Our Climbers

 Mac Manning is a 34-year-old United States Marine Corps Veteran. He served as TOW Gunner in the USMC Infantry from 2010-2016. A native of Baltimore Mayland, Mac grew up hiking, fishing, camping and playing numerous sports. Mac has conducted climbs in the White Mountains in New Hampshire, all in Winter Accents and has climbed Mt Rainier with Veterans Adventure Group in 2024 and 2025.

Mac has been mountaineering since 2022 and has progressed through the Veterans Adventure Group Program.

Mac currently resides in Providence, RI with his wife Hannah and has two children. Mac currently serves as the Director of the Office of Military-Affiliated Students at Brown University where he oversees the Veterans Initiative program and is completing a master’s degree in urban educational policy.  

Follow his journey on Instagram: @jusalittle_husky46

 Scott Beckwith is an 18-year U.S. Army Special Operations veteran who served as a special operations combat medic in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. With six combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he later transitioned into mental health nursing and is currently earning his PhD to serve as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. His goal: to transform mental health care across the Army.

Adventure fuels Scott’s life. When he’s not in uniform, Scott seeks challenge in the mountains and skies. An experienced backpacker, he has logged 1,600 miles on the Appalachian Trail and 300 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail—all while serving on active duty. In mountaineering, he has completed the Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership Level 1 course and summited peaks including Mount Baker and Mount Rainier.

Scott’s passion for skydiving matches his love for the outdoors. A USPA C-licensed skydiver working toward his coach rating, he finds his freedom falling from the sky at his preferred speed of 180+ mph.

Follow him on instagram @scottbeckwithofficial

 Alex Martin is an eight-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran whose service took her across Africa, Europe, and Asia on global security missions.

A lifelong adventurer, Alex has explored 40 countries by the age of 28, chasing new experiences wherever she goes. Her passion for the outdoors began in Utah at 18 while working on ski patrol, sparking a love for mountains and exploration. Over the years, she’s surfed in Bali, scuba dived in Japan, trekked through caves and jungles in Vietnam, mountain biked in New Zealand, rock climbed and skied around the world, and has been a licensed skydiver since 18, thriving on adventure-filled pursuits that push her limits.

Alongside her travels, Alex is also a dedicated strength athlete, having competed as a powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, and is currently competing as a Professional Lightweight Strongwoman after earning her pro card in 2024. She is currently pursuing a master’s in recreational therapy to help others discover the healing, power, and beauty of outdoor recreation. Her passion for mountaineering began after summiting Mt. Hood with Veterans Adventure Group and LiboRisk, inspiring her to take on bigger climbs and more technical objectives.

Follow her on Instagram @geauxalex 

 Born and raised in the mountains of northern Idaho Nate is a veteran of the Marine Corps Infantry and a professional adventure photographer. 

Usually found on vertical terrain Nate’s passion for the outdoors ranges from backpacking and climbing, to splitboarding and mountain bike racing. His photography work has taken him to Europe and Central America as well as the majority of the US. 

His first climb with Veterans Adventure Group was Mt. Hood, alongside the Veterans group Liborisk for which he works as a photographer. His love for the mountains will always keep him coming back for more adventures and experiences.

You can follow along with his work and adventures on instagram @mtnmadman

Erick Burgos is a proud U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Veteran who retired in 2024 after 22 years of honorable service. A lifelong advocate for resilience and healing, he has carried his dedication beyond the military by championing the restorative power of the outdoors—both for himself and for fellow veterans.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Erick finds purpose in backpacking, mountaineering, and hiking with his family. He has summited Mt. Whitney, Mt. Shasta, and numerous peaks across the Western U.S. With the guidance of Veterans Adventure Group, he achieved the summit of Mt. Rainier and continues to push his limits with aspirations of tackling even higher peaks.

Now calling Durango, Colorado home, Erick shares his adventures with his wife and five children, who both inspire and support his outdoor pursuits. Whether on a mountain trail or leading in his community, Erick’s journey is rooted in service, family, and a deep belief in nature’s power to heal and transform.

Follow him on instagram @outdoorpatriotactual 

Erick Burgos is a proud U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Veteran who retired in 2024 after 22 years of honorable service. A lifelong advocate for resilience and healing, he has carried his dedication beyond the military by championing the restorative power of the outdoors—both for himself and for fellow veterans.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Erick finds purpose in backpacking, mountaineering, and hiking with his family. He has summited Mt. Whitney, Mt. Shasta, and numerous peaks across the Western U.S. With the guidance of Veterans Adventure Group, he achieved the summit of Mt. Rainier and continues to push his limits with aspirations of tackling even higher peaks.

Now calling Durango, Colorado home, Erick shares his adventures with his wife and five children, who both inspire and support his outdoor pursuits. Whether on a mountain trail or leading in his community, Erick’s journey is rooted in service, family, and a deep belief in nature’s power to heal and transform.

Follow him on instagram @outdoorpatriotactual 

Erick Burgos is a proud U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Veteran who retired in 2024 after 22 years of honorable service. A lifelong advocate for resilience and healing, he has carried his dedication beyond the military by championing the restorative power of the outdoors—both for himself and for fellow veterans.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Erick finds purpose in backpacking, mountaineering, and hiking with his family. He has summited Mt. Whitney, Mt. Shasta, and numerous peaks across the Western U.S. With the guidance of Veterans Adventure Group, he achieved the summit of Mt. Rainier and continues to push his limits with aspirations of tackling even higher peaks.

Now calling Durango, Colorado home, Erick shares his adventures with his wife and five children, who both inspire and support his outdoor pursuits. Whether on a mountain trail or leading in his community, Erick’s journey is rooted in service, family, and a deep belief in nature’s power to heal and transform.

Follow him on instagram @outdoorpatriotactual