Guide Profiles
JEN ACACIA MITTELSTADT
Age: Born a couple weeks before Geraldo Rivera hosted the live two-hour special, The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault (famously coming up empty-handed).
Hometown: Helena Montana
Description: 2012 began Jen's guiding career with us. She is multi-talented as she guides both hiking and rafting trips. During the off season she plays as much as she can and works as little as possible. She is learning how to surf, ski and hunt (not all at the same time). Some of her favorite trips have been hiking the Inca Trail, floating the Grand Canyon and nature hikes with her mom (awe...). Her goals? "Keep learning. Keep playing. Help save the places I love." Go get 'em Jen!
Favorite Place: "Two Medicine in the fall. It's so enchanting. The cottonwoods and the larch changing color...and big black bear."
JOHN ALLISON aka "JD"
Age: Born the same month that John Lennon died.
Hometown: Lawrenceville, IL
Description: JD hails from a small farm town in Illinois and eventually attended Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management. His outdoor guiding career started in Alaska and has become a life long pursuit ever since. He joined our crew in 2010 after falling in love with the area while spending his summers fighting Glacier's noxious weeds. JD has a few surprises behind that humble exterior. At 14, he got his black belt in Taekwondo and says he dabbles in playing the banjo (but can he do them at once?). Favorite Quote: Don't Worry, Be Happy
Favorite Place: Ahern Pass; It is a perfect place to sun bathe naked on the continental divide. I wonder if Joe Cosley did the same?
TYLER BAUGHMAN
Age: Born days after the debut album for Winger came out.
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
Description: In 2010, Tyler became part of our rafting family. He spends his off season in school at Georgia College. His claim to fame, besides being a distant relative of Daniel Boone, is being a GA baseball state champion.
We got this picture of Tyler from his prom date and thought we needed to share his love of a peach suit.
Favorite Place: Cosley Lake, because that is where he saw his first grizzly.
However, he loves overnight rafting trips because you can bring anything you want on a raft!
CAROLYN BEECHER
Age: Eisenhower was President when she was born
Hometown: CONCORD, MA (Now lives in Ronan, MT)
Description: Starting in 1991, Carolyn is one of our most seasoned hiking guides. When she's not in Glacier, she has been known to guide in Utah's Bryce and Zion National Parks and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. She also manages a small map business and maintains acreage around her home in Ronan.
Her favorite thing about guiding? "My office has a really big window!!!" Carolyn has been know to swim in natural bodies of water any month of the year (yep, even with ice).
Favorite Quote: She had a hard time picking...we will go with these two:
"I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."
~ John Muir
"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."
~ Aldo Leopold
Favorite Place: "On the 'Backbone of the World', the continental divide, but I'm not going to tell you exactly where. Then I'd have to kill you"
(don't believe her though, she wouldn't hurt a fly).
STACEY BENGSTON
Age: Dan Akroyd shares her birthday
Hometown: MINNESOTA (Now West Glacier, MT)
Description: Stacey is the happiest person you've ever met! This hiking and rafting extraordinaire's incredible attitude can't help but make you smile. And if you just want to know what bird it is tweeting around the corner - you've found your girl. When not in Glacier, you might see a blur resembling Stacey teaching skiing on the Big Mountain or cycling throughout the Flathead valley.
Favorite Place: Granite Park Chalet.
Why Granite? "Why the Granite Glow of course!" Glow on Stacey! How to get there: Stay on your own or let us do the cooking and hear our favorite Granite tales on one of our scheduled 3 day hut hikes or custom hut hike (you choose the dates, length of trip)
ALDEN BLAIZE
Age: The Netherlands were beat by West Germany in the Football World Cup the year he was born
Hometown: EUGENE, OR (Now Columbia Falls, MT)
Description: Alden has spent the better part of a decade of summers hiking and backpacking the wild areas of Glacier when not serving the Park Cafe's world famous pie. Starting at Glacier Guides in 2005, he loves sharing his enthusiasm for the wonders of the park, both on the trail and on the river. Becoming a dad within the past few years has inspired him to share this same love with his daughter as well. When not guiding, Alden snowboards, sells coffee, plays soccer and guitar.
Favorite Quote: "A person's maturity consists in having found again the seriousness one has as a child, at play." - Nietzsche
Favorite Place: Hole-In-The-Wall Campground.
