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 of the LLC .

​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.
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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.  
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Travis Perkins
Senior Guide 

​"Travis is a Texas Native and Austinite since 2011.
His career as a professional photographer has allowed him to climb all throughout North America from the desert sandstone of the Southwest to the alpine rock & ice of the PNW
Although currently obsessed with alpine rock & ice, his first love will always be sweaty, overhanging TX Limestone!
When not climbing, you can find him behind a camera, on a yoga mat, or in a canoe with his family.
Travis views climbing as the intersection of all things human. A combination of graceful movement in the natural world, power, focus, awareness, and community. To be able to share these vertical experiences with others is truly the spice of life. Travis is a certified Wilderness First Responder & an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor. Long live the young at heart!

​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.
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Michael Bailey
Senior Guide
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​Michael grew up in Round Rock, Tx and learned a love and appreciation for the outdoors at a young age through Boy Scouts of America. However it wasn't until much later that he would get to take this love to the vertical and try rock climbing. As soon as did, he knew this was where he belonged. Seeking to marry his love of climbing and his passion for teaching, Michael left his job managing restaurants to pursue a career as a climbing guide. Michael is an AMGA certified Single Pitch Instructor and has been instructing indoors and outdoors since 2019.
When not climbing, Michael enjoys playing chess and playing Dungeons and Dragons!
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Mathew Chen
Senior Guide
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​Matthew was raised in Austin and began climbing in central Texas. Since cutting his teeth at Enchanted Rock and Reimers Ranch, he’s gone on to enjoy world-class climbing across America. Along with climbing, Matthew delights in cooking, playing board games, reading, and exploring other ways to challenge himself through movement. Matthew is a certified Wilderness First Responder and AMGA Single Pitch Instructor.-- 

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.
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KAARTIKEY GUPTA
Senior Guide

Kaartik grew up in Dallas and focused exclusively on powerlifting in high school. After moving to Austin for college, he found climbing and instantly fell in love with the sport and community. He's been climbing for about 5 years and is now a Certified Single Pitch Instructor, Backpacking Guide, and wilderness educator. He loves interdisciplinary coaching and evidence-based training, so ask him about what studies he's reading about now! When not working with TCA, Kaartik  works with Explore Austin, collects records, and plays with his dog Bumi.
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Thomas Butler
Senior Guide
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Thomas got his start guiding as a Mountain Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch. Rock climbing has taken him to the summit of Grand Teton, The Diamond (the East Face of Long's Peak) in Rocky Mountain National Park, and El Potrero Chico in Mexico. He is certified through the American Mountain Guide Association as a Single Pitch Instructor and as a Wilderness First Responder through the National Outdoor Leadership School. When he isn't climbing rocks, Thomas can be found sailing boats, riding bikes or gardening.