Daniel Johnson

Lead Rock Guide

Daniel was born in rural Virginia but calls western North Carolina home. The east may not have the largest or most dramatic mountains, but there’s something indescribably special about the quietness of the rolling hills that make up the Appalachians. Daniel began climbing in college but really picked the sport up in the forested crags of Alabama of all places. Dan’s first true memory of the alpine would have to be the splitting headache accompanying him up Whitney — and most of the way back down. He swore he’d never do anything like that again. Over the next few years, Daniel would find himself mountaineering in the Alaska Range, climbing Rainier, Shasta, Hood, Mt. Washington in the dead of February, some of Mexico’s highest volcanoes, and many other ascents in the High Sierra.

Currently, Daniel’s passion lies with rock climbing — whether it’s a long, wandering route with bushy ledges or 50 feet of hand crack. He is currently guiding rock in the Tahoe and Eastern Sierra regions.

Prior to working as a full-time mountain guide, Daniel worked as a pilot in the U.S. Navy, serving for eight years after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mandarin Chinese — though he remembers zero Chinese.

Certifications/Education:

  • AMGA Rock Guide Course

  • WFR