MOXIE [mok-see]
noun / Slang.
courageous spirit and determination; perseverance:
vigor; verve; strength of character
skill; know-how; savvy
Moxie Mountain Guides delivers world-class technical climbing and skiing adventures, led by AMGA/IFMGA-certified guides and grounded in a commitment to technical, instructional, and social excellence. As a proudly women-owned company, our perspective is shaped by depth of experience in the guiding world—blending expert skill with inclusive leadership to create meaningful mountain adventures for all.
why pick us?
Professional Excellence
We strive to uphold the highest guiding standards through rigorous training, certification, and continuing education, aligning with the internationally recognized benchmarks. This commitment ensures our guides possess the expertise and professionalism necessary to provide exceptional experiences.
Customization
We commit to personalize our programs to align with our clients' backgrounds, experiences, preferences, and goals. We ask questions, do our homework, and adapt along the way to meet people where they are. We are responsive to each person’s ability, identity, body, and experience level. From pacing to progression, every part of the adventure is tailored to support their individual needs.
social
responsibility
We confront our biases, seek out our blind spots, accept critique with gratitude, and extend a hand to those who have been ignored. We advocate for public land access at both local and national levels and support policies that protect the planet. To acknowledge Indigenous stewardship, we contribute $10 per client per day to Indigenous-led organizations—our way of paying rent on the lands where we work.
Moxie Mountain Guides delivers world-class technical climbing and skiing adventures, led by highly experienced AMGA/IFMGA-certified guides and grounded in a commitment to technical, instructional, and social excellence.
When you go with Moxie, you go with us.
We are Moxie Mountain Guides.
Kristin Arnold (she/her) and Sheldon Kerr (she/her), from Ridgway, CO, are the owners and lead guides of Moxie Mountain Guides. As of spring 2025, they are 2 of 19 total women AMGA/IFMGA guides in the U.S.*
Kristin started her working life as a professional soccer player. As goalkeeper, she played for Texas A&M and with the US Women's U20 and U23 national teams. She 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 Mountain before finding her way to Ouray, 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 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. As Moxie, they’ve guided skiing on Chilean volcanos, taught rock climbing clinics all over the Western US, built risk management plans and forecasted avalanches for Colorado silver mines, 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.
*AMGA- American Mountain Guides Association is the certifying body in the USA for the IFMGA.
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 in the USA are women.
We named our guide service Moxie because it speaks of grit, determination, and perseverance; characteristics integral to finding success in the mountains.
Climbing and skiing have the power to build lifelong relationships, foster independence, engender confidence, and promote belonging. We believe mountain guiding must be a part of this process.
We break down the social and financial barriers to accessing high-end technical instruction. We lead with curiosity, open arms, and dedication to our craft and community. Because no one cares what you know until they know that you care.
Mountain
Adventures
For All
It’s not just a tagline. It’s our commitment.
Moxie offers scholarships!
Through a progressive pricing model, we aim to break down social and financial barriers, thereby making high-end technical instruction financially accessible to a broader audience.
“Moxie Mountain Guides are outstanding! Not only are Sheldon & Kristin extremely knowledgeable, excellent climbers - they are also highly in tune with their clients' wants and needs. They provide a fun, relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable while learning a ton! Highly, highly recommend!!
— Courtney Green