Wildland Guides

Anthony grew up playfully adventuring in the woods and sand dunes of Upstate New York. He began hiking mountains in his early twenties when he moved from Philadelphia to the picturesque Hudson Valley of New York. He completed the Outdoor Leadership Training in the White Mountains of Maine, and began his outdoor career as an Outdoor Educator and Wilderness Therapy Guide in Vermont shortly after. Anthony has approximately 7 years experience Lead Guiding in Wilderness Therapy for young adults and adolescents. Anthony has led meaningful and transformational Wilderness Solo Vision Quests for young men in recovery for over 7 years. He has extensively adventured to a multitude of mountain tops and waterfalls in the North East and South East and currently leads mountain bike adventures in Pisgah NP and DuPont SP near Asheville, NC. Anthony is a certified Yoga and QiGong Instructor, has earned a Master’s in Divinity from All Faith’s Seminary and is a Certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Anthony loves to infuse his adventures with mindfulness, wellness, and a healthy connection with the sacred in nature. He has greatly enjoyed adventure travels to Yellowstone, Tetons, BadLands, Mesa Verde, Petrified Forest, Antelope Canyon, Sedona, Panama, and Costa Rica.

Dara grew up hiking and biking with her family in the Shawangunk Mountains and learned early on that she enjoyed spending her days outside. After graduating from college in New York State she completed a semester long National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course in the Rocky Mountains and realized she wanted to work in a field where she could share her love of the outdoors with others. Since then she has worked in environmental and outdoor education teaching hands-on science classes in central and northern Vermont. She is a fully certified Alpine Ski Instructor and loves to ski, preferably in the woods, and teach in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Dara recently completed a through hike of Vermont’s Long Trail and, she loves the simplicity of living out of a backpack and sharing that experience with others. On time off she can be found hiking and backcountry skiing with her two dogs or gardening at home in Northern Vermont.

Jack was born in San Diego, California but grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Phoenix, Arizona. He then moved up to Flagstaff to attend Northern Arizona University. Jack graduated with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management with an emphasis in Community and Commercial Tourism/Recreation. While in Flagstaff, Jack worked guiding all over the Southwest, in beautiful places such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Havasupai, Marble Canyon, Lake Powell, and all over Norther Arizona. Jack spends a large percentage of his free time participating in various outdoor activities such as backpacking, rock-climbing, mountaineering, and skiing. He believes spending time outside is essential for a healthy attitude and lifestyle.

Born and raised in the sprawling metropolis of Phoenix, Arizona, Josh learned quickly the value of wild spaces. He was lucky to spend his childhood exploring National Parks throughout the country as well as the cooler climes of Northern Arizona. Monthly family getaways to the forests and canyons of the Mogollon Rim fostered a love of wilderness that strengthens to this day. He made his first voyage to Havasupai with his Dad in sixth grade and blames 10 days on the river in 2009 for his current obsession with Grand Canyon. Josh graduated Arizona State University in 2010 with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Geography with a minor in Recreation and Tourism. Proximity to the Canyon allowed for many weekend sorties where he learned his time was best spent with others below the rim between massive stone walls. Josh is a certified Wilderness First Responder and enjoys creating safe, educational experiences and lasting memories for his guests in the outdoors. Currently, when not hiking Grand Canyon, he enjoys snowboarding, climbing, canyoneering, spending time with family and taking his dog Charlie on long road trips to beautiful locations in the western United States.

Rafi started backpacking early in remote wilderness areas in her home state of Idaho. A personal passion turned into a career when she began working in Outdoor Education in 2003. She earned a B.A. from Prescott College in Adventure-based Environmental Studies, and a Master’s a few years later in Experiential Education. For 20 years, she has been roaming the country and the world, saying yes to every outdoor adventure she encounters. Her favorite excursions are the ones that are long, arduous and remote. Rafi believes deeply in the power of wilderness to heal, inspire and connect. Rafi also founded a non-profit organization called Naretoi, that works with Maasai women and girls in Kenya. She spends 2-4 months a year in Kenya, and has climbed Mt. Kenya 9 times with a women’s cross-cultural expedition that she organizes annually. Rafi enjoys the challenges of the backcountry and finding new limits for her body and spirit, but she also loves to sit quietly next to a mountain creek with a steaming cup of tea and a piece of dark chocolate. Rafi is also an avid naturalist and birder!

Adam grew up in Michigan but has lived in the Rocky Mountain West, Colorado Plateau, the Pacific Northwest and Africa over the last 25 years. He spends his time hiking, biking, and snowboarding new mountains, canyons, and valleys any chance he can get. Adam received his PhD from Colorado State University in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, and has led multiple conservation and outdoor organizations towards impact in the US and Africa. Adam enjoys connecting people to landscapes and culture in mindful ways, and believes everyone could use a little adventure in their lives.

Originally from Tampa, Florida, at 20 years old Austin left the flatlands to explore America’s mountains and never looked back. Since then he’s spent his time living and working all over the country to facilitate hiking experiences through gorgeous landscapes. His adventures include thru hikes of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Long Trail, and Hayduke Trail, as well as plenty of peak bagging and cragging. He also spent multiple seasons working as a Backcountry Caretaker in Vermont’s Green Mountains, doing trail work while offering encouragement and education about Leave No Trace practices to visitors in the backcountry. 

Along with plenty of time spent walking in the woods, he’s known to enjoy rock climbing, skiing, cooking, and photography. Whatever he’s doing outside, Austin uses his passion for the outdoors to bring joy and adventure to both beginners and experts alike, focusing on thoughtful and responsible recreation in our natural spaces. 

Bri has nearly 20 years of guiding and outdoor education experience. She has extensively explored the Southwest, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Pacific Crest Trail, and Appalachian Trail. Bri enjoys backpacking, rafting, rock climbing, and roller skating. She is passionate about bringing diverse groups of people together in wild spaces and awe-inspiring landscapes like the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Yosemite, and Escalante. A lover of all things colorful and bright, she applies her masters degree in health and wellness education through backcountry cooking skills, nature-based yoga and meditation offerings, and cultivating authentic community connections.

Growing up in Southern California, Carmelina’s love for the outdoors began at a young age. As a child she went on family camping trips in the San Bernardino mountains and San Diego beaches. As she grew, her love for the outdoors snowballed into her passion. She would spend her free time backpacking in the Sierra, eventually climbing Mt. Whitney, and in 2016 she thru-hiked The Colorado Trail. Carmelina has lived, worked, and played throughout California, North Carolina, and Hawaii. In the off-season Carmelina lives and travels internationally, slowly enjoying the food, culture, and climates of various affordable counties. Carmelina’s hobbies include hiking, backpacking, travel, and landscape photography.

Eddie Bowers is originally from Mississippi, where his love of the outdoors developed early while spending summers at “the lake” with family and friends. It wasn’t until 2003 that he discovered the beauty of the Western United States, and after that visiting as often as possible until moving west several years later. Eddie has since racked up well over a decade of full time guiding experience in the Grand Canyon and Greater Yellowstone area of Wyoming and Montana. Since 2015 he has been a program manager in the Yellowstone National Park area. When not guiding or running the Wyoming program for Wildland, he enjoys snowboarding and climbing Colorado’s famous 14ers. He is also a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Liza was raised in the forests of Vermont where she spent much of her time hiking, exploring, and playing in the dirt. These childhood hobbies fostered a deep connection to the natural world and have evolved into jobs and passions as an outdoor professional. At the University of Vermont, Liza earned a degree in Environmental Studies and started running her own wilderness mentoring programs. Liza has worked as an outdoor educator for the past seven years all over the country and finds immense joy in being outside with others. Most recently, she spent two months in Alaska running multi-sport teen expeditions with Adventure Treks, and absolutely loved it! In her spare time, Liza enjoys rock climbing, cooking, making art, and learning new things! She’s always up for the challenge of a good learning curve. As a guide, she’s excited to continue her passion of educating people about the natural world and facilitating meaningful connections on all levels.

James grew up in the Central Coast of California, playing outside and wandering through the woods. Over time, weekend camping trips gave way to backpacking trips as his passion for the outdoors grew. In the years since then he has worked in corporate team building, climbing and rappelling instruction, and got him start guiding river and backpacking trips for Northern Arizona University’s Outdoor Adventures program. In 2015, James graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management with an emphasis in Outdoor Education. When not in the field, James enjoys mountain biking and climbing around the Colorado Plateau.

Born in Munich and raised in the hills of Provence, Johannes grew up as a free range kid. After an academic journey that brought him into journalism, he came back to his roots by passing the french mountain leader certification. Both reporter and trekking guide, he has traveled around Europe for over a decade. In his adventures he has harvested stories and photos for several outdoor magazines while sharing his passion for nature and history with his guests. And when he’s not out there, you can find him around his den in the western Alps doing some handiwork, gardening, or cooking a nice meal.

Magda grew up in Vermont, where she formed a deep love for nature, animals, outdoor adventures and sports. In college in Canada she studied Kinesiology and Psychology and played D1 soccer. She spent 5 summers living on a remote Alaskan glacier with 150 Alaskan huskies and guided sled dog tours. After college she spent a full year training an Iditarod race team in Willow, Alaska, where she greatly deepened her connection to and understanding of the Alaskan wilderness, and backcountry adventure travel. She then completed a Master’s degree in Sweden in Sports Science with her research focused on Iditarod mushers. Itching to get back into guiding work, Magda led bikepacking expeditions in the Southwest through Kroka Expeditions and now lives in the heart of the Rocky Mountains where she is part of the Wildland trekking team. For fun, Magda loves dog mushing, backcountry skiing, trail running, skijoring with her Alaskan huskies, rock climbing, and anything active and adventurous!

Originally from France, Michaël started to work in Iceland in 2010. Over the years, he’s been exploring the country from the shores to the summits and enjoys learning and sharing always more about the country and its fascinating natural processes and phenomenon. During the winter, he also works as a Geographer for the University of Iceland and has been involved in various studies and reports related to land-use conflicts, wilderness preservation, tourism management and nature conservation in Iceland. His range of interests also covers environmental, climate and energy issues. Member of the Association of Icelandic Mountain Guides, he is trained as a Hard Ice 1 glacier guide, and certified Wilderness First Responder. Above all, he’s developed a particular bond with the region surrounding Vatnajökull ice cap as well as the colorful rhyolitic mountains in Fjallabak Nature Reserve. As one of Wildland’s main Iceland trekking guides, he truly loves to take people on forgotten trails, and to give them a taste of Iceland’s delicious food culture.

Michelle is a free-spirited, life-long athlete, adventurer, and naturalist. Her sense of wonder and thirst for adventure first developed in her backyard in upstate New York where she spent her childhood playing in the deciduous forests, swimming and canoeing at her family cabin, and hiking in the Adirondack mountains. A deep connection with nature was made during Michelle’s formative years that inspires her today. Michelle has achieved a M.S. in Outdoor Leadership and Environmental Education from the State University of New York, Cortland and a B.S. in Psychology and Visual Arts from the University of California, San Diego. She is not one to let the grass grow under her feet. Michelle’s nomadic nature has brought her around the world teaching, guiding, recreating, and playing rugby in places such as Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Baja California, Maine, Puerto Rico, California, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, and Utah. Michelle is passionate about connecting humans to the natural world, ultimately inspiring a deeper connection with themselves and their ecological community. She enjoys sharing moments of wonder with folks from all walks of life, in some of the most breath-taking, beautiful environments in the world. She knows laughter, fun, and having an open mind and heart are key on any journey…as well as delicious food! All things you can count on experiencing on one of her trips. She currently migrates between the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Channel Islands off the coast of California, and the deserts and canyons of the Southwest where she leads backpacking, sea cave kayaking, outdoor education, and wildlife viewing trips.

Mirabai’s love for the outdoors began while growing up in California and exploring beaches and mountains. She earned a BS in Environmental Science and Outdoor Education from Western Washington University and also graduated from Honolulu School of Massage. Mirabai’s career highlights include developing curricula for outdoor art and science summer camps in Washington, California and Hawaii. She has spent time as a river guide for several summers, leading ski tours during the winter and now teaches Jazzercise fitness classes in addition to being a hiking and backpacking guide. After living in Washington, Colorado and Hawaii, Mirabai has called Mariposa home for the past 16 years, where she developed a passion for exploring Yosemite National Park and sharing her knowledge with others.

Noah grew up in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. He went to school at Northern Michigan University. There he studied Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management Skills. He soon fell for the beauty of the outdoors in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where he enjoyed getting outside surfing, backpacking, and climbing. After graduating Northern Michigan in 2019, Noah set out to backpack the Pacific Crest Trail. Noah Currently lives in Bozeman, Montana where he enjoys his time getting out backpacking or backcountry skiing in Montana’s Rocky Mountains. He is passionate about safety, adventure, and the pristine beauty of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for his guests.

Rachel “Rach” grew up in the Colorado Rockies. Growing up, she had access to hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and recreational trails in Colorado where her love of the outdoors began. At the University of Colorado Boulder, she became involved in botanical research and the CU Hiking Club. After graduation, Rach worked at Keystone Science School leading overnight trips with youth in the mountains of Summit County, Colorado. After several years with Keystone Science School, she lead two multi-sport, multi-night trips with Adventure Treks in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Now, she is a graduate student at the University of Washington. In her spare time, she loves to be outside, read, cook, and find live music.  Rach believes in the true power that the outdoors have to gain a deeper connection with oneself, community, and nature.

