Why Climb with Northern Vertical Climbing Guides?
Ryan Howes, Owner and Head Guide of Northern Vertical Climbing Guides in Camden, Maine
Locals and visitors to Maine who are interested in rock climbing have several guiding services to choose from. Excellent programs like Atlantic Climbing School, Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School, and Equinox Guiding Service have introduced many people to the vertical world over the years.
At Northern Vertical Climbing Guides, we respect the role these organizations play in Maine’s climbing community.
But guests often ask what makes Northern Vertical different.
The answer is simple: experience, personalization, and purpose.
A Guide Who Built His Life Around the Rock
Northern Vertical was founded by Ryan Howes, a professional climbing guide with over two decades of experience climbing and teaching throughout Maine and beyond.
Ryan’s journey into climbing didn’t begin with confidence. As a teenager he struggled with fear of falling and getting hurt — something many first-time climbers understand immediately. Instead of walking away, he chose to face that fear head on.
Through mentorship, years of climbing, professional guide training, and a deep curiosity about human potential, Ryan transformed that fear into a lifelong passion for climbing and teaching others.
That path eventually led him to earn degrees in:
BS Adventure Education Leadership
BS Adventure Therapy
MS Experiential Education
Certified Health Coach
Licensed Maine Recreation Guide
Certified Wilderness First Responder and EMT-B
AND…Currently working on a Doctorate in Psychology
Northern Vertical was built from the idea that climbing is not just a sport — it’s a powerful tool for growth, confidence, and self-discovery.
A Personal and Thoughtful Experience
One thing guests often notice right away is that climbing with Northern Vertical feels personal.
Rather than large group programs or rigid schedules, each day is shaped around the people who arrive at the trailhead. Whether someone is climbing for the first time, celebrating a special occasion, or challenging themselves in a new way, the experience is designed to meet them where they are.
That means taking time to talk, understand goals, and move at a pace that feels comfortable and supportive.
The cliffs become more than just a place to climb — they become a place to learn.
Deep Local Knowledge of the Camden Hills
While many guide services operate primarily in Acadia National Park, Northern Vertical specializes in the beautiful and often overlooked climbing terrain of Camden Hills State Park in addition to all of Maine and New Hampshire’s climbing.
These Camden cliffs offer stunning views of Penobscot Bay, Lake Megunticook, quiet forest approaches, and a variety of routes perfect for beginners and experienced climbers alike.
With decades of climbing in this region, Ryan knows the rock, the routes, and the hidden corners of the Camden Hills better than almost anyone. Guests benefit from that deep familiarity with the landscape, meeting fellow climbers in passing and feel like a part of Camden’s growing climbing community.
Climbing That Builds Confidence
Perhaps the most meaningful difference guests experience is the atmosphere on the rock.
Climbing often brings people face-to-face with fear — fear of height, fear of falling, or simply fear of the unknown. Instead of pushing through that fear aggressively, Northern Vertical treats it as something valuable.
It’s an opportunity to slow down, breathe, and listen to yourself.
Ryan often reminds climbers of a simple principle that guides the experience:
Trust the inner voice — intuition.
When climbers discover that they can move through fear with patience and support, something powerful happens. Confidence grows. Movement becomes smoother. And the climb becomes more than just reaching the top.
A Maine Experience You Won’t Forget
Choosing a guide service is about more than technical skill — it’s about the kind of experience you want to have.
At Northern Vertical, the goal is simple: create a day on the rock that guests will remember for the rest of their lives.
A day filled with encouragement, learning, beautiful views, and the quiet satisfaction that comes from discovering you’re capable of more than you imagined. This is Ryan’s unique specialty and his guests always return for more climbing.
If you’re visiting Maine and want to experience the cliffs of the Camden Hills with a guide who brings both deep expertise and genuine care to every climb, we’d love to welcome you to the rock.
Click our our New Climbers page for morning climbing adventures in Camden. Northern Vertical offers experiences for first time climbers in an open group of four, Family Climbing specifically for you and your family, Rappelling on a 250’ cliff with exceptional lake and mountain views, and for experienced rock climbers who are new to Camden Climbing we offer an Experience Rock course that focuses specifically on your climbing goals.
