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about

Aaron and Kimi Johnson
Aaron & Kimi Johnson
Owners & Guides
Welcome to MAS
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Mountain Adventure Seminars (MAS) is a year-round mountaineering school and guide service based in Bear Valley, California. MAS is owned and operated by Aaron & Kimi Johnson and is a reflection of their love for the outdoors and enthusiasm for playing, sharing and educating in "wild places".  MAS has been operating since 1996 and is excited to be celebrating 15 years of fun and service.

MAS operates a wide range of programs in Northern California. Rock climbing is the emphasis during the summer. Winter storms signal the beginning of our telemark ski school, avalanche education, and backcountry ski/snowboard and snowshoe adventures.  When the days start to get longer again, we begin mountaineering programs which last from early spring to mid-summer at which time the rock climbing programs are already in full swing.  Its a busy lifestyle with many changes, but somebody has got to do it.  We hope to see you out there.

 

MAS Mission Statement
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  • To provide exceptional mountaineering instruction and finely crafted adventures which offer an opportunity for retreat and renewal.
  • To create a community where relationships are based on integrity, cooperation and trust; where work is sustainable, meaningful and rewarding and personal growth is encouraged through learning and communication.
  • To nurture an appreciation for wild places and develop a sense of stewardship for our surroundings.
  • To lead by example.

MAS Professionalism
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MAS is committed to providing the highest level customer satisfaction.  Through training, certification, reviews and strict hiring guidelines, MAS is able to offer a high level of professionalism on both the technical and educational levels. MAS prides itself in consistently exceeding expectations and is proud to have a high rate of returning customers.

AMGA Accreditation

MAS is Accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) which is a voluntary means of quality assurance and peer evaluation focusing on international standards for guided climbing, mountaineering and skiing. Accreditation informs the general public and land managers that a program utilizes guides who are certified and that all guides in the program have received formal training appropriate to the terrain they guide.

 

All MAS guides and instructors are Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified by the Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI).  This intensive course includes 80 hours of "real-life" scenarios, lectures and tests.  WFR is that minimum medical certification for MAS guides.
Wilderness Medicine Institute

 

American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education
 MAS avalanche programs use the material and standards set by AIARE (American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education). AIARE has become the industry leader in avalanche education and is recognized internationally.

 

All MAS telemark instructors are certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). The PSIA is the leader in developing skills-based, student centered ski instruction and is recognized internationally.  In addition MAS requires all telemark ski school staff to attend and participate in regular trainings at the ski resort and in backcountry.

Professional Ski Instructors of America

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