"My favorite place tends to change every season. Hole-In-The-Wall is one of the most remote and magical places accessed by a trail. Last August we gazed at an unforgettable show as the full moon rose out of the dark silhouette of Thunderbird Mountain and cut through silvery clouds to light the night sky." Join us on a 6 day backpack trip and you may get to experience this gem of Glacier.
Updated 2011: His favorite place is now the "summit of Bishop's Cap, because truly exposed...with phenomonal views of the entire Park."
VIAN BORG
Age: Born the same year as the first Corvette.
Hometown: West Glacier, MT/ Daytona Beach, FL
Description: Vi grew up locally here in Columbia Falls but left Montana as soon after high school as possible in search of work. She started with American Airlines Ground Passenger Services at 18 and retired in 2003 to go to college. She became a paralegal, but after working in a couple of law offices missed the airlines. She became a flight attendant for a smaller airline for 2 years.
Luckily for us, Vi realized she missed the mountains and returned to Montana in 2009, after living for 20 years in Daytona Beach. She spends spring and fall in Florida and winters are spent working and living at Whitefish Mountain Resort (Big Mountain). We are thrilled to have her spend her summers with us working in our office.
In her spare time she enjoys traveling and enjoying the vast recreational opportunities in the Flathead Valley and Glacier Park, primarily hiking, rafting, and snowboarding.
Favorite Place: The scenery of the Highline Trail.
Join us on one of our every Tuesday hikes or our 3 day huthike to Granite Park Chalet for a chance to enjoy the majestic beauty of this trail.
JENNIFER BULS
Age: Born just after the Blues Brothers made the first appearance on SNL
Hometown: GREAT FALLS, MT (Now Whitefish, MT)
Description: Jennifer joined us in 2002, and has been guiding us down the river ever since. She has also guided in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, the Cabinet Mountains and on the Clark Fork River. Her education is in Forest Resource Management, and boy does she know her plants. When she is not guiding, you can find her rafting on other rivers or rippin' up the slopes on her snowboard in the winter. She also works at our local gear shop and does she know her gear!
Favorite Place: Stoney Indian Pass. She loves the cool breeze after a good climb.
Join us for a 6 or 10 day backpack trip and you too could feel the cool breeze!
MATT CONNOLLY
Age: Star Wars opened on the big screen the year he was born
Hometown: CHESTER, NJ (Now Kalispell, MT)
Description: Matt's lived abroad, traveled extensively, loves being on the edge, but above all living the good life. Matt joined the Guides in 2004 and has mastered surfing our rafts on some of the rivers fun features and waves, such as Screamin' Right Hand Turn. He's been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane on occasion. When Matt's not guiding you might find him playing guitar or expanding his knowledge of wildflowers of the Rockies. He's also moderately obsessed with Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery so you'll no doubt hear a tale or two around the campfire along the rivers edge.
Favorite Place: Boulder Pass.
"It affords the opportunity to observe so much... everything from the vast landscape to the abundant wildflowers."
CRIS COUGHLIN
Age: Remembers her bedroom underwater in the 1964 flood.
Hometown: KALISPELL, MT
Description: Running the office or storming the trail, Cris is fired up about Glacier. Cris has been making things happen around here since our company's founding in 1983. When not in Glacier, you might find Cris skiing. I wouldn't challenge her to a race though (she was on US Telemark Ski Team).
Favorite Quote: Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.
Favorite Place: Cosley Lake, Belly River Valley.
Why Cosley Lake? "Whenever I'm there, I visualize the elegant tent camps that were on the shores of Cosley Lake in the 20's, with their white linens and fine china. I also love the lore of old Joe Cosley, the infamous park-ranger-gone-bad of the Belly River. As a matter of fact, had my first child been a boy she would have been named Cosley (she's a bit relieved)." How to get there: Located near the Canadian border at the northeast corner of Glacier, nestled in the heart of the Belly River. Chances are likely you may visit this area on one of our 4 or 6 day backpacking trips, especially the June and September trips.
CARTER EASH
Age: Born the same day that Alice Cooper fell off the stage during a concert in Vancouver, breaking six ribs.
