Wildland Staff

Corey Aldred grew up in rural Pennsylvania, surrounded by lush forest and endless Amish farm country. Intrigued by a more rugged outdoor lifestyle, he moved out west to Steamboat Springs, Colorado and attended Colorado Mountain College where he earned degrees in Outdoor Education and Sustainability. His summer jobs during his college years included working for local nonprofits and as a naturalist for an environmental education summer camp. After graduating college he landed a dream job guiding backpacking trips in the remote and wild places of Alaska. He aims to instill a sense of empowerment in his clients so that they can continue to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly on their own long after their guided trips are complete. It has become his greatest joy to share moments of grandeur and beauty with people from all over the world on their trips of a lifetime.

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.

Larry fostered his love of the outdoors growing up on a farm in Western Pennsylvania and on family camping trips to PA’s old-growth forests. Larry’s career path began with leading trail crews. 3 years as a wilderness therapy field instructor preceded a move with his wife to Flagstaff where he began Grand Canyon guiding in 2010. Larry started working in the WTC warehouse 2011, and through hard work, dedication, wisdom beyond his years, and a natural ability to lead he worked his way up to Operations Director.

On his first mountain climb near Yellowstone, at eight years of age, Scott Abrams decided anything worth doing is worth doing on foot. That decision, made 20 years ago, sparked a passion in him to extensively explore the fantastic mountain ranges near his hometown of Bozeman, Montana. Eventually his passion for hiking the mountains led Scott to a career working with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). His next leap landed him at the Wildland Trekking Company doorstep, where he now shares his love of hiking and outdoor adventure with all who are willing. Scott is our Logistics Director and guides trips in the Grand Canyon, Utah and Yellowstone.

Stephen grew up backpacking in the rolling Appalachian Mountains in the Eastern United States. Though the seeds that would one day grow to be his passion for the outdoors had been planted, it wasn’t until he discovered rock climbing in college that he committed himself to sharing his love for the great outdoors with others. He loves teaching, cooking, traveling, stargazing, and drinking coffee on crisp desert mornings. Providing his guests a memorable experience and promoting an appreciation for nature is his ultimate goal. Stephen is a Wilderness First Responder and an AMGA certified rock climbing instructor in addition to being a wilderness guide for Wildland Trekking.

Adrianne Bouchard grew up in California and developed a love for the outdoors from a young age. After attending college at UCLA she ventured into the world of outdoor education by leading trips for kids all over California. Highlights of her work experience include sea kayaking in Alaska, leading service trips on Caribbean islands, and backpacking throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In the winter she is an avid skier in addition to traveling the world for climbing trips in warmer climates. In her time off Adrianne can be found exploring new places via mountain biking, climbing, trail running, and cooking vegetarian meals around the campfire with friends.

Ann Marie Bubb is an avid hiker, backpacker, climber, and skier. She has been living in Southwest Colorado for 15 years, exploring the wonders of the San Juan Mountains and the Colorado Plateau nearly that whole time. As long time co-owner of an outdoor gear store, Ann is an expert in almost all things outdoors. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois and has had guided trips in the four corners region. When not helping Wildland Trekking guests find, prepare for, and get the most from their trips – or out having adventures of her own – she can often be found volunteering, enjoying local music festivals and spending time with friends.

Brad, owner and co-founder, has well over a quarter century of professional experience in wilderness and adventure travel. As a long time senior instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), the executive director of Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service, and as a state, federal, and consulting forester, Brad has spent the entirety of his career in the outdoors. He is passionate about providing meaningful travel experiences that leave people with a sense of wonder with the natural world. Brad is also a strong voice for conservation, as it is a lifestyle and a mission for him. He is married and raising two young outdoor adventurers in Flagstaff, Arizona.

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 southwestern United States, visiting as often as possible until moving west several years later. Eddie has since racked up over two years of full time guiding experience in the Grand Canyon and Havasu Falls. He lives part of the year in Flagstaff, AZ and the other part in Breckenridge, CO where he enjoys snowboarding and climbing Colorado’s famous 14ers. He is also a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Elizabeth’s back country explorations began as a teenager hiking many portions of the Appalachian Trail. She began venturing into the vast desert Southwest in 2000.  She hiked in Zion, Bryce, Arches, and of course Grand Canyon National Park as well as the Escalante and Dark Canyon Regions.  She was hooked on the diversity of Flora and Fauna with their resilient desert adaptations, the brilliant night skies, and rich aesthetic beauty of Canyon Country.  She rafts on the Colorado River as much as possible and enjoys exploring side canyons, new trails, and standing under desert waterfalls.  Elizabeth studied indigenous agricultural practices in arid lands for her graduate studies and loves sharing this interpretive knowledge with others.  Let’s go for a hike together!

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.

Jason Bull is originally from the Bay Area (CA) and began his guiding career in 2005 as a river runner in Colorado. He has a background in environmental sciences and a love for the outdoors, particularly the unique desert landscapes of the Southwest. In addition to leading hikes, Jason also enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing, and whitewater river trips. Since 2013, he has been a fixture in several of Wildland Trekking’s program areas, including Grand Canyon, Sedona, Utah Canyon Country, and the Colorado Rockies.

Jennifer grew up in Ventura, California where she backcountry skied and surfed all in the same day. Hiking, backcountry skiing, swimming and surfing is how Jennifer spent her formative years. Jennifer attended the University of Montana where she earned a B.S. in Recreation Management. After college Jennifer moved to West Yellowstone, Montana where she ran a summer camp for children ages 6-12. The camp explored Yellowstone National Park almost daily. In 2006, Jennifer moved to the Big Island of Hawaii and reconnected with her love of swimming and surfing. In her free time Jennifer played in the ocean and backpacked Volcano National Park in search of the best secluded beaches. Jennifer moved back to Montana in 2018 to work as an Interpretive Guide in Yellowstone National Park. When she is not guiding, Jennifer heads back to Hawaii.

Justin was born and raised in the exotic wilds of central Wisconsin, where he attended and eventually worked at a summer camp that took adventure trips around the U.S. Those trips and working at archaeology field schools in Central America in college led to his love of worldwide travel. Working as an archaeologist and guide since school, he has been lucky to travel and work across all seven continents, with trekking in Nepal to Everest Base Camp, finding hidden hot springs in Iceland, and climbing Aconcagua in Argentina among some of his favorite experiences. In his spare time, he is an avid reader, and enjoys mountain climbing, camping, and spending time between Montana and Door County, Wisconsin.

Michaël started to work for a travel company in Iceland during the summer when he was 16. Over the years he got the opportunity to explore the country from the shores to the summits. During the winter, he used to be studying mountain geography at Université Savoie Mont-Blanc (France) where he got his Bachelors Degree, before joining a master program at the University of Iceland. As he moved to Iceland, he joined one of the units of the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, and specialized in mountain rescue. He is also trained as a professional glacier guide level 1, and certified Wilderness First Responder. He is particularly interested in understanding the landscape and its processes, and he enjoys sharing his knowledge about Iceland. His favorite recreational venues are the unearthly surroundings of Vatnajökull ice cap and the colorful Fjallabak Nature Reserve. As a guide, he truly loves to take people to forgotten paths and side-trails, and to give them a taste of Iceland’s delicious food culture to provide a multi-sensory travel experience.

