Show Notes:

Holly’s Links:

• Holly’s profile on The Mountain Guides
• https://www.instagram.com/hollyismackin/

Episode Intro:

Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, happy Wednesday! This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today, our guest is Holly Mackin.  

When Holly was little, no one would have ever assumed she’d find her pursuits in the outdoors. Mostly scared of bugs and raised within the traditions of Catholic culture, it seemed highly unlikely she’d commit to a life living in and out of a van or tent. Something changed in high school when she needed an escape from the drama of her peers. She started running outdoors and practicing yoga religiously. She found herself going on mission trips abroad, which gave her more purpose.

When she decided to go to college at the University of Colorado Boulder, she was exposed to backcountry skiing and climbing. Already a runner, she scheduled her classes around soloing the Flatirons so she could take her practice to more interesting places. Throughout college, she spent summers in Grand Teton National Park, where she later planted roots as a mountain guide.

Her passion for rock climbing takes her to the Southwest every spring and fall, frequenting areas like Indian Creek, Red Rock Canyon, and Joshua Tree. In the winter, Holly is usually found in the Tetons, hunting for untouched powder and teaching snow science. She coordinates all women’s backcountry skiing and climbing programs for The Mountain Guides under the Women’s Network. This program also works to support newer women guides on their journey to becoming mountain guides.

Holly followed her heart to become a guide, cherishes the connections she builds with her clients and fellow guides, and has big dreams to make an impact. Now, please enjoy this episode with Holly Mackin.

Things We Talked about:

• From Kentucky to Colorado, following the love of skiing
• Environmental Anthropology and skiing brought Holly to Jackson Wyoming
• Inception of guiding and it all started at a juicery
• In college, Holly maximized her time being on the ski slopes and rock cliffs
• Got an internship at The Mountain Guides doing all sorts of chores and volunteering to shadow trips to get outdoors
• Right now at Teton Valley guiding skiing and teaching avalanche courses
• Feeling closer to her environmental goals guiding
• Holly’s environmental takes and views and how she uses conversations to remind people that we are part of nature
• Holly loves being outside and human connections
• Women’s Programs with The Mountain Guides – guides development and clients long term progression
• Outlook on guiding
• Beyond guiding, Holly wants to be an entrepreneur