Tyler grew up mainly in Northeast Ohio as an adolescent, however his love for the outdoors and wilderness “schooling” came about in Southwest Colorado during his 20’s.  Now returning to the PNW with a base of Bend, Oregon; he is excited to share his passion of the outdoors with others as well as sharing stories with guests from all backgrounds and experiences.  Tyler recently transitioned to guiding full time after 7 years of working as an EMT and Search and Rescue professional. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking with his wife, climbing in the alpine, biking with his dog Osa, and hanging out with friends across the globe.

Wally Brandt was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. A graduate of Ohio University with degrees in Sociology and French, Wally spent his post college years living and shaping young minds in wilderness education and therapeutic programs, including living outside for a year practicing bushcraft. Wally has been guiding and exposing himself and others to the therapeutic benefits of Southern Utah’s national parks and public lands since 2015.

Living in Southern California Adrianna grew up camping in the Sierra Nevada’s, hiking along the coast line, and exploring every chance she could; constantly curious about the flora and fauna she found along her journeys.  Eventually she went to Humboldt State University in Northern California to expand on her interest of the natural world, earning her a B.S. in Zoology with a minor in Native American study. While there she fell in love with being amongst the red woods, the deep ferns, and of course, the banana slugs. After graduating Adrianna tried to find a foothold in the wildlife sciences. In each job she took she found she was missing something; a challenge, a sense of purpose. In an attempt to understand if she could be a guide she obtained a job in Wilderness Adventure Therapy. It was here she understood her passion for being outside and laying in the dirt meant she could never returnee to a normal 9-5. She continuous her passion for educating people on the natural world through guiding, and constantly telling her friends what bird just flew by, regardless if they asked for it or not.

Antoine’s love of Iceland led him to settle in the country back in 2006. Whether on glacier ice, snow, rock, climbing, skiing, or camping, the wilderness is where Antoine is most at home. He has a penchant for sharing stories of the land and taking guests beyond the beaten track. Now a teacher, Antoine still takes time to guide each season. He guides year-round in five different languages and on varied trip types.

Bob grew up in Chicago and made a conscious effort to spend his free time exploring the county forest preserves and the lakes and woods of northern Michigan. A steady stream of Thoreau and Farley Mowat books and a trip to the Colorado Rockies at age 18 ingrained a love of the mountains and nature in Bob. After serving in the U.S. Army as an infantry medic, Bob moved to Colorado and then Montana where he has lived for the past 30 years with his wife and children. Bob worked for nearly 20 years in environmental protection and has been featured in Backpacker Magazine, Outside magazine, Wall Street Journal, and several documentary films. He has backpacked extensively in the National Parks and Wilderness Areas of the intermountain West and Desert Southwest, with a particular affinity for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. A professional guide since 1999, Bob enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for the wild places he loves with others.

Dakota was raised on the trails of Northern Arizona. A Flagstaff local, Dakota was the child of an outdoor junkie and forest ranger and many a weekend were spent exploring the vastness of the Colorado Plateau with his dad. He fell in love with the rivers of the Southwest and began guiding white water rafting trips at the age of eighteen, spending the subsequent five years floating down river as much as possible. Though he still loves the Southwest’s scenic waterways, he has shifted his attention in recent years to exploring the many remote areas of the Colorado Plateau. When not guiding, Dakota likes to get back on the river, climb, and delve into the seldom traveled slot canyons of Arizona and Utah.

Daniel grew up in the Southern Appalachian mountains and enjoyed getting outdoors from an early age. After his first job in the outdoor industry as a raft guide in North Carolina he knew that he wanted to continue to help others connect to nature. He graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management in 2016. After school he spent a season in Australia guiding wilderness expeditions for teenagers that included backpacking, rock climbing, and canoeing. Upon returning to the States he began working as a Wilderness Therapy guide in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. In 2018 he moved to Western Washington and continued guiding for at-risk youth in the Olympic Mountains. Near his home in Port Angeles, Daniel also guides sea kayaking tours and he has spent time working with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s youth and traditional culture programs. Daniel’s other passion besides the outdoors is playing music. He plays in a band in Port Angeles.

Doug is a Santa Fe native and was raised in New Mexico and Oklahoma. His first backpacking adventure was in the New Mexico mountains when he was 10 years old. A Grand Canyon guide since 2008 (with Wildland Trekking since 2009) he has guided over 175 treks into “the Canyon”. He is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School and earned a degree in history from Penn State University. In addition to guiding for Wildland Trekking he coordinates the company’s Philanthropy Program, is a Santa Fe area tour/hiking guide and since 2008 has instructed field courses for NOLS. He is a passionate wilderness educator and enjoys sharing with others the unique natural and human history of the Colorado Plateau region. Doug resides in Albuquerque.

Jose grew up in the farming community of Huayllaccocha in the mountains near the Sacred Valley in Peru. He is fluent in Quechua, Spanish and English and holds a degree in tourism from Americana University in Cusco. He has been guiding tours and treks in Peru since 2006 and has been working with Wildland Trekking since 2015. He has an immense amount of knowledge – gleaned both from experience and from formal education – about the Inca, Machu Picchu, the mountains around Cusco, the Peruvian Andes in general, tourism and customer service. Jose’s hobbies include photography, birding, trekking, history and exploring new routes around the “Lost City of the Inca”, Machu Picchu!

The privilege of growing up in Colorado instilled a deep love of the wilderness in Kaci at a young age. Because of this early experience, education, and access to outdoor adventure, guiding was her dream job growing up.  During her undergraduate degree at Colorado State University,  Kaci guided youth on adventure trips climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, summiting 14ers, rafting, and kayaking and loved it. However, after obtaining her degree in health and exercise science, Kaci took her career urban in the field of social work. During this time, Kaci was able to pursue personal outdoor objectives until her passion for sharing the wilderness with others got so strong she could no longer stay inside.  Blending her social work experience and outdoor enthusiasm into becoming an affinity crew lead for an all female identifying chainsaw crew with the Utah Conservation Core.  Now residing in Driggs Idaho, Kaci is thrilled to guide with Wildland and hopes to create safe and exciting trips that grow your sense of wonder for this beautiful earth we live on.

Kieron is an all-season outdoor enthusiast. He juggles guiding cat-ski adventures and backcountry ski tours in the winter with leading our llama and backpacking trips in the summer. He spends his personal time hanging out with his bulldog, traveling, and participating in outdoor activities like climbing, rafting, skateboarding and snowboarding.  Kieron has a background in outdoor recreation, a bachelor’s degree in International Studies, a made-up degree in Fun and Safety, and has been working professionally in the outdoor industry for over 8 years. He grew up in rural Oregon and currently resides in the Tetons, where he loves sharing the area with visitors from around the world.

Marlo grew up in the Northeast. In her 20s she began backpacking as a way to connect with her dad and became hooked. Having completed almost all of the Appalachian Trail through New England, Marlo decided annual father/daughter trips were not enough. After working nearly a decade in higher education, she turned to outdoor recreation. A National Outdoor Leadership School alum, she is now a backpacking instructor for the school as well as Marketing Coordinator and guide for Wildland.

Max was born and raised in Ohio and began exploring the local forests as a young boy scout. An outdoor guide since 2019; Max led hiking, canoeing, and skiing trips across North America before settling into work as a hiking and backpacking guide. In between personal adventures, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Western Governors University as well as certifications in wilderness medicine, outdoor ethics, mountain safety, and swiftwater rescue. When not leading Wildland Trekking trips, he shares the joys and lessons of outdoor adventure with middle and high school students while leading outdoor education programs; and enjoys personal skiing, rock climbing, and whitewater canoe trips.

Michael spent his childhood camping, hiking, and exploring the great state of Arizona with his family. After leaving Phoenix in 2014, Michael attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and graduated with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management. With a growing passion to travel, he began exploring other states such as Alaska, Oregon, Tennessee, and California. While living in these places, Michael worked seasonally as a backpacking guide. Yosemite National Park and Grand Canyon National Park are two places that have made the most impact on Michael, as they are both incredibly unique and beautiful areas. Michael thoroughly enjoys being outside and always finds himself either hiking, backpacking, or mountain biking!

Mike grew up skiing and running in New Hampshire, and took up rock climbing as an adult.  On a road trip to the desert Southwest he discovered his truest passion – hiking. Only four months later he was thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and discovering what it means to be an ultra-endurance athlete. With a renewed sense of adventure, he has since cycled across the country, thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in only 2.5 months, and worked as a bike messenger in Austin, TX.  In addition to guiding for Wildland he is currently training to break the “Fastest Known Time” record on one of America’s long trails.

Raymond was born in Marseille, in the south of France. He has been trekking and climbing mountains since his teenage years, sparking a lifelong passion for nature and a deep curiosity that has led him on adventures around the world. This love for the outdoors inspired him to become a professional guide.

As an experienced and official guide, Raymond has traveled extensively across Europe, gaining deep knowledge of the countries where he leads groups.

With a bachelor’s degree in geography, Raymond is particularly passionate about geomorphology and climatology, finding great fulfillment in understanding and sharing the intricate connections of the natural world.

When he is not guiding, Raymond enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, engaging in activities like hiking and rock climbing.

Raymond invites you to visit the Alps, one of his favorite places on Earth, where he would be delighted to share the wonders of these fascinating mountains with you.

Born in Colorado and raised in central California, Samantha earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Education with an emphasis in Recreation from Chicago State University. She also received her Masters degree in Recreation Resource Administration from Southern Illinois University, and is a Leave No Trace Master Educator. Along the way, Samantha has designed and facilitated numerous recreation programs in a variety of settings. Early on, she knew she had a knack for working with diverse populations in the outdoors, and has realized this goal through her work as a guide for hiking trips in the desert of Utah. Living intentionally and doing everything with a meaningful purpose is how Samantha lives her life. In her spare time, she loves rock climbing, swimming, backcountry baking, and exploring Southwestern Utah

Born and raised in Florida, Stephen discovered the outdoors through obtaining the rank of Eagle through the Boy Scouts. The outdoors introduced him to Lady Adventure and he fell in love immediately. Lady Adventure took him to the ocean and taught him to go with the flow through surfing. When it came time to leave Florida, Stephen chased Lady Adventure out West. The deserts of Arizona taught him the meaning of wilderness and what it is to truly live. When not guiding guests in the wilderness, Stephen can be found climbing sandstone formations in Sedona, boating the Verde, backpacking the Grand Canyon and inquisitively exploring the world around him with his wife and daughter. His goal is to have a BESTDAYEVER every day.

Tiffany Cooper grew up in Mississippi where she started camping at an early age with her grand parents. Her love of the outdoors was born from weekend getaways to lakes and forests in the area where she grew up. In 1999 she graduated from Mississippi State with a Bachelor’s degree in Fitness management. After college she moved to Montana, where she was all about hiking and exploring Montana and Wyoming for over 2 years. It was in 2002 however that her life was forever changed – she moved to Arizona and started hiking the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau. “I fell in love with the Canyon and do not think I can leave. I have been guiding in the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau now for more than 8 years {since 2004} and see no end in sight!”

Barbara’s love for the outdoors began in childhood, where she immersed herself in maps and books of tales and legends. For over 20 years, training in sustainable tourism, outdoor and humanitarian project management, travel and trekking have been the heart of her life.

Barbara has embarked on major expeditions, including a ski-pulka journey in Pakistan, long treks on foot in Morocco, and a year-long adventure across the Himalayas, traversing Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, India, and Nepal. During this Himalayan journey, she focused on highlighting women’s empowerment and local initiatives – a human and sporting adventure she has shared at numerous festivals and in her book, Himalaya – Regard de femmes. 

Having lived in New Zealand and the UK, Barbara is driven by a deep desire to share her knowledge, connect with people, and explore wilderness areas. She regularly leads groups to Pakistan, Tajikistan, and the regions she is particularly passionate about – Scotland and Ireland.

Through her travels, Barbara delves into the lives and territories of the world’s minorities and the life that reigns there, seeking to understand and share her experiences in a meaningful way.

Beau embodies a grounded approach to outdoor guiding, emphasizing authenticity, simplicity, and genuine connection. He brings a humble demeanor and a sincere appreciation for nature to every adventure, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared experience among fellow adventurers. With Beau as your guide, you’ll discover a refreshing perspective that prioritizes the beauty of the journey itself, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the wonders of the natural world.

Casey grew up in California’s Wine Country, but found a passion for adventure that was seeded early on during his family trips to ski at Lake Tahoe and explore the Pacific Coast. He graduated from Sierra Nevada College with a bachelor’s degree in Global Management and Outdoor Leadership. Since then Casey has been fairly nomadic, wandering around the American West as well as exploring numerous countries in Asia, Central America and New Zealand to ski, backpack, surf, climb, raft and scuba dive. Casey is a Wilderness First Responder, backcountry cooking aficionado and values a well-placed dad joke. He has guided rivers in the red rock desert of Utah and still guides rafting trips on the Salmon River in Idaho. When he is not traveling Casey has made his base camp in Driggs, Idaho living in the custom van he built. He is grateful for the chance to share his passion for the outdoors while exploring the Greater Yellowstone area on Wildland Trekking trips.

Hailing from rural Massachusetts, Jennie grew up exploring the woods in her backyard. These early experiences launched her into her career as a tour guide. She hiked, camped and led visitors from all over the world across Northern and Central America, from the salmon runs of Alaska to the blue waters of the Caribbean. Then, she took her adventures further afield, guiding intrepid travelers on three continents. Now she’s thrilled to return to one of her first outdoor loves, hiking the Colorado Plateau, where river-carved canyons and upended rock layers tell the story of distant geological upheavals.

