Daniel Windham, born in Georgia's foothills, discovered his passion for the mountains at an early age while backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. After moving to northern Italy, becoming a mountain guide, and running a mountain hut with his Italian wife, he returned (via a couple of years in Costa Rica) to his roots, enjoying the outdoor life with his family. Having climbed and guided on some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas and the Americas (notably Mt. Rainier), Dan continues to guide on Aconcagua (Argentina) and for Wilderness Travel in the Alps, while also becoming an Appalachian Trail Ambassador, which involves regularly running an 89-mile stretch of the trail, as well as community involvement. His goal is to "give back to the wilderness a little of what it has given me.” Dan speaks English, Spanish, and Italian, and maintains his interests in wilderness medicine and cooking.
I loved this trip and it was thoughtfully pulled together, both food and accommodations. And Daniel was perfect as trip leader. He set the best pace, and read the group really well. Professional, personable, and full of integrity. Five stars!
Dan's unassuming style belies his depth as a guide. Of course he's as surefooted as a mountain goat, but just watch him turn some cold cuts into a gourmet picnic. And not only are his driving skills phenomenal (especially in Palermo), but this man can also sing!
Dan planned and facilitated an EXCELLENT experience for us. He was consistently attentive to our interests and needs. He is warm, knowledgeable, and supported our fully enjoying the experience in every way. He is a gem! A particular treat was the warm rapport Dan had with the innkeepers and other support personnel. We were treated as special guests everywhere.
Daniel is an awesome awesome guide and person. His attitude toward all of the guests was incredible. He understood everyone's needs, desires, and goes the extra mile to make everyone's individual experience the best that it can be.
Dan is a level-headed, multi-lingual mountaineering ninja who cheerfully volunteered trailside espresso after lunch, and thoughtfully orchestrated an epic sendoff dinner in Zermatt. What more can guests ask for?
How great to be blessed with Dan for one of our guides. I can say without any hesitation that our trip was much better with his expertise! He is the BEST!
Dan took great care of everyone, was sensitive to each person's interests and abilities, oozed a love of walking from every pore, stayed calm and steady under pressure, and was a terrific traveling companion.
Dan was fabulous. The best ever.
Dan was fantastic. He was well organized with logistics; clearly very passionate about the Swiss Alps; an excellent guide who always had our safety, well being, and enjoyment top of mind. I loved that he encouraged us to immerse ourselves in the scenery and culture and local food and wine.
Dan is an excellent guide and devoted to making sure his clients get the most out of their trip. Unbelievable engergy, great dispostion, and entirely capable on all fronts.
If there was a rating higher than Excellent, Daniel would get it. Daniel's professional mountain climbing skills and confidence were unsurpassed and his concern for safety was paramount to everything else. I would put my life in his hands in the mountains any day of the week.
Daniel was a terrific leader—very professional, well organized, enthusiastic, and extremely knowledgable.
We thought Dan was a real superstar guide. He was 100 percent focused on our trip, handled all matters with perfect efficiency, made great judgments, was a really expert outdoorsman and hiker whom learned so much from, and was a very pleasant, smart and cute guy whom we really enjoyed being with.
Dan was just a great leader and fun guy in all respects.
Dan did a great job—outstanding trip leader.
Daniel is very knowledgeable, helpful on the terrain and environment, and very thoughtful.
