GUIDE STAFF

Meet our mountain professionals

An older man in outdoor clothing and a patterned cap with sunglasses on top, sitting outdoors surrounded by green foliage, and smiling while looking down.

Brian Delaney

Owner

Brian started High Peaks Cyclery with his wife Karen in 1983. Ever since, he has spent his time exploring every corner of the Adirondacks, and is ready to share his 40+ years of extensive guiding experience. He is our program director for hiking, biking, rock/ice climbing, skiing, paddling, and fishing.

Brian also organizes and promotes many fun local events and competitions.

A woman in a blue puffer jacket and colorful beanie standing on a rocky mountaintop with a scenic view of lakes and land below, cloudy sky in the background.

Karen Delaney

1956 - 2026

Whether paddling, hiking, or skiing, Karen loved sharing her passion for the outdoors with everyone.

Karen moved to Lake Placid January of 1980 to work as a nurse during the 1980 Olympics games. She fell in love with the area and all it has to offer. She and Brian opened HPC in May of 1983. Four children later, she still loved to get out in the great local wilderness, especially sharing her passion with women, children, and families.

She specialized in nordic skiing, back country skiing, snowshoeing, biking, hiking, and paddling. She was even a lifeguard and taught local kids and triathletes swimming. She welcomed all to experience the diversity and beauty of the Adirondacks!

A man rock climbing outdoors among fall foliage, wearing a helmet and climbing gear, smiling at the camera.

Royce Van Evera

Operations

Royce has been a guide since the 70’s. He has traveled all over the world in his adventures and is eager to share his love and knowledge of the outdoors with you!

Royce started his guiding career leading wilderness canoe trips in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and the Quetico, Canadian National Park. He added rock climbing to his resume in the early 1990’s. Royce’s climbing sojourns have taken him to California, Colorado, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Oregon, West Virginia and the Dolomite’s of Northern Italy. Royce was born out West but has lived in or near the Adirondacks for the past 40 years. He is employed as a seasonal full-time alpine ski coach and wilderness guide.

A male rock climber wearing a helmet reaching for a hold on a steep rock face, with a scenic river and forested hills in the background during autumn.

Andrew Jarvis

Guide

Andrew is a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh’s Expeditionary Studies program, where he discovered his passion for adventure sports. During his time in school, he developed a strong interest in rock climbing, skiing, and a variety of outdoor pursuits. He speds his summers guiding canoe trips throughout the Adirondacks, refining the skills he was learning in college. Since graduating, he’s joined the High Peaks team as a guide with a focus on rock climbing, while also bringing experience in paddling, skiing, hiking, and camping. In addition, he works as a ski patroller at Whiteface Mountain. He is passionate about providing opportunities for people to experience the outdoors, helping them see firsthand the positive impact it can have on their lives.

A man in ski gear, including a white helmet, sunglasses, a blue jacket, and light-colored pants, standing on snow with mountains and lake in the background. He is holding skis and ski poles, smiling at the camera.

Brendan Kelly

Guide

Brendan was born in Rochester, NY and raised in Philadelphia and Newtown, CT. After fifteen years of city living in NYC, Los Angeles, and Philly, he discovered his love for the mountains and especially the Adirondacks during a visit to Lake Placid in 2022. Since then, Brendan has logged backpacking adventures in the Sierra Nevada, Glacier National Park, the Black Hills of South Dakota, and of course, here in the High Peaks. When not guiding, Brendan can be found cycling long distances, running the Peaks, crushing laps at Whiteface, or reading a Patricia Highsmith novel over an espresso.

A man with a beard takes a selfie while hiking on a snow-covered mountain during sunset, wearing a helmet, backpack, and outdoor gear.

Joseph Wagner

Guide

Joe is all-in if a mountain is part of the equation. As a licensed guide and photographer, he has traveled to the far-reaches of the world in pursuit of hiking, fishing, and climbing. His backcountry endeavors have led him to climbs in the North Cascades, Alaska Range, Colorado Rockies, Argentinian Andes, and ultimately, the Adirondacks. He also serves with Search & Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks (SARNAK), and is a film crew member for the new Adirondack 46ers Film mini series.

A young man smiling, wearing a green cap with a mountain logo and text, and a dark jacket with a tan collar, standing in front of a wall with bicycle helmets and gear.

Kyle Freundlich

Guide

Kyle has spent most of his life immersed in the outdoors. Raised in New Jersey, he grew up camping with his family and fishing whenever he could. His passion for wilderness exploration deepened when he discovered the Adirondacks in 2023 after enrolling at St. Lawrence University. Now a junior, Kyle is an active member of the university's Outing Club, where he began guiding student-led trips. He is also a trained guide with the St. Lawrence Outdoor Program, having completed an intensive semester-long Guide Training course focused on outdoor leadership, technical skills, and backcountry safety.

Kyle has led adventures across a wide range of terrains—from the Adirondacks and Vermont to the wilds of Utah. He holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder and ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue, and is a licensed New York State guide for camping, hiking, and boating. Now based in Lake Placid, Kyle continues to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Whether he's mountain biking, skiing, or just exploring the backcountry, if Kyle’s not in the shop, he’s probably out on the trail.

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