Morgan grew up in Dallas, TX and lived in a home with a network of trails right in her backyard. Her love of the outdoors and the joy that comes with pushing limits and spending full days outside was born on the simple trails near Austin, TX where she attended college. She received her Bachelors of Music from the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in Choral Music Education. Her journey into the outdoors was a bit less conventional, as she worked as an elementary music teacher for 5 years, escaping to the mountains in the summers to hike long trails such as the Colorado Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail, the Oregon Coast Trail, the Wonderland Trail, and parts of the Yosemite High Route. Eventually, the call of the outdoors became so strong that she left her teaching career in pursuit of a career working with and inspiring others in the outdoors. She loves singing, yoga, playing with her dog, meditation, reading, and of course, backpacking!

Jacob grew up surrounded by concrete in Phoenix, Arizona, always yearning for forests, rivers, and mountains. Soon he moved to Flagstaff, Arizona to attend Northern Arizona University and spent as much time as he could wandering the woods. After completing a B.S. in Environmental Studies, Jacob pursued his childhood dream of becoming a firefighter. He worked as a wildland firefighter in the summers and for a Fire & EMS agency during the off season. After chasing fire, Jacob obtained a Masters in Sustainable Communities and found his calling in taking people outside. In addition to scholarly pursuits, Jacob is trained as a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician. Recently, Jacob relocated to Asheville North Carolina to continue to tend his calling in helping others find deep connection with nature. He is often found backpacking, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, gardening, bird watching, tracking, and bow hunting.

Nick grew up in Bellingham, Washington sandwiched between the San Juan Islands and the Cascade Mountains. He explored much of what the PNW has to offer before moving to Arizona for college. While pursuing degrees in Exercise and Wellness, and Parks and Protected Area Management, he found passion in exploring unfamiliar places, our connection and responsibility to those places, and enabling everyone’s potential through outdoor recreation and education. Through his personal trips and work, he has become devoted to teaching lessons on outdoor ethics, personal growth, and skills that take us outside. He splits his time between Washington, Alaska, and the Southwest. In his free time, you might find Nick getting psyched on wildflowers, experimenting with a new recipe, working at his sewing machine, or planning the next adventure.

Meet our exceptional hiking and backpacking guide, Seth,  whose love for the outdoors runs deep. Growing up near the breathtaking mountains of Salt Lake City, he has an innate understanding of the beauty and power of nature. During the summer months, he leads unforgettable trips through the majestic mountain ranges, while in the winter, he enjoys exploring the stunning canyons and deserts of Southern Utah. With a passion for travel and a deep appreciation for the natural world, he embodies the spirit of adventure. As a wilderness first responder, his top priority is ensuring your safety and well-being on every excursion. In his free time, he indulges in rock climbing, canyoneering, hiking, and embracing a healthy lifestyle through movement. Not only is Seth a skilled guide, he also dedicates time to mastering the art of Brazilian jiu jitsu and teaching self-defense. Join him on a remarkable journey, where you’ll experience the wonders of nature, learn new skills, and forge unforgettable memories with an exceptional guide.

Recently returned to his childhood home, Darrek resides amidst the evergreens in Washington State, where he often explores his local Cascade Mountains and abundant surrounding national forests. His appreciation for the outdoors was developed in his formative adolescent years in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, where his love for backpacking and mountaineering began in ernest. He has spent much of his adult life working seasonally in the US national parks, with many fine and scenic places becoming his own backyard for a time. Eventually the love for the outdoors led him to tour-guiding and showing off the nation’s natural wonders to people from across the globe. When he isn’t working, he enjoys snowboarding in the winter, floating along rivers in the summer, and kicking back with a good book in his hammock whenever he can find the time.

Delphine, a state-certified mountain guide, has been passionately leading people through the trails of the Alps and remote islands since 2004. With a deep love for unspoiled places, she has made her home in the Belledonne massif, a region she affectionately refers to as her garden. Driven by a desire to connect with others and share the beauty of nature, Delphine looks forward to meeting you on the trail, discovering mountains and paths together, and, most importantly, experiencing your unique vision of the world. With authenticity and a genuine appreciation for both nature and humanity, she is excited to guide you on your next adventure.

Jane is an outdoor adventurer, enthusiastically learning from and connecting to the natural world. She grew up hiking and trail running on the east coast in Virginia and New Hampshire. She then earned a BA in PoliSci from San Diego State, calling Southern California her home for 8 years. Jane has also spent time in India and on Maui cultivating her yoga and meditation practice, as well as leading a country wide trip in India. Jane currently lives in Colorado. She has 450+ days as a wilderness therapy guide in the Utah canyons and Colorado mountains. From these years, she’s gained in-depth knowledge and understanding of these environments as well as interpersonal communication and leadership skills. She has hiked the Washington state section of the Pacific Crest Trail and guided wilderness trips along the Sierras section in CA. Her favorite backpacking trip is in the Maroon Bells/ Snowmass Wilderness Area of Colorado. Her strengths include patience, resourcefulness and physical/ mental endurance. She encourages people to experience the full spectrum of their emotions as they come, and to cultivate gratitude and curiosity. She especially loves to invite creativity and catharsis through bush-crafting, writing and dance. In her free time, she enjoys community meals, documentaries, ultra-marathons and Black Rock City.

Josiah grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains where he fell in love with the outdoors at an early age. After graduating from Appalachian State University, he started working in outdoor education in California. After several years of outdoor-ed in California and Hawaii he moved onto guiding, first in the Sierras and then Alaska and Wyoming. He loves the way the world slows down in the wilderness, and his favorite trips include snowshoeing in the Sierras, multi-day rafting in Alaska, and of course any trip in the Tetons.

Kyle Felts grew up in Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains and developed a love for the outdoors on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail, and James River. He graduated from The Golf Academy of America in 2012 and worked in the golf industry for several years before leaving to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2014. After completing the thru hike, he realized how passionate he was about backpacking. In 2016 he traveled to the Pacific Northwest exploring several national parks and wilderness areas. He has now settled down in Asheville to guide in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Although Anna was born and raised in Washington, D.C., she comes from a large California family and spent most summers of her life exploring her beloved Sierra Nevada. Between lots of childhood hiking to alpine lakes and a few formative years at a nature awareness camp in West Virginia, she developed a passion for wild and beautiful places, outdoor adventure and conservation. After graduating from Harvard University in 2007 with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies, Anna was burning for adventure so she set off for a “stint” of traveling and seasonal work. That stint turned into a life of exploring and teaching in the great outdoors, including expeditions on desert rivers, backpacking trips in the mountains, and snorkeling and sea kayaking around various islands. In 2019, she completed a master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning at the University of Oregon, a wonderful program that allowed her to study such diverse topics as bicycle infrastructure, sustainable materials management and public lands stewardship. Passionate about sustainable living, she has studied, resided in and helped build a number of natural buildings and eco-communities. While not out exploring, Anna spends time working on homestead projects and cultivating community at her lavender farm in Eugene, OR.

Heimer has worked as a professional trekking guide for more than a decade. He comes from a small village near Huaraz, Peru – located at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca range. He trained at the Casa de Guias (House of Guides) professional training center. He is trilingual, speaking Spanish, English, and Quechua. He is passionate about inviting people into his home country and sharing his knowledge and love of the beautiful Cordillera.

Lisa grew up in Virginia and enjoyed family camping trips. It wasn’t until a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) program in Alaska that she experienced the freedom, challenge, and exhilaration of backpacking. After years studying, living and working in cities, Lisa realized she belonged in the mountains, not among the sky scrapers. Lisa fulfilled a childhood dream of moving to Vermont, working at a wilderness focused summer camp and teaching Outdoor Education in the off season. She then went on to work at a farm based therapeutic community, where her official role was to manage the gardening program and organize a number of backpacking and winter camping trips for the clients. She also led day hikes, canoe trips, and backcountry and downhill ski trips. In 2020, she hiked Vermont’s Long Trail, and in 2023 completed a thru hike of the Appalachian trail. This cemented her goal of working as a hiking guide, helping others experience the freedom, challenge and exhilaration that comes from being in the mountains. Lisa also volunteers with Vermont Adaptive, assisting people with disabilities access outdoor recreation, especially skiing. When Lisa is not in the woods, she can be found playing music with friends, singing in a community chorus, gardening, weaving, or designing and sewing her own backpacking gear.

Growing up in Washington DC, the desire for travel and outdoor exploration took Paris at a young age. From the forests of coastal Maine to the Sierra Nevada mountains, from the Himalayan peaks of India to the thick rainforest of South Africa, Paris put all his energy into planning, funding and executing various trips across the United States and the world. He went to university at SUNY Plattsburgh and Majored in Expeditionary Studies. In his freshman year he enlisted in the New York Army National Guard and served for six years. For the last three years he has lived nomadically, currently in a van that he converted himself. He loves to hike, ski, climb, run and sail, and never misses an opportunity to get outside!

Sam is originally from central Illinois, he completed a BS in Electronic Arts at Missouri State University and moved to Idaho in 2021. Growing up in the Boy Scouts of America fostered his passion for the wilderness. His professional outdoor experience includes work with the Champaign Parks District, the YMCA, and Bluefire Wilderness Therapy among others. Recreationally he enjoys backpacking, climbing, and skiing. As a guide, Sam takes great pleasure in sharing these activities and the positive impacts they can have with others.

Andrea was born and raised in the city of Puerto Natales, Chile and is a descendent of the indigenous peoples of Patagonia. With many ancestors before her closely connected to nature, she inherited a bond with the earth and a desire to explore it. It was along this exploratory path that she began discovering foreign cultures and became fascinated with their languages. In University she studied translation and languages, including English and German. She has worked in the tourism industry in her home town for years as an English-speaking tour guide and has spent time in Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Luxemburg, Check Republic, Hunger, Spain, Italy and Portugal. Every year, as she gains experience of her homeland and abroad, her thirst for knowledge and new experiences grows. She is extremely grateful for her roots in Patagonia and for the opportunity to share her history and the land where she was raised with each person who comes to Chile in search of an adventure.

Brooke has loved the outdoors since a young age. While growing up she would spend evenings after school playing in the woods behind her house in Indiana and family vacations visiting state and national parks. While attending Belmont University in Nashville, TN, she experienced the invigorating world of backpacking on a trip in the Appalachian Mountains. Since that first trip she was hooked. She has visited 40 National Parks, hiked the Camino de Santiago across Spain, and also worked guiding backpacking trips in the Smoky Mountains. She adores sharing her passion for the wilderness, the National Parks and Forests, local flora/fauna, and conservation with guests. In her spare time she loves spending time with her dog, hanging out on the water in any capacity, practicing yoga, and attending concerts. In addition to guiding, she’s also a Certified Yoga Instructor.

Jessie grew up playing in the oak forests of Oklahoma. She has tremendous gratitude to her parents for sharing their love of our national parks snd wild places from a young age. After college, Jessie moved to Alaska to work in supply chain management. In Alaska, she discovered the joy of off-trail travel and backcountry skiing, and became enamored with snow science. Her longing to be outside as much as possible and make a positive impact on the world led her to quit her business career after 7 years. Since that time she has relentlessly pursued her dreams and lives by the motto that “life is too short to wish you were doing something else.”

Jessie has worked the last 5 years as an avalanche educator and observer, ski guide, and backpacking/hiking guide across Alaska, Utah, Colorado, California, and Arizona.  She loves sharing the history, geology, culture, and flora and fauna of the wild places she loves so dearly with guests.  She believes by doing so, an adventure through beautiful places becomes much richer and more meaningful. Her other core passion is empowering people through education to be on the sharp end, confidently making decisions whether in avalanche terrain, or navigating and route-finding off-trail.

Jessie is a cactus obsessed desert rat that loves warm sunshine, deep canyons, and wide open spaces, but conversely finds pure joy in skiing blower powder and being in the high alpine. When she isn’t backpacking and skiing, she can be found exploring the wide array of flavors of Mexican cuisine, reading a good book, observing and identifying birds and plants, mountain biking slick rock, or paddling a desert river.

Liz grew up on the coast in Connecticut, spending most of her time on Long Island Sound, where her appreciation for outdoor adventures began. Since graduating from Sewanee: The University of the South, she worked as a naturalist and outdoor educator in Charleston, SC where she guided multi-day sea kayaking and hiking trips throughout the Lowcountry. She decided to trade in her kayak for a backpack and lead multi-day backpacking trips in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho, and North Carolina with students. In her spare time, Liz loves to kayak, listen to live music, snap cool pictures of wildlife, or try anything that gets her out into some fresh air! Liz believes in the power that outdoor experiences can provide in facilitating a positive connection with people and wild places.

Stuart first started guiding on the Green River below the Flaming Gorge Reservoir over 30 years ago. After raising a family there, he decided to make Saint George his next stop because of his love for the outdoors. Here he enjoys his favorite warm weather hobbies including mountain biking, hiking, golfing, and fishing. His nickname “Big Stu” was fondly given to him for more than just his stature. His outgoing personality, love for the outdoors, and his passion to share it with others are just a few reasons why “Big Stu” stuck. He looks forward to exploring the red rock desert with future friends.

Victoria is a Wyoming native that spent her youth exploring the Tetons and Wind River Range. She went to school at the University of Wyoming where she received her BFA in art and minors in outdoor leadership, environmental resources and art history. Since leaving college she has found her career in coaching while selling art on the side. She has been a youth cross country ski coach for four years and is currently completing her internship to become a professional coach that specialized in functional movement. Being outside and sharing the outdoors with others is where she receives much of her inspiration on how to help people move optimally.