Hometown: Glenwood Springs, Colorado (now residing in Columbia Falls)
Description: Carter was new to the company as a raft and hiking guide in 2011. He spends the rest of his seasons inspiring and teaching our youth as a middle school teacher in Columbia Falls. In his free time he plays guitar and likes to travel. New Zealand and the Grand Canyon are among some of his favorite trips.
His favorite quote? "Be kind. Tell the truth. Eat good food."
Sounds good to us Carter!
Favorite Place: Many Glacier because of the grand peaks and pristine lakes.
Join us on a custom dayhike or on our Glacier Challenge trip and explore this great valley for yourself.
ALLISON EGAN
Age: Mother Theresa won the Nobel Peace Prize the year she was born
Hometown: Albany, OR
Description: Allison has been guiding on the river and leading backpacking trips with us since 2005. She graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Exercise Sport Science. What does she do when she is not guiding for us in the summer? She skis...she loves to ski!
Allison's favorite quote: Seems like it is a toss up - "Break the chains of your mind and you break the chains of your body" or "drop knees, not bombs" (told you, she loves to ski!)
Favorite Place: Red Gap Pass- "Lunch break at the top of red gap pass after a morning of climbing from the east, gazing to where I am about to descend into the belly river valley. There are usually goats there to inspire energy and balance".
DAMIAN ESTRADA
Age: Born the Year John Lennon reports seeing a UFO in NYC.
Hometown: Fullerton, CA (now Whitefish, MT)
Description: Damian grew up playing in the surf, mountains, and deserts of California until he found Northwest Montana. He started his Glacier career slinging pies at the Park Cafe and has since spent 15 summers here hiking and exploring. He loves taking people into the park and pointing out everything from peaks to picas to potentilla. Since becoming a raft guide in 2012, he has a new found love for the river and is excited to float, float, float. When not guiding, he has the pleasure of teaching the wonders of science, and has been known to like sliding down the white fluffy stuff in the winter.
Favorite Quote: "Walk slowly, don't rush. Each step brings you to the best moment of your life, the present moment." - Thich Nhat Hanh
Favorite Place: "The Peak of Mt. Reynolds. Besides being an incredible view at the center of it all, this is where my girlfriend decided that she would be my wife. I love Montana and feel lucky to be in such a wild and scenic place."
RANDY GAYNER
Age: Same year the Detroit Lions beat the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio (Now Whitefish, MT)
Description: Randy is our fearless leader. After first working in the area as a backcountry ranger based out of the Polebridge Ranger district, Randy founded the company in 1983. When he's not holding his trusty clipboard, you can find him floating the rivers, ski patrolling up on Big Mountain or scouting for another fun adventure!
Favorite Place: Many Glacier Valley.
Why Many Glacier? All the great day hikes (Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel) and wildlife viewing opportunities for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, and grizzly bears.
TEAL GAYNER
Age: Born the same day as Erin Sanders from the movie "Big Time Beach Party."
Hometown: Whitefish, Montana
Description: Teal grew up chasing her parents down the river and on the trails of Glacier Park, but she officially started working at Glacier Guides in 2006 in the kitchen. After a few years of helping make food for all our trips, she decided she wanted to work outside and has become one of our rockstar raft guides. Speaking of rocks, go ahead and ask her about them, she currently attends the University of Montana as a geology major. As a local to this area, her fondest memories are of "working" up at Granite Park Chalet as a kid for weeks at a time when the Guides operated it in the late 90's/early 00's.
Favorite Quote? "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll land in the stars."
Favorite Place: Granite Park Chalet/ Swiftcurrent Pass area. "I used to love exploring the hidden hanging valleys as a kid."
DENNY GIGNOUX
Age: Born the same year we first landed on the moon
Hometown: Whitefish, MT
Description: Denny knows Glacier! Denny started here as a guide in 1993, and has since become one of our owners. We challenge you to stump one of our best naturalists. In addition to knowing his stuff, you'll love Denny's entertaining tales and savvy cooking. When not in Glacier, you might spy this backpacker in South America, Nepal, guiding polar bear viewing trips in Canada, helping his wife Caeli with Climate Ride, or working as a ski patroller at Whitefish Mountain Resort Ski Area. Denny also works to make sure each backpacking trip runs smoothly.
Favorite Place: Summit of Iceberg Peak.
