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Aaron Wilder
Position: Guide
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
What I enjoy: Anything that involves the mountians–especially with my wife and kids. Reading books on history, religion, and local trails. Watching the History, Discovery, and Weather Channels.
Education: AA from Clark College – General Studies, BA from Warner Pacific College – Religion, MA from University of Phonex – Teaching
Certifications: Secondary Social Studies Teacher – WA, Class B CDL |
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Adam Lawson
Position: Guide
Hometown: Puyallup, WA
What I enjoy: Im really very diverse. I enjoy anything that involves the mountains, and everything from kicking back tying flies for fly fishing to killing it at the rock crag!
Education: B.A. Communication & Spanish- Western Washington University
Background: 8 years experience climbing in trad/sport/bouldering/ice. Experienced expedition climber/planner with a sponsored all green winter expedition attempt on Mount Waddington. Backcountry tele skiing mountaineer. |
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Andy Craig
Hometown: Port Angeles, WA
Education: BA Outdoor Recreation with emphasis on Outdoor Leadership, WWU.
Certifications: NSP WEA Outdoor Leader, Master LNT, AAI technical alpine leader, Avy level 1, WFR, MOCC (motorboat operator course).
Experience: More than 5 years in outdoor profession industry. Experience with rock and ice guiding, outdoor education, 49 wilderness therapy expeditions, river rafting, and seasonal visitor protection with the National Park Service.
Interests: Anything outdoors! Andy will not discriminate when it comes to recreation — whether it’s bouldering, skiing, ice climbing, alpine climbing, hiking, or in a canoe as long as he is outside he is enjoying himself. |
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Andy Hamilton
Home town: Asheville, NC
Experience: 2 years teaching beginning and intermediate rock climbing at MHCC. Experienced in mountaineering, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and backpacking.
Education: AS degree -Cape Fear Community College, AAS (Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education) Degree- Mt. Hood Community College (In Progress)
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR/First aid, Avalanche Level 1, LNT Trainer, Whitewater Rescue Technician-1
Hobbies: Rock climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, snowboarding, rafting and kayaking, surfing, fitness, and travel. |
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Ashley Briley
Position: Guide
Experience: 2 years in the outdoor recreation industry!
Hometown: Homa, LA
Hobbies: Rock & Mountaineering, Snowboarding, ballet
Education: Mazamas Mountaineering Program 2012 |
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Ben Lotstein
Position: Guide
Hometown: Stamford, CT
Education: Completing a B.S. in Outdoor Adventure Leadership at Ithaca College.
Experience: During the academic year Ben is the Manager of Ithaca College’s Rock Wall as wells as a Rock Climbing Instructor at Cornell University’s Outdoor Education Department. Additionally, Ben works as an Intern for Primitive Pursuits, a non-profit which specializes in teaching survival skills to kids.
Hobbies: Rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, primitive skills, block printing and jewelry making.
Certifications: CPR, First Aid, United States Coast Guard Commercial Operator’s License.
Favorite Quote: “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” – John Muir |
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BJ Cassell
Position: Guide
Hometown: Originally from Southern Cascades Area, currently residing in the Northern Cascades Area
Education: BS in Manufacturing Engineer, WWU
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Avalanche 1, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
Enjoys: Pursuing adventure in the natural world, and I especially enjoy helping others to do the same! |
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Christian Berg
Position: Guide
Hometown: Bainbridge, IS
Education: BA in Environmental Studies; Geography, Huxley College of the Environment WWU
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Avalanche Safety Level 1
Experience: 2 + years guiding sea kayaking, mountaineering, and rock climbing
Interests: Anything in the mountains, biking, skiing, climbing, or walking. If it’s in the alpine, I’m there!!! In my downtime I spend many hours in my wood shop crafting small wooden canoes. I also enjoy bike touring as a way of traveling to new places and new communities. |
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Heather Brule
Position: Guide
Experience: Nine years of getting folks out on the rivers, rocks, and wild places. Emphasis in rock climbing, rafting, snowshoeing, group facilitation.
Hometown: Eugene, Oregon.
Education: University of Oregon – Clark Honors College: Psychology (B.S.), Outdoor Leadership Pursuits Program (Certificate); Portland State University; Applied Developmental Psychology – Motivation and Education (Ph.D., in progress)
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder
Favorite Quote: Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. – Rainer Maria Rilke |
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Jarrod Evans
Position: Guide/Lead-trainer
Experience: 13 years as a working outdoor professional. Jarrod specializes in global survival techniques and international travel safety. Jarrod is certified as a Wilderness First Responder Instructor Apprentice, WEA Outdoor Leader, and as an Operational Risk Assessment Manager.