Myriam Bishop grew up in the French Alps, and started hiking before she started school. Joining outdoor trainings available in the area, as well as Nature Conservation events, she entered an outdoor recreation program in high school. Caving, backcountry skiing, rock-climbing and then mountaineering were her favorites. She has a degree in Outdoor recreation and Tourism. She started guiding hiking and backpacking trips in Iceland in 2002 and hasn’t since stopped sharing her passion of the outdoors, showing off the beaten track’s nature marvels. She got addicted to travelling and has since explored and hiked on 4 continents, from Sahara sand dunes to Greenland glaciers, Hawaii, New Zealand or Alaska. Her never ending fascination for plants, animals, and landscape formation drew her across the Southwest a few times before she decided she had to settle here in order to explore and share this amazing Canyon Country. She has the European Mountain Leader and Wilderness First Responder certifications.

Ron Bubb has been living, working, hiking, backpacking, skiing, kayaking, and canoeing in the four corners region for more than 15 years. He has an MBA and worked in state government before leaving his home state of Illinois for the west in 1996. Since that time, he has opened and operated three outdoor gear shops in Durango and Pagosa Springs, Colorado and started guiding for Wildland Trekking in 2008. “I want to help people get into the backcountry. That’s what I feel I was put on this planet to do.” Ron lives his purpose by guiding trips in the Grand Canyon, Utah, Rocky Mountain National Park and Yellowstone.

Stefan Ballek grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He moved out west to attend NAU in Flagstaff, and graduated with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management, with an emphasis in Outdoor Leadership and Education. Since moving to Flagstaff he has fallen in love with the southwest. He is also an Eagle Scout, NOLS alumni, avid rock climber and backpacker. He is an attentive guide who cares about the safety and enjoyment of his guests, and he’s extremely knowledgeable about being in the outdoors and about the natural and cultural history of the Colorado Plateau and the Southwest. Stefan’s goal with leading any sort of trip is to inspire a sense of stewardship and appreciation in others around him.

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.

Ben grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. He has always held a deep love for the outdoors but during his university education studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder Ben grew into his great passion for rock climbing. Climbing has taken Ben all around the world but he still considers the Western United States home. Ben has a great interest and passion for the Colorado Plateau and all of the diverse ecosystems it has to offer. Though climbing is a primary passion of his, Ben loves to explore wilderness for the adventure of the experience whether that’s through climbing, biking, rafting, or simply romping through slot canyons. Aside from his outdoor pursuits, Ben has a passion for outdoor adventure film making and photography.

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.

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.

Graham is an outdoor educator and mountain guide originally from the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee. His earliest backpacking experiences were centered around the trails of Mt. Leconte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In addition to guiding with Wildland Trekking, Graham instructs for the Northwest Outward Bound School in the Pacific Northwest, and he leads a nonprofit co-operative in Flagstaff. Graham is an avid canyoneer, whitewater paddler, mountain biker, and rock climber. He holds an active WFR certification with CPR via NOLS, has participated in a multi-day Level IV Swiftwater Rescue course via the American Canoe Associattion, maintains Leave No Trace awareness training, and has completed Single Pitch Instructor training with AMGA. Clients and students alike delight in Graham’s sense of humor and genuine interest in teaching.

Jeanelle Carpentier, originally from Camano Island, Washington, was very fortunate growing up to have the opportunity to travel and spend endless hours outdoors with her family and friends. In 2009, she broadened her horizons and moved to New Zealand. Living overseas brought her a huge sense of clarity in her life and opened many new doors. Doors which would lead her now to over forty states, twenty countries, and studying abroad. She has been working in several national parks and residing in mostly small mountain towns for several years. Her passion is being able to share the great outdoors with others, and she loves meeting new people. She is thrilled every day to be working in one of her favorite national parks, the Grand Canyon.

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 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!

Laura grew up in Connecticut, spending the majority of her time racing sailboats, playing street hockey, and climbing trees. Her love for the outdoors has been with her forever, but this passion really began to take root when she moved to northern Utah to pursue a graduate degree in Geology. Once out west, Laura fell deeply in love with the wild landscapes of the Greater Yellowstone Area and southwestern Utah, spending most of her time climbing, backpacking, mountain biking, and backcountry snowboarding. She now resides in Teton Valley, ID with her partner and two doggies. Laura is super grateful for the opportunity to work with llamas in these beautiful areas, and loves to share her passion and knowledge for these areas with guests!

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.

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 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

Steve Cundy, owner and co-founder, worked as a natural resources specialist for federal and state governments before discovering his passion for leading people into wild places. After this revelation, he spent his working life as a wilderness counselor for at-risk youth in Utah and as an outdoor educator and hiking guide, before co-founding the Wildland Trekking Company. Steve is a personable and attentive owner and guide who is dedicated to seeing that his guests get as much out of their wilderness hiking experience as possible. Also an avid rock climber, he can usually be found scaling the cliffs of his usual haunts when not in the office or the field.

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 hiked and explored 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!”

Brittney grew up in Tallahassee, Florida. With a degree in Psychology her early career was as a part of a clinical anxiety research team. It just took one backpacking trip in Yosemite, however, to inspire her to leave the cubicle world behind. Soon after, she was guiding for a wilderness therapy company in Utah. For two years she lived in Australia, leading teenagers on outdoor education backpacking expeditions. Her travels have mostly been through a hiking lens, having backpacked in Central America, Africa, Scandinavia, Spain, throughout southern Australia, and across much of the American west including a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. When she’s not on trail you might catch her wood carving, slack-lining, or whipping up a new recipe. Britt wants to share the magic of the wild! From dips in the alpine lakes of the Sierra Nevada to exploring deep slot canyons in southern Utah, her goal is for her guests to leave the wilderness as inspired as she was on her first trip.

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.

Guy Dobyns grew up in Indiana, but fell in love with the Southwest at an early age during family backpacking trips in the Grand Canyon. He escaped the corn fields of the Midwest as soon as he could for the grander landscapes of the West. He is passionate about getting people outside, and has worked in a variety of wild places. Aside from guiding for Wildland Trekking, he was an outdoor educator for a high school in New Mexico, coordinated logistics for an Outward Bound school in Utah, and guided ice climbing and rafting trips in Alaska. The Grand Canyon remains his first and best love though, and he has been exploring the Canyon by foot and raft for more than six years. Guy enjoys sharing his knowledge about the geology of the Canyon and its history of human exploration with guests, but most of all he just loves introducing new people to his favorite place in the world.

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.

Nathan grew up in Alberta, and so he has had the pleasure of being near and in the Rocky Mountains his whole life. He enjoys all aspects of walking through the mountains – whether taking the path less traveled on remote overnight trips, or taking in the familiar sites visited by tourists time and again. Nathan has been guiding for nearly a decade, so you’re sure to hear some interesting stories and learn a thing or two about the spectacular mountain environment that we call home!

