Founded in 1985, Sawtooth Mountain Guides is rooted in a long history of mountain adventure first established by the original Sawtooth Pioneers- homesteaders who explored the local mountains and rivers. With a Sawtooth Guide today you are accompanied by professionals who have first hand knowledge of the area having lived here over the years.
Kirk
Sawtooth Mountain Guides was founded by Kirk Bachman, who first started his explorations of the local terrain in the early 70's with skis, rope and ice axe in the mountains as well a kayak to explore the many wilderness rivers. Kirk's mountain guiding experience included many years in the Tetons and Sawtooths where he was raised and educated in the mountains of the region. Kirk built and established the first North American yurts as backcountry ski huts in the Sawtooths at that time.
The guide service was formed following years as a journeyman-ship of Teton and Sawtooth guiding in the 70's and 80's when Sawtooth Mountain Guides became Idaho's first AMGA accredited guide service. Kirk received his professional credentials for Ski Mountaineering and Alpine guiding by the internationally recognized American Mountain Guides Association. In that same span of time, Kirk's expanse of guiding included not only local mountain experience but additional exploration and guiding in Canada, Alaska, South American, New Zealand and the Himalayas through the 90's to the present.
Erik
Erik Leidecker, cut his teeth as a guide in the Sawtooths where he was raised in Sun Valley on the slopes as a ski racer. These are Erik's home mountains with countless family jaunts camping, climbing, and skiing in Idaho's vast backcountry. He has logged over 17 years as a guide. Now raising his own family with his wife Gretchen, his daughters are the next generation of Leideckers to be raised in Idaho's mountains and rivers.
As the area's foremost professional Mountain guide, Erik is certified as an AMGA Alpine and Rock Guide and is completing his international UIAGM certification. Erik's range of experience includes expeditions throughout the Western US, Canada and Alaska as well as numerous jaunts in South America and Europe.
As a partnership formed in 2002, Erik and Kirk represent the most experienced, highly trained group of mountain and adventure guides in the region. It is their commitment to professionalism as well as their life-long knowledge and experience of the nooks and crannies of the area that will serve you in joining Sawtooth Mountain Guides for your adventures whether for a half-day jaunt or an multi-day adventure.