Jon Richard

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 with colleagues. For the next decade, climbing was a passion but not yet a profession—until 2009, when Jon launched Vertical Voyages in St. Louis, Missouri to help gym climbers transition safely and confidently to the outdoor environment.

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 runs SPI exams in Wisconsin, Illinois and Arkansas.

Jon is most inspired by long, complex routes and has climbed around the world. He has a deep passion for helping people become truly skillful—so they can climb confidently, manage stress, and understand the inherent risks of the sport. While the Midwest may lack big mountains, Jon believes its single-pitch crags offer an incredible 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 that guiding is an art: choosing appropriate terrain, creating thoughtful progressions, and giving new climbers a positive first experience that sets them up for a lifetime in the sport.

In addition to rock climbing programs, Vertical Voyages also offers technical tree climbing experiences. These programs teach students about the value of trees while giving them a chance 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 and traveling to new places and playing guitar.

Certifications

AMGA Certified Rock Guide
AMGA SPI Provider
ISA Certified Arborist

Notable Routes

Grand Capucin via Voie Suisse / O Solé Mia (TD+, 6a)
Rainbow Wall – Original Route V (5.12-)
Black Velvet Peak – Epinephrine IV (5.9)
El Capitan – The Nose VI (5.9, C2)
Wallface – The Diagonal IV (5.8)