Our Guides

AMGA Certified Guides
All Gear Included
Adventure of a Lifetime

Jeff Johnson

Jeff is the voice and face of the East River Branch of Sylvan Rocks. During the school year he molds the minds of Sioux Falls’ high school students, and in the summer he takes his skills outdoors teaching climbing to our guests at Palisades State Park.

In 2014, Jeff and Sam Smolnisky published Palisades State Park – A Climber’s Guide. That project gave Jeff a good excuse to do a lot of climbing and learn his way around some of the less popular Palisades crags.

During the off-season you will also find Jeff on the slopes as an active ski patroller at Great Bear Ski Valley in Sioux Falls.

Certifications

AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
Outdoor Emergency Care
CPR / First Aid

5 stars

My friend and I were looking for our first outdoor climbing endeavor, so we booked the 6-hour Palisades climb. It was an amazing experience. Our guide Jeff was easy to communicate with beforehand, even when we thought plans had to be rearranged. Day of we had a blast, Jeff was safe, helpful and just a fun, nice guy. I look forward to climbing through Sylvan again!!

5 stars

Jeff took me and my best friend out in the Black Hills in South Dakota, and we absolutely loved it! Felt safe, secure, learned a lot, and had a blast. Thanks, Sylvan Rocks!

The Highest Standards

Accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association

As the only AMGA Accredited Guide Service in the area, we are committed to a high standard of climbing professionalism. The AMGA is an internationally recognized association offering courses, exams and certifications designed to certify guides and instructors as well as accredit businesses.

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