Growing up in Northern California, Chris has always been active hiking, biking, or training Muay Thai kickboxing. One Easter Sunday, a storm would have him sheltering in a cave a few hundred feet up the sandstone spires of a local state park.  Several hours later, the storm would cease, opening up to a beautiful moonlit sky that would change his ideas about life.  After walking 200 miles to settle a bet, he would go on to explore the Grand Canyon, thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail, and spend 50 days solo backpacking Yellowstone and the nearby Beartooth-Absorokas. These days, you’ll find him still exploring the Grand Canyon, Sedona, The San Francisco Peaks and the Arizona Trail.  He also enjoys training Jiu-Jitsu and taking his cat Arthur for walks.

Originally from small town Ontario, Derek first came to western Canada after completing the Outdoor Adventure program at Algonquin College and hasn’t looked back since. Spending hundreds of days in the backcountry, Derek prefers multi-day backpacking trips. One of his favorite experiences was guiding a 19-day expedition through Banff National Park and guiding the West Coast Trail 10 times. Derek currently lives in Canmore and when not out hiking you’ll find him at the climbing gym.

Sergio is a Mexican – Chilean alpinist, rock climber, adventurer and mountain guide, who has spent much of his life in nature trying to live in harmony with his environment. His skills as a guide and mountaineer have allowed him to develop his abilities in high mountains, on big walls and over long distances, as well as to experience extremely remote places. He’s instructed for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), and has been guiding in Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and Perú for over 20 years, and has worked as a Campus Chief for summer camps for kids in southern India as well as Operations Manager for the Tourism Department of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He’s traveled all over the world, cycling in northern India, sea kayaking in the Patagonian fjords, running up high in the Andes and climbing in countless locations. His practice as a Zen monk has led him to a deeper awareness of the world around him. He fluently speaks English and Italian, some French and his native tongue, Spanish.

Connor was born in Ohio but spent many of his childhood summers backpacking with family in the North Cascades of Washington. It was there in those high alpine lakes that a thirst for the outdoors first began brewing, and it’s been bubbling away ever since. After graduating college in 2014 Connor found a summer job in Yellowstone and has spent nearly ever summer since exploring the back woods, rocks and crannies of the Northern Rockies, both above ground and below. Connor is a dedicated hiker, caver, reader and writer. When Connor is not guiding trips he’s often found working his other passion in life: fermentation. Whether it’s in breweries, kombucheries or working winery vintages, Connor enjoys honing his craft in the US and abroad.

Kyle Felts grew up in Virginia in the Blue Ride 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.

Chris grew up exploring the mountains of North Carolina, first with his family, and later on his own as a rock climber and mountain biker. Once he realized that he thrives in the outdoors he pursued a career in guiding, receiving a B.S. in Outdoor Experiential Education and Recreation from Appalachian State University. After graduating, he immediately drove west, knowing the mountains and opportunities for adventure were much bigger. He has since spent time guiding in California, Utah, Colorado, and now Arizona, working primarily in wilderness therapy and youth development. Chris is really excited to share his passion for the outdoors with folks who are eager to see new parts of the world, and is always exploring new places to share that excitement with guests!

Anita moved to Chile in 2012 and is fluent in English, Spanish and German. She started working as a trainer for endurance horses and was guiding horse treks in Pucon. She came to Puerto Natales as a tourist to explore the Torres Del Paine National Park. In 2013/14 she started working for in the outdoor industry in administration and logistics as well as assisting guides on excursions to grey glacier, on the W-trek and guiding full day trips. She is a qualified wilderness first responder. In 2017 Anita earned the certification from Municipalidad Torres del Paine to become an official Patagonia guide.

Betsy Harter was born and raised on a small farm in southwest Missouri. Raised with 4 brothers and a sister, her family spent their summer vacations camping at local lakes and canoeing on the local rivers. She moved to Colorado in 2001, at the age of 19, to become a river guide, an adventure from the git-go that changed her life forever. She spent 3 months traveling around the west after her first summer of river guiding, a week of which was spent falling in love with the Grand Canyon. She vowed to someday live and work in this amazing place. Over the next decade she river guided and managed a rafting outfitter in Colorado in the summers. During the winters she spent time skiing or traveling to various countries around Central and South America. She spent several of those winters working as a river and eco-tour guide in Costa Rica and Argentina before moving to Flagstaff. She now works full time as both a river guide and trekking guide in the Grand Canyon. With a degree in Neuropsychology and a minor in Biology, Betsy is devoted to keeping society connected to nature by making every trip both meaningful and educational for each individual, while focusing on protecting the environment.

While Fletcher grew up in a quaint San Diego beach town, Fletcher’s love for the outdoors began while exploring the ocotillo deserts of Eastern San Diego. He earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from Cal State Monterey Bay and while attending University, He realized that he had a passion for natural interpretation and understanding the natural world. He also became involved in the schools budding outdoor recreation program. This is where Fletcher found his home. After adding on an Outdoor Recreation and Education minor, Fletcher graduated and realized that guiding was the best way to combine both his skills and joys was through guiding. Fletcher guides to bring people more connected with the magnificent world we share.

Kurt grew up in Tucson, Arizona. He cultivated his love for the outdoors hiking and rock climbing around The Santa Catalina Mountains. At Northern Arizona University he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management, with an emphasis in Outdoor Leadership and Education and became a certified outdoor leader. After leading backpacking trips with the university he traveled to New South Whales to work as a backpacking guide for 6 months. The experiences encouraged him to seek out Wildland Trekking Company and continues to facilitate positive experiences in the outdoors for visitors from around the world.

Louie Clark Herron was born in the glacier-razed plains and pastures of Indiana. As a boy, he was raised with a deep appreciation for wilderness and the outdoors. National parks and monuments were always the highlight of any family vacation. His mother’s love for history and story telling bred a passion in him for exploration. Setting off at an early age Louie began traveling the dramatic landscapes and rocky terrain of the Western United States. After working and living in Yosemite National Park for over a year, he went on to work in Glacier National Park where his experience in nature would change his life forever, and for the better! Seemingly an outdoor addict, Louie now finds himself captivated by the hidden treasures of the Grand Canyon and the stunning scenery of the Southwest. As a recent landowner, he hopes to become self sufficient with organic gardening and environmentally sustainable practices. When he’s not hiking, climbing, or biking, Louie spends his time creating natural medicines and herbal remedies from the abundant plants and herbs the desert has to offer. Above all, Louie is here to share his passion and enthusiasm for nature with guests looking for an extraordinary adventure. Lets Hike!

Matt Hergert grew up in Northern California, but has moved around a lot and lived in seven different states. In 2014 he completed an Outward Bound Instructors Course in sea kayaking and mountaineering in Washington. He then moved to Grand Canyon National Park where he was the lead guide for a bicycle tour company, working there for three seasons and traveling in the off-seasons. He has since guided kayak day trips and overnight trips on Lake Yellowstone in Yellowstone National Park, and kayak trips in Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park in New Zealand. Matt has been to 31 National Parks and is a wildlife and landscape photographer.

