We are Moxie Mountain Guides.

” We believe in making the mountains accessible to all. “

Kristin Arnold, from Denver, Colorado, and Sheldon Kerr, from Westford, Vermont are the founders, owners, and lead guides of Moxie Mountain Guides. As of spring 2024, they are 2 of 17 total female IFMGA guides in the U.S.*  

Kristin started her career as a professional soccer player. As goalkeeper, she played with the US Womens U20 and U23 national teams and secured a World Cup trophy before a shoulder injury and the collapse of the WSL forced a career pivot. Mountain guiding proved a great fit for her leadership capabilities, analytical brain, coaching experience, and powerful athleticism. Since 2010, she has participated in over 30 climbing expeditions in Alaska (and stood on top of Denali 8 times!) earning a reputation as one of the most consistent, reliable, hard-working, and successful guides in high altitude mountaineering.

Sheldon also started her mountain guiding career in Alaska and quickly added the Cascades, the Tetons, and the Andes to her resume. She ski patrolled in Crested Butte and Silverton before finding her way to Ridgway, CO and putting down roots. With a degree in Feminist and Gender Studies from The Colorado College, almost 20 years in guiding, and years of advocacy for women in the the outdoor industry, the only thing missing was a partner who shared her values and technical stoke.

Kristin and Sheldon started Moxie in January of 2023. Together they’ve guided skiing on Chilean volcanos, taught rock climbing clinics all over the Western US, built risk management plans and forecasted avalanches for a Colorado silver mine, trained US Special Forces teams in mountain skills, instructed professional avalanche courses all over the country, and worked with small businesses and national organizations to improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Both Arnold and Kerr are also on the Instructor Team for the American Mountain Guide Association, staff members of the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education, and graduates of Habit Queer’s Fitness Beyond the Binary certification program. They have also completed training through Paradox Sports in working with adaptive athletes. They look forward to working with you or your organization!

*IFMGA -International Federation of Mountain Guides Association- Certification is the highest credential attainable by a professional mountain guide. The IFMGA defines international training standards for mountain guides and the regulatory framework for mountain guides’ associations in twenty countries. Only eight percent of IFMGA’s ranks are women.