About the Guides
If you’re looking for fitness, fun and a healthy dose of adrenaline, then rock climbing is a worthy pursuit. Our guides are specially trained and experienced professional climbers. They are considered to be high-level experts in Rock and ice climbing, and are qualified to instruct or lead individuals or small groups who require this advanced expertise.
Climbing School Director & Senior Guide
Barry Rusnock
Trained by some of the best rock, ice, and alpine mentors in the United States, he is constantly keeping his guiding skills sharp and updated. If you climb with Barry, chances are he will share some of his slick guiding tricks with you. His climbing and mountaineering certifications include AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Top Rope Site Manager, PCGI Single Pitch Guide, and BSA Level II Climbing Instructor. Barry has completed additional training in multi-pitch guide training (American Climbing Institute), AIARE Level 1 avalanche training, crevasse rescue, and ice climbing Instructor training. Barry is currently the Mid-Atlantic Section Chair for the American Alpine Club, an Alpine Club of Canada member, an associate member of the American Mountain Guides Association, and a supporting member of the Access Fund. In 2018, Barry was the recipient of the American Alpine Club's "Volunteer of the Year award". Barry has climbed and skied internationally in the European Alps of France, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria, in addition to the Canadian Rockies in North America. Besides climbing and skiing, Barry is an avid trail runner and fly fisherman. As a recreational runner, he has completed the Philadelphia and the Dublin City marathons. He graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Structural Engineering Technology.
Senior Guide
Michael Burk
Riverview Outdoor Adventure Climbing School's senior guide and instructor. Michael is always seeking out climbing and mountaineering course to hone his skills. He has completed numerous complex guide training courses with the AMGA and the PCGI. He is a certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, PCGI Lead Guide, and Wilderness First Responder. Michael had made numerous climbing trips to Chamonix, France, and recently he was Barry's climbing partner when Barry climbed the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland during Barry's 60th birth year. Michael's other passion is backcountry skiing. Michael has worked as a guest ski guide at backcountry ski festivals in the Adirondacks in New York and White Mountains in New Hampshire. When Michael is not guiding, he works as licensed register nurse.
Guide
Spencer Meivogal
Amongst Spencer's many other accomplishments; mechanical engineer, commercial pilot, certified flight instructor, certified Wilderness First Responder, Black Belt in Karate, Eagle Scout; Spencer is one of Riverview Outdoor Adventure Climbing School's most accomplish climbing guides. If you have the opportunity to go climbing with Spencer, you will marvel at his ability to think thru problems, keep you safe, put you on challenging lines all the time having fun in the process. Spencer joined the climbing school in 2015 as an apprentice guide in our "Where Eagles Dare" mentorship program. He has summited the Grand Teton in Wyoming (Elevation 13,700 ft) and Mount Athabasca in the Canadian Rockies (Elevation 11,453 ft) before he turned twenty-one years of age. Spencer lives on a farm with his family. His dream is to own his own plane so he can fly his plane to climbing destinations.
Guide
Tyler Simon
Growing up, Tyler always had a natural love for the outdoors fueled by camping monthly and skiing throughout the winter months. He was inspired by climbing and had a profound respect for the sport but never knew where to begin. At the age of 16, upon receiving his Eagle Scout award, Tyler was introduced to Barry, founder, and entered the "Where
Eagles Dare" program; the rest is history. He currently attends TCNJ (The College of New Jersey), where he studies marketing and plans to work in the outdoor industry's corporate world. Tyler aspires to transition his skills to ski mountaineering and complete significant personal objectives in the coming years. At 21 years of age, he is proficient in areas of climbing, skiing, and snowboarding. In Tylers free time, he finds enjoyment in working on/racing streetcars and playing the guitar.
Apprentice Guide - Guide-In-Training
Sarah Curley
Sarah is our more recent addition to our staff. At the age of sixteen, she recently earned her Eagle Scout award and joined the "Where Eagles Dare" mentorship program. Sarah runs track, plays soccer, and is the president of the North Hunterdon High School Environmental Club. Outside of climbing, Sarah enjoys backpacking sections of the Appalachian Trail and skiing. The guides at Riverview Outdoor Adventure Climbing School are excited to welcome Sara to the team. Sarah is our first female guide to join the school and mentorship program.
Guest Guide / Technical Workshops
Alan Jolley
Alan Jolley has been a rock-climbing guide for 30 years. Into his 60s now, he’s smooth, efficient, and you better believe he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve. Climbing Guide, Rock Climbing Instruction, Guide Trainer, Climbing Related Expert Consultant, Climbing Related Expert Witness, Climbing Wall Consultant, and Safety Consultant are some of Alan's specialties. Alan was instrumental in the early years of the American Mountain Guides Association and he made a significant contribution in creating the AMGA rock program. He has produced a couple great DVD’s on guiding tricks and how to climb more efficiently in order to move faster in the mountains. Alan has frequently worked with the Riverview Outdoor Adventure Climbing School as a guest guide and lecturer and has trained and mentored many of Riverview's guides. If ever you have an opportunity to register for one of Alan Jolley's workshops offered by our school, it would be a wise investment in yourself.