Montana’s love of the outdoors began during childhood summers on her grandparent’s rural Midwestern farm. During college on the California coast she based her academic pursuits largely around what brought her outside, earning a Bachelors in Earth Science and Physical Anthropology. After her studies she traveled widely throughout the rural American west in search of more practical pursuits. She spent six years hiking, backpacking and working on small-scale organic farms expanding her love of plants and her relationship with the land. Her travels have brought her in close contact with many wild places including Washington’s rainforests, Alaska, and southern Utah’s canyon country. She delights in sharing her love for the natural world and in facilitating a sense of stewardship among her guests. When she’s not in the field Montana loves to garden, forage and spend time in the kitchen with friends.

Rachel is a southeast girl who grew up exploring rhododendron-filled forests and blue-hued mountain ranges. Her love for hiking grew as she went backpacking in Shenandoah National Park, George Washington Forest, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Rachel’s other passion is rock climbing, and she got her first taste of the wild west on a climbing trip to Joshua Tree. She has since traveled extensively throughout the West including an ascent of Mt. Rainier and vast exploration of the Grand Canyon! The Canyon is one of Rachel’s favorite places, and the Hermit Trail is one of her all-time favorite hiking trails. Finally, you’ll be glad to know she loves backcountry cooking and – believe it or not – thoroughly enjoys washing dishes too!

Robert was born in Phoenix, Arizona but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. An ACL injury playing high school football led Robert into the outdoor recreation of Tennessee. He developed a love for backpacking and biking. Robert received his BA in Marketing from the University of Tennessee, where he worked with museums and national battlefields to help develop green and sustainable technology initiatives to help the Park Service save money. This eventually led him to a career as a Trip Leader, which he has worked since 2014. Robert is a musician, a huge fan of football, and enjoys helping small businesses throughout Arizona with their marketing and community services, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. He currently resides in Prescott Arizona.

Shayne Hall grew up in Tucson, Arizona where he found a passion for the outdoors during his first backpacking trip, a solo excursion into the Rincon Mountains. In 1998 he spent 105 days hiking 720 miles from the border of Mexico to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. While passing through the Canyon on this life-changing journey, he met a hiking guide who sparked his interest. In 2001 he began his guiding career. “I love to see people blown away by the intense beauty of the Canyon. Also seeing friends and families bond during their time in the Canyon is the most rewarding part of my job.” Shayne oversees permits and staffing, and he guides hikes every chance he gets.

Charles grew up just outside the San Gabriel National Forest, northeast of Los Angeles, where he spent his childhood hiking with the family’s Golden Retrievers. He traveled extensively with his parents stateside and internationally, with an emphasis on the deserts and red rocks of the Southwest. By the time he was 30, he had visited all fifty states and over a dozen countries. This thirst for adventure and new experiences brought him to Norway in the summer of 2009 for a month-long National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Backpacking and Sea Kayaking program. It was this trip that confirmed his love, appreciation, and need for the outdoors. Music is the other half of his heart. Charles attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating with a Professional Diploma in Professional Music. Charles is a Wilderness First Responder, and will be certified in Avalanche Safety (AIARE 1) in December 2019.  He is an accomplished indoor and outdoor chef. He also enjoys history, hiking with his Husky and off-roading in his 2003 Jeep Rubicon.

JP is from Santa Barbara, California. In high school, he was introduced to the outdoors on backpacking trips through the southern Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite National Park. Since then he hasn’t met an outside he didn’t like. Jp’s career as a guide started as an instructor at the same high school outdoor education program and summer camps that first exposed him to the mountains. Jp returns every summer to be assistant director of Camp Wahoo! Where he teaches youth many of the same skills he uses in the field. He is also an avid whitewater kayaker, trail runner and snowboarder in his free time.

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. Although she is currently a Flagstaff resident and a graduate student in the Climate Science Program at Northern Arizona University, she is most at home in the backcountry and spends as many nights under the stars each year as possible.

Justin grew up in Idaho, spending much of his childhood in the great outdoors. He has lived in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming and has enjoyed hiking and camping in all three states. He also has a love for animals, raising horses, llamas and goats on a hobby farm with his family. Justin has worked with children and teenagers as a special education teacher and a Scout Master for the past 13 years. He continues to share his love for the outdoors with his family, guests and pretty much anyone who will listen to him for more than a few minutes.

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.

Dara Kelly is passionate about sharing her love of wild places. After doing an intensive, field-based semester with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), she began seeking more rugged adventures. Dara spent five years working in outdoor education in Vermont before moving to the west coast. She has professional experience as a river guide, snowboard instructor, ropes course leader, and backpacking guide. Dara has made several excursions to Central and South America, where she enjoys exploring ancient ruins and camping along the Pacific Coast. She is currently living and playing in Bend, Oregon and works for Wildland Trekking in Arizona, Utah and Wyoming.

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 guide. Dean home base is in Bend, Oregon where he spends his free time rock climbing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and running.

Joe grew up playing in the woods in Northwest Oregon. He spent many years working in the San Francisco Bay Area while squeezing in backpacking, skiing, biking, and kayaking in his spare time. In 2008 Joe realized the office grind wasn’t for him and decided on a career change. He decided to indulge his passion for backpacking by going to work as a guide. He’s also a good guy to have along in a pinch. Joe is a volunteer member of a search and rescue team, having participated in many wilderness search and rescue missions all over Northern California. As part of that team Joe teaches wilderness medicine, navigation, backpacking skills, snow survival skills and search tactics to other volunteers.

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!

In her university years Michelle quickly discovered the great outdoors as her place of rejuvenation and restoration. Michelle finds a great sense of joy moving and exploring and treasures the simplicity of life that comes from time with mother nature. Michelle is certified as a Hiking Guide through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Michelle has a background of teaching and enjoys leading students on outdoor education trips. She loves to share her passion and knowledge while facilitating meaning and educational outdoor experiences. She finds great satisfaction in meeting new people and watching community develop out on the trail. When not working Michelle can be found skiing, running, cycling, and competing in races. She loves trying new things and most recently rode her mountain bike from Banff, Alberta to Mexico.

Moshe spent much of his childhood in Israel where he first became enamored with the great outdoors.  After leading a wilderness program at a large summer camp for many years, he decided to pursue a B.A. in Adventure Education from Prescott College.  After graduating Moshe settled in Las Vegas, NV, and has led numerous expeditions in the American Southwest, Alaska, the Appalachian Trail, Tanzania and Israel.  Additionally he has spent time backpacking and hiking in India and Thailand, and has completed a basic mountaineering course in the Indian Himalaya. He has also attained multiple outdoor certifications, including Leave No Trace Master Educator, Utah Whitewater River Crew license, American Avalanche Association Level 1, and is a Wilderness First Responder.  In his spare time Moshe enjoys backpacking, rafting, skiing, Scuba/Sky Diving, and the occasional mystery novel.

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 and helps manage operations for WTC. She returns to guide in the Southwest every Spring and Fall to maintain a balanced seasonal migration.

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.