Wes was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. He rambled all over the Great Basin Desert in his youth and started his guiding journey in earnest when he realized that he wanted to connect his daughter to wild, unbuilt places. What began as volunteer work grew into an official position leading participants on multi day public lands stewardship projects in all corners of Nevada. Since that time, 15 years ago, he has worked in many capacities in trail-building, environmental stewardship, nonprofit management, and community engagement; he also spent ten of those years in Alaska. This experience honed Wes’ appreciation for his desert birthplace. He is glad to be back to connecting people to unique places and sharing life-changing experiences. When he’s not guiding, other favorite activities include mountain running, local trail building, Nordic skiing, winter fat-tire biking, and watching Vines on YouTube.

Ericka began her nomadic adventure lifestyle early on, growing up in both Nashville and Detroit. Her deep love of the outdoors and the power of storytelling led her to pursue a degree in Literary Criticism and Professional Writing. Following a dream of travel writing, Ericka sought out work in the seasonal hospitality industry to explore as many national parks as possible. These travels allowed her to experience backpacking in the mountains of Glacier National Park, rappelling the canyons of Utah, skiing the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and mountaineering in the distant peaks of Peru. Ericka found a passion in sharing the outdoors with others, and loved cultivating a sense of empowerment in her outdoor community. For the past few years, Ericka has guided climbing, canyoneering, trekking, mountain biking, and caving excursions in Utah/Idaho for multiple adventure therapy companies. Today, she continues her nomadic lifestyle on the road and shares the healing power of nature through thoughtfully crafted experiences and helping others explore the unknown.

Erin was raised outside of Boulder, Colorado, and grew up hiking, snowshoeing, backpacking, and riding horses in the Rocky Mountains.  After college, she worked a variety of jobs ranging from sales, to non-profit support, to education, and more.  In 2020, Erin finally returned to her love of the outdoors and became an outdoor education instructor on Catalina Island.  She also spent a year working as a field guide for a wilderness therapy program based out of Colorado and Utah.  Erin believes that everyone, regardless of their personal backgrounds, can find a home and a place of learning in the wilderness.  She is passionate about guiding people to have fulfilling experiences in the backcountry while promoting responsible and sustainable recreation in our wild places.

Julie Jurkowski was born and raised outside of Chicago, but it wasn’t until she moved West in her early 20’s that she felt she had truly found her home. She has lead outdoor education and adventure trips with a number of companies over the past eight years. Many of these trips have been with at-risk youth as she believes whole-heartedly in the healing power of nature. She has hiked from Georgia to Pennsylvania on the Appalachian Trail and has lead trips in places from Alaska to Hawaii and North Carolina to Arizona. She has her graduate degree in Climate Science from Northern Arizona University and, although she is a Flagstaff resident, she is most at home in the backcountry and spends as many nights under the stars each year as possible.

Matt grew up in the Eagle Valley of Colorado. Skiing and hiking were second nature by the time he went to Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO where he graduated with a degree in Adventure Education. College became a testing ground as he learned backpacking, rock climbing, and mountaineering skills. Upon graduation Matt began working for a wilderness therapy company based in Colorado and Utah; honing his communication, risk management, and decision making skills culminating in over 500 field days spent in the wilderness. It was during this time that Matt discovered the true power that nature has in healing, growing, and challenging individuals. In 2022 Matt decided to put his skills to the test hiking the Colorado Trail. This was where a love for long distance hiking was born and Matt recently completed another thru hike of the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand. Matt loves to bring his sense of curiosity and creativity into wherever he goes, and his favorite pastime is watching the world wake up to the sunrise, especially in the Utah desert.

Sasha, who sometimes goes by her trail name “Sassy,” is a Pennsylvania native and a world wanderer. She has experienced nature as something spiritual from a very young age, and intense wanderlust since her teen years. Following work in education, travel sales, and international medical case management, she pursued a MA in International Communication in Europe. Not satisfied with the corporate environment, post-graduation she decided to soul search by embarking on several treks in Hungary, Croatia, The Netherlands, Germany, and her home state of Pennsylvania; totalling 1,400+ miles in solo long-distance expeditions. The desire to guide others through soul-filling experiences in the great outdoors then drove her to become a guide at therapeutic wilderness programs in North Carolina and Utah. Finally, she was drawn farther west, and is thrilled to share the incredible beauty and rich history of the Sierras with you. When she’s not out hiking, she enjoys vanlife and creating content for her YouTube channel.

Alexi is a self-described globetrotter, musician and bird-nerd. Alexi was born in New York City and raised in rural New England. He studied biology in university and went on to become a field ornithologist, banding birds and leading research crews in remote areas in the States and abroad. In between these jobs, Alexi backpacked through Oceania, Southeast Asia, South America, and the American West. The call of the canyons eventually drew him to Flagstaff, where he landed his dream job leading backpacking trips in Grand Canyon. When he’s not guiding, Alexi is picking his mandolin in Flagstaff or exploring the Southwest with his dog, Francis.

Bob Kraus was one of our first employees and worked with Wildland Trekking for nearly a decade. He passed away from natural causes at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on October 22, 2014 doing what he loved most in this world – introducing guests to the natural world. Bob was one of a kind; a guy you immediately liked, he had an easy laugh and an easy personality. Conversation with Bob outside, around a campfire, seemed the most natural thing in the world. He did things old school, kept things simple, and his guests fell in love with him for it over the course of days in the wilderness. We’ll never forget Bob and we miss him every day.

Cameron spent his younger years living in and enjoying the outdoors of Michigan and Arizona. After graduating from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Biology and Education, Cameron has spent most of the last 30 years administering many outdoor programs, guiding, working in outdoor film production, and teaching about environmental and outdoor education. Cameron is frequently seen skiing, hiking, climbing, skateboarding, boating and generally having a good time in the outdoors. Elements of conservation and experiential education are at the core of Cameron’s teaching and outdoor style.

Chandra was born and raised on a small farm in Michigan, where caring for the land and all of its creature’s is a part of life. She grew up fishing, hiking, camping, and biking every summer, while spending the winters skiing each weekend. After moving away from home she explored the United States to its fullest living all over, from the Virgin Islands to Arizona and beyond. Once she moved to California, she decided it was time to complete her college education and graduated with her degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Since, she has backpacked the Grand Canyon, worked on river conservation projects and explored the west coast. When she isn’t hiking, she is either tending to her garden, creating her next art piece or socializing with friends.

Dean Kelly was born in Ireland but grew up in the Northeast. He earned a BA in Environmental Studies and Education from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Dean was a science teacher in New York City for five years. He has remained in education in that he is now a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) instructor as well as a Wildland Trekking Company hiking and backpacking guide. Dean home base is in Flagstaff, Arizona where he spends his free time rock climbing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and running.

Deanna grew up in South Florida and has been an avid backpacker since 2014. Her love for nature and geology led to her move to Boulder, CO to attend college. While spending all her free time adventuring in the Rocky Mountains she realized her passion for outdoor recreation was something she wanted to pursue professionally. This led her to switch majors and find a school that offered an Outdoor Education program. She is a Leave No Trace Master Educator, Wilderness First Responder and AAIRE I certified. When Deanna’s not guiding for Wildland she is either snowboarding, traveling, camping, hiking, practicing yoga, paddle boarding or creating content for her outdoor blog. What drives her the most is witnessing the transformative experiences guests have while in the backcountry. She believes time spent in nature strengthens and cultivates a courageous mindset that carries over into your everyday life.

Karla grew up in Seattle very much a city girl. She had only been camping twice prior to her college years, during which time she volunteered her way onto a Grand Canyon river trip as a science tech. Immediately in love with the canyon, she finished up her degree in Environmental Science, packed up and moved to Flagstaff, AZ. Once there, she completed her masters in biology at Northern Arizona University, focusing on plant ecology in arid environments. She has continued to work as a researcher both above and below the rim for 15 years, while spending as much time backpacking and hiking the canyon as possible. Having made the transition away from research to being a full-time hiking and river guide, she is passionate about teaching her guests about the flora of the canyon. When Karla isn’t hiking in the canyon, you’ll find her gardening, skiing, planning an adventure with friends, hiking somewhere else in Arizona or enjoying a good beer and live bluegrass. She is looking forward to sharing her love for her favorite place on earth: Grand Canyon!

Rachel was hiking as early as she can remember, and started backpacking in a club from her high school with a highly dedicated teacher; after graduating high school, she continued with the backpacking club as an alumni chaperone. She pursued hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing in her free time while she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a B.S. degree in Environmental Science in 2018, and a M.S. degree in Environmental Science and Engineering in 2020. After graduating, she continued environmental science research with her thesis advisor remotely as a Research Assistant while traveling the US and abroad for backpacking and rock climbing, as well as learning to ice climb and surf. Rachel loves to recreate outside and to share her passion with others, especially those who may not be able to access the outdoors otherwise.

Roseana comes from a big family of laborers who worked under the harsh Arizona sun like her. Her abuelito, born under a Mesquite tree in Tucson, unknowingly planted her soul in the same Sonoran desert. She grew up feeding Javelina and getting stuck full of cholla cactus. Her purpose flourished as an Environmental Science student in Flagstaff, Arizona. The new ecosystems of pinon/juniper and ponderosa ignited her connection with nature and the desire to help others find their own. She fell in love with the Grand Canyon and soon thereafter, the wonderful community of Wildland Trekking. Her education has extended from the canyons, monuments, and First Nations of the Colorado Plateau, to Rocky Mountain peaks, deep seas, and rainforests all over the world. Her second love became the grizzly country of Yellowstone National Park, where she guides. She returns to guide in the Southwest every Spring and Fall to maintain a balanced seasonal migration.

Sean was born in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. but grew up on the coast of New Jersey. Graduating from Rutgers in 2016, Sean returned to Steamboat Springs to live and work, drawn by the allure of powder days and mountain adventures. Time spent snowboarding, backpacking, and mountain biking instilled a love and appreciation for the Colorado Rockies, and a passion for outdoor recreation. Now living in the Pacific Northwest of Bellingham, Washington, Sean has added mountaineering, snow touring, and photography to his outdoor repertoire. Having thru-hiked the Colorado Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, he is no stranger to big adventures, but is just as happy on short trips ambling in the woods or on mountaintops, identifying plants, animals, and clues along the way.

Steve Klefstad fell in love with the Grand Canyon on his first rafting trip in the summer of 2002. Less than a year and a half later, he moved to the South Rim where he lived and worked for Grand Canyon National Park. A side trip took him to Colorado, where he spent two summers guiding rafting trips on the Arkansas River. The Canyon was in his blood though, so he returned to Arizona where he now leads backpacking and river trips throughout Grand Canyon and the Southwest. Thrilled to be guiding for the Wildland Trekking Company, Steve is looking forward to meeting you and sharing with you the Canyon that he knows and loves.

Emma was born in France in the latter half of last century. While her French heritage gave her an appreciation for good food, her British heritage is best reflected in an unconditional love for silly jokes and British comedy.

After some time spent traveling, Emma settled down in the countryside of south Iceland where she worked as a guide in one of the country’s largest museums, learning about Iceland’s culture and traditions from the source, and discovering a vocation for education.

Hearing stories from the locals sparked an even greater interest for the country and in 2013 she certified as a hiking guide from the Tourist Guide School of Iceland, starting to guide the same summer.

Emma guides all-year-round and enjoys nothing more than being in the Icelandic highlands and sharing the startling beauty of her adoptive country.

Jay (he/him) grew up in central Massachusetts, and from an early age going out of his way to find natural spaces to explore. His love of the outdoors and passion for community led him to graduate from Prescott College with degrees in both Adventure Education, and Wilderness and Outdoor-based Therapy, where he started to spend extensive time in wilderness settings. It was here that Jay learned that a life deeply connected with outdoor spaces was the only life for him. As a hiking/backpacking guide, he strives to provide guests with a safe, and accepting environment to foster meaningful, thoughtful connections with natural spaces. When he isn’t at Wildland, Jay can be found climbing a variety of trad routes, soaking up the sun by the ocean, or practicing his harp.

Jeevan Lama is an adventure enthusiast and a world traveler who specializes in Himalayan destinations including Nepal, India and Tibet. He was born near the Langtang region of Nepal in a place called Helambu. After finishing his high school graduation, he followed the path to build his experience in Adventure travel throughout the Himalaya. Jeevan studied outdoor education, leadership development and attended several conferences about Adventure Travel. He has been working in the field since 2005 and has a proven track record as a trip leader and tourism entrepreneur. He currently serves as a board member for TAAN, the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal. Jeevan started working for Wildland Trekking as a Nepal Program Manager in 2015. Jeevan is also actively involved in several charities and community projects, which support disadvantaged communities in Nepal. “Adventure is not easy at all, dare yourself to do something out of the ordinary.”

Lindsey grew up in the flatlands of Iowa, and attended college in Omaha, Nebraska. It wasn’t until she moved to Maine that she discovered her intense love of the outdoors. Lindsey cut her teeth learning to rock climb and backpack in the rugged landscape of New England. Since then she has traveled coast to coast, exploring various climbing and hiking destinations. Lindsey eventually quit her corporate banking job to fully pursue her outdoor passions while living out of her trusty old minivan. She loves nothing more than to share her enthusiasm for outdoor adventures with others, and to cultivate lasting impactful memories from time spent in nature. In her free time Lindsey enjoys solo hiking (most recently a January Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim trek of the Grand Canyon), rock climbing, and playing her recorder on scenic mountaintops. She firmly believes that every day spent outside is a great day, no matter what the weather!

Hailing from the great state of Colorado, Liz has been exploring the mountains her whole life. Her early years consisted of playing in the dirt on the softball field, taking her playing to Lehigh University and then in Germany. Playing professionally was a great joy and the mountains continued calling. Weekend and vacation trips to the woods was not enough. In 2017 she spent a 6 month season living as a  backcountry trail crew member, building and repairing trails in the Sierras. That adventure took her to New Zealand where she lived and worked for a year learning the outdoor industry even better. She can’t wait to hit the trails and share this beautiful place with you.

