Guide Profiles
REBECCA ANDERSON
Age: Disco reigned supreme in the year she was born
Hometown: DETROIT, MICHIGAN (Now Columbia Falls, MT)
Description: Rebecca became a pro river guide in 1999 on Montana's Clark Fork River and became an addict. She came to work for the Guides in 2004 and has been making people smile on the rivers and trails ever since. You can find her on the river or behind the wheel of the bus...as the rafting co-manager, she does a bit of everything. Her degree in Recreation Management is being put to good use. In her off time she enjoys hiking, gardening, kayaking, telemark skiing and playing with her dog.
Favorite Place: Her favorite place on the Flathead River is the Nyack section. See this on one of our overnight river trips, a great way to get "off the beaten path".
CAROLYN BEECHER
Age: Eisenhower was President when she was born
Hometown: CONCORD, MA (Now lives in Ronan, MT)
Description: Starting in 1991, we are lucky to have Carolyn as one of our most seasoned hiking guides. She also has guided in Utah's Bryce and Zion National Parks and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. 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). When she is not guiding, she manages a small map business and maintains acreage around her home in Ronan.
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."
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 Whitefish, MT)
Description: Alden has spent the better part of a decade of summers hiking and backpacking the wild areas of Glacier. 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.
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."
KATIE BOYD
Age: Born the same year Studio 54 opens
Hometown: LEAVENWORTH, WA (Now Whitefish, MT)
Description: Katie started in our office and realized she needed to be outside. A rafting and backpacking guide by summer and Ski patroller by winter, Katie is loads of fun to explore Glacier Park with.
Favorite Place: Lake Francis.
"You have to go there to know."
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 racing World Cup for the US Telemark Ski Team.
Favorite Quote: From a single woman in a mountain town assessing her dating possibilities, "The odds may be good........ but the goods are mostly odd."
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.
MIKE DAVIES
Age: Born a week before the Winter Olympics opened in Lake Placid, NY
Hometown: (Now Whitefish, MT)
Description: 2007 is when Mike started working as a rafting and a hiking guide here in Glacier. