Who We Are 

Texas Climbing Adventures was Originally founded in 1986 as Mountain Madness Climbing School by Scott Harris. In 2013, the business was formed as Central Texas Climbing Adventures LLC  by John Deas, who owned the company until August, 2020 when it was purchased by Sam Brodnax.  John still serves as a manager of the LLC.  Pat Gordon Brodnax is the business manager .

​We aim to offer our climbers a physical challenge that requires more mental input than most sports while rewarding them with a sense of achievement at the completion of every climb.  Instruction in proper climbing technique, education on critical safety procedures, and providing experienced guides who can articulate skills while offering encouragement is our ultimate goal.  Texas Climbing Adventures aims to instill an appreciation of the outdoors and our parks' natural resources by promoting proper climbing techniques to protect rock climbing routes.

Our trips are taught, guided, and led by certified Single Pitch Instructors through the AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) or CWI (Climbing Wall Instructor) through CWA (Climbing Wall Association) or AMGA. Texas Climbing Adventures is fortunate to have a variety of seasoned local guides who go above and beyond to provide outstanding instruction for our clients. 

SAM BRODNAX
Head Guide and Owner

Sam is a local Austinite that has been a rock climber for 10 years and a climber his entire life.  Before he could walk, he climbed tall trees,  appliances and furniture. He started his official climbing career at Prescott College in Prescott,  Arizona where he participated in and went on to teacher assist many rock climbing classes.  There, he achieved a bachelors degree in Adventure Education and Human Development. He is certified as a Single Pitch Instructor through the American Mountain Guides Association. He is energetic, fun, eager to teach, and loves to share his passion for rock climbing
​and nature.
​

NICK FUENTES
​Senior Guide

I cut away from the career as a professional chef in San Antonio four years ago to pursue a life outside.  I Instantly fell in love with rock climbing and knew that there was finally a sport for me. It helps keep me balanced, fit, and brings on new travel opportunities.  I decided to get certified through the AMGA as a Single Pitch Instructor so that I could climb and guide full time. 
​I'm passionate about instructing and enjoy educating others with safe practices.  

​MIKE KLEIN
Senior Guide

​Mike was literally born to climb.  He started by crawling out of his crib without a spotter.  He learned the ropes while living in Massachusetts in 1985.  In the following years Mike’s passion for climbing drove him to become a well rounded climber who excels in the rock disciplines of bouldering, sport climbing and trad climbing.  Not content to repeating routes Mike has established V10 boulder problems, 5.13+ sport routes and 5.12+ traditional climbs.  He enjoyed multi pitch climbing in Yosemite, the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming and Moab’s desert towers. Mike has been guiding with Texas Climbing Adventures since 2010.  As a guide he focuses on risk management, skills and techniques.  Mike is a certified AMGA SPI and Wilderness
​First Responder.
​

STEFHAN GIBSON
Senior Guide

Stefhan is 35 and was born outside of Philadelphia PA and grew up in lower Delaware. He started climbing 3 years ago in Austin and has been with TCA for over a year. His favorite place to climb is in Yosemite, National Park, in late September.

LEE PAYNE
Senior Guide

​Lee was born in Austin and worked in IT for 10 years before changing careers to work outside. Other hobbies have included fencing, scuba diving, and floorball (a hockey-like sport played on an indoor court). ​Lee has been climbing since 2010 and guiding since 2018. His favorite places to climb are Indian Creek, UT and Red Rock Canyon, NV.
​

PAUL CARLSON
Senior Guide

Paul originally hails from North Carolina but quickly relocated to the Mountain West after college to enjoy the mountains and open spaces. He spent 15-years living, climbing, backpacking, rafting, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, and camping in Colorado and Wyoming before relocating to Austin a few years ago. While all disciplines of climbing interest him, he particularly enjoys multi-pitch trad and alpine climbing. He is certified as a Single Pitch Instructor through the American Mountain Guides Association. Paul has Masters degrees in Special Education and Teacher of the Visually Impaired and has taught all ages in Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas over the last 17-years, including creating and leading several climbing programs for students. For Paul, guiding with Texas Climbing Adventures is a perfect combination of his classroom teaching skills, love of teaching, and passion for rock climbing. He is guided by the principle that rock climbing has something beneficial for everyone, regardless of their abilities or background.