Josh has been working as a guide, educator, and outdoor facilitator since he separated from the military in 2011. This work has taken him to wilder places and greater ranges worldwide. Moving through the mountains is something he learned as the pointman and lead climber for his unit in the SEAL teams. It was his job to get everyone through austere and consequential environments safely. He loves carrying that role forward, inspiring teammates and pushing people to see the mountains in a new way. He grew up a ski bum, and after fighting in two wars all he wanted to do was get back to feelings of going fast, embracing gravity, and carving his own creative expressions down a mountainside. When he started pursuing that need, he quickly realized that he was going to push himself deeper into the backcountry and ultimately interface with slopes that wanted to kill him. Focused on the goal of “always coming back,” it was imperative he learn how to travel safely in those environments. He now aims to share that knowledge with others so that they too can keep coming back for more mountain adventures. 

Josh is Silverton Avalanche School’s Deputy Director of Operations, an IFMGA and certified American Mountain Guide, a world record holding professional snowboarder, celebrated writer and speaker and one of the most passionate and authentic individuals you’ll ever share a skin track with. When JJ isn’t coordinating our REC and Rescue operations, he’s busy teaching PRO programs, coordinating our SASTAC program or readying his gnarly boots for his next secret mission into unexplored terrain.