Meet the Team

Victoria Garvin

Upward Transitions Founder and Guide

Vic has been passionate about outdoor activities for as long as she can remember. She was raised in Northern California, and spent her winters as a child exploring the Austrian Alps. This is where she became passionate about spending time in the mountains and off-piste skiing. She began outdoor guiding in her teens, taking groups trail riding on horse-back. After moving to Washington for college, she continued in her outdoor pursuits through ski patrolling, backpack guiding, and leading outdoor clubs. She began guiding glaciated mountains and backcountry skiing shortly after.

Through her experiences working for several different companies, she noticed an extreme lack of female representation in leadership, overworked and underpaid guide staff, and therefore less quality experiences for students and clients. She founded Upward Transitions in hopes to create a change in the guiding industry by promoting a better environment for women and underrepresented gender identities, a sustainable career for guides, and quality holistic experiences and education for participants. She is especially passionate about creating access for all in outdoor spaces, and helping aspiring mountain athletes learn new skills to achieve their goals.

Victoria’s personal mountain endeavors have taken her from the top of Aconcagua in Argentina, to the end of the Haute Route in Switzerland.

Certifications: Registered Nurse (+ACLS, BLS), Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC), AIARE (Level 1, Level 2, and Rescue Training), Professional Avalanche Training (PRO 1), AIARE Instructor Training Course (ITC), AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course, AMGA Alpine Skills Course, AMGA Ski Guide Course, AMGA Alpine Guide Course, LNT Trainer

Isabel Masi

Upward Transitions Guide and Environmental Educator

Izzy was raised in Vermont, where she fell in love with the mountains from a young age. She has a unique background in Biology, and has spent time in Argentina doing research. Izzy loves bringing her knowledge of nature and science into her guiding. If you ask her about glacier worms, you will learn about an amazing tiny creature, as well as her screenwriter idea for a “Dune like” thriller movie.

While Izzy brings the brains to our operation, she also carries the most wonderful goofy and loving personality. She cares deeply about each person that she meets, and makes a huge effort to make everyone feel seen.

Izzy has been guiding in the Pacific Northwest for three years. She is an avid mountain biker, ski mountaineer, and all around athlete.

Certifications: BS in Biology, AIARE Level 1, AIARE level 2, AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course, Wilderness First Responder, Lead Guide Certified

Avery Stolte

Upward Transitions Guide

Avery grew up in foothills of Southwest Virginia where she found her interest in the outdoors at a young age exploring the Appalachian mountains out her backdoor. After high school, she packed up her things and moved to Quito, Ecuador to receive her undergraduate degree in International Relations and Environmental Management. Throughout her four years in the Ecuadorian Andes, Avery found her love for mountaineering and climbing. Since then, she has spent time exploring peaks from Ecuador to the Pacific Northwest and everywhere in between. Her love for sharing time in the mountains with others has led her to pursue a career in guiding.

In her down time Avery can be found reading, practicing yoga and spending time with her friends and family!

Avery spent several years guiding the mountains in the North Cascades, and now spends most of her summer guiding Mount Rainer. We are lucky enough to have her join various courses with Upward Transitions in the summer, offering so much wisdom, experience, and laughter.

Certifications: Wilderness First Responder (WFR), AIARE level 1, AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course, AMGA Alpine Skills Course, LNT Level 2 Instructor, AMGA Alpine Guide Course, PSIA 1

Hannah Matranga

Upward Transitions Guide

Hannah is based in Bend, Oregon, where her love for snowsports keeps her constantly on the go. As a passionate splitboarder, alpine climber, and competitive freeride snowboarder, she finds endless joy in both the recreational and professional realms. In addition to guiding and competing, she works as a snowboard instructor, blending her enthusiasm for the mountains with her dedication to teaching. Before joining the Upward Transitions team, she spent her summers guiding on the second tallest peak in the Cascade Range, Mount Shasta.

Hannah's love for sharing outdoor adventures extends beyond the slopes. She is committed to breaking down educational and financial barriers that limit access to the outdoors, ensuring that more people can experience the joy of nature. Before transitioning into guiding, she worked in wilderness therapy and outdoor education, further honing her skills and passion for mentorship.

Now on the AMGA Alpine and Ski Guide track, Hannah continues to push her own limits while also nurturing her love for river guiding and canyoneering in her free time.

If Hannah is on your trip, there is a 100% chance you will be asked to join in on an evening card game.

Certifications: AIARE 1, AIARE 2, AIARE Avalanche Rescue, AA in Outdoor Education, Wilderness First Responder, Outdoor Emergency Care.

Hannah will be taking her Single Pitch Instructor, Professional Avalanche Training (Pro 1), and AMGA Alpine Guide Snow Module this spring.

Brian Johnson

Upward Transitions Guide, Owner of Access the Alpine

Hailing from upstate New York, Brian's climbing journey commenced in his early years, sharing adventures with his parents. He initiated his guiding career in 2013, embracing summers in Colorado while completing his undergrad studies at the University at Buffalo. Post-graduation, the magnetic allure of Moab, Utah's sandstone walls beckoned, propelling him into full-time guiding.

With a heart for exploration, Brian has embarked on numerous international climbing expeditions, which led him to ascend and ski some of Central and South America's most revered volcanoes.

However, Brian's passions extend beyond the climbing. When he's not in the mountains, you might find him strumming a guitar, sailing, or solving puzzles/riddles.

Brian founded Access the Alpine after recognizing the potential for guiding companies to be more than just transactions; they can be vessels of sustainability, client-focused camaraderie, and genuine care.

Certifications: AMGA Certified Rock Guide, AMGA SPI Certified, AIARE Level 1 + 2 + Avalanche Rescue Course, Professional Avalanche Training (PRO 1), AMGA Alpine Guide Course, AMGA Ice Instructor Course, LNT Certified, Wilderness First Responder