Expert Guide On Your Climb
Ragged Mountain Guides was founded in 2010 by Matt Shove. Our business was created out of more than 20 Years of varied experience working as a climbing instructor and mountain guide.
Matt Shove
AMGA Certified Alpine Guide and Certified Rock Instructor
Matt Shove is the founder and director of Ragged Mountain Guides. He has climbed, instructed, and guided guests in mountain areas all over the United States since late 2001.
Matt’s work experience includes guiding and instruction in central Connecticut’s Traprock crags, the Gunks, Catskills and the Adirondack Mountains in New York, New Hampshire’s Cannon Cliff, Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges, Mt. Washington and Presidential Range, significant guided ascents in the Grand Tetons, Katahdin and
Acadia National Park in Maine, western North Carolina’s Looking Glass Rock, Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias and Chugach ranges, City of Rocks in Idaho, Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, the Needles of So. Dakota, Wyoming’s Devil’s Tower, significant 4000m ascents in the Alps, multiple ascents of Mt Rainier via four different routes, along with other significant ascents in the North Cascade Range.
Matt has conducted on-site for film crews and has even done some stunt rigging for a well-known reality television show. He has conducted programs as a consultant and trainer for US military SOF Operators, USMC Special Operations, and the US Coast Guard.
Matt holds the following credentials:
- BS in Adventure Education and Leadership
- AMGA Certified Rock Instructor and AMGA Alpine Guide
- AMGA Rock Guide Course
- AMGA Rock Instructor Exam
- AMGA Alpine Guide Course
- AMGA Ice Instructor Course
- AMGA Advanced Alpine Guide Course
- AMGA Alpine Guide Aspirant Exam
- AMGA Alpine Guide Exam
- Pro 1 Avalanche Certificate
- Pro 2 Avalanche Certificate (Highest-Level Formal Avalanche Training Available in the US)
- AIARE I and II Certificates
- AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Program Provider
- Former AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor Program Provider
- NFPA Compliant Rope Rescue Technician 1006/1670, Mountain Rescue Focused
- NFPA Compliant Rope Rescue Specialist 1006/1670, Mountain Rescue Focused
- NY State Guide Lic. #4218, Tier 1 Rock and Ice Climbing
- Wilderness First Responder
- National Ski Patrol Alpine/Telemark Qualified
- Former Member of the Certified Guides Federation
- Eagle Scout
- AMGA Guide of the Year 2022
- Operating within Scope of Practice
Matt Shove Is the Local Expert
Matt lives outside of Hartford, Connecticut with his wife Stacy, daughter Riley, and son Ryan. He is proud to be generously supported by Core Third, Millet, Petzl/Sky Ambitions, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Sterling Rope, and J Snare V Thread Tools. Matt climbs on the athlete team for Evolv Climbing.
Professionals in Mountain Adventures
An active member of the American Mountain Guides Association, Ragged Mountain Guides prides itself on using cutting-edge climbing instructional techniques. We are experts in the latest best practices, and we teach courses with the AMGA.
We work hard at providing world-class climbing instruction and guiding you through the mountains as securely as possible. You can trust us to help you exceed your climbing goals and accomplish your objectives.
What Sets Us Apart
Each program is private, meaning others will not be lumped into your outing unless you request it. We will work with other qualified independent guides if a group program is requested.