Why Iceberg? "All of it - closer to the elements, weather, touching the sky!" How to get there: Join us on one of our 3 day chalet treks and we'll get a close up view of this peak from the trail. Or view this prominent pinnacle on one of our 6 day backpack trips.
BILL HARTMAN
Age: Boris Leonidovich Pasternak won the Nobel Prize in Literature the year he was born
Hometown: New Market, Iowa (pop. 193 on a busy Saturday night)
Description: What can we say about Bill? He started here in 2004, and has been our Chief Getitstartedkeepitgoing guy. He is certified in a plethora of things that most of us have never heard of. We just know that he's great at maintaining vehicles and ski lifts. When he is not working hard in the shop, he spends as much of his time near the river as he can. Bill returned to school after 30 years and completed a degree in English/Creative Writing. Nice job Bill!
Bill's Favorite Quote: "A road diverged in a woods and I, took the road less traveled and that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost
Favorite Place: As close to the river as he can get.
AMY HANSON-BARTELS
Age: Blondie was the #1 artist the year she was born
Hometown: West Glacier and Great Falls, MT
Description: Working for us since 2002, Amy is one of our fearless rafting guides (and bus drivers). She graduated with a AAS in Sales & Marketing, Resort Management & Ski & Snowboard Business and currently completing a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Communication Arts. Next year she will start her Masters in Speech Pathology. When she is not rafting or taking classes, you might find her tearing up the slopes on her snowboard.
Favorite Quote: "Nature soothes and calms our hurried lives".
Favorite Place: "Past Lower Burn Camp on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River where you can first see St. Nick".
IRV HEITZ
Age: Born the same year the CIA was created
Hometown: Whitefish, MT
Description: Irv has been showing us where the fish are since 1996. In addition to the Flathead, he has guided on the Smith, Clark Fork and the Blackfoot rivers. Irv has recently retired from teaching high school English. When asked if he speaks any other languages, he answered, "Sometimes English is hard enough, don't you think?". Since his retirement, he spends his off season in the North Fork and gets to play grandpa. His biggest accomplishment? "Living the good life in Montana comfortably all my life". Nice job Irv.
Favorite Quote: "Are we having fun yet?"
Favorite Place: "Anywhere in the North Fork looking up at the
peaks of Glacier"; and favorite place for hiking, "Dawson/Pitamakin Pass"
BRIAN HINER
Age: Born the same year that Iron Maiden was formed.
Hometown: Lexington, Nebraska (Now Columbia Falls, MT)
Description: Joining the Glacier Guides and Montana Raft family in 2011, Brian has lots to offer. He is an EMT and one of Whitefish Mountain Resort's trusty ski patrollers in the winter and an enthusiastic raft guide in the summer. He is an avid fisherman and likes playing guitar, going to concerts, writing, and hanging with his wife of 20+ years and his two adorable little girls.
Favorite Quote? "Go fast, take chances."
Yep, he's an adrenaline junky, but is also a strong advocate of safety.
Favorite Place: Brian loves getting off the beaten path and up to alpine lakes to fish but North Fork trips are some of his favorite because of the views.
CORRIE HOLLOWAY
Age: Born just before the Ramones formed
Hometown: Bedford, NH (Now Columbia Falls, MT)
Description: Corrie has been a hiking and backpacking guide for us since 1997. After finishing college in Northern Arizona she headed north to spend a summer in Glacier Park...and she hasn't left since. Since having two kids, Corrie has taken on Glacier Guide's social media and marketing, while still finding time to get out on the trail. When she is at home in Columbia Falls she loves to ski, paint, cook and spend time with her husband, daughter and son. Her love of travel and the outdoors has brought her to all 50 states and over a handful of other countries.
Favorite Place: Belly River Valley.
Why Belly River? "Because it's unlike any other place - wild animals, spectacular views, and no roads." How to get there: Join us on a 4 day or 6 day backpacking trip and there's a decent shot we'll be traversing this spectacular region of the Park.
ROSS KLEIN
Age: Born just after Sunny Bono became mayor of Palm Springs
Hometown: Littleton, Colorado
Description: After graduating from the University of Montana with a Recreation Management degree, Ross started with us in 2010 as a raft guide. In his spare time he enjoys yoga, ice hockey, and anything that allows him time in the woods. We hear that he even plays the harmonica and dijeridoo.