Paulina grew up in Idaho, not far from the shadow of the Grand Teton Mountains, spending most of her time outside working with horses. Being so close to so many diverse wild spaces instilled a sense of connection to the land from a young age, inspiring her to pursue research, advocacy, education, and guiding. With a background in geoscience, climate science, and energy policy, respecting and protecting the natural world around us is one of her top priorities. Paulina is passionate about being able to share her knowledge of the land she knows and believes that by sharing time with others in those places, they too can find their own connection and sense of place. When off the trail, you can find Paulina hanging around horses, creating art, or planning her next adventure!

Tolman grew up in the Napa Valley and attended the California Maritime Academy thinking that he wanted a career in the merchant marine industry. After a short stint working on tugboats in Alaska, he realized that he needed to follow his dream of working as a backcountry guide. From Boy Scout backpacking trips to a NOLS Patagonia Mountaineering course, inspiration came from a young age to spend as much time as possible in the wilderness. In 2014, he finally took a big step towards his goal and took an interpretive guiding and bicycle tour job at the South Rim of Grand Canyon. Initially thinking this would be a single-season gig, he ended up living and working in the South Rim Village for five years. He fell in love with the canyon like so many before him, and he still has a hard time believing that he gets paid to share with others the wonders of such a place. With plans to settle permanently in the area, he purchased an off-grid property 25 miles south of Grand Canyon and is currently building a tiny home.

Wes was born and raised in the small town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. He spent his entire life exploring the outdoors of southwest Colorado where he became an avid outdoorsman. Wes graduated from Fort Lewis College with a degree in Environmental Studies and has his EMT-IV and WFR medical certifications. While living in Pagosa Springs, he has worked as a Deputy of Emergency Management, Wildland Firefighter, and EMT. As a deputy, his duties included, backcountry search and rescue, law enforcement, wildland firefighting, and management of county emergencies. Wes loved his many roles as a first responder and has decided to take his skills and knowledge on a new adventure to the Yellowstone area as a guide for Wildland Trekking. He is passionate about guiding, teaching people about the outdoors, helping people explore the format. On his free time Wes loves hiking, camping (car/backpack/camper/horse), horseback riding, climbing, biking, hunting, archery, skiing, SAR, and exploring the Rocky Mountains.

Adam (he/him) was raised in Eastern Canada among rugged coastlines and sugar maples, a settler in Mi’kma’ki. His father introduced him to the simple pleasure of exploring landscapes under your own power at the age of 11, both through bike and backpacking. For the past five years he has called Canmore, Alberta (Treaty 7 Territory) home, where he has enjoyed exploring and sharing the nooks and crannies in his own backyard by feet, hands and skis. Through his work as a guide and environmental educator, he seeks to cultivate enduring and reciprocal relationships between people and the places that we call home.

Adriana grew up in Northwest Montana surrounded by the mountains of Glacier National Park. Her love for the outdoors and hiking began at an early age and lead her to pursue a career sharing that enthusiasm with others. She spent several years guiding in Glacier National Park with the off season spent as a volunteer ski instructor. After that three amazing years were spent guiding in The Grand Canyon, as well as supervising a trail maintenance crew, where she enjoyed the satisfaction of making the rough trails as hospitable as possible for visitors. Adriana’s next adventure took her to Yellowstone, where she fell in love with the wonder of the park after spending a winter leading snowmobile tours there, and now calls this amazing place home. She has visited and hiked several dozen National Parks and can be found, skiing, motorcycling, exploring backroads, and mountain climbing in her free time. She can’t wait to share this amazing and beautiful place with you!

Andrew began his outdoor career at an early age in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where he built a foundation and love for skiing, hiking, and climbing. After graduating from high school, he went west to push further into nature. Since then, Andrew has worked in many fields of the outdoor industry, including snowshoe guiding in the high peaks of Colorado, wilderness therapy guiding throughout Utah, teaching wilderness medicine in the La Sal Mountains of Utah, and ski guiding in the Wasatch Mountains. Andrew calls the Wasatch Mountains of Utah home. He has a strong interest in wilderness or emergency medicine, works as an EMT in Salt Lake City and teaches First Aid, CPR, Basic Life Support, Wilderness First Aid, and Wilderness First Responder courses through the American Red Cross and the National Association of Search and Rescue. Andrew has a deep love for the pristine beauty of nature and enjoys sharing that beauty with others. When not guiding, he is chasing snow on a high peak, swimming in an alpine lake or capturing the beauty around him with his camera. He loves interacting with the outdoors in as many ways he can, and will most likely have a huge grin on his face any time he’s in the wild!

Chelsea is an Arizona Native, who grew up in the mountains of small-town Prescott, Arizona. This is where she learned early on about her love for the outdoors. Although much of her background is in Performing and Musical Theatre, she is rooted in the pine tree forests, Grand Canyon and the beautiful Sedona red rocks that have always been her backyard. Growing up with adventurous parents, she was fortunate enough to go on many family vacations around the world and probably one too many camping trips to the Grand Canyon.  Chelsea has lived, worked, and played throughout New York, Hawaii, Colorado, Costa Rica and of course Arizona where she currently resides and finds herself outdoor storytelling about the Sonoran Desert daily. As a member of the Wildland Trekking team, being able to turn her passions into a career has been the ultimate dream and she can’t wait to share her enthusiasm for wilderness with you! On the rare occasion Chelsea isn’t outside, you will most likely find her singing, teaching yoga, or spending time with her little French bulldog.

Chris was born and raised in New Jersey. After obtaining Bachelors’ degrees in Biology and Computer Science, he spent the next 10 years working as a Software Developer. During this time, his interest in the outdoors began to grow through cross country roadtrips and multiple backpacking trips, including the Appalachian Trail and John Muir Trail. In 2014, he left his home state for the adventures and unknowns of the West, and has lived in Colorado, Oregon, California, and Arizona. In 2021, he quit his development job to pursue guiding. He now resides in his camper van in Arizona and spends his free time climbing and exploring with his dog Charlie. As a guide, he finds fulfillment in helping people achieve their goals and explore the outdoors in a safe and fun manner.

Born in North Dakota and raised in eastern Pennsylvania, one could say adventuring to new places was innate to Chris. While growing up, Chris was dedicated to soccer, which allowed him to travel all over the country. When he wasn’t playing soccer, his family would go on local camping and hiking trips. By following his passion for soccer, it ultimately led him into university, where he pursued a degree in Health and Physical Education, all while playing the sport he loved. After university, Chris moved up to Maine and started working as a PE teacher. During his time off from teaching, Chris would explore all over New England. Trips would range from climbing along the rocky coast in Acadia National Park to section hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail. It was at this time Chris decided to move halfway across the country to Flagstaff where he can chase a life of adventure. By applying his skills as a teacher, Chris hopes to educate others on areas that are so inspiring to him.

Connor grew up in the Front Range of Colorado and spends most of his time on some medium of rock, ice or snow! In addition to being an AMGA single-pitch certified rock guide, he is also a PSIA-certified ski instructor and especially loves working with competitive youth groups. His 8+ years of guiding have taken him all over the world, from rock guiding in Vietnam to leading trips in the Utah desert. Working for Wildlandcombines two of his life’s passions: spending time in the outdoors and cooking good food with good people. In his spare time, he is an avid rock climber, skier, and aspiring ultrarunner!

Having spent most of his life above 61 degrees north, Drew is most comfortable negotiating the adventures and challenges of life at high latitudes. He grew up in Anchorage and has sought solitude and adventure in wilderness for as long as he can remember. He has explored Alaska’s immense wild spaces by foot, skis and mountain bike, and his early career as a scientist, teacher and guide expanded his horizons from Himalayan heights to equatorial Africa.

After studying Aleutian volcanoes for several years as a geologist based in Fairbanks, Drew lived in Kenya and worked with WWF advising freshwater conservation projects around the Rift Valley’s lakes. Upon returning to Alaska, Drew worked for the National Park Service, exploring many of Alaska’s remote parks while working as a wilderness and environmental planner.

Drawn to teaching, Drew earned a master’s degree in education and embarked on his career as a teacher, coach and wilderness guide. He has led backcountry hiking excursions in Denali National Park and winter ski and snowcoach outings in Yellowstone National Park, as well as expeditions in Greenland. When not guiding, Drew lives in a cabin at the foot of the Tetons, where he’s constantly in search of any excuse to travel by foot through the backcountry.

Francisco was born and raised in Ohio, where he developed a love for the outdoors at an early age exploring the forests and rivers of the Midwest. After graduating from Miami University in 2007 with a degree in Marketing, he went on to work in Chicago, IL; Normandy, France; and Barcelona, Spain as a Logistics Broker. The fast paced life of sales just wasn’t cutting it and in 2014 he decided to sell almost all of his belongings and thru- hike the Appalachian Trail. A renewed love of life and adventure, and the confidence to tackle anything led him to complete the Triple Crown of long distance hiking; completing the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015 and the Continental Divide Trail in 2016. After moving to Asheville, NC to start a new life in the mountains, he knew that sharing his rediscovered passion for life and the outdoors as a backpacking guide was the only way to go.

Grace grew up in Ohio, spending time camping and hiking with family. Her first backpacking and canoeing trip in northern Canada was life changing. Ever since that trip, Grace has spent her time backpacking across the US, Canada and Europe. When she wasn’t on personal backpacking trips, Grace spent time as an adventure guide. She has lived and worked in Ohio, Minnesota, Utah, South Carolina and Colorado. Grace also enjoys kayaking, archery and blacksmithing.

Hussein is our Mt. Kilimanjaro – Lead Guide. He started working on the mountain in 2005 to 2009 as a porter. In 2009, after graduating from tourism collage, he started climbing the mountain as a guide. He has summited Uhuru Peak more the 125 times since he started climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro as guide. He has a Wilderness First Responder certification and says the most important items to bring on the mountain are good reliable gear and a positive mind. Hussein lives with his wife and 2 beautiful daughters at foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In his free time, he loves to work on his farm, watch movies with his family and play soccer.

Jhona was born in Punta Arenas, Chile and raised in Puerto Natales, living almost all his life in Patagonia. He studied Tourism and Hospitality Managment in Santiago de Chile, learning all what he needed to know to work in the field that he loves, adventure tourism. Since he was young, he’s been working in Torres del Paine Natioanl Park as a guide assistant, porter, and in operations and logistics. He’s a nature lover and passionate proponent of sustainable tourism. He loves to explore the world, experiencing and learning about differents cultures, sharing beautiful moments with people from other countries. He believes wholeheartedly that the world is way too big to stay in the same place too often! When not guiding, he enjoys cycling, hiking and learning about Chilean folklore.

Jordan was born and raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He grew up hiking with his Dad and brother along the Appalachian trail in the Shenandoah National Park. Jordan had always had an affinity for the outdoors and making friends. He didn’t see the rocky mountains until he was 19 when driving across the country with his sister for the first time to live in Utah. In his time in Utah Jordan fell in love with the west and the “bigger and badder hiking trails” that the mountains offered there. He then moved north to Big Sky MT where he found a new passion in everything Yellowstone. He went on to explore the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem over the next two years and learned everything he could about the “most gorgeous views” he’s ever seen.

Quinton grew up on the West Coast of California, surfing and soaking up the sun throughout his childhood. He attended the University of California, Santa Cruz for undergrad, and immediately became fascinated with ecology, botany, and outdoor recreation. With a passion to protect the natural world, he moved to the Southwest for work as a botanist and a soil scientist. In the off seasons, he began working as an outdoor guide. He loves teaching others about fascinating aspects of nature, and inspiring in others a deep sense of wonder, curiosity and connection to the natural world. Quinton is a certified Wilderness First Responder, and highly values personal safety in the outdoors. In his free time, he enjoys fitness and strength training, mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, canyoneering, snowboarding, and of course hiking!

Sara was born and raised in Calgary, AB and spent her childhood weekends hiking, camping, and skiing in the Canadian Rockies with her family. After high school, she moved to Canmore to train full-time for cross-country skiing. Two years later, she left competitive sport and focused her efforts on hiking, trail running, scrambling, and remote backpacking trips. She is also pursuing a degree in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Her passion is exploring the off-the-beaten-path corners of the mountains and she loves to help others build their confidence as they travel through the wilderness!

Scott Moore is one of our most veteran guides, and one of our core Yellowstone guides. He lives in Missoula, Montana and has been an outdoor leader for more than seven years. From the hills of Romania to the peaks of Montana and Wyoming, there is nothing he enjoys more than backpacking and hiking new, beautiful places with others. To mention just a few highlights, he has taught leadership for Outward Bound in Costa Rica, instructed at Outdoor Education centers, and rode the high seas on an EPA environmental survey ship. Scott guides for Wildland exclusively in Yellowstone National Park. In the early years Scott ran our Yellowstone program nearly single-handedly. Reliable, friendly, and knowledgeable, Scott is, and has been for years, an enormous asset to the Wildland Trekking team.

