Nate Sydnor - Owner

AMGA - Apprentice Rock Guide

Nate hails from Appalachia, and has come to be the owner of MDA after nearly twenty years in the American West. While completing a BA in Education at Prescott College, he cut his rock climbing teeth right here in the canyon country of Southeastern Utah. Supercrack, the legendary route that started it all in Indian Creek, was the first route he ever attempted (unsuccessfully) on a rope. Although he has been far and wide, visiting many of the greatest climbing areas on Earth, his heart has remained here in red rock country. In addition to his official AMGA training, Nate has also been to the school of hard knocks. He's climbed prolifically in the desert, as well as pretty much every major climbing area in the US, from coast to coast, from big walls to boulders. Nate also has many first ascents and first free ascents to his name, up to 5.12+, ranging from Moab, to Indian Creek, to Patagonia. He has also studied under several of the IFMGA's most prestigious guides, completing training in nearly every discipline of guided terrain. 

Nate also holds a Masters of Religious Studies from Naropa University, and originally had plans to pursue an academic life. Predictably, these plans changed once he began his first season as a part-time guide for Moab Desert Adventures back in the day. What was originally meant as a brief hiatus from academia turned into a new life as Nate quickly realized that he much preferred to be working and educating in the desert and in the mountains. He is reserving his life in a classroom and behind a lectern for his retirement years. 

Here at MDA, we gain great satisfaction by helping our guests find what they are searching for in the desert. Whether it be a day of canyoneering with the family, or a solo trip to attain the summit of one of our amazing desert towers, it is our aim to help guests achieve their goals in a safe and enjoyable way. With a wide array of technical and scientific understanding, we try to ensure that our guests attain a glimpse of the beauty and serenity that the desert has revealed to us. Always guided by passion, we look forward to sharing the majesty of the desert with you!