Favorite Place: The Middle Fork of the Flathead of course! Ross loves the crystal clear water, osprey, bear, and remoteness that this river brings. He loves sharing this river with people who have never been here before.
CHERI LEBLEU
Age: Born the same year as Woodstock
Hometown: Upstate NY (Now Whitefish, MT)
Description: Cheri started here as a guide in 2001 after working at the Glacier Institute. Her knowledge of botany makes her a great gal to have around when hiking through one of the many flower filled meadowns. She is also known for her culinary and coffee brewing skills, which come in handy now that she works in our kitchen. Cheri is sure to whip up a smile. When not in Glacier, Cheri might be home visiting her native Adirondacks, teaching herbalist classes at our local community college, or hanging out with her two adorable children.
Favorite Place: "Hole-in-the-Wall" backcountry campground.
Why Hole-in-the-Wall? "The wildflowers, gushing waterfalls - it's just the most amazing alpine cirque!" How to get there: We're definitely headed to Hole-in-the-Wall on our 10 day Continental Divide backpacking trip and there's a chance we might swing by on one of our 4 or 6 day backpacking trips.
TAMI MCDANIEL
Age: Born 2 days after Richard Nixon announced his resignation.
Hometown: Corvallis, Oregon
Description: New to us in 2012 as a hiking guide, Tami has great enthusiasm for the outdoors. She has a background in ecology and was most recently a biology and environmental educator.
Tami has traveled all over the world, but it was a childhood trip to Glacier with her family where she walked on a glacier and saw her first bear that she found inspiration for coming to guide in Glacier.
Interesting facts: Tami loves gardening, dance, and outdoor adventure. Her totem animal is a frog (symbolizing luck; abundance; sensitivity to others; water-loving).
Favorite Quote: "And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in the stones, and good in everything." - Shakespeare
Favorite Place: Tami says, "Do I have to choose?"
KEITH MEEHAN
Age: Born during the Watergate scandel
Hometown: Weymouth, MA (Now Columbia Falls, MT)
Description: A river guide and a backpacking guide with us since 1996, Keith loves Glacier. When not exploring, Keith is out there teaching our local 5th graders. We need more teachers like him! When asked about how he feels about Glacier..."On the river or on the trail, I Glacier, therefore I am!" is all he says.
Favorite Place: Summit of Mt. Stimson (Southwestern/Nyack region).
Why Stimson? "Glacier's 2nd highest mountain has been taunting me for 6 years now. I see this gorgeous, elusive, and remote peak on the river every day during our full day and overnight rafting trips, as well any time I'm up in the high country looking its way. Been turned around by bears climbing it once, but someday soon I'll be sitting on the top with the most amazing view. Half the beauty of experiencing a favorite place is the giddy anticipation of getting there." How to get there: We don't offer any guided technical peak climbs in Glacier, but some mountains have established trails taking us to the summits. Occasionally we'll climb a peak on one of our days off or it's likely from the Granite Park Chalet.
TANIA MENACHEMOFF
Age: Born a couple minutes shy of Irish Day
Hometown: The little Venice of the Alps - currently residing in Whitefish..
Description: Starting in 2010, Tania has quickly become one of the stars of our office staff. Tania never ceases to surprise us. Born in France, she enjoys traveling, winter sports, backpacking, playing piano (she's played since she was 5), stamp collecting, ping-pong, books, music and just plain being outside.
...Yes, we did say stamp collecting.
Favorite Place: Every year is different, but last year it was the Belly River because it was the first time over Gable Pass.
Join us on any of our backpacking trips and you may get to see the majestic view from this little traveled pass.
SARAH METZGER
Age: Micheal Jackson's "Billy Jean" was #1 when she was born
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Description: Starting in just 2007, Sarah is one of our newest rafting and backpacking guides. You wouldn't guess it though. She is an avid traveler, exploring South East Asia, Australia and most recently, Antarctica. She has a B.S in Marine Biology and has experience teaching sailing in North Carolina. We look forward to many more years of working with Sarah!
