California Alpine Guides & International Alpine Guides
is a mountain guiding service and climbing school. We are a small company run by IFMGA internationally certified mountain guide Dave Miller who, with his tight-knit team of mountain guides, run highly personalized trips and courses around the world. No "conveyor-belt" guiding here.

We represent the highest standards of mountain guiding in the United States. CAG/IAG was founded by certified veteran mountain guides and California natives Dave Miller and Scott Brown. With over 50 years of climbing, mountaineering and skiing experience and 20 years of mountain guiding experience between them, they and the rest of our team bring a high level of guiding experience and professionalism to CAG/IAG. Most are AMGA certified mountain guides and Dave is IFMGA internationally certified.

We strive to help you achieve your climbing, skiing and backpacking goals through cutting-edge mountain climbing instruction and distinctive backcountry adventures not only in California, but around the world.

Our Service
We believe in a higher level of mountain guiding. You can count that climbing instruction you receive from our AMGA certified and trained guides is the current world standard. Our trekking trips are led by experienced and personable guides who provide a high level of service. The attention you receive on all our trips and courses is friendly and highly personalized. We love our jobs and being with our guests in the mountains! We take care of you not just from the trailhead, but from the moment you contact us. We're always available to help you with any equipment or fitness questions.

Our Professionalism
We believe the best mountain guide is not simply the best climber. Our small team of mountain guides are highly trained professionals with certification from American Mountain Guides Association and the international mountain guiding assoc., the IFMGA/UIAGM. They are charismatic folks dedicated to the pursuit of mountain adventure who are passionate about their chosen career. CAG strongly supports mountain guide education and certification through the American Mountain Guides Association.

Our Value
We believe in providing you with all the tools for success. In addition to meals, all our trips include group camping equipment such as tents and cooking gear. All technical climbing equipment such as helmets, harnesses, ice axes and crampons are included when needed on most domestic trips. On winter backcountry skiing and climbing trips all avalanche safety equipment such as rescue beacons and shovels are always included. Our mountain guides use only state-of-the-art technical climbing equipment.

Our Commitment
We believe our first commitment is to you, the mountain guiding client. Your wellbeing and safety are paramount. We believe in stewardship of the land on which we work and play. We strictly hold to Leave No Trace principles, which means we leave the land in the same, or better, condition in which we found it. We teach LNT principles on all our trips. The land belongs to everyone and must be preserved for all to enjoy.