Hometown: Urbandale, Iowa
Hobbies: Backpacking, Mountaineering, Rock-climbing, Scuba diving, Skydiving, Mountain biking, Beer brewing, Adventure racing, Canoeing, White-water rafting and of course travel. His personal hobby is to fill up as many passports with stamps as possible!
Education: 2008, MBA, International Concentration, 2007, BA, International Relations |
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Jonathan Cooper
Position: Guide
Hometown: Mukilteo, WA
Education: BA Recreation, Outdoor Recreation/Environmental Education Emphasis, WWU; Certificate in Outdoor Education, Colorado Mountain College
Certifications: AIARE Level 2, Wilderness First Responder, AASI Level 2
Experience: Jonathan has been working in the outdoor industry leading trips and teaching for the past 3 years. This includes two summers with the California Outward Bound School in the Sierra Nevada, four years as a snow sports instructor in Breckenridge, Colorado, and most recently co-leading a 25-day academic expedition to Northern Thailand with the Explorations Academy from Bellingham, WA.
Hobbies: Snowboarding, mountaineering, climbing, winter camping, sea kayaking, sailing, international travel, spontaneous adventures, making smoked salmon quiche, and spreading the stoke around! |
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Josh Walker
Position: Guide/Outdoor Leadership Program Director
Experience: 12 years experience as a full-time back-country professional. He serves on the curriculum committee for the Wilderness Education Association. Josh is a certified high-low angle rope technician, Wilderness First Responder Instructor, and ATV Instructor.
Hometown: Seneca, Oregon
Hobbies: Hunting, Mountaineering, Rock/Ice climbing, Sky- Diving, Mountain biking, Camping, Skiing, Horn- Hunting, Orienteering, Golf, and Wood-working.
Education: Currently seeking BA in who knows what—it always changes!; AAS-Survival and Rescue |
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Kapper Richmond
Position: NW Coordinator and Lead Guide
Experience: 6 years in the outdoor recreation industry from rock and ice professional guiding to primitive skills facilitation and much much more in-between!
Hometown: Palmer, Alaska
Hobbies: Rock & Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, Playing and Growing with Primitive Skills
Education: BA Recreation, Outdoor Rec Concentration, WWU; BA Environmental Education, Outdoor Education Major, WWU; AAS Fitness Trainer, Clark College; AA Clark College
Certifications: Leave No Trace Master Educator, Wilderness First Responder, NSP Outdoor Leader (WEA), AIARE Avy 1, Technical Alpine Leadership 1 & 2 (AAI) |
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Kevin Grqurich
Position: Guide
Hometown: Cleveland Ohio
Hobbies: Blacksmithing, Farming, Primitive Skills, Playing Banjo, Year Round Camping, Hiking, Rock Climbing.
Favorite Quote: “Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.” -George Carlin |
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Kirsten Moore
Position: Guide
Education: BA Environmental Education (Outdoor Education emphasis) and Spanish at Western Washington University
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace
Hometown: the ocean, the mountains, and everywhere in between… currently resides in Bellingham, WA
Outdoor Interests: backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, cross-country skiing, kayaking, bodysurfing, cycling, having adventures, and sharing the wonders of nature with others
Favorite quote: “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” -Jawaharlal Nehru |
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Mindy Walker
Position: Guide/Instructor
Experience: 8 years as a back-country professional. She serves on the Standards Committee for the Wilderness Education Association. Mindy is a certified EMT, AHA CPR Instructor, and a high-low angle rope technician.
Hometown: Prairie City, Oregon.
Hobbies: Backpacking, Camping, Trekking, Downhill and Cross-country skiing, Sailing, Mountaineering, Rock/Ice-climbing, Orienteering, Wood burning, Horn/Mushroom Hunting, and Gardening.
Education: Certified Massage Therapist, AAS-Survival and Rescue |
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Mitch Luce
Position: Guide
Hometown: Carnation, WA
Experience: 3+ years part time or seasonal guide/trip leader in the outdoor recreation industry. Trip leaser for Western Washington University Outdoor Center. Camp counselor, ropes course instructor and rock wall instructor at Camp Korey in Carnation, WA. Adapted skiing instructor in Winter Park, CO.