Favorite Quote: "Not all those who wander are lost" -jrr tolkien
Favorite Place: "This might be the hardest question to ask someone who has spent any time in glacier, but a rocky outcrop on the western side of Mt Morgan along the Dawson-Pitamakan Trail might be the spot. This spot gives a 360* view of glaciers, mountains, valleys, lakes and will take your breath away. Its a great place to stop
for lunch on a day hike or on a backpack trip."
PETE METZMAKER
Age: Shares a birthday with Roseanne Barr
Hometown: Whitefish, MT
Description: Whether he is rafting or hiking, Pete knows Glacier! 1986 is the year he started guiding for us, and boy are we happy to still have him around. He studied forestry back in the day, and now teaches science at the local Jr. High School. Pete's favorite quote? "Happiness is wanting what you have, not having what you want."
Favorite Place: "Any place I haven't been."
JUDITH MOORE
Age: The Beatle's album "Abbey Road" was released the year she was born
Hometown: GERMANY (Now Whitefish, MT)
Description: Judith knows the answer! How, where, who, what, and when - Need anything involving the office and Judith can help you out. Judith began working as a lead guide on the rivers and trails with her strength in geology. Over the years she decided she preferred the lively pace of the office and now manages the grand scheduling of all the guides. She still enjoys leading a few day hiking trips a year, especially if the group speaks German. Track her down for the answers, or do your best to catch this hiking, bicycling, and skiing ball of energy.
Favorite Place: Nyack/Coal Creek District: SW Glacier Park.
Why? "It's very secluded - nobody there, beautiful scenery, great spot to watch for mountain goats at the head of Beaver Woman Lake. The Nyack Loop makes for a great 3-4 day backpacking trip." Maybe if one hikes like Judith you can complete the loop in 4 days, but it's more likely that once in the Nyack you're going to want to take your time and enjoy it. We explore the Nyack region from time to time on our 4 day and 6 day backpacking trips.
COLIN NOLAN
Age: Born a week and a half before the world's first test tube baby.
Hometown: Duxbury, MA but now lives in Columbia Falls, MT
Description: Colin is an avid outdoorsman. He loves to hike, raft, fish and hunt. Before starting with us in 2012, Colin guided in NH, VT, AK and worked on Glacier Park's trail crew. In his off time he can be found snowboarding, building stuff out of wood, or catching big fish. When asked what cool things he's done, he said "marry Courtney" (one of our hiking guides). Awe...he might look tough, but he's really a softie.
Favorite Place: Lake Isabel because there are tons of fish and no people. Join us on a four or six day backpack trip and we might just visit this little known gem.
COURTNEY NOLAN
Age: She was born when Grease was #1 at the Box Office
Hometown: Daytona Beach, FL
Description: Courtney's upstart at the Guides in 2004 was as a shuttle driver and then guided her first backpacking trip in 2005. She says her biggest accomplishment in life was the 3rd grade (must have been a rough school). When asked what instrument she plays, she says she plays a mean doorbell. Her education is JD, Law so when you don't see her on the trail it's because she has a real job as an Attorney with the State Public Defenders Office.
Favorite Quote: You can get enough sleep when you're dead.
Favorite Place: Anywhere up the North Fork. She loves making Glacier memories that last a lifetime for her guests.
DEAN NYBERG
Age: Alcatraz closed the same year he was born
Hometown: SPOKANE, WA (Now Whitefish, MT)
Description: Dean has over 2 decades worth of experience as a whitewater and canoeing guide. He has a two year degree in Ski Area Management, Avalanche control, grooming, and patrolling. Dean has over 23 years' experience in and around the ski industry. Enjoys doing most anything as long as it's outdoors.
Favorite Place: Grinnell Glacier.
"The Many Glacier area is beautiful and Grinnel Glacier's upper lake has many icebergs and a milky green color to its water."
DON PETERSEN
Age: Born the day after the first test flight of the Concorde.
Hometown: Itasca, Illinois but now lives in Kalispell, MT
Description: We love Don! Starting with us in 1996, he has become the "jack of all trades" around here. Whether he is backpacking, rafting or helping with just about anything asked of him, he always has a smile on his face.
When he is not working for us, he is teaching and entertaining local 6th graders, skiing, listening to baseball, or hanging out with his beautiful daughters.
His goal is to keep getting older and when asked about his greatest achievement he relishes over a 1st place win in a pumkin carving contest ...in 1977.
