Aimee Barnes dedicates her life to outdoor pursuits. What started as an interest in her high school outdoor program blossomed into a full-blown obsession and career that takes her personally and professionally outside.

Aimee’s guiding career began after high school as an outdoor trip leader through the campus recreation program at Idaho State University. In 1983 few women were climbing and even fewer women were guiding. Her career has expanded from Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountain Range to Valdez, Alaska, from the Tetons to Moab, Utah, where she currently resides. Aimee has worked for Black Diamond initiating their pro purchase program and continues her efforts towards fundraising for Guides Scholarships and guest guiding opportunities. She is an AMGA Rock Guide.

Aimee thoroughly enjoys working with groups of women. “I like to watch ladies interact and share their stories of careers, motherhood and climbing adventures,” she says. “It’s nice to see friendships develop and watch a network of new climbing partnerships develop.”