ABOUT

NATE PAKULA

OWNER AND GUIDE

Nate has been climbing for 20 years and has been teaching and guiding climbing for 17 years. As a Joshua Tree resident, Nate has explored Joshua Tree National Park extensively and has vast knowledge of the local environs. Whether you’re looking for a day of fun single pitch cragging, a classic multi-pitch climb, an adventure deep in the Wonderland of Rocks, or a focused day of instruction, Nate will find the perfect location for your desires!

Why go with an AMGA Certified Rock Guide?

The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Rock Guide certification is the highest credential a guide can hold for rock climbing in the US. Achieving this certification takes many years of professional guiding, hundreds of hours developing as a climber, and an exhaustive commitment to the guiding craft. Additionally, each Certified Rock Guide undergoes two 10-day courses and final 6-day assessment administered by the most elite mountain guides in the world. The AMGA holds its guides to the highest professional standards for guiding practices, risk management and education. This means every certified guide will be up to date on safest and most efficient practices being used. Click here for more info on the AMGA

Nate working through the beta of the Joshua Tree classic route Poodles Are People Too with Daniel.

Nate grew up in the small state of Rhode Island and began his lifelong journey of playing in the mountains among the craggy peaks of New England. In 2004, Nate attended the University of Vermont where he earned a degree in Sociology and Community Development. While there, Nate found a love for spending every minute of free time in the mountains, climbing, hiking, and backcountry skiing. He took his first job as climbing instructor for the university’s outdoor program in 2006 and quickly learned where his path was going to take him. In 2007, Nate earned his first certification with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) as a Top Rope Site Manger (later to become the Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) certification).

In 2008, Nate moved to Joshua Tree in 2008 where he worked springs and falls as an experiential educator for a few outdoor education providers, including Naturalists at Large (NAL). In the shoulder seasons Nate worked as a climbing guide in various locations including New Hampshire, Maine, and Washington. During his time at NAL, Nate held a variety of positions including Staff Trainer and Climbing Program Director. Nate has also worked for and supported Outdoor Education programs for the Chadwick and Crossroads Schools based in LA. During his time off, Nate chased his passion for climbing to destinations all over the world including Patagonia, Thailand, Canada, India, Mexico, and the western United States.

In 2014, Nate began the process of becoming a certified Rock Guide by taking the Rock Guide Course with the AMGA. In 2015, Nate made the shift to full time guiding and started guiding and instructing 180+ days a year. In 2016, Nate took his AMGA Advanced Rock Guide Course. And in 2018, Nate completed his AMGA Rock Guide Exam, 6-days of rigorous assessment guiding routes up to 15 pitches in length and 5.11 in difficulty, gaining his Rock Guide certification, the highest level certification available to climbing guides in US.

Nate had the pleasure and honor of working as head guide for Mojave Guides in Joshua Tree for 6 years before branching off to start High Desert Guiding.

Nate is a provider for the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor program and hosts regular courses and exams throughout the season. For more info click here

During the hottest months in Joshua Tree, Nate escapes to the Pacific Northwest where he guides rock climbing, alpine climbing, and mountaineering trips for North Cascades Mountain Guides. If you’re looking for an awesome summer adventure reach out to Nate for more info.

While, Joshua Tree National Park is Nate’s main venue during the desert season, he also guides in Red Rock just outside of Las Vegas, NV. For the 2024 season High Desert Guiding will be holding a limited set of permits days. The fall of dates are October 19 - 27. Outside of those dates, Nate can work in Red Rock permitted through The Mountain Guides. Red Rock hosts a huge variety of climbing from single pitch sport cragging to long moderate multipitch routes. It is a great venue to get high off the ground! Minimum booking of 2 days outside of 10/19 - 27 Contact Nate for more details and available dates!

When Nate is not out guiding, he can be found climbing for fun, splitboarding, doing a woodworking project, or playing music.

Check out my article on 57 Hours about Lead Climbing Courses in Joshua Tree!