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SARAH MAC | Uplifter | Friend | Educator | Guide

@lead.likeagirl

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AMGA Certified Splitboard Guide
@aiare_official @westonbackcountry @protectourwinters @raide.research @safeback.avalanche.gear @phantomsnowindustries

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Last week @sarah.b.jamin and I took the AMGA Ski Guide exam on splitboards in Golden, BC, Canada, and we both PASSED! As far as we know, we're the first ladies in the US to be certified splitboard guides, and there are a handful of badass women on their way. What an exciting time!!

Probably the most challenging and fun goal I've ever accomplished. Getting certified is only the beginning though! Now the real fun starts :) So grateful for the people who believed in us and provided such generous mentorship @mtnmia, @darkstarmtguide, @jereburrell, @joeyvosburgh and many more 🙏🙏🙏

There's still space in a few ladies ski/split mountaineering courses this spring - all links in my bio :)

- April 15-17: Green Wilson Hut near Aspen, CO (Ski + Split) with @aspenexpeditions

- April 26-28: Ravens Nest Cabin near Greys and Torreys peaks, CO (Split) with @coloradoadventureguides

- April 2-5: Glacier-based. Summit Komo Kulshan (Mt Baker), WA (Split) with @guidedexposure taken in Golden, British Columbia by @lead.likeagirl

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3 years ago

THIS is my why.

The slogs, the bonks, the whiteouts, green outs, being away from my fam, stress, money, no sleep, cold nights, demoralizing exits.

It's all worth it for this 🙌.

AND new friends, adventures, terrain, snowpack and opportunities to grow my skill set as a splitboard Guide.

So grateful to get to explore the Cascades with some really amazing humans as I prepare for my next AMGA training!

#splitboardlikeagirl #splitmo4lyfe #splitmo #goforthandslaypow #splittechistheanswer #fatmapssayswereextreme taken in North Cascades National Park by @lead.likeagirl

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4 years ago

World, meet Ahsoka! by @lead.likeagirl

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3 months ago

In the mountains, friction wins—no matter how experienced you are.

Mistakes don’t happen because you don’t know what to do, but because doing the right thing feels inconvenient. When you’re cold, tired, and under pressure—that’s the version of you making decisions. Design your systems—gear, habits, and routines—so the right choice becomes the easiest one, even in the worst conditions.

👉 Read the full article to learn ways to reduce friction before it matters most. Link in bio.

By @lead.likeagirl by @lead.likeagirl

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6 months ago

Attention Advanced to Expert Splitboarders! The 1st of its kind is the women’s advanced split Mo 4 day course!

Years in the making refining the skills for expert Splitboard mountaineers now ready to share with you over 4 days in one of the premier snowboard meccas on planet earth, Mount Baker.

Ready to level up from basic glacier travel to multi day traverses and steep wild terrain this course will provide the foundation for your progression.

Sign up now!

#ridelikeagirl #splitmo #splitboardingistheanswer #glaciers #volcanos @westonbackcountry by @lead.likeagirl

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9 months ago

Splitboard Anchor your belayer to approach an exposed rappel anchor

This is just a belay to reach an anchor to rappel from trees. We did not rappel from a person.

Always protect yourself! Icy, snowy ledges with rappels pose a lot of risk. Adding safety also has risks when misapplied.

Is the anchor & belay strong enough for the forces we are protecting?
What’s the likelihood and consequence of this system in this setting?

A seated belay off the harness incorporates the belayers feet and body into an anchor. Classic mountaineering seated belay.

Quickly adding a tombstone or zero splitboard anchor adds security to the anchor by backing up the belayer. Many variables exist such as snow quality, stance, experience, but make sure the board is:

✅in firm work hardened snow

✅tilted away from the direction of pull once placed

✅ limit changes of direction to avoid sharp edges vs. cords

As always seek professional guidance, practice in no consequence terrain, and ask questions!