Zeke grew up in the woods of Lowell, Georgia, and found a passion for the outdoors in high school. Upon graduation from high school, Zeke relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to start a season with the Southeast Conservation Corp as a crew member building mountain biking trails in Columbus, Georgia. This season was, unfortunately, cut short because of the pandemic, but Zeke later found an opportunity in Arizona with the Arizona Conservation Corp. After an eight month season in the Prescott National Forest, Zeke attempted to thru hike the Appalachian Trail in 2021. Zeke made it to New York and eventually got off trail. Going back to Arizona after the trail, Zeke continued to work for the Arizona Conservation Corp through 2021. In the summer of 2022, Zeke completed a 30-day Leadership Backpacking Course through NOLS in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. Following this course, Zeke completed a thru hike of the Pinhoti Trail on the East Coast. Always coming back to Flagstaff when he leaves, Zeke did another season with the Arizona Conservation Corp and obtained his WFR certification during this season. On his off days, you can find Zeke hanging out with his friends climbing, thinking about climbing, or planning his next climbing trip!

Carolina has been guiding professionally since 2006.  After chasing summer for upwards of ten years while leading trips internationally, she began to miss winter and the Rockies where she grew up. She opted for a change in 2018 and made Canmore, a town 20 minutes outside Banff National Park her year-round home. Since then she has worked marketing contracts for the ski industry in the winter months and guided over the summer months.  If you want to see her excited, just ask her anything to do with hiking, mountain biking or skiing in the Rockies and you will see her genuine pride in her home— a born and raised mountain enthusiast.

Kyle Nush grew up in Round Lake, Illinois and developed a love for the great outdoors from going on family vacations to National Parks with his parents. Kyle graduated in 2017 from Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science, Geography, Earth Science and GIS. Kyle has always wanted to be outside, so summers were spent on the East Coast guiding in the White Mountains for the Appalachian Mountain Club, or on the West Coast guiding hikes in Yosemite. Kyle is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Growing up outside of Yellowstone National Park, Sara’s appreciation of the natural world began at a
young age. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Archaeology and Native American Studies at the
University of Montana in Missoula, Montana. She continues to be fascinated with ancient cultures and
their relationship with the environment. While living in Montana, Sara hiked frequently and had many
adventures backpacking in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
Sara moved to Colorado in 2013 and earned a degree in Veterinary Technology and worked for 7 years
as a certified veterinary technician. All the while in Colorado she spent much of her free time hiking and
backpacking in Colorado’s front and backcountry.
Led by her love for animals and exploring nature, Sara moved back to Montana in 2020 and in 2021 she
became a hiking guide in Yellowstone. This seemed like a dream come true for her, she was able to
share her passion for the outdoors and educate others about our first national park. As winter
approached Sara made her way south to sunny Florida where she has been living since 2021 and
working as a manatee tour guide. In addition to guiding, Sara is a group leader for an organization which
specializes in volunteering for ethical wildlife projects worldwide. Sara has led groups in Costa Rica,
Namibia, with an upcoming trip to Thailand.

Camilla grew up in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois and studied English Literature at Boston University. She moved to Phoenix in 2009 and fell in love with the other-worldly landscape of the American Southwest. After living abroad in Australia and New Zealand, Camilla thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019 and the trajectory of her life changed. Being on trail working towards a singular goal while overcoming obstacles and building authentic connections felt therapeutic and character building. Camilla then spent nearly two years working and living outdoors in Utah as a field mentor for a wilderness therapy program for young adults, receiving a Wilderness First Responder certification as well as lead guide status.

In 2022 Camilla completed a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail and hopes to finish her Triple Crown one day. When she isn’t outside hiking or camping, Camilla can be found reading, writing, baking vegan treats, climbing, swimming, scuba diving, , and exploring new countries.

Finn grew up in the Seattle area where a majority of his time as a youth was spent hiking, rafting, biking,and participating in the premier ultimate frisbee and jazz programs the area offered. Finn graduated in 2020 with a BS in Environmental science from Western Washington University and spent the next several years working various outdoors jobs. In the fall of 2021, Finn moved full-time into his beat up Ford Econoline and has been traveling the West in pursuit of some of the best rock climbing around. After a summer working with the US Forest Service on a wilderness trails crew in rugged central Idaho, Finn decided to pursue a career guiding where he could share his knowledge and passion for the natural world with others.

Kyle was born and raised in New England. During his early career, studying neuroscience and researching in the Boston area, he found that he spent all of his time devising ways to leave the city. Often this meant exploring the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He spent most his free time hiking, skiing and biking in the region, and decided he’d rather explore the wilderness than continue his career as a researcher. In 2017 he made the decision to leave the city and hike the Appalachian Trail. The thru-hike solidified his desire to make a living in the outdoors, so he headed west to guide primitive backpacking trips with at-risk youth. He taught shelter building, wood carving, fire making and rock climbing in the Utah desert. When he isn’t guiding you’ll find Kyle skiing, mountain biking or rock climbing wherever the weather is cooperating.

Matt was born and raised in Connecticut where, at a young age, his adventures in the mountains began. Through scouting, he was able to attend monthly camping trips in some nearby locations, including sections of the Appalachian trail and the high peaks of the Adirondacks. Eventually, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and continued to pursue his outdoor education at the University of Vermont. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, and a minor in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, he explored the Green and White Mountains as much as possible. Since then, Matt has become passionate about living and working in the outdoors and drawn to the simple lifestyle that comes with it. He has lead trail crews through the wilderness of Montana and spent winters working and skiing in the mountains of Colorado. The incredible people and landscapes encountered along the way have only helped inspire and strengthen his love for the outdoors, most recently leading to thru hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide trail.

Matthieu was raised in the french Alps. After studying at a hospitality and tourism management school in Toulouse in the south of France, he first worked for tour operators in the administrative team. He is now guiding hiking and ski tours in European countries and teaching skiing for ESF – French Ski School. Backpacking brought him abroad with numerous long-distance journeys throughout Europe, South America and North America. He is now sharing his skills by guiding adventure vacations, sharing spectacular scenery, and his deep passion for the mountain environment. Safety, logistics, delicious food, and contagious smiles are the recipe of tours he is guiding. His hobbies are family trips but also reading, trail-running, cross-country skiing, ski touring, and last but not the least swimming in remote mountain lakes and rivers.

Max grew up in Ohio, but an obsession with the mountains prompted him to pursue his college education in Colorado. He focused his passion for the inner workings of the natural world as an undergraduate studying ecology and geology at the University of Colorado, where he also developed a love for rock climbing. After graduating, Max traveled the world to climb, bike, and hike, but he always returned to the mountains and deserts of the American West, where the complexity and beauty of the land provides endless inspiration. A strong advocate for the transformative power of nature and human-powered adventure, Max loves sharing stories of the outdoors through writing, photography, and, of course, in-person with the guests on his trips.

Adeline grew up in a small village in norther France, where her love for the mountains blossomed during summer holidays with her family. This early connection to the outdoors inspired her move to the Alps as soon as she could, to immerse herself in the stunning landscapes she had always admired. After all, what could be better than enjoying breakfast with a view of the mountains every morning?

Adeline studied computer science and graphic design in Grenoble. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for hiking, climbing, and mountaineering. This newfound love led her to Chamonix France, where she embraced a new lifestyle closer to the breathtaking peaks she cherished.

Now, with four years of experience as a mountain guide, Adeline never tires of exploring the Mont Blanc massif. She is passionate about sharing the region’s hidden gems and her naturalist knowledge with those she guides, making each journey an unforgettable experience.

Anna has called Banff home for the past 9 years, and still feels like she has only scratched the surface in terms of adventures to go on and exciting new places to discover. Working in different areas of the tourism industry in Banff nurtured a passion for sharing the enjoyment she finds in exploring the area with people who are visiting. When she’s not planning and guiding trips, Anna can still be found out in the mountains whether it’s on multi-day hikes, mountain biking, canoeing or rock climbing, there’s always more to discover! Anna’s favorite mountain is Castle Mountain, and her most epic adventure to date is the Wapta ski traverse from Bow Lake to the Great Divide Lodge near Lake Louise.

Dan grew up outside Minneapolis, Minnesota and started out his career as an aerospace engineer. He discovered his passion for the outdoors, however, by joining a search and rescue team in Northern Minnesota. Since then, Dan has guided mountain and trekking trips in both Norway and Nicaragua, and completed his wilderness emergency technician course in the Scottish Highlands. He loves to share his enthusiasm for hiking, rock climbing, and travelling with his guests and always has a funny story or corny joke to share.

Growing up in the countryside in Alberta, Jamie has been loving and exploring nature since the moment she learned to crawl. An avid hiker, camper, and explorer, she spent her formative years getting off the trail and in the forest as she could. Eager to share her love of nature with others, she began pursuing a career as an interpretive guide and documentary filmmaker while obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Alberta. Jamie went on to work as an interpreter with the City of Edmonton and as a documentalist with the Company of Women on the Screen. Soon, adventure called Jamie to leave Canada and begin a new career as a hiking guide in Chilean Patagonia. There she formed Indomita Adventures Patagonia, through which she offers hiking and cultural tours as well as free beach clean-up and interpretive environmental events. Dividing time between Chile and Canada, Jamie is an active member and instructor with the Interpretive Guides Association and an ACMG apprentice guide. When Jamie isn’t promoting conservation through her creative interpretation on the trail, she can be found doing improvisational theater, singing around a campfire, and going on long nighttime walks through whatever town she’s passing through.

Raised in the foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, John enjoyed a childhood where the outdoors played a central role. He went on his first backpacking trip at the age of six. He kept up that habit through his teenage years. When John graduated high school, he had already counted over 300 trail miles and 150+ days in the backcountry and earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

At Brevard College John earned a degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education, with a minor in Acting. Over the last decade John has led expeditions in 20 states between Alaska and Florida. He holds a Wilderness First Responder certification, and is a former member of the Brevard Rescue Squad.

When John is not on trail with Wildland you will find him whitewater kayaking, playing bluegrass music, or working with an outdoor education non-profit.

Josephat is our lead Safari guide. He has over 10 years of experience taking people from all around the world to Tanzania’s top safari destinations; Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Manyara. He has attended many first aid & safari guide training courses over his time in the industry. Most recently he attended a training lead by the Mweka Wildlife college. Bird watching and spending time with his family are a few activities he especially loves to do. He has 2 lovely daughters, Noela & Angel. He advises that a good pair of binoculars will go a long way to really help see wildlife while on safari and specifically for bird watching.

Rooted in the mountains of West Virginia, where she grew up immersed in family camping trips and explorations of local state parks, Katy’s early experiences instilled in her a profound respect for the outdoors and a passion for sharing its wonders. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from West Virginia University where she got a footing in the outdoor industry through guiding freshman orientation trips.  Upon graduating, her journey in guiding and environmental education has taken her throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain West, and the Appalachian region of the United States. Most recently, she called Scotland home where she completed a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education from the University of Edinburgh in between exploring the Scottish Highlands.  Equipped with certifications in Wilderness First Response, Outdoor Ethics, and Avalanche and Swiftwater Rescue, Katy brings enthusiasm for outdoor exploration to every adventure. When not guiding, she indulges in trail running, skiing, climbing, and finding a good coffee shop to hang out in.

Michael was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas where he learned a tolerance of nature through hiking, swimming, and general “putzing around outside.” Even after family road trips to several National Parks and becoming an Eagle Scout, nature was still in the back of his mind. In 2018 Michael graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre and started traveling the country with touring children’s theatres and regional theatres performing in over 25 states. In 2020 Michael and his husband set off on their first backpacking trip at Glacier National Park. He immediately was in love with it and the beautiful places it backpacking has taken him. Since then Michael has gone on several backpacking trips in Colorado, New York, Arkansas, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and especially Alaska where he has guided for three years. Michael’s love of nature is matched by his love of sharing it with others and helping people achieve things they never thought they would do. “Everyone deserves to be here and all should feel welcome in The Great Outdoors!”

Growing up in Wisconsin, Taylor’s love of the outdoors began camping in quiet woodlands and swimming through clear lakes. As a child she would pore over issues of National Geographic and Outside Magazine, dreaming of someday exploring and photographing the grander landscapes of the West.

In 2013 she earned a Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology from UW-Eau Claire, spending her junior year studying in (and falling in love with) the redwoods of Northern California. During college she went on her first backpacking trip in southern Utah where she was awakened to the desert’s beauty and the deeper connection that backpacking offered. After graduating she taught English in Thailand for a year, worked a summer in Yellowstone, and ultimately found the pull of the PNW’s moss, mountains, and bright blue waters too strong to ignore. While living in Portland she hiked and backpacked hundreds of miles, started volunteering with local trail crews, and got more involved in conservation projects.

For the last 4 years, however, she’s been living out her childhood dream, roaming the Western US in a travel trailer with her partner, and co-teaching photography workshops in some of the most remarkable locations in the country. She has since settled down in a place near and dear to her heart, the Desert Southwest. She loves the way the light plays across the red rock and verdant desert, and she’s never met a canyon she didn’t like.

When she’s not hiking she enjoys rock climbing, kayaking, reading, volunteering, embroidery, and photography. She loves learning about and sharing knowledge of local flora, fauna, and fungi, encouraging others to notice the smaller details within the grand landscape.

One of Taylor’s favorite things is helping others find connection with nature and sparking curiosity; she is thrilled to share her excitement and wonder for the natural world (as well as some laughs along the way).

Eddie started hiking and skiing as a boy in the Adirondack mountains of upstate NY and this love of the outdoors that started early became a lifestyle.  As soon as he was able, Eddie moved to Colorado so he could spend as much time as possible hiking, biking and skiing the backcountry.  His first outdoor leadership job was was teaching cross country skiing at the Nordic Center in Beaver Creek and from there Eddie worked as a guide for Meet the Wilderness introducing inner city kids to the wilds of the Colorado Rockies.  Eddie has enjoyed many outdoor jobs over the years guiding trips in the US and overseas, serving as a ranger in Olympic National Park, and working as fire fighter/EMT at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.  Most of Eddie’s work is seasonal so he can spend plenty of time in the outdoors doing what he loves the most, backpacking, backcountry skiing and exploring the world on backroads and trails.  Eddie has managed to camp on all seven continents and loves sharing his passion for the outdoors with others.