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree- Exercise and Sports Science- Western Washington University. Doctor of Physical Therapy- University of Colorado Denver (in progress-class of 2013)
Certifications: Wilderness First Aide, Mountaineering Oriented First Aide, AHA CPR Instructor, AIREE Level 1 Avalanche Course, High Ropes Course Instructor Training, ACSM Health and Fitness Specialist.
Hobbies and Interests: Hiking, Backpacking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Ski Mountaineering, Sea Kayaking, Traveling, Fitness…any adventure outdoors. |
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Nicolas Bergmann
Position: Guide
Education: BA in Classical Studies from Hamilton College (May 2010), MA in Geography from Portland State University (in progress)
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR, Avalanche Level 1
Hometown: Utica, NY
Interests: Literature, Board Games, and Maple Syrup
Outdoor Passions: Snow, Rock, Water
Favorite Quote: “I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth.” – Steve McQueen |
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Ricky Haro
Position: Guide/Curriculum-designer
Experience: 12 years as a full-time back-country professional. Ricky serves on the Board of Trustees for the Wilderness Education Association as the current Vice President and, in the past, has chaired the Curriculum, Standards, and Accreditation Council. Ricky is certified as a white-water raft/kayak instructor guide, high-low angle rope technician, Wilderness First Responder Instructor, and as an Operational Risk Assessment Manager.
Hometown: Great Falls, Montana
Hobbies: Orienteering, Mountaineering, Kayaking, White- water rafting, Trekking, Mountain biking, Adventure racing, Long-distance running and Rock/Ice climbing.
Education: MaED-Curriculum & Instruction, University of Phoenix; BA-Workforce Education/Program Development, Southern Illinois University; AAS-Survival and Rescue |
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Ryan Irvin
Position: Guide
Hometown: McMinnville, OR
Experience: Slashin’ powder stashes, crimpin’ ledges, and breathin’ the backcountry air since ’09. Gear connoisseur. Semi Professional beer taster (self appointed).
Education: AAS in Video Production from Mt Hood Community College (in progress), 1 year of Wilderness Leadership Coursework
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR/First Aid, Avalanche Level 1, Whitewater Rescue Tech Level 1, Leave No Trace Trainer
Hobbies and Interests: Splitboarding (2up1down!), Rock climbing, Ice climbing, Mountaineering, Skateboarding, Rallying with the dog, Film making, and Photography. |
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Tim Street
Position: Consultant – Website & Design
Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana
Experience: 5+ years as backcountry educator. Member of the Board of Trustees of the Wilderness Education Association.
Education: BA in Journalism from Indiana University ’03, Master in Public Affairs from Indiana University ’10.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator, ACCT Challenge Course Manager, AHA BLS Instructor
Hobbies and Interests: Running, photography, backpacking, mountaineering, |
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Travis Mazingo
Position: Guide
Hometown: Kula, Maui
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR/First Aid, White Water Rescue Tech Level 1, AASI Snowboard Instructor Level 1, Leave No Trace Master Educator, Challenge Course Practitioner Level 1, Avalanche Level 1.
Hobbies: Surfing, Paragliding, Snowboarding, Paddle boarding, White Water, Backpacking, Split boarding.
Education: Currently pursuing a AAS degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education. |
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Vanessa Martinez
Position: Executive Assistant
Home Town: McCammon, ID …Currently resides in Portland, OR
Experience: Vanessa is a recent addition to the team at Rare Earth Adventures and is excited to apply her networking and organizational skills in her position as Executive Assistant. Vanessa’s passion for culture, art, photography, and the outdoors makes her a perfect fit with our clients. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, she has a love for winter sports and when she is not working can be found hiking with her dog Bailey.
Education: Wilderness First Responder, 2012 (WMTC), CPR/First Aid, Certified Massage Therapist, BA in Psychology
Hobbies: Skiing, Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Backpacking, Camping, Gardening, and Dance classes…Basically anything that requires me to sweat, get dirty, or have a huge smile of my face.
Favorite Quote: “And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” -Kahlil Gibran |
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Viviane DeBros
Position: Guide/Local-coordinator, Pacific Northwest Region
Experience:
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Hobbies:
Education: MBA-University of Phoenix; Equine Sciences, University of New Hampshire |
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