Aaron Lind hails from southern Illinois. His five summers working in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks inspired his lust for international adventure. After moving to New Zealand, he made the right connections and began his career guiding in the outdoors. Since then Aaron has been a snowboard guide in Japan, lead backcountry glacier and sea kayaking trips in Alaska, and travelled to Guatemala to lead backpacking trips on 13,000 foot active volcanoes. In his free time, Aaron enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding, and working on his Jeep.

Carlos was born and raised in San Diego, CA where his passion for the outdoors was first ignited through his love of surfing, diving, and spearfishing. While attaining his Bachelors degree in the study of Global Heath and Development at the University of Arizona, Carlos took to the mountains and discovered his affinity with rock climbing, long-distance backpacking, and mountain biking. Some of his most cherished memories include going on adventure surf trips in Baja California, 3 months living and working in Guatemala, and rock climbing in the Cochise Stronghold in Southern Arizona to name a few. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and in the past, has logged experience working as both an outdoor educator and an outdoor adventure guide based out of Southern California. Carlos is a light hearted individual who is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge of the outdoors and is dedicated to making sure his clientele have a truly rewarding experience.

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.”

Natasha was fortunate to grow up in Hawaii where she developed her passion for exploring the natural world; spending countless days on the water and exploring the beautiful mountains. She earned a double degree in Biology Conservation and Photography from the University of Washington in Seattle. She fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and proceeded to learn its natural history, with her primary focus in plant ecology. Throughout her undergraduate career she had the opportunity to merge her two areas of interest, ecology and art, and to pursue outdoor recreation with the intention of sharing her passion and concern for the natural world with others. After studying primary succession on Mt St Helens and climate change effects on wildflowers on Mt Rainier, she moved to the outdoor guiding profession and led kayak and sailing expeditions for young adults in Washington and Southeast Asia, worked as a multisport and naturalist guide at Evergreen Escapes, and joined the Wildland Trekking team. When not guiding she can be found taking photographs, practicing martial arts, rock climbing and most other things that get her outside.

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.

Blair was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he grew up exploring the creeks and trails of the Santa Cruz mountains. While he started as an avid hiker, mountain biker and surfer, he found his passion for climbing, mountaineering and backpacking while attending university in Scotland. Since then he has worked in outdoor education, private guiding and trail work, helping to facilitate outdoor experiences for others. He has traveled and worked in various places around the world, having guided in Tasmania, worked for the park service in British Columbia, and led backpacking trips in the southwestern US. When he isn’t working he enjoys playing guitar, traveling to foreign lands, working on his truck or reading a good book.

Hailing from the ‘land down unda’, Dylan grew up exploring southeast Australia and took many trips overseas with his outdoorsy and active family. Dylan studied Physical and Outdoor Education in Melbourne, graduating in 2015. In that same year, he began working at The Outdoor Education Group as a Group Leader. Over the next four years Dylan led school students on one to three-week trips from hiking to white water rafting in a wide variety of environments. In 2016 Dylan completed a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. He has also been on hiking trips in Northern Scandinavia and Spain. He has a passion for sharing amazing experiences outdoors and fostering positive connections with the land. Dylan has now made the big move to the United States in search of new experiences.

Elaine Maier was raised in Arizona and has spent much of her time hiking and backpacking the Southwest. For over 20 years she has hiked extensively in the Grand Canyon. Elaine has been professionally guiding at the Grand Canyon for 8 years, spending 100-plus days on the trail each year. She also works as an instructor for the Grand Canyon Field Institute and now makes her home as a Grand Canyon resident year-round. She has also taught backpacking and hiking classes for several Parks and Recreation Departments in the Phoenix Area. Elaine leads many of our Grand Canyon day hikes and an occasional multi-day trip. She’s a true professional, and extremely knowledgeable about the geology, flora, fauna and history of the Grand Canyon. Being a Grand Canyon resident, Elaine also secure last-minute backcountry permits for us from the Backcountry Information Center.

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.

Jacqui Mandell discovered the Grand Canyon at an early age on a family vacation, and it has inspired and guided her life ever since. She went on her first Grand Canyon backpacking trip as a student at Arizona State University, where she earned a BA in Geography. That first trip triggered a passion for backpacking that she immediately felt compelled to share with others. She has now been backpacking in the Grand Canyon for more than 13 years as well as learning about its cultural history, flora, fauna, and geology. She has also explored wild parts of Southern Utah, Oregon, and Hawaii, and has made it a lifelong goal to share her passion for hiking and backpacking with others. She spent more than a decade in customer service/sales before being inspired to join the Wildland Trekking team in 2012. Jacqui is a certified Wilderness First Responder and currently resides in Phoenix. When not guiding, she is busy raising her two young children and hiking with them every chance she gets!

Jenn grew up in a flat, forested region of Canada and moved to California at the age of 20 where her passion for the desert was kindled. Immediately enthralled with the landscape, she developed a love for hiking, camping and exploring the mountains and desert surrounding Los Angeles. Spurred on by a love of travel, exploring the unknown and learning the idiosyncrasies of new locales, Jenn became an avid backpacker and road tripper. Now living in Sedona, Jenn uses the red rock country as a base camp for exploring the desert southwest – photographing the landscape and researching historical and archaeological sites of the American West.

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.

Joy Menet is a jack of all trades and a highly qualified guide, yet and doesn’t pretend to have mastered anything…yet. Born and raised in the woods of Wisconsin, the things she loves most about her childhood home are the crystal clear rivers, family and cheese curds.  Being outdoors is where she feels most at home.  She received her degree from UW-Madison in “Environmental Sociology”, completing her last year of study in Ecuador.  In July 2014 she moved back to the USA after living in Ecuador for 6 years where she worked as a teacher, adventure travel guide and served as president of a mountaineering club.  She returned to the States in part to become a NOLS Instructor and professional outdoor guide, which are the ways she gets to continue enjoying, exploring and learning from the natural mysteries and beauty of the West.  Meeting new people and sharing experiences and knowledge with them in the outdoors could possibly be her very favorite hobby, right after giggling.

A true desert rat, Ken grew up in southern New Mexico and has spent most of his adult life in Arizona. After a stint in the Air Force, Ken practiced law and then taught criminal justice for over a decade at Arizona State University (where he learned to tell a good murder story). He has backpacked thousands of miles in the Grand Canyon, crawled in and around the canyons of southern Utah, through-hiked the Colorado Trail twice, and traced the footsteps of John Muir in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  He finds peace, joy, and humor in the wilderness, and lives by the adage that “there is no such thing as bad weather, just different types of good weather.” When not exploring, he loves to read, listen to bluegrass music, and extoll on the delicious healing powers of Hatch green chile.

Mark grew up hiking and camping with his dad, road-tripping across the country to see the best of our National Parks. This love of nature led Mark to an 8-year career as an agricultural engineer with the USDA, working with farmers and ranchers to improve conservation on their land. As work took him to beautiful rural areas throughout Pennsylvania and California, Mark couldn’t resist the urge to find his way into the outdoors full time. Now, he is excited to spend every day doing what he loves: sharing his passion for adventure and conservation with anyone who will join him. Mark also works as a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger, trail crew member, and poison oak magnet in Big Sur’s Ventana 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.