Adrienne grew up splitting her time between Colorado and France, a combination which inspired a love for the mountains and a thirst for travel and adventure. Growing up skiing, camping, hiking and horseback riding, she later discovered backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and yoga. Guiding and teaching these activities offered an avenue for travel and a means to share her passion for the outdoors – guiding horseback safaris in southern Africa, teaching yoga in Brazil, guiding hiking and biking in Arizona, and spending seasons as a ski instructor in Colorado. Horseback riding remains her primary pursuit, whether deep in the backcountry on horseback, teaching riding lessons for kids, or training young horses to be backcountry rockstars. Currently she summers in Colorado and winters in Arizona, maximizing the potential to get outdoors at every opportunity.

Brian grew up in the Piedmont region of the Carolinas, spending weekends and summers exploring the creeks and woods of the area. As a teenager, Brian began hiking and backpacking, finding a passion for wild spaces that has driven his life. After college, he moved out west, landing in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In the years since then, Brian has developed a love of facilitating meaningful and educational outdoor experiences. For the past 4 years, he has worked as an interpretive guide, ski guide, and hiking guide. When not guiding, Brian is often traveling, climbing, hiking, or exploring wilderness areas all over the country.

Chandra is originally from Dhankuta, the eastern part of Nepal. He grew up in a family with eight siblings and his life was sometimes challenging. He used to walk two hours to school every day and after he finished his high school he went to Kathmandu in search of work. Through his friends, he found work as a porter for treks throughout Nepal. His first trek was to Everest Base Camp in 1996 with a group of American trekkers. After working as a porter and assistant guide for 14 years and studying Adventure tourism, Chandra became a certified lead trekking guide. Chandra is very experienced, compassionate, sincere and has a great sense of humor. He started working with Wildland Trekking in 2017 and has led hundreds of treks all over Nepal.

Chris spent his early years in both Wyoming and Utah, where he grew up hiking, snowboarding, fishing, and hunting. Basically, always trying to be outside as much as possible. After college, he decided to join the United States Armed Forces, which led to a distinguished career that spanned 22 years. In 2016, he returned to the Northern Rockies to enjoy mountain life with the intent of helping people connect with nature and experience the wonders of the outdoor world. He currently resides in Montana, where he takes every opportunity to hike, backpack, climb mountains, pursue fish with a flyrod, and explore the Greater Yellowstone Area. Chris possesses a deep respect for the environment and serves as an advocate for public lands and numerous other conservation efforts. Chris has been guiding throughout Montana and Wyoming since 2018.

Craig hails from the city of Rochester, New York, where he spent summers camping, trout fishing and hiding from the rain. He attended college there, too, where he wrote a lot of papers and learned about Shakespeare and Milton. Years after a relocation to North Carolina, Craig finally found his way west, landing in Las Vegas for some time, where he led trips in the Grand Canyon and southern Utah. Clearly born on the wrong coast, he moved to Truckee, CA to lead trips in the Sierra, snowboard and find a better work-life balance. Craig is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School, a Leave No Trace Master Educator and sometimes he surfs, rock climbs and mountain bikes. He and his wife, Karen, travel as often as possible and tend to the needs of their Australian Shepherd, Ranger.

Emily (“Emrad”) grew up in a ski town in Colorado doing all sorts of outdoor activities. Once she graduated high school, she took a gap year and spent a year living and volunteering in India and Peru. It was through these experiences that she found her passion for adventure, connecting with others, and living outside of her comfort zone. She then went to college in Portland, OR and studied International Sustainable Development. After college she took a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) semester for outdoor educators and found her love for the canyons of Utah. This is where/when she decided that guiding trips in the desert was her calling. It would allow her to help people to connect with nature in a meaningful and respectful way. While she is not backpacking, she loves to rock climb, travel, and draw.

Emily has been guiding backpacking, multi-sport adventures, and supporting youth-at-risk in wilderness settings since 2005. In the outdoor industry she has also worked as a Medical Case Manager, Field Manager, Assistant Field Director, and Regional Director. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Prescott College with an emphasis in leadership and outdoor programming. She is also a Wilderness EMT. Emily loves the soul recharging power of the wilderness, the community created when groups travel together, and the growth that comes from outdoor excursions. For fun, Emily loves running, road and mountain biking, playing racquetball, cooking, and connecting with friends, family and new people. She has backpacked over 3,500 miles throughout the country and in New Zealand, including a thru-hike of the Appalachian and Long Trails. She currently lives in Durango, Colorado.

Gabe grew up in Portland, Oregon where he spent a lot of time camping, climbing, backpacking and canoeing. His love for flora and fauna really was inspired by his father who was a science teacher. After Portland, Gabe moved to North Carolina to explore a degree in Business and Environmental studies at High Point University. Through the years Gabe has lived in many places including China, Chile, Thailand and the Caribbean. Aside from the natural beauty of the outdoors, Gabe really enjoys how outdoor recreation brings people with different backgrounds and interests together over a common cause. With a WFR,  professional naturalist and animal tracking training Gabe aims to bring people safe, rewarding, fun and educational experiences to all of his clients.

A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jake’s love for the outdoors started at childhood. Every summer he would head north and go hiking and camping with his dad and brother. After a 15 year career as a chef, Jake wanted something different. He quit his job, packed up, and headed west. Jake has been in California now for 6 years and has hiked and backpacked all over the state. His most notable and favorite hike was the John Muir Trail, which he hiked in only 11 days. Jake’s hope for the future is to one day become a park ranger.

Shane comes from an Arizona family dating back to 1918. He spent his youth outside with his dad and grandfather hiking, camping and exploring Arizona and the western USA. While spending much of his youth in northern Arizona on and near the Navajo Nation, his educational focus became Native American Anthropology and Religious Studies at ASU. He ventured into the art world, with a small ownership stake in a gallery, owned a construction business, and spent years in the motorcycle industry. A chance of a lifetime opportunity resulted in him spending years traveling the world- visiting, hiking and backpacking in 35 countries. At that point, the light came on and he sought work in the outdoor industry. Shane especially enjoys discussing gear requirements and the challenges of Wildland Trekking’s Level 5 backpacking adventures, which is his hiking passion. “As an athlete, I like pushing personal limits, and assisting our challenge-seeking guests to find that their ultimate adventure is extremely rewarding!” When not building trips for our guests, Shane is a competing trail runner, road cyclist and triathlete, and is out paddle-boarding or kayaking Arizona’s waterways.

Amanda grew up in Garland, Texas, where she spent her earliest years climbing trees and playing in the dirt. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a B.S. in Kinesiology. In the following months, she answered the call of adventure and moved to Utah to begin working as a Wilderness Adventure Therapy Guide. The outdoors soon became a way of life for her and in 2017 she walked 3,300 miles from Delaware to California. After traveling to Thailand and Canada, Amanda found herself in North Carolina where she currently resides. In her free time she can be found foraging herbs, rock climbing and practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Amanda is an enthusiastic guide that loves sharing outdoor knowledge and fostering a connection between the guests and the natural world.

Betsy grew up climbing tall trees and letting her imagination run wild in the temperate coastal rainforests on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. The woods were alive and, in those years, seemed entirely magical. Early on, she developed a fascination with the old stories of peoples’ connection to rivers, forests, and the Earth. She studied Cultural Anthropology at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where she received her B.A. in 2011. She spent time in other countries and worked seasonally in Utah, Arizona, and Alaska before spending a winter in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A decade later the Rocky Mountain State continues to be her home base for an eclectic range of adventures, and her guiding career. In 2016 she volunteered as a Volcano trekking Guide in Nicaragua and knew immediately that she wanted to be a professional guide. Later, she went to work with teens in Utah’s Uintah Mountains and pinyon-juniper woodlands. A reverence for the wilderness and attunement towards others informs Betsy’s approach to guiding. She always puts people and safety first in the backcountry. In her spare time, she loves bagging peaks, writing poetry, stargazing, and traveling the world solo.

Chitra is from the Okhaldhunga Distric of Nepal, which is close to Mt. Everest. He spent his childhood in a small village and completed his high school education. In 1994, Chitra started working as a kitchen helper and porter on trekking expeditions throughout Nepal. After gaining a lot of experience, Chitra was promoted to assistant guide and later certified as a Lead Trekking Guide in 2007. In the course of his career, Chitra did several trainings on Leadership, Advanced First Aid and Risk Management. He has led expeditions all over Nepal, India and Tibet. He started working with the Wildland Trekking Company in 2017. Our guests speak of Chitra’s compassionate demeanor and remarkable ability to be calm in the face of adversity. Chitra is a wealth of knowledge and a valuable asset to everyone he meets.

Hailing from Amarillo, Texas, Ethan found his way north to Minnesota and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area at a young age, where he discovered his love for wilderness travel. He spent his summers guiding teenagers on trips through the BWCAW, the American and Canadian Rockies, and the Alaskan Arctic, and he developed a passion for sharing outdoor adventures with others. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in sustainability, Ethan has spent his winters as a ski patroller at Park City in Utah. When he isn’t skiing or backpacking, you can likely find Ethan hiking, throwing a round of disc golf, or in a hammock reading a book

JJ grew up in the flatlands of Ohio; despite being bound by a city, she always found the nooks of ravines & forests nearby to explore. Moving out west (initially to Oregon) allowed expansive exploration of the greater peaks & valleys, canyons & rivers of this land. Pursuing the passion of exploring more outdoor spaces in combination with sharing & leading others in these powerful experiences paved the way for JJ’s professional path. Since 2010 she has continuously worked for various organizations leading multi-day hiking and backpacking trips through many landscapes. The southwestern area of the United States beckons her as ‘Home’, from high up in the Elk Mountains of Colorado all the way down to the Colorado River beaches in the Grand Canyon. As an outdoor guide & educator, JJ thrives on connecting people with the rhythms & wonders of nature while in good company with themselves and others.

Jordan was born and raised in New Jersey but his true home would always be in the mountains. He spent many of his weekends driving to the White Mountains of New Hampshire in order to hike its 48 peaks over 4,000 ft. But these weekend trips did little to quell his thirst for adventure. In July 2019, Jordan grew dissatisfied with his job and life in New Jersey and knew he needed a big change, so drove to the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and started hiking south, eventually completing his thru hike through winter. Towards the end of his journey, he met his girlfriend, who invited him to thru hike the Continental Divide Trail with her. By December 2020, after 5 months of hiking and 3000 miles later, he had completed the trek from Canada to Mexico. Before accepting his guiding position with Wildland Trekking, Jordan also worked as a wilderness therapy instructor in Georgia. Some of Jordan’s other hobbies include ultra running, birding, and snowboarding.

After spending his childhood exploring the deserts near Phoenix, Landon moved to Flagstaff, AZ to pursue a degree in Forestry from NAU. He naturally drifted more towards the ecology side of the degree, and stayed for a Master of Forestry degree where he focused on biological soil crusts (AKA cryptobiotic soil, or “crypto”). At the core of Landon’s passion for learning about ecosystems is a deep personal relationship with them forged through years of outdoor recreation. Backpacking is the simplest representation of what Landon enjoys about the outdoors, but he also tries to weave the wilderness and multi-day aspects of backpacking into his other hobbies of mountain biking, backcountry skiing, packrafting, canyoneering, and climbing. Landon has always called the Southwest home but has expanded his definition of home to include Colorado, Utah, and California. He has a particular affinity for the Grand Canyon, San Juan Mountains, Utah deserts, and Sierra Nevada but has experience throughout the West and is excited to deepen that. Landon strives to share his knowledge about outdoor recreation and ecology with others, hoping to foster in them a love and care for the protection of these places.

Nicolas is a French mountain guide, guiding since 1995 with a large experience of trekking in the Alps and Greece. He lives close to Annecy lake where he works to transform an old barn in a nice, modernized chalet. His penchant for mountains and woodcraft have led him on many adventures throughout his rich career as a guide.

Rachel grew up in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Time spent outside hiking, camping and skiing were priorities in her formative years. She attended the University of Calgary completing an undergrad in Geography and Psychology. After school she moved to interior BC where she became a ski patroller, ski coach, hiking guide and worked at a variety of backcountry lodges. She has recently moved to Canmore, Alberta working as a hiking guide and a cabinetmaker.

Roger was born in the Cordillera Negra of Peru, three hours west of the stunning Cordillera Blanca mountain range. He began studying in public school when six years old with his five siblings by his side. In addition to studying, Roger spent much of his childhood helping on his family’s farm. One of his childhood hobbies was trout fishing in the high lakes and rivers around his hometown. At 16 years old, Roger left home and moved to the coast where he worked as a fisherman and finished his schooling. In 2003, Roger moved to Huaraz, the heart of the Andes and the capital of his native region in Peru. He enrolled in University and studied English teaching and tourism. Since 2005, Roger has been exploring, guiding and sharing his passion in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash with people from all over the world. Roger is a certified high alpine mountaineering and trekking guide as well as Wilderness First Responder. You will not find a more articulate, patient and professional guide as Roger. We are incredibly fortunate to have him on team Wildland!

Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Sophia first fell in love with the outdoors during summers spent in the Smoky Mountains with family as a child. She went on to receive a Bachelor’s in Environmental Geoscience with a concentration in Marine and Coastal Science from Smith College. She completed two seasons with Montana Conservation Corps, first as a crew member and then as a crew lead, working on wildfire mitigation, trail construction, and other conservation projects in the greater Yellowstone area and beyond. Sophia is passionate about conserving the beautiful places where we recreate, and seeking creative inspiration from the natural world. She loves trail running and climbing in her free time, and enjoys sharing outdoor adventures with others.”

