Testimonials

We are always so glad to hear how folks feel about the time they spent with us. Our hope is that their perspectives, listed below, provide some insight into the experience Equinox Guiding Service has to offer you as well!

Want to share your experience? Leave a review on Trip Advisor or Google!

Patrick Burnham

Amazing experience. I signed up for a full day of climbing in Acadia with Noah, the owner of Equinox Guide Service, to take me and my wife. It was an amazing day. We met Noah at 8am and first got all gear and equipment and went to our first site at the south bubble. It was a multipitch climb overlooking Jordan pond. There were easy routes for me and more difficult routes for my wife. Noah did a great job explaining steps, gear, and safety procedures. After that climb we went to otter cliffs for the afternoon. It was incredible. We were able to try so many fun climbs. I am a little bit of a nervous climber and Noah did a fantastic job helping me through some tough spots with great instructions, uplifting support and great line handling (I prefer a tight belay line). My wife is a better climber but had only ever been a gym climber and Noah made her feel comfortable and pushed. It was a great day. I HIGHLY recommended working with Noah and Equinox Guide Service. Whether youre an experienced, new or hesitant climber like me, you will have a great experience.

SAM MILLER

Noah is a great guide! He is extremely knowledgeable, prioritizes safety, and makes sure to have fun along the way. Climbing just a few times with Noah has helped me grow my confidence as a beginner. He is patient and supportive and I highly recommend booking with him!

DANA WILFAHRT

We spent the day with Noah and Equinox Guiding yesterday and had such a great experience. We had very little ice climbing experience going into yesterday and we left with thorough understanding of technique, safety operations, the Camden Hills area and huge smiles on our faces. It was wonderful to be coached and guided by a professional that makes safety a priority, while still keeping the day easy, comfortable and fun.

Can't wait to do it again! I would highly recommend this experience to anyone from beginner to advanced ice and rock climbing skill.

HANNAH PUSEY

My partner and I did a half-day climb in Acadia National Park with Noah, who was a terrific guide. He recommended a climb for us up the South Bubble, which we had to ourselves all morning. He helped us feel at ease and not only told us all the relevant safety and equipment info, but also provided information on the park and surrounding area. He never rushed us and allowed us to try everything for ourselves but offered helpful guidance when we were stuck on a particular move. We felt very safe and had a blast as well.

If you're looking for a fun activity that is off the beaten tourist track, I definitely recommend climbing with Equinox.

JOE LOPARCO

While planning a family vacation to Camden, Maine I wanted to give my two daughters (ages 11 and 12) an experience that would expose us to something new, challenge ourselves physically and mentally, and allow us to appreciate the beautiful surroundings. I came across some very positive online reviews for Equinox Guiding Service and Noah Kleiner (co-owner and guide) so I decided to book a half-day, private rock climbing excursion near Barrett's Cove Beach.

My girls play sports and we are all pretty adventurous -- we ski, bike, hike, paddle, run, and generally enjoy the outdoors. But we have never done any formal rock climbing. My wife does not like heights and decided to pass on this activity so we arranged it as a "daddy-daughter" adventure. My girls were excited but also understandably a bit nervous. Let me emphasize that Noah did a GREAT job customizing the outing to the needs of our threesome. He and I spoke several days before our trip and he emailed me the necessary details/instructions and promptly responded to my follow-up questions.

On the day of the climb, he met us as planned at the rendezvous point and provided all the necessary gear - helmets, harnesses, and climbing shoes. We hiked a short distance up to the rock face and spent 4 hours completing a number of ascents/descents of varying difficulty. Noah is an EXCELLENT instructor. He is knowledgeable about his sport and also a fun guy. He quickly taught us the fundamentals of climbing and equipment safety - how to tie in, how to belay, how to find hand and foot-holds, etc.

Beyond his technical skills, I was really impressed with his calm and reassuring style, as well as his rapport with the kids. He could tell whenever they had any reservations and knew how to make them feel comfortable and safe - they liked hearing how the ropes can hold two elephants! They also loved his climbing mantra -"Are you breathing? Are you smiling?"

Overall, this day turned into the highlight of our vacation and we all left with a great sense of accomplishment. For anyone interested in climbing in the Camden, Maine area (novice or experienced), I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Noah and his services. The girls and I are already talking about tackling "Charlotte's" route whenever we come back.

Thanks again, Noah, for an outstanding day and introducing us to rock climbing!

PHILLIP HOLFMAN

I got half a day climbing with Noah in Barret`s Cove as a birthday present. Noah had prepared a terrific gift voucher and sent it by e-mail. The trip was part and for me the highlight of our holiday trip from Germany. The communication with Noah about previous experiences, meeting point, weather conditions, equipment, etc. worked perfectly in advance at any time.

I myself had only climbed indoor/toprope a few times so far, so I was a bit nervous in advance. But this was immediately gone at the first meeting with Noah thanks to his calm, friendliness and self-confidence. Noah gives you enough time in advance to choose and adjust the right equipment. By the way, he provides the equipment.

