from Olivia’s mentorship.
Riley Butler
bio coming soon
Selma Whyte, mentor
Everyone loves Selma. She’s incredibly helpful as a mentor. She sets a brilliant example to our athletes on how to live with simplicity, values, and purpose. She is an incredible chef and baker as well.
Cole Janssen, mentor and outreach
Cole has been with alpha since the beginning and has maintained a valuable role in the organization as mentor, advocate, and outreach organizer.
Alice Gutsche-Smith
Alice started with alpha on our 2021 Greece gap year course. She’s equally gifted and graceful on all types of rock. She’s a remarkably genuine human being and always responds with compassion and empathy. And she drives a manual.