PRIVATE INSTRUCTION

Tier 3 Instructor

As a climbing instructor and guide for over a decade, Spencer has worked with a wide variety of demographics in a multitude of settings, both indoors and outdoors. He is passionate about delivering personalized instruction in a physically and emotionally safe environment. He loves all types of climbing, but particularly enjoys technical faces and long routes in the desert. He also loves riding his longboard and chocolate covered gummy bears.

• AMGA Certified Rock Guide and SPI Provider
• Wilderness First Responder
• Specialties in technical skill development, climbing mentality/mental fortitude, and outdoor rock and alpine climbing
• Book Spencer for Adult Instruction at all ability levels with a focus on Movement, Technical Skills, Outdoor Skills, Adaptive Climbing, and/or Training

Tier 3 Instructor

Aaron works with youth and adult athletes from beginner to elite levels to develop movement skill and climbing performance. He blends sports science with real world experience, tested over 7+ years of coaching and 16 years of competition, to provide personalized coaching and plans to help you achieve your goals. Aaron is always honing his craft, aiming to improve his ability to support your long-term, holistic development. He believes the best results are inevitable when you prioritize building connection, and pursue joy in sport and life over the results themselves. In his free time, Aaron enjoys many hobbies including but not limited to surfing, cooking, dialing his pourovers, traveling and exploring new interests.

• USAC L2 Coach
• World Climbing (formerly IFSC) Coach Lead
• C4PC L1
• Specialties in physical & mental preparation for sport performance, speed climbing, speed & athletic development, and corrective exercise

Tier 2 Instructor

Pip Lewis has been climbing for 9 years and brings a broad base of experience from across the Mesa Rim community. She works closely with our route setters, youth teams, and in adult instruction. Whether you’re tying in for the first time or chasing your next 5.13+ send, Pip is stoked to support your climbing journey – on top rope, lead, or boulders. Pip focuses on personalized, thoughtful guidance and training to help any climber grow confidence and develop a strong climbing mindset.

Tier 2 Instructor

Khalyd has worn many hats in his 13 years of climbing—boulder bro, trad dad, and everything in between. He feels at home deep in the mountains but also loves local SoCal hangs. With plenty of psyche, he aims to pass that passion on to both new and seasoned climbers. Khalyd practices a decentralized pedagogy, treating each climber as their own expert and supporting their individual growth. He is especially committed to lowering barriers to entry and creating welcoming spaces for Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ climbers.

• Specialties & focus areas: youth climbing instruction, beginner/intermediate movement fundamentals, lead climbing and falling.

Tier 1 Instructor

Adriana has been climbing for 8 years and coaches kids and adults. She climbs indoors and outdoors, with a strong passion for outdoor climbing in the U.S. and Peru. She is proficient in top rope and lead belay and focuses on building strong fundamentals, movement efficiency, safety, and confidence, helping climbers develop independence and trust in their own decision-making on the wall. Her coaching style is supportive and technique-focused. She is bilingual in both English and Spanish. She’s happy to work with climbers of all identities, genders, and experience levels.

• Specialties in Top rope, belay skills, youth & adult coaching, movement, and outdoor fundamentals
• Book Adriana for Youth and Adults Movement and Technical Skills from Beginner to Intermediate

Tier 1 Instructor

Duncan has been climbing since 2019 as a way to keep busy while funemployed. He is working on his teaching credential to become a science teacher and is excited about teaching/coaching in the world of sports as well. His coaching mentality comes from the scientific method (hypothesis, testing, analysis) and using reflection to guide future attempts/movement. His previous coaching experience includes team sports and a variety of outdoor activities. He believes that mindset is the key to athletic growth.

• NREMT certified
• Book Duncan for Adults in entry level Movement, Technical Skills, and Recreational Training.

Angelica brings her years of experience coaching a variety of climbing programs at Mesa Rim to her private instruction lessons. She is an experienced outdoor climber and focuses on multipitch trad. Her favorite is Yosemite! Her passion for outdoor and indoor climbing has helped shape her into the coach she is today. As a coach for the competitive youth teams, she is knowledgeable in helping athletes overcome their fears. Angelica is proficient in both the physical and mental aspects of climbing and enjoys pushing the limits of what one believes they can achieve.

• Wilderness First Responder
• Lead Certified 
• Book Angelica for Youth Instruction focused on beginner/ intermediate climbers looking to advance their skills

Peyton has been coaching climbers at Mesa Rim since 2022 and has worked with kids across a range of experience, comfort zones, and learning styles. She believes in creating a safe, encouraging, and empowering space for kids to explore their potential—whether that means reaching a goal or simply having fun! She is committed to learning and supporting every athlete in a way that works best for them. Outside of climbing, Peyton loves the ocean, animals, being outside, and reading.

• Specialities in youth belay instruction, on-the-wall movement, and adaptive climbing
• Book Peyton for Youth Instruction focused on Adaptive, Movement, and/or Training at the Beginner and Intermediate levels