Thad Miller has been exploring wild places since his first “self guided hike” of the neighborhood at age 2, much to his mother’s displeasure. He grew up in Georgia but has lived in the Four Corner’s Region for over a decade. He has guided a variety of adventures from hiking and backpacking to mountaineering in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusettes, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Alaska. He has spent the last 12 years ardently exploring the wild country of the Southwest both professionally and personally. When not guiding, he works as a paramedic and flight medic in Southern Colorado, which is where he calls home. Thad is an extremely thorough and knowledgeable guide, and is dedicated to making the trips he leads true peak experiences for his guests.

Brian Nelson grew up outside Los Angeles. He moved to Arizona to attend NAU in Flagstaff, and graduated with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management, with an emphasis in Park Protection. Since moving to Flagstaff he has fallen in love with the Southwest. He is also an Eagle Scout, an avid rock climber and a backpacker. Brian cares deeply about the safety and enjoyment of his guests, and he’s extremely knowledgeable about the natural and cultural history of the Grand Canyon and the Southwest. Brian’s goal is to provide the best experience possible and to create a lifelong memory for his guests.

Cody developed his love for the outdoors during his childhood in Verde Valley, AZ with Sedona at his back door. Cody attends Northern Arizona University. He cites the climate, proximity to family, and the amazing wilderness of northern Arizona as his motivation to settle in Flagstaff. After realizing his true passion for outdoor recreation, Cody changed his major to Recreation Management which he is still currently pursuing. When asked why he changed his school path from engineering, he says: “What would be a more fulfilling life than facilitating fun?” When not on the trail, you can find him rock climbing, hiking, volunteering, watching baseball, or reading about history and science.

From a young age, Jenna appreciated the feeling of moving her body and the satisfaction that came from self-propelled activities. Feeding off of the energy of wild places, she has spent five months following the white blazes along the Appalachian Trail, two weeks hiking across Baffin Island, 15 days exploring the high altitude passes of the Nepalese Himalayas, and over 500 nights sleeping in her tent. She lives a life creating adventure and opportunity and is passionate about teaching others how to find and create their own adventure. Always in search of a new adventure she can be found anywhere but indoors!

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 in Yosemite. Kyle is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Kyle O’Donnell 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.

Michael was born and raised in the farmlands of Iowa. As an active member of the Boy Scouts and through family vacations out west he quickly gained a great appreciation for the outdoors. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a B.S. in Anthropology, Michael moved to Southern Utah and travelled, working seasonal jobs to facilitate a life spent in the outdoors. Through his travels, Michael has developed a deep passion for the exploration of wild places and loves to share that passion with others. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, biking, and climbing.

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 a multi-day hike, 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.

Ken’s passion for the outdoors was born at the age of 10 when he first visited his grandfather in Arizona; they went hunting together and it opened up a whole new world to him. Soon after that trip his family moved to Arizona, his father’s home state (the Parkers have lived in Arizona for 5 generations and a love for the Sonoran deserts is deeply ingrained). Ken’s love of the southwest wilderness continued to grow, and eventually he graduated from Arizona State University in 2009 with a BA in Psychology. He worked as a mental health professional for several years, and felt his greatest successes came when he and the patients participated in outdoor activities together. His dream is to one day combine his expertise in guiding, his love of the outdoors, and his passion for helping the mentally ill with a customized wilderness therapy program in Arizona.

Tom was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City. He gained a love for mountains and wild lands at a young age on family ski trips to the Green Mountains of Vermont. At the age of 20, he decided to pursue this love further and moved to Bozeman, Montana, where he currently resides. He has a B.S. in Geology and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. During his time in Montana, Tom has gained a deep appreciation of the wildlife, natural history and geology of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and enjoys passing this appreciation on to his guests. When not guiding backpacking trips, Tom enjoys hiking with his dog, split boarding, rock climbing, mountain biking, fly fishing and looking at rocks.

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.

Adam grew up fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping in the deep pine woods of East Texas. At Baylor University he serendipitously stumbled into the Environmental Science building after leaving the rock gym and began what would become a decade long career in environmental work. He has worked as a biologist across the country, from bushwhacking through Appalachia restoring native Brook Trout, basking in the island life with sea turtles on the Texas Gulf Coast, to running the rivers with the salmon of Northern California. He has also spent time guiding fishing and hunting trips on the Texas coast. He maintains a passion for fishing, hiking, hunting, and biking. The thing he is perhaps most passionate about is sharing the beauty of the wild world and tuning in to its rhythms.

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 hails from both southwestern Wyoming and northern Utah, where he spent as much time as possible hiking, biking, snowboarding, camping, fishing, and hunting. Upon completion of a distinguished career with the United States military in 2016, he returned to the Rockies to enjoy mountain life with the intent of helping people to connect with nature and the environment. He currently lives in Montana where he takes every opportunity to hike and backpack throughout the region, pursue fish with a flyrod, rock climbing, mountaineering, rafting, snowshoeing, and spending time with his dogs. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and possesses several additional rescue certifications.

Craig grew up in upper upstate New York just outside Rochester. His family spent summers camping in Canada and winters shoveling endless deluges of wet, dirty snow in New York. Upon heading south after earning a degree in English, Craig took up east coast surfing in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. A love of the west and desire to be around bigger mountains brought he and his wife to the southwest. Using Las Vegas as a home base, Craig frequents the backcountry hotbeds of Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California, and on occasion, the surf breaks of San Diego. He is an active snowboarder, rock climber and mountain biker. A NOLS alumnus and Wilderness First Responder, Craig has been guiding professionally in the Grand Canyon since 2011. In the front-country, he’s a contract copywriter and marketing consultant.

Daniel grew up in St.Louis and would spend the weekends in the rolling hills and valleys surrounding him. From a young age, Daniel would hike with his mother and go horseback riding, fishing, and camping with his father. When he was 18, he and his friends set out on a week-long trek of the Ozark Trail. He has since hiked portions of the NCT and PCT to name a few. For the past 10 years Daniel has been involved in the Specialty Butcher and Restaurant Industry, opening several restaurants and butcher shops in New York City, Chicago, and LA, while helping small farmers bring their products to local consumers. Tired of the weekly grind of the restaurant industry, Daniel has decided to direct his passion for the outdoors into guiding.

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.

Like many of us, Helen first saw the Grand Canyon on a cross country road trip with her family. As the daughter of a U.S Army officer, she traveled the world living in places such as Hawaii and Europe. During her professional career she worked for Arizona Highways magazine, which gave her the opportunity to learn about the Grand Canyon from numerous photographers and writers. After years of driving between Phoenix and Grand Canyon just for a day hike, she took a big leap accepting a job with the Grand Canyon Association as Director of Marketing and Outreach and later as the Associate Director of Philanthropy. Living and working at Grand Canyon National Park allowed her the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding about the Canyon’s human and natural history. Helen has trekked internationally in Nepal and Africa. In 2016, Helen completed a 21-day, 240+ mile backpack on the John Muir Trail. Helen lives in Flagstaff with her husband Wayne Ranney, geologist, trail guide and author of “Carving Grand Canyon”.

