Timberline Mountain Guides, a guided alpine and rock climbing, and backcountry skiing company based in Bend, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

According to a news release, since 1983 TMG has been expanding its adventures to include backcountry skiing, avalanche rescue training and international skiing and climbing, as well as climbs all over the Pacific Northwest — from the Three Sisters to Mount Rainier and the North Cascades National Park.

TMG started as the first guide service at Smith Rock State Park (Smith Rock Climbing School), and has grown into an internationally-renowned guide service throughout the Northwest and beyond.

TMG’s guide service was started by Mike Volk, who ran the company from his home in Terrebonne, directly across from the world-class rock climbing of Smith Rock. Volk started TMG “to share my love of the outdoors with others and give clients a professional, safe and enjoyable climbing experience.”

According to the release, over the years, Timberline Mountain Guides have left its mark on Central Oregon climbing and skiing. Smith Rock is home to many classic routes that were authored by TMG guides, and the local mountains also feature first ascents by TMG guides.

Along with other guides, Pete Keane, who ran the company for much of the last 30 years, pioneered several locally popular backcountry skiing zones. Bend’s Alan Watts — known as the Father of American Sport climbing — guided for TMG in the 1980s soon after sparking the revolution that made climbing what it is today.

For more information, email info@timberlinemtguides.com.

— Spokesman staff report