Tamara Sciacca is originally from San Jose, CA and grew up in Albuquerque, NM where her love of the outdoors was cultivated by spending as much time as humanly possible hiking, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding. She attended Santa Clara University where she studied civil engineering and played soccer, and later earned a degree in Geology from the University of New Mexico. She has discovered her true passion in guiding, which she has been gratefully doing for over a decade on the Colorado Trail, in Rocky Mountain National Park, and in the Grand Canyon. She resides in Silverton, CO where she loves to spend her time off exploring every nook and cranny of the humbling and mighty San Juan mountains.

Originally from a small town in northeastern Massachusetts, Tommy grew up exploring the mountains of New England on his snowboard. He later discovered his passion for nature, hiking, and rock climbing in college at Clark University, where he studied Geography and Environmental Science and pursued research that utilized satellite imagery to support conservation and climate change initiatives. Living in Colorado further cultivated his love for exploring the backcountry and protecting these pristine and natural landscapes. Not only did he get to hike on the weekends but he also got to do it on the job while working for the Bureau of Land Management undergoing vegetation surveys. Learning about new cultures, food, languages and ways of life also greatly excites Tommy, and he enjoys attaining such knowledge through travel, whether it be domestically or internationally. His favorite travel experience to date was spending a summer road tripping around the Western US exploring the many national parks and living out of his car and tent. When he is not adventuring in the great outdoors, Tommy enjoys reading fiction, playing boardgames, exploring ways to live more sustainably, and questioning social norms.

Traci grew up building tree forts and playing sports in upstate New York. It wasn’t until 2012, when she began leading international teen service trips with The Road Less Traveled, that she really understood her passion for all things outside. Traci adores traveling and learning; she has backpacked Europe and Latin America extensively and speaks Spanish. She has worked as a full-time outdoor educator in New Orleans as well as spent 1.5 years as a wilderness adventure therapy guide in Utah. When she is not in the Utah backcountry, she can be found rock climbing, skiing, or catching a live music show in Salt Lake. Traci is a compassionate guide who prides herself on delivering a memorable trip filled with adventure, fun, and learning about the natural environment.

Danielle grew up in Connecticut, where she spent many days exploring the woods of New England, camping with her family, and fishing the lakes from her kayak. A few years after graduating from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Psychology, Danielle made the decision to live out her dream of moving to Colorado. She completely fell in love with the incredible mountains and deserts of the Southwest as she said yes to every opportunity for adventure that came her way, and then she turned those adventures into her career. She has been a volunteer naturalist in Southwest Colorado, a Wilderness Therapy Guide in Idaho, a Life Skills Mentor in Arizona, and a Llama Trekking Guide in Northwest Montana. Danielle loves to share her passion for exploring wild places with her guests and is immensely fulfilled by helping others to experience the backcountry’s unparalleled beauty. When she isn’t guiding, you can find Danielle learning a new craft, rappelling into a canyon, around a campfire with friends, or relaxing in a hammock outside of her camper.

Growing up camping in the deserts and mountains of California, Hayley’s love for the outdoors started at a very young age. It didn’t take her long to realize that her passion for being outside and exploring nature was just as strong as her love for creating a sense of wonder for the outdoors with people around her. She spent 5 years teaching outdoor education in California and Colorado. She moved to Rocky Mountain National Park in 2013 and there was no looking back – the towering mountains and serene alpine lakes quickly stole her heart. Hayley started guiding hikes in RMNP in 2016 and has a wealth of knowledge of the animals and flowers that call the tundra and forest of the park home. Having hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and guided trips in the Sierras, Hayley’s love for backpacking is obvious and she can’t wait to share it with you! When she’s not guiding she can be found teaching ski school in Telluride, running, climbing, exploring the desert, and enjoying a good cup of coffee with friends.

Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, Karina has been a hiking guide in Torres del Paine National Park for more than 10 years. After studying Commerce in University, she’s been a nomad at heart, passionate about traveling and mountain sports, such as climbing and ski touring. Charismatic, active and always keen on new experiences, challenges and adventures, she thrives in the guiding environment where she gets to meet new people and share powerful experiences with them in her favorite place on Earth – Torres del Paine National Park.

I was born and raised in a small town in Alabama. From hunting and fishing to off-roading and hiking, being outside was instilled in me from an early age. After graduating high school, I attended Auburn University for 4 years. During my time there, my fondness of the outdoors grew more and more each year. A core group of friends and I began traveling near and far, searching for our next dose of adventure. Backpacking in North Carolina, hiking 14ers in Colorado, skiing in Montana, scuba diving in the Caymans, etc. all became regular occurrences and staples of both my life and college experience. After graduating from Auburn, I spent a year working in construction management before I finally made a decision to stop chasing money and start living the life I wanted. Since that time, I’ve worked as a wilderness therapy guide in Vermont, a wilderness therapy guide in Alaska doing 47-day canoeing and backpacking expeditions, and as a professional guide for Wildland Trekking. When I’m not working, I spend most of my time scuba diving, mountaineering, ice climbing, rock climbing, and skiing.

For years Felipe spent his vacations acting on his passion for exploration: backpacking through Chile, Argentina, Perú and Bolivia. He specifically traveled and hiked a lot through Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia, and in 2010 he decided to leave his city career (as a counselor and life coach) behind and become a mountain guide and outdoor educator. Felipe drove his career towards the outdoors, focusing on the two things he most enjoyed: teaching and traveling. In the process he discovered mountaineering, and in 2012 he began instructing for the U.S.-based National Outdoor Leadership (NOLS), and then guiding trips for Wildland starting in 2018. He is formally trained in Alpine Mountaineering, Glacier Travel, Rock Climbing and Sea Kayaking. He has guided hiking and trekking trips in Patagonia, the Wind River Range and the Pacific Northwest. He his a certified Wilderness First Responder, Avalanche Level 1 Technician, speaks fluent English and has led more than 100 expeditions. He is most remembered by his guests and students for his sense of humor and problem solving in the outdoors.

I grew up in New England spending most of my time hiking, camping, skateboarding, and snowboarding. Having been snowboarding since I was 4 years old, I always dreamed of moving out west. After graduating from a Tech school to be an electrician, I decided it was time to make the move and landed in Bozeman Montana. Quickly I fell in love with the unique scenery of Yellowstone National Park and found myself going back more and more. Last year I decided to work as a tour guide in Yellowstone National Park and knew that I wanted to transition into providing guided hikes. When I’m not hiking around in the Park I am usually rock climbing, peak bagging, backpacking,  mountain biking, and snowboarding, ice climbing in the winter. On rainy days or rest days I find my self reading a book, planning the next adventure, or staying busy with some sort of wood working project.

Wilfrid (Willy) was born in a small village in the Cévennes (center of France), but came to settle in the the Vercors to practice and be at the heart of his passions: skiing, mountains, and mountain biking. Nordic ski coach for 23 years in winter, mountain guide for 28 years, and mountain bike instructor occasionally, Willy remains faithful to his vocations which allow him to travel throughout Europe and visit the world and its continents full of riches. From Patagonia to Siberia via the Scandinavian countries and Nepal, with skis on or hiking boots always ready, he likes to be surprised by the landscapes. The powder snow in Telemark in winter, the trails scented with scents and flowers in summer, fill this pleasure of travel as a matter of course! Today, the Bavarian Alps, Tyrol, the Dolomites or the Tour du Mt Blanc are mountains that he likes to introduce to the Wildland traveler. The blue and white of the Greek Islands is also a destination that he likes to introduce to walkers.

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Alex developed a deep appreciation for nature, which led her to pursue a degree in Social Work. After graduating summa cum laude, she moved to Utah and spent three years as a wilderness therapy field instructor, ski instructing, and developing the transformative power of nature and its ability to heal and empower adolescents and adults. Fueled by a desire to travel and immerse herself in the American West, Alex started her journey on day hikes and backpacking trips but has evolved over the years into an avid ski mountaineer and rock climber. She has spent extensive time in The Sierra, Wasatch, and all over the West accomplishing physical objectives that have proven to be some of the most meaningful experiences to her. Through her own journey, she has come to understand the profound impact that nature can have on personal growth and healing. These experiences solidified her determination to build a career that would allow her to share this magic with others. Currently a generalist social worker and certified life coach, she is pursing her masters in social work to focus on adventure therapy.

Drew grew up hiking and camping as a scout in Texas. Dissatisfied with oil fields and cattle ranches, he was drawn to mountains and the ocean. He began his career in film and video production, interested in filming wildlife documentaries. Eventually he began life at sea, working in Alaska and the Caribbean filming shore excursions for cruise ships. Drew spent his days diving in coral reefs, trekking on glaciers, filming wildlife and interviewing guides and naturalists from all over the world. Inspired by those guides in Alaska, he moved to Flagstaff AZ where he could continue exploring national parks and wild places across the west. After a decade of working behind the camera, it was time to take people to these places in a more authentic way. Drew has found a new calling as a hiking guide, excited to share the places he loves – from the lush and green Pacific Northwest to the red rocks of the Southwest. In addition to a love for the outdoors and filming wildlife, he has a passion for writing, comedy and filmmaking.

Born and raised in Colorado, Floyd has a lifelong passion for his home state! Floyd has worked in Colorado as an Alpine and Nordic ski instructor and as an assistant with avalanche control. Floyd has a Master’s Degree in horticulture from Colorado State University and a strong interest in the wildflowers of the Rockies. On any hike, he is scoping out the berry patches. After a career in marketing, Floyd returned to his backcountry roots. He completed a thru hike of the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trails, covering 500 miles. Other adventures include hut to hut backpacking in Argentina, hiking on a portion of the Camino de Santiago in Portugal and Spain, and exploring the countryside of Bangladesh. Floyd enjoys sharing his love of the mountains with everyone he meets, and feels a special connection with the over 50 crowd, encouraging and cultivating a vibrant lifelong interest in the outdoors and healthy living.

Jeremy is an avid outdoor enthusiast. Hiking, camping, fishing and sleeping under the stars is where life starts for him. He has completed  7 long distance hikes including the triple crown (Applachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails) as well as the Te Arora, NZ , Colorado Trail, Benton Mackaye and the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal. He is from the great state of North Carolina where he first honed his backcountry skills in the Southern Appalachian mountains. For the past 10 years he has traveled the U.S. as well as many other countries, always inspired by the beauty that surrounds us. During these travels he has visited over 50 national parks. Striving to teach people the skills needed to complete a peaceful and rewarding journey is his passion. From Leave No Trace principles to animal and plant identification, he’s excited to be your guide and excited for the journey that lies before you!

Michael Wichman’s first trip below the rim in Grand Canyon was in October 2004 and he hasn’t looked back since. He’s passionate about the Southwest, and especially Grand Canyon, with a love of hiking, climbing, and paddling on and below its rims. He’s dedicated to lifelong learning: an avid reader of all things associated with Grand Canyon, his favorite topics are geology, canyon inhabitants, and river stories. He also loves meeting new people — of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and origins. He finds shared group experiences extremely enriching especially when that experience is in nature. Michael earned a B.A. in psychology from UCLA, where he worked with children with Autism. He also studied at Northern Arizona University, focusing on Environmental Science & Policy in the Southwest. Michael looks forward to the opportunity to share an adventure with you!

Originally from Colorado and having spent years in Washington and Montana, Oakley found her love for the outdoors at a young age. After studying Environmental Studies at Gonzaga University, she set out for the Pacific Crest Trail to test her limits as a thru-hiker. After the trail, she continued to pursue her love for outdoor education by connecting people to the natural world, while working for the Montana State University Outdoor Recreation Program. Along with plenty of time spent walking in the woods, she loves skiing, mountain biking, baking, boating and reading in the sunshine. Oakley creates a space of learning and adventure for all skill levels and you can always count on her to bring glitter into the backcountry.

Sean grew up in Rhode Island and through many trips to the White Mountains of New Hampshire he discovered a love and passion for the outdoors. Gaining a Bachelors in Adventure Education Leadership and then later on a Masters in Experiential Learning & Development, Sean quickly took to the outdoor profession. With well over a decade of experience he’s been an outdoor instructor, backpacking and rock climbing guide, teambuilding facilitator, climbing coach, and director of outdoor programs. More recently he took to the road with his longtime partner Ashley and their amazing dog Westlely, living full-time in their RV on a rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking spree of North America. One of his favorite things about working outdoors is guiding participants through mental and physical challenges that they thought they’d never be able to overcome and celebrating with them as they realize the accomplishments that are within their grasp.

Katie grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in a small town called Twain Harte. From a young age she started rock climbing and backpacking with her family and quickly gained a deep love for the wilderness and the adventures it offered. She left the mountains for the beach and attended the University of California Santa Barbara. During her 4 years at UCSB she was on staff for an outdoor club that further cultivated her passion for being an outdoor leader with other talented individuals. Once she graduated she couldn’t resist returning to the mountains, so she moved back near home to live in Yosemite for a season. While law school is a potential future dream she is thriving in the guiding lifestyle and loves sharing her knowledge of the outdoors with others.

Chris grew up playing in the woods of New England. As a youngster he hiked every mountain and ran every river he could. After completing his college education he moved to Arizona to pursue a graduate degree. In the deserts and canyons of the Southwest he continued to explore every chance he could. Chris has gained a deep sense of place and love for the southwest, from the high plateaus to the deepest canyons. He has worked as a guide, instructor, and teacher for many years and gets great joy out of sharing his love of nature with others.