Noah himself is an incredibly nice, modest and trustful guy, who masters his profession perfectly and selects the right challenges on the wall for every level of experience. He teaches the necessary previous knowledge (mastery of the equipment, knots, commands, movement sequences, mental things) in a very understandable and patient way and also answers all further questions about climbing.

Also during the climbing he is always at your side with effective advice if you don't know what to do as next step. I especially liked the fact that he emphasizes the importance of the team and doesn't see climbing exclusively as mastering a physical challenge, but above all emphasizes the aspect of "mindfulness", so that there is enough time for rest, breathing deeply and enjoying the view, e.g. on the "Broadway ledge".

By the way, Noah was also very generous with the booked time. I was a bit nervous during the final descent by repelling, because there you lean fully into the harness and have to trust the material and your partner. Again, Noah took my nervousness by explaining the material and its function, so that it was a lot of fun. For me it was an extremely great experience, which triggered many positive impulses in me.

One day I really want to climb again with Noah!

DAVE ASSELIN

I recently went climbing with Noah in Camden. I had never climbed before, not even  on an inside climbing gym. We hiked into the rock face and Noah took me through all the gear and all the safety procedures before we started. He was very professional, which is what I was looking for my first time hanging from a rope off of a cliff, Noah made me feel very comfortable and safe climbing and repelling. I climbed one 5.4 and two 5.6 pitch climbs. It was a great day and I am going to return in a couple of weeks for some longer, harder climbs. 

Thanks Noah and Equinox.

SPENCER & KATHY

My wife and I had our first ever outdoor climbing experience with Noah and it was an absolute blast! We began the day learning the ropes (literally) and with some easier routes to get familiar with the rock face, and then moved to a pair of multi-pitch routes in the afternoon which culminated with a fantastic climb as the sun set to end the day. Noah was very knowledgeable about the area and able to adapt the day's plans on the fly based on how everything was going.

If you find yourself around the mid-coast of Maine and interested in a wonderful outdoor experience, I'd highly recommend reaching out!

MIKE SWANSON

Noah took great care of us for three climbs up and down the Precipice in Acadia National Park. I have only gone rock climbing a handful of times years ago so his thorough training regarding safety and climbing gear was very welcome. I felt as though I was in the hands of a professional for the entire excursion. Noah was friendly and encouraging throughout. We were able to joke around and still feel safe, which is something I think is very important in a guide. Keep an ear out for Noah's Canadian impressions ;) The routes we took were challenging, but appropriate for our skill levels.

I would highly recommend Equinox Guiding Service to anyone looking to climb on Camden or Acadia National Park.

LORI MILLER THURLOW

We had a rock climbing session scheduled with Noah from Equinox Guiding Service. Weather was set to be good, started out sunny and ended with some rain and snow. Our Guide was knowledgeable, fun and very experienced. He kept close eye on weather and when to call it, if we had too. Noah took the time to train us and then belayed each of us himself with coaching. It was very supportive and safe.

We had a fantastic time despite changes in weather. I would climb with them anytime.

ESTHER

While I arrived at Barrett's Cove cliff with a fear of heights and no concept of a multi-pitch, my boyfriend has been expertly scaling rock faces for decades—and yet, Noah (from Equinox Guiding Service) happily took us both out for a really fun day of climbing. They chatted about guiding and GriGris; we dissected the safety equipment, the routes, the techniques. He answered all of my questions and assuaged my doubts, and as I made my first clumsy moves up the granite, he was endlessly encouraging and enthusiastic. Noah is clearly a guide who not only loves what he does, but loves sharing his passion with others—no matter their experience level. His positive attitude is infectious and I feel so lucky that he was there to help me on my first day.

We look forward to visiting him and his sweet pup, Cedar, up in Maine again soon!

STEPHANIE JEWETT

Booked a full day with Noah for some ice climbing in the Camden Hills area. The booking process was super easy and Noah provided a list of items to bring in case you don't have a lot of experience with layering for a Maine winter. We met at 8AM the day after the snowstorm, I got fitted for my boots (Equinox provides all technical gear) and off we went for about a mile walk to our destination.

The climbing location was great. The climbing options in the area were pretty diverse. As mentioned, I booked a full day and was able to get many climbs in at my own pace, ask questions (sometimes the same ones over and over) and got some good baseline experience. I really enjoyed it!

The instruction was clear and Noah was encouraging, knowledgeable, patient and passionate about the sport. My last climb of the day was mixed (rock and ice). It was a challenge, I was tired and Noah encouraged me when I needed it. I completed the climb and I am still smiling about it today. When we went over the gear he had mentioned how the climbing rope was produced locally and being a Mainer myself, I love seeing local companies support one another. I am hoping to get a second trip booked this year with Equinox before the season ends. I really enjoyed my day and learned a lot.

Thanks Equinox!