About Our Team
Bluegrass Climbing School takes pride in offering the highest quality instruction and experiences available in Red River Gorge, by only employing AMGA certified instructors with proper Wilderness Medical Training, and a penchant for education. We have over 20 years of experience climbing and developing routes here in the Red River Gorge area. Members of our team have a passion for climbing that is contagious to everyone around them and we love going the extra mile to ensure your climbing experience, course, or outing are safe and enjoyable.
Erik Kloeker
NOLS Wilderness First Responder
Erik gives back to his community by volunteering with the American Safe Climbing Association and Red River Gorge's Fixed Gear Initiative, where he has partnered to replace over a 1000 worn and rusty bolts in Red River Gorge area and abroad. Erik is an active member of the Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team and is a certified Technical Rope Rescue Technician.
Erik spends his winters down South, operating Climb Potrero Mountain Guides; offering multi-pitch climbing in Northern Mexico's World Renowned El Potrero Chico climbing area.
Travis Sapp
NOLS Wilderness First Responder
Travis is co-owner of Bluegrass Climbing School, he grew up in North Carolina, where he began climbing as a teenager. He first discovered his passion for instructing on a NOLS outdoor educator semester in Wyoming and Utah. Following this course he traveled the world climbing in Spain, Japan, Patagonia, Morocco and the western U.S. before finding his way to the Red River Gorge.
Clients find Travis to be an easy going and knowledgeable instructor who strives to connect with clients and tailors each trip to their needs.
Travis is an active member of the Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team and is a certified Technical Rope Rescue Technician.
Henry Waddill
Henry was born in Colorado and grew up in Virginia, where he started embracing the outdoors from a young age. During his freshman year at Davidson College, he discovered a passion for climbing and guiding. By sophomore year he was certified as a top-rope guide and taking his peers on climbing trips to Linville Gorge and Pilot Mountain through Davidson's outdoor program.
Brian Stevenson
NOLS Wilderness First Responder
Brian is originally from New Jersey and found his way to Morehead State University as a collegiate swimmer. While attending Morehead, he discovered a new passion, climbing in the Red River Gorge. After graduating, Brian moved back to New Jersey to start a family and career. Luckily climbing didn’t end! Over the next 20+ years he spent most weekends climbing in the Shawangunks(Gunks) in New York State. Brian has travelled extensively and climbed all over the United States and Mexico .
In 2021 Brian and his wife moved back to the Red to live full time. Brian loves all aspects of climbing and sharing his outdoor experience with others. When Brian isn’t climbing you may see him running the trails and getting lost in the RRG. Brian is also an active member of Wolfe County Search and Rescue.
Melanie Robertson
NOLS Wilderness First Responder
Melanie is originally from Chicago, IL and quickly fell in love with climbing during high school after starting to progress through the USA Climbing competition series. She now has over 7 years of climbing experience and has climbed in many areas across the United States.
Melanie shares her passion for rock climbing, the outdoors, and movement through guiding. She enjoys working with all experiences levels, but especially enjoys working people who have an interest learning more about technical skills involved in climbing and improving their movement skills on the wall.
Melanie is currently studying at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO, where she continues to explore local outdoor climbing areas and mentors fellow climbers in the community.
Jon Querciagrossa
NOLS Wilderness First Responder
Jon moved to the Red River Gorge from Cleveland, OH, where he began climbing in a local gym. Initially drawn in by the physical and mental challenges—despite a fear of heights—he found confidence through bouldering. As a Programs Director at a climbing gym, he helped others overcome their own fears. Weekend trips to the Red soon became a regular habit, drawn by its lush landscape and sandstone walls. For Jon, climbing is more about connection—with people, nature, and self—than performance. He believes the Red offers something for everyone, no matter your skill or experience.
Louie Allen
AMGA Certified Rock Guide
AMGA Assistant Alpine Guide
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
WIlderness First Responder
Growing up in southern Ohio, Louie’s climbing life began in the Red River Gorge. Though he travels extensively to guide and climb in alpine terrain throughout the year, he’s a southeastern sport climber in his heart-of-hearts. His career in climbing has included commercial route setting and gym coaching, guiding in remote backcountry settings, university outdoor program administration, and remote strength coaching for backpackers, alpinists and rock climbers. Louie continues to spend time in the Sierra Nevada mountains of CA and the White Mountains of NH each year to guide alpine and ice climbers in addition to the work he does with rock climbers in Kentucky.
As a guide and coach, Louie connects people to challenging and inspiring outdoor environments by facilitating appropriate goal selection, hands-on instruction and field experiences, and ongoing support in virtual spaces. He is delighted to facilitate first-time as well as advanced climbing experiences in the Red, a place where he has learned and grown so much himself.
Krystina Maximer
Krystina fell in love with climbing at age 14 after joining her high school team, and she’s spent the past 15+ years sharing that passion with others. She has guided across the United States with many organizations, including NOLS, where she worked as a Wilderness Rock Tier 2 Instructor. She is now an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, AIARE I certified, and a Leave No Trace Master Educator. Her experience ranges from the rugged Cirque of the Towers to the desert granite of Cochise Stronghold and the high ridgelines of the Sierra Nevada. What she loves most is helping guests build confidence and technical skills in wild places.
Outside the mountains, Krystina is also a visual artist and founder of Chalk Fox Studio, a branding and web design studio serving outdoor-focused and purpose-driven brands.
Her happiest place? The top of a multi-pitch climb, sketchbook in hand.
*Please specify in the notes when you book if you'd like to request a particular guide, we will do our best to meet your request.
Employment
Opportunities with BCS
Bluegrass climbing School is currently seeking qualified candidates available for our upcoming March 1st through November 30th climbing season. Join our team of passionate and supportive instructors and guides today!
Join Our Team as a Climbing Guide!
At Bluegrass Climbing School, our mission is simple: Provide clients with unforgettable rock climbing experiences and top-notch instruction in Kentucky's Red River Gorge and beyond. We're committed to offering personalized tours catering to all levels of climbers, ensuring each individual feels supported and safe throughout their climbing journey.
What We Offer:
- Proximity to Climbing: Spend your season climbing at the renowned Red River Gorge, known as one of the country's best single-pitch climbing areas.
- On-the-Job Training: We equip our new hires with comprehensive training to ensure familiarity with our area and policies.
- Guidance and Mentorship: Benefit from mentoring by our Senior Staff to further develop as a climbing instructor and advance in your career path.
- Discounts: Enjoy discounts on gear to support your climbing endeavors.
Compensation and Ideal Candidate:
Compensation is determined based on your AMGA Certification and Experience. Contact us for transparency in our compensation.
- Are at least 21 years old with a minimum of 3 years of climbing experience.
- Hold an AMGA SPI Certification.
- Possess a Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responser Certification.
- Inspire confidence leading 5.10 rock climbs and demonstrate exceptional instructional experience.
Responsibilities and Application:
Your responsibilities as a guide will include pre-trip client communication, delivering top-quality instruction, risk management, and overseeing specific programs such as Beginner climbing Clinics, Gym to Crag clinics, and Trad Climbing Clinics.
How to Apply:
To apply, email us your AMGA SPI Certificate, work resume, and a list of your 20 most notable climbs. Include a short letter introducing yourself and detailing your relevant climbing and instructional experiences.
We'll review your submission, conduct a phone interview, and arrange an in-person climbing session to get to know you better.
Join us in providing exceptional climbing experiences and becoming part of a dedicated team committed to making each climb unforgettable for our clients!
Email your application to bluegrassclimbing@gmail.com