About the AAI Shop & Staff

Located in Bellingham, Washington, The Equipment Shop at the American Alpine Institute has been fulfilling the specialty gear needs of climbers, skiers, and hikers locally and around the world for more than 25 years. At The Equipment Shop we are dedicated to carrying only the best outdoor clothing and equipment for all types of backcountry activities. Many of the products carried by the Equipment Shop go through extensive field-testing by AAI guides, and only items that meet our expectations are carried in our shop and recommended to clients who are participating in our courses. With this process you can be assured that you are getting the best recommendations for the highest quality, top-of-the-line gear for your next big outdoor adventure.

Equipment Shop Staff 

Mike has been with AAI since 2022. Born in Boryeong, South Korea, He grew up on the plains of South Dakota. After attending Black Hills State University for mass communications Mike decided to travel and climb for a few years around the world. In 2011 he spent 50 days with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in the Indian Himalayas learning mountaineering and leadership skills. Mike has had the opportunity to climb in the Alps, Himalayas, Mexico Volcanoes, Greece, Virgin Islands and Korea. He has written multiple guidebooks for local areas around the Black Hills and Wyoming. He has developed numerous routes in the Midwest. Mike always says, “I was raised in the farmlands of South Dakota and Braised in the rain of the beautiful Cascade Mountains.” When not climbing or enjoying walks in the backcountry Mike enjoys traveling, spending time with family, Mountaineering history books, coffee, food and fishing.

Anelaya Hinden-Stevenson : Interm Lead Equipment Specialist

Hi! I am Anelaya. Anelaya is a third year student at Western Washington University studying Geology and she's passionate about the mountain's and glacier's of the Pacific Northwest. She grew up on Vashon Island, hiking and skiing with her family around Washington. Back home she worked as a youth mentor for for the Vashon Wilderness Program, a non profit organization that offers nature education for kids, until moving up to Bellingham where she has been with AAI since 2023. She can be found touring fresh powder on Washington Pass or on a summer day you can find her in Squamish picking her way up a low angle crack on the Apron, or at the AAI shop helping folks with rentals and retail purchasing. "If you don't see me out I hope to see you around the shop!"-Anelaya

Tom Anastasio: Senior Equipment Specialist and Van Fleet Manager

Tom has been with AAI since 2012, selling gear and outfitting clients for climbs. His previous 8 year stint with a large national outfitter gave him a wealth of gear knowledge that he uses to help outfit clients for courses. An avid hiker and outdoorsman, Tom is relatively new to mountaineering. He has summited Mount Baker with AAI five times out of seven attempts. Outside of AAI Tom is a professional bassist, performing and recording in many musical styles.

Colin Jackson: Shop Assistant 

Colin has been with AAI since 2021, helping keep the shop clean and organized for our customers. Colin has a passion for the coolest hats and badges he can find, sporting a cool new look each time he is in. He also has a service dog (Lando) who can be found hiding under the table of our kitchen at most times.