#splitmo #splitboarding #tech #ropes #shred @lead.likeagirl @westonbackcountry @sparkrandd by @lead.likeagirl

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9 months ago

Lowering the end down with a rider keeps it from whipping around in strong winds.

Different conditions can dictate different strategies in the same terrain. Going up maybe easier than going down, the slopes got icy during the day, more loose rock then before, or the wind is so strong you could get blown over.

In this case going down in the wind was quite unstable and slick so we opted to use the rope. Lowering the 1st person gets the rope end down without it blowing into the trees or in our faces. Then @lead.likeagirl down climbed and rappelled from an equivocation hitch bringing the other end of the rope down with her.

Throwing the ropes down isn’t always plan A so having other options keeps things moving when the rope comes out during a ski day.

@westonbackcountry
@sparkrandd
@keyequipment
#splitboarding #splitboarding #schralpinism #skimo #splitboardguide #amga1979 #skimountaineering #choosemountains #alpinesavvy #gexdifference by @lead.likeagirl

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10 months ago

Welcome to another episode of Sarah's Soap Box Saturday ✨️.

If you've ever felt uncomfortable speaking up around people with more experience than you; this is for you.

Your life is on the same line as the person with the loudest voice. So ask👏questions👏to understand — even the ones you feel silly asking. They're not a burden; they keep your whole group safer.

And if you are the experienced one? Have patience and actively invite the quieter voices into the conversation. A group that doesn’t create space for understanding isn’t a “strong group” — it’s a risky one.

We don't keep our heads down and follow along without question anymore! 💥 by @lead.likeagirl

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10 months ago

It was SO hard to fit every story, lesson, & messy truth into just 20 minutes, which is why our Imposters post-film panels matter so much. They’re where we invite you into the convo, get raw, laugh, and dive deeper into belonging in spaces where we've been made to feel like outsiders.

Since I can’t be at every screening, I wanted to start sharing advice that is close to my heart and that I wish I could tell every room.

✨ It’s not that you don’t belong. It’s that you’re trying to belong with the wrong people.

Let’s keep rewriting what belonging looks like in the backcountry, and everywhere we take up space. 💛 by @lead.likeagirl

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a year ago

Women’s Specific Courses, meet your guides!

A great assembly of pro guides have been leading our women’s courses since 2021. From first time backcountry to big mountain glaciated riding these women have done it all.
📸 1 @lead.likeagirl
📸 2 @jesstrimble_
📸 3 @kikiii_rikiii

Join them on one of our specialized women’s courses designed and implemented by each of these talented outdoor leaders.

⭐️ Avy Mentorship
🙌 AIARE Courses
❄️ Intro & Adv Touring
🏔️ Splitmo
⛏️❄️ Adv Splitmo

What are you waiting for?

📸 4 Hokkaido
📸 5 Hokkaido

#leadership #affinity #splitboarding #skimo #bigmountain #riding #hereforyou #weston
@westonbackcountry by @lead.likeagirl

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a year ago

Two stops down, four to go.

@impostersfilm made its world premiere with Zeal Optics in Denver on October 16, and had another showing last night in Frisco. Up next: Winter Park.

The film is sponsored by Weston Backcountry, Zeal Optics, Folkrm, Phantom Snow, Flylow, and Rocky Talkie. It features @maxinusss, @lead.likeagirl , cinematographers @guntherphotoandfilm and @ella_peters1, and ski patroller @anita_mauro_.

The film tour will make the following upcoming stops:

November 21 – Hideaway Park, in Winter Park, Colorado
December 3 – The Barley, in Steamboat, Colorado
December 6 – Arapahoe Basin in Colorado
December 15 – Telluride Rendezvous, in Telluride, Colorado

Check out the full story at the link in bio. by @lead.likeagirl

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a year ago

The only person that ever had any amount of success domesticating me; now look at us! From dirt bag living in a truck to getting married and buying a house! Come visit us in our new home in Durango 🏡✨️💍 taken in Durango, Colorado by @lead.likeagirl

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a year ago