Favorite Place: Stoney Indian Pass because it's "super cool".
Join us on a 4 or 6 day backpack trip to get the chance to head over this gorgeous pass.
FEDERICO PIOLA
Age: Fede was born the year Mount St. Helens erupted.
Hometown: SOMEWHERE IN ARGENTINA
Description: Fede joined our whitewater team in 2007. Prior to that he taught rock climbing in Arizona and has a flair for travel and adventure. In the off season you might see him cycling from Alaska to Patagonia or alpine skiing in the Rockies. He entertains his guests and fellow guides with his pure love of life and wonderful sense of humor.
Favorite Quote: "Life is a journey, not a destination."
Favorite Place: The upper sections of the North Fork of the Flathead River because it's wild, remote and scenic.
TREY SCALES
Age: Born the same month that Bob Marley released the album "Kaya."
Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi
Description: Trey became a new guide in 2012 but he is no stranger to these rivers. He has rafted all over the country and has been rafting on the North and Middle Fork for over a decade. Trey loves snowboarding in the winter and rafting in the summer (he also likes long walks on rocky shores). Interesting facts: Trey is related to Sylvester Stallone (but doesn't say how). He loves most people and ALL dogs!
Favorite Place: He says that he likes "anywhere in Northwest Montana."
MELISSA SCOTT
Age: Aretha Franklin's "Respect" was recorded the same week she was born
Hometown: Seymour, IN
Description: Melissa is one of our most experienced hiking and backpacking guides. She started working for us in 1992 after years of exploring Glacier on her time off from the Park Cafe (we love that place!). When not guiding for us, she has guided in Bryce, Zion, the Grand Canyon, the Everglades, Canada, and Mexico. She loves to play too...biking, reading, running, skiing, hiking, and traveling the world. A trip with her is an amazing learning experience filled with fun, great cooking and few really bad jokes.
Favorite Quote: "Life isn't having what you want, but wanting what you have."
Favorite Place: "Anywhere off trail and as high as I can get."
JEFF 'BUTTE' SOYLAND
Age: Born the day after the Concorde's first supersonic flight
Hometown: BUTTE, MT (Now Columbia Falls, MT)
Description: Behold the River God! Jeff co-manages our river operations and is always ready to pitch in. Whether behind the oars or driving the bus, this savvy veteran gets the job done. When not here in Glacier, you can find Jeff floating the Grand Canyon, exploring Costa Rica, saving injured souls via the Big Mountain Ski Patrol in nearby Whitefish, MT, or chasing one of his two boys around...Butte is a busy guy!
Favorite Place: Floral Park near Sperry Glacier.
Why Floral Park? "Because it's rarely visited, very recently glaciated, and pristine!" How to get there: Join us on a day hike to Hidden Lake and we can catch a glimpse of this gorgeous region in the distance towards Gunsight and Edwards mountains. Or perhaps on one of our 4 day backpack trips we'll ascend to Comeau Pass after setting up camp and get a closer look and this spectacular Shangri-La.
CLAY SPRINGMEYER
Age: Born in August of the year that Octavio Paz won Nobel Prize for Literature.
Hometown: Helena, Montana
Description: Clay started working with us in 2012 as both a rafting and a hiking guide during his summers off from school. He is studying English and Wilderness Studies. This Eagle Scout has rafted and hiked many places and is quite a muscian as well. He plays the saxophone, guitar, piano, and is one of the frontmen of the Missoula band "The Trees".
Favorite quote: "The best is yet to come..."
Favorite Place: Red Eagle Lake because it was his first backpacking trip into the park!
JOSH STEEL
Age: Born the year that John Adams won Stanley's Cup
Hometown: Coram, Montana
Description: We can't say enough good things about Josh, the innkeeper of our Lodge. He has been with us since the Lodge opened in 2010 and has quickly become a fixture around the place. Josh is a wealth of information about the area and things to do, but is most known for his baking skills. His coffee cake is out of this world.
In his spare time, aka. when the Lodge is not open, Josh coaches high school hockey, ties flies, goes fishing and pushes snow.
Favorite Place: The "top of Siyeh".