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.

Jeff grew up in Central Pennsylvania – hiking, camping, biking, fishing, skiing, paddling and playing in the dirt. Family travel exposed him to the great wilderness of the West. Forever grateful for a colloquium course offered at Tulane University, culminating in a life-changing adventure through the Grand Canyon and Southwest, Jeff moved to Colorado for work and ski culture upon graduation. After stints in British Columbia and New York, he settled in Asheville, NC with his beautiful family. Jeff explores the Southern Appalachians several times a week with his dogs, family, friends and a camera.

Kelsi grew up kayaking through mazelike trails of overarching mangroves, island hopping and biking about her gorgeous Clearwater, Florida home turf. Thanks to her incredible and adventurous parents, she visited 48 US states and almost every National Park by age 13 — a trend that has kept her hungering to spend time exploring and soaking in the natural wonders of our world. She’s since studied and adventured all over Southern Europe, Turkey, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Canada and Hawaii, and doesn’t plan to stop there. She’s loved working on a remote, backcountry Yosemite National Park trail crew, and as a Field Instructor with a wilderness therapy program in Southern Utah. Based out of St. George, UT for almost half a decade now, she can be found in her spare time exploring the lesser-known trails, intricate canyons and waterways of the region.

Mikaela Ray grew up in the red rock country of Sedona, Arizona. Growing up, her family traveled often and the wild outdoors was all she knew. She often went hiking and camping with her father and valued the art of living off the land. She graduated with a Medical Sciences degree from Northern Arizona University, spending a semester abroad for a medical mission in India. Her love of the natural world and the medical sciences led her to remote medical backpacking trips in Peru, Mexico, India and parts of the U.S. She spent years  in the Bay Area as a bicycle touring guide for various companies and returned to share her love of the Southwest. She has been a guide for several years, is an active mountain biker, hiker and  member of the National Mountain Bike Patrol. When not guiding, Mikaela can be found mountain biking around Sedona and preparing her pack for her next adventure!

Pete was lucky enough to grow up with parents who took him camping and paddling in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota. He earned a bachelor’s in creative writing from Bemidji State University, and has written frequently for Backpacker magazine. As an adult, Pete has spent a career connecting people with the outdoors. Whether it’s guiding hikes in the New England Berkshires, directing bike trips on the Pacific Coast, running paragliding tours in the Peruvian Andes or leading students in Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan mountain range, Pete believes in the positive power of an awesome time in the outdoors.

As the Utah Program Manager, Pete is responsible for our hiking tours in Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Death Valley National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. He couldn’t be more excited about introducing more folks to the magic of the great American Southwest.

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.

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.

Hannah was born and raised in Maryland, but spent the summers of her college years road tripping across the country to explore the beautiful land in the West. Immediately after graduating from Hofstra University with a degree in Photography, she moved to Southern Utah and fell in love with the Southwest. After working in the outdoor recreation field for multiple seasons, it became clear that her biggest passion was helping others to discover the joy of spending time in wilderness, and also promoting a conservation anywhere and everywhere she could. Hannah currently resides in Bozeman, MT and spends her time hiking, exploring, climbing, and floating the river – finding a new love for the mountains just as strong as her love for the red rock desert. As a member of the Wildland Trekking team, she loves to share her enthusiasm for the environment and help individuals fulfill their goals and dreams in the outdoors.

Holly grew up taking annual family camping trips in Northern California, where she developed a conservation mindset and an awe for the natural environment. In college, she discovered that organizing backpacking trips created a way to slow down and connect with friends and herself. Holly followed her problem solving temperament to a career in engineering, and after 7 years, left to purse her passion for connecting people to the outdoors and decided to make Southern Utah home. She continued to engineer creative solutions at home, in the field, and in positions as a wilderness therapy field guide and as a National Park Service park ranger. She commits herself to lifelong learning as a Utah Master Naturalist, entrepreneur, teacher, yogi, thru-hiker, and trail runner. Holly loves that she gets to spread curiosity for the world as a guide for Wildland Trekking.

Kevin Spach spent his childhood in central California taking frequent trips throughout the Sierra Nevada and spending a year living in Yosemite Valley itself. He returned to Yosemite after receiving a bachelors degree in Art and Design from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2008 and has worked there seasonally since. A former manager of Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, Kevin has spent much of his professional career as a steward of the Yosemite backcountry. His work revolves around facilitating excellent wilderness experiences and his play is exploring the finest in natural beauty. Known in the backcountry by his last name (pronounced SPOCK), he finds life best approached with a healthy sense of adventure and a respectful relationship with nature. Spach has also volunteered on trail and restoration crews in the National and State Parks of Hawaii. Along with naturalism, Kevin values an understanding of cultural history as an integral part of a close connection with place. His outdoor lifestyle goes hand-in-hand with his creative passion; check out his fine art website: www.spachphotography.com

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.

Nico fell in love with the French Alps at an early age and lives happily in these mountains almost all year long, except when he is hiking all over Europe of course! In Winter, you can find Nico on snow shoes in the French Alps guiding hikers to the saddles between impressive white summits towering above. In Summer, he hikes all over Europe, with maybe a preference for the Alps and Greece. Nico is a friendly guide who loves sharing knowledge and giving his all. When he is not hiking, he spends time with his family and gets involved with NGOs to help out the people of Greece.

Patty grew up in northern New Jersey and always had a yearning to move West! After graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in Environmental Science her dream came true. She began her career with the National Park Service as an emergency services Park Ranger. Her twenty-six year career included law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical services, backcountry management and visitor services. She served in Big Bend National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gateway National Recreation Area, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Rocky Mountain National Park and several other areas as part of a National Incident Management Team. After retiring in 2012 from the National Park Service, she began guiding hiking trips. Some of her favorite places to guide include Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Alaska. She is currently certified as an EMT-IV. She loves taking guests to National Parks, exploring and enjoying all the Parks have to offer. When not guiding, she enjoys birding, cycling, fly fishing, hiking and skiing, and traveling with her husband Tom in their camper van.

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.

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.

Zack Summit grew up in New England, hiking and backpacking with his family. After spending several summers in Colorado Zack moved out west and fell in love with the Grand Canyon and the high desert country. Zack has canyoneered, hiked, and climbed across the Western United States as well as Europe, Alaska, Northwestern Canada, and Patagonia. He graduated from Prescott College in 2010 with a B.A. Degree in Environmental Studies and has been guiding in Arizona, Colorado, and Alaska ever since. Zack is a certified Wilderness First Responder as well as an AMGA certified Single Pitch Instructor. When he’s not guiding, you can find him cooking, climbing, or packing in some much needed calories with good friends.

Ethan Thrasher grew up on a farm in southwest Virginia where he fell in love with hiking and fishing. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2015 and spent three years after college as a staffer in the U.S. Senate. Yearly fishing and backpacking trips to Colorado and Montana reignited a desire to be outdoors. In 2018, he moved out west and travelled around the Wind River Range followed by a job as a wrangler for an elk hunting outfitter in southwest Colorado. Ethan enjoys sharing his passion for the Wind River Range and Yellowstone National Park with guests. When not backpacking he can be found exploring rivers and creeks with a fly rod in hand.

