Jon Richard

Guest instructor

Jon began climbing in 1995 at the Gunks while studying at Cornell University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources. After graduating, he moved to Wisconsin to work at Upham Woods, spending much of his free time climbing at Devil’s Lake. For the next decade, climbing remained a passion—but in 2009, Jon launched Vertical Voyages in St. Louis, Missouri to help gym climbers transition safely and confidently to outdoor climbing.

Since founding Vertical Voyages, Jon has taught thousands of climbers. He is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and became an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Provider in 2019. He regularly teaches courses and administers SPI exams in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Arkansas.

Jon is most inspired by long, logistical routes and has climbed around the world. He is passionate about helping people become truly skillful—so they can climb confidently, manage stress effectively, and understand the inherent risks of the sport. While the Midwest may lack big mountains, Jon believes its single-pitch crags offer an exceptional training ground for building the technical foundation required for larger objectives.

He is equally dedicated to developing the next generation of climbing instructors. Jon believes guiding is an art: choosing appropriate terrain, creating thoughtful progressions, and providing new climbers with a positive first experience that sets them up for a lifetime in the sport.

In addition to rock climbing programs, Vertical Voyages offers technical tree climbing experiences. These programs teach students about the value of trees while allowing them to explore the canopy firsthand. Jon and his team run tree-climbing programs in schools across the St. Louis area and teach classes at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Outside of guiding, Jon enjoys hiking the high peaks of the Northeast, traveling to new places, and playing guitar.

Certifications

AMGA Certified Rock Guide
AMGA SPI Provider
ISA Certified Arborist