Guide Bios

Matt Mieczkowski

Matt takes a lot of heat for being the American Mountain Guides poster child. Matt has been working with SR for many seasons now, and knows that being a rock climbing guide is his mission in life. It is a pleasure to have such a professional as the lead guide on our staff. Coming to us from Pittsburgh, PA, Matt, Michaelynn and their hound Carlie now make their home in Custer.

Certifications: AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Wilderness First Responder

Calvin Morris

Originally from TX, Calvin has been seeking higher elevations since 2000. Much of his teaching and people skills were developed while working with Outward Bound as a climbing specialist and Field Instructor. Driving his van ‘Daisy’ all over the US, Mexico, and Canada to enjoy the climbing gives him something to do when he isn’t working or traveling to points farther south.

Peter Lev

Guiding and climbing for longer than most of us have been alive, Peter has a lot of experience to draw on. When not working for and running Exum Guides in Jackson WY, he has managed to put up a few first ascents: Lev Route on the Underhill Ridge of the Grand Teton, East Buttress of Mt. McKinley in Alaska, and the Direct North Face of Mt. Robson in Canada. He has climbed the NW Face of Half Dome, the Integral on El Capitan (2nd ascent) in Yosemite, and the 2nd ascent of the East Face (Daly Route) of Pingora in the Wind Rivers. In the Himalayan Mountains he has been on 7 expeditions including Dhaulagiri, Nanda Devi, Chulu, Nun, and Pik Lenin in Kyrgyzstan Pamirs. It is humbling and exciting to be working with such an icon of American climbing.

Certifications: AMGA Certified Mountain Guide

Scott Astaldi

A mountain man from Colorado, Scott recently came to the Black Hills to study, work, and raise his son with wife Jen. With 20+ years of climbing rock, ice and snow, Scott enjoys sharing his experience with climbers of all levels. He wrote and published High Country Crags: A rock and ice guide to Summit County, Colorado, and knows his way around the vertical world.  Devils Tower and Custer State Park Granite now occupy his time along with a new baby!!!

Certifications: EMT, Outdoor Emergency Care, First Responder

Mike Keegan

Former owner of Sylvan Rocks, Mike still enjoys coming back to work with the great people who come climbing in the Black Hills. Learning to climb in the flat lands of Eastern SD, Mikes quest for vertical stone has taken him to Big walls in Zion, Red Rocks near Vegas and many other points east and west.

Certifications: AMGA Rock Instructor Course, Wilderness First Responder

Lindsay Stephens

A woman on a mission. When not working with Sylvan Rocks, Miss Lindsay has been tracking down ascents of the pioneers of Custer State Park Needles climbing, Jan and Herb Conn, and we are all awaiting the publication of here new book on the effort to be out spring 2008. Some of these routes have not seen a second ascent since the 50’s when they were put up in bold style by a couple of living legends climbing in tennis shoes. Lindsay brings her special flair and love of climbing to every SR experience.

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Outdoor Emergency Care Certification

Susan Schierbeck

Founder of Sylvan Rocks in Custer State Park way back in 1989, Susan is enjoying a freedom of near unemployment not known to her since then. After selling both her successful Black Hills businesses (Sylvan Rocks and Granite Sports of Hill City, SD) she is focusing on enjoying climbing the granite of Custer State Park, her passion for stained glass art, and getting involved in local politics. It's been her passion for over 18 years to share the many beautiful summits found here.

Certifications: American Heart 1st aid CPR

Mark Greeno

Long time Sioux Falls resident, teacher and fitness fanatic,  Mark has been enjoying the outdoors and sharing it with people of all ages for most his life.  For Mark, climbing began by hiring guides and having a great time on vacation.  Now he has become the guide and loves to share his passion for the outdoors with people of all ages and abilities.  Mark is our East River guide and takes care of the Sylvan Rocks Palisades State Park branch near Sioux Falls South Dakota.

Certifications:  AMGA Top Rope Site Manager, Wilderness First Responder

Year Climbing:  7

Cheryl Mayer-Stisser

Know by many for her love of traditional climbing, and ability to hold on for incredible amounts of time in the most heinous sections, Cheryl would love to take you up cracks of the dirty and wide variety, but we make her climb on fun stuff with guests though. Since learning to climb in 1993 she has become a better and stronger climber every year. With short trips, long trips, and even months spent climbing in Joshua Tree, Red Rocks, Yosemite,…… Frey Argentina, Pico de Orizaba, Mexico…..and everywhere in between her love for climbing grows stronger every year.

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, 1st aid and CPR

Daryl Stisser

For better or worse Daryl became addicted to climbing during his first year of college. So-called "friends" introduced him to this addiction called rock climbing, and it has taken this Illinois farm boy all over the place in search of great outdoor climbing (and to follow his wife). Shortly after he began climbing he began to pass on his knowledge to others who wanted to learn to climb, and is truly thankful that no one was injured in those early years. He has learned a lot since then, and still really enjoys sharing the vertical world with people.  John Muir said "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn," and Daryl believes that everyone should be so lucky.

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, 1st aid and CPR

Contact us today to book your climbing adventure.