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.

Isaac Tapper grew up exploring the mountains and rivers of Vermont with his family. During college he began working in outdoor education and leading extended backpacking trips. After completing a degree in music he moved to the West Coast to continue exploring wild spaces. In addition to guiding for Wildland Trekking in the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, he is an instructor for Outward Bound in the Pacific Northwest. He also has professional experience as a ski instructor, rock climbing instructor, and whitewater rafting guide. When not sharing his love for wilderness and adventure Isaac enjoys writing songs and cooking for friends. He currently calls Bend, Oregon home.

An avid outdoorswoman and animal lover, Kelly loves living in the mountains of Southwestern Colorado where there’s access to outdoor recreation in all sports. She especially enjoys rock climbing, hiking, snowboarding and camping, but will “settle” for anything that gets her outside. While growing up in Alaska and Colorado she developed a love for being in the wild mountains and landscapes that surrounded her, and that love has only grown in adulthood. Today she firmly believes that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful natural places in the world (which is what makes her such an amazing Adventure Consultant!), and she’s passionate about working hard to preserve and protect our wild places.

Michaela grew up in the foothills of western Massachusetts where she spent her childhood exploring the outdoors by building forts in the forest and spending time by the brook close to her home. Her love of the outdoors blossomed into a lifetime passion when she embarked on her first backpacking trip in Maine in her late teens. Michaela pursued a Bachelors in Women’s Studies at the University of Massachusetts as well as two Certificates of Outdoor Skills and Leadership from Greenfield Community College and the University of Alaska Southeast. Her explorations brought her to Juneau, Alaska where she resided for four years while guiding on glaciers and teaching at the University of Alaska Southeast. Michaela has also worked for Outward Bound in Maine where she instructed backpacking and canoeing courses for young adults. Her passion for rock climbing and backpacking have brought her to destinations across New England, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, China, Guatemala, and southeast Asia. When she’s not climbing rocks or exploring new trails she enjoys eating ice cream.

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!

Marly Upcavage grew up in Thonotosassa, Florida and the outdoors became her happy place from a very young age. After receiving an Environmental Studies and Geography degree from Florida State University, Marly decided to pack her bags and begin working as an Environmental Educator in Maine, North Carolina, and California. Despite already living the majority of her life outdoors, her hearts calling could not be silenced and Marly embarked on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. It was then she developed an affinity for binge walking, but one cannot walk forever! After completing the AT, Marly moved to Utah to become a Wilderness Therapy guide, but again was drawn back to long distance backpacking and thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Now working with Wildland Trekking, she hopes to share her passion for exploring our beautiful planet on foot and empower others to pursue what compels them.

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. He is formally trained in Alpine Mountaineering, Glacier Travel, Rock Climbing and Sea Kayaking. He has guided in Patagonia, the Wind River Range and the Pacific Northwest. He his a certified Wilderness First Responder, Avalanche Level 1 Technician, speaks fluid 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.

Originally from the Cevennes in France, Willy moved early to the French Alps and decided to settle in Vercors. His passion for mountains and outdoor activities led to Willy going on treks all over Europe, from the Dolomites to the Pyrenees, Greece, Ireland, Scandinavia and much more. Willy is a specialist when it comes to crossing the alps on foot. He guides in summer, and trains a fun group of young skiers in Vercors in winter with the cross country ski club of Autrans, his hometown. When his (busy) schedule allows, he will happily lead a group of adventurers on skis in Lapland or Norway. “With me, you will always feel safe and never hungry!”

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.

Growing up an Illinois flatlander, James used his imagination to create wilderness in the woods of his backyard. During a college backpacking expedition, he was exposed to Utah’s vast desert and mountain ranges. Inspired by the wild landscape, he found his life passion of introducing people to the great outdoors. He gained his BA in Outdoor Recreation from Southern Illinois University, and went on to work as a youth counselor for multiple outdoor education and therapeutic programs. Returning to Southwest Utah in 2013, he feels most at home exploring the deep slot canyons, and climbing the sandstone big walls in Zion National Park. James values leading people in the wilderness, because no matter how many times he has been to an area, he views it for the first time through the eyes of the people he is with.

Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire and was introduced to the backcountry as a boy scout in the White Mountains. The scouting program led to the discovery of his passions for naturalist literature, rock climbing, river running, snowboarding and all things outdoors. A former business major and corporate employee, Jeff quickly realized the error of his ways and moved to northern Arizona in 2013 and began guiding 2015. He quickly found his calling in educating and entertaining new friends in the backcountry and is known to wax poetic as an armchair philosopher and afficionado for self-deprecating humor.

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!

Nicole’s love for the great outdoors was born in some of her earliest memories: camping, canoeing, and backpacking with her family in the hills of North Georgia. Throw in a restless spirit and it was easy for her to follow that passion after college. She has lived all over the world, working at a fly fishing ranch, ski resort, and high adventure boy scout base. After nearly a decade of seasonal work, she discovered the world of Wilderness Therapy and worked with at-risk adolescents for several years in what was easily the most rewarding and difficult position she’s held. Deciding to take her love for travel and the outdoors to the international stage, she moved to the Andes of Ecuador and guided throughout the country including the spectacular Galapagos Islands for several years. No matter where she goes or with whom she’s traveling, supporting others in unplugging and getting out into this great wide world of ours will continue to be her greatest motivator!

Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, Rosario had the good fortune of traveling around much of Chile from North to South and discover the magic of Patagonia. So She decided to make Patagonia her home and take root. With almost 10 years guiding throughout the southern latitudes, Rosario very much enjoys the time that guiding trips allows her to be outdoors in contact with nature. She is also loves to share and teach everything she knows about the amazing Patagonian landscapes to her guests. Her love for travel and new adventures may find her somewhere else on the map in the future, but for now Patagonia is home!

Zach grew up with a love of exploring the wilderness around his home town in Pennsylvania. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Business Management, Zach chose to explore the American West by volunteering for several years with Conservation programs building trails throughout Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. He fell in love with guiding and team building and took his skill set to working with struggling adolescents in Wilderness Therapy for three years. He has found a love for the desert in Southern Utah and is motivated to share the juxtaposition of peace and simplicity with the challenges life in the back country has to offer.

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.

Jeff grew up in Rhode Island, where all that the great outdoors has to offer fits nicely into a suburb of Phoenix. Born a dual citizen to a German mother, he rode his first airplane before he learned to crawl, and wanderlust took hold at an early age. He got involved with summer camps as a teen and continued to spend summers on the sea teaching sailing and windsurfing to children until he finished college. Upon graduating with a degree in economics from the University of Rhode Island, he dedicated his life to travel, adventure, and helping other folks do the same. After hiking, surfing, and climbing in over twenty countries, Jeff finally moved west to America’s playground, and learned just how great those outdoors can really be. When he isn’t busy guiding or making terrible puns, he can usually be found with a mountain bike between his legs, or on the side of a good lookin’ rock.