KIANDRA WAGGONER
Age: She was born when Grease was #1 at the Box Office
Hometown: ANN ARBOR, MI
Description: Kiandra has been with us since 2002 and has been guiding since 2004. Her positive, cheerful attitude is enjoyed by us all and everyone looks forward to doing a trip with her. She graduated from the University of Michigan focusing on sports management and communication. During the wintertime she usually works in ski resorts but likes to keep her options open. In her off time she also loves going on canoe expeditions with her family and enjoys photography. She most importantly tries to maintain her hockey addiction in a state that has very little...she is our resident hockey fanatic--Go Blue!
Favorite Quote: "Do one thing every day that scares you". - Eleanor Roosevelt
Favorite Place: It changes every time I go into the Park.
There are too many beautiful places to just pick one. Try any of them and you will see.
KENN WAGGONER
Age: Born just one week after Richard Simmons.
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
Description: Kenn came to us in 2012 from Michigan. His main goal was to explore the rivers and lakes around Glacier Park and be around his daughter who guides in the area. When he's not driving guests to and from the trailhead or river put in, he is out exploring (or watching Michigan hockey if it's on). Kenn graduated from Eastern Michigan University with majors in earth science and coastal environments. He has been to all 50 states and canoed over 10,000 miles of Canadian rivers.
Favorite Quote: "There's a land where the mountains are nameless, and the rivers all run god knows where. There are lives that are erring and aimlesss, and deaths that just hang by a hair..." -Robert Service
Favorite Place: The Canadian border on North Fork River...it's a small river with good isolation and great wildlife.
Join us on our 3 Day Wilderness Float to see this beautiful area.
SUSAN WHEELER
Age: Born the same year that UB40 came out with "Red, red wine".
Hometown: Born in Kalispell, but grew up in Helena Montana
Description: In 2010 we got the pleasure to start working with Susan in our office. Having grown up in this area, she is a great person to answer questions about where to go. She has a BA in Biology and is working on her teaching certificate for middle and high school science. She loves climbing peaks in the summer and playing hockey and snowshoeing in the winter. Something that makes her unique? She plays the cello!
Favorite Place: This is a hard question..."my current favorite is Floral Park to Sperry because of the access to great peaks and fond memories (lots of Pika and wildflowers too)."
Her favorite trip is from Stoney Indian to Fifty Mountain. Join us on our 6 day backpack trip and you may get to see this Glacier NP gem!
COREY WHITE
Age: The first issue of Rolling Stone was published on his birthday
Hometown: LITCHFIELD, ME
Description: Corey started exploring Glacier on his time off from the Park Cafe (love that pie!). He started guiding our longer multi-day backpacking trips in 2000, so we don't get to see him as much as we'd like. During the "off" season, he explores public lands by foot and loves to read about wild lands and their inhabitants. He has also worked as naturalist at Woodleaf Outdoor School, a residential environmental education center for sixth graders located in the foothills of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. Some of his favorite trips (all backpacking of course) include the entire Appalachian Trail, Brooks Range (Alaska) and the Grand Canyon.
His latest greatest achievement? He completed a masters of education in environmental education program.
Favorite Quote? "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it does otherwise." - Aldo Leopold
Favorite Place: Hole-in-the-Wall.
"Classic high country, hanging valley, cliffs, waterfalls, wildlife, Off-The-Hook scenery and to get there requires effort - No day trippers here!"
Corey's philosophy is that the longer the backpack trip, the better. "The more time you spend the more you'll experience."
DAN VOERMANS
Age: Boomer Age
Hometown: Tomahawk, WI
Description: Originally from Northern Wisconsin but came to Glacier National Park to work trails. When he found he just couldn't stay off them he joined Glacier Guides in 1997 to share his knowledge of the Park with guests.
Favorite Place: Belly Rive, Two Medicine, Hole-In-The-Wall, Northern Tier Traverse, etc, etc, etc...
NOAH YOUNG
Age: Top Gun was #1 at the box office when he was born.
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Description: New to the Montana Raft team in 2011, but not new to rafting or kayaking. Noah loves rafting different rivers but especially likes the Salt River in Arizona and any river in Idaho. During the winter months you can find Noah backcountry skiing. People love Noah's love of the outdoors and he's a good cook too.
Favorite Quote: "You can't win if you don't play!"
Favorite Place: The river. He's a river guy and loves overnight rafting trips.
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