Teddy Dondanville
AMGA Assistant Rock Guide & Certified Single Pitch Instructor
Albany, NYVenga!
I’m a rock climbing guide and freelance writer originally from California, now based in Albany, NY. Currently, I'm an Assistant Rock Guide with the American Mountain Guides Association and a Wilderness First Responder. When I’m not guiding, I write about climbing, adventure travel, and outdoor culture.
Discipline: Climb
Specialty: Rock
Professional Guide: AMGA Assistant Rock Guide with experience across New York and Colorado, leading rock climbing, backpacking, and hiking trips. Writer & Storyteller: Freelance writer focused on the outdoor and adventure sports industries, blending field experience with creative communication. Global Experience: Returned Peace Corps Volunteer fluent in Spanish with a strong background in community development and environmental education.
Teddy Dondanville's Expert Gear Recommendations
Multi Pitch Kit
This is my go-to list of equipment that you need for multi-pitch rock climbing.
- Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device Gray by Petzl — The Grigri is my primary mechanical-assisted braking device. I love it for lead belaying, belaying a single rope in "guide mode," and rappelling a single strand.
- Petzl Reverso Belay Device Gray by Petzl — <span id="docs-internal-guid-6278b909-7fff-d392-5a77-97279d86bad7"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Reverso is my favorite tube-style device. What sets it apart from similar devices is that the “guide mode” eyelet is aligned with the two tubes. I prefer how this design positions the device when I am belaying in guide mode. The Reverso can do it all– lead belay, belay in guide mode, and rappel. This is a critical tool to have on your harness. </span></p><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br></span></div></span>
- Mammut Smart 2.0 Belay Device Orange
