Don Nguyen
Guide
Don lives in Tacoma, WA. He was born of refugee Vietnamese parents who settled in the US. He got into rock climbing at an early age but after hiking the Appalachian Trail decided to devote his life in a pursuit of outdoor leadership. He guides in the Cascades and Denali in the summer, and in the fall time shifts gears to guide elk and deer hunts in Montana and Wyoming. In the winter and spring seasons, he leads mountaineering trips in South America.
Even with the busy schedule of a multi-sport, full-time guide, Don co-founded and runs the nonprofit organization Climbers of Color based out of Seattle. This organization works to help develop leaders of color in the sport of climbing.
Achievements:
- Co-founded Climbers of Color
- Instructor for Climbers of Color
- 4 Denali expeditions
- 3 Aconcagua expeditions
- Dozens of summits of Tahoma and Kulshan
- Survived the Discovery Channel TV show "Naked and Afraid"
- Thru Hiked the Appalachian Trail
Certifications and Training:
- AMGA Rock and Alpine Guide Course
- AMGA Ice Instructor
- Avalanche Pro 1
- Wilderness First Responder
