Course Leaders
Patagonian Mountain Skills Course

Benjamin Gorelick - Course Leader

Hailing from Chickaloon, Alaska, Ben Gorelick has split his guiding career between Alaska and Patagonia, while indulging his passion for climbing all over the world, including Alaska, Mongolia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Thailand, and New Zealand. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder Instructor, a Leave No Trace Trainer, and an Avalanche Safety I instructor. He also has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Alaska Pacific University.

Ben is a gifted instructor, always entertaining and with an in depth grasp of subject matter. His infectious enthusiasm and endless supply of bad jokes will help keep you going, even during the hardest days.

Jaya Marr - Course Leader

Jaya Marr is originally from New Zealand. She has guided in Patagonia, Alaska, and on the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers in New Zealand. Her climbing career spans the highest peaks of New Zealand, Alaska, and Patagonia. In 2005, she was part of an all women’s team on Denali (Mt. McKinley), the highest peak in North America. She is a Leave No Trace Master Educator, a Wilderness First Responder and is an Avalanche Safety I instructor. She has also served as a member of the West Coast Alpine Rescue team and Fox Glacier Ambulance brigade

Jaya can be relied upon to get things done to help you out and make your expedition memorable and achievable. Whether it’s fixing a guy rope on your tent at 2am in a raging storm or making you a cup of tea after a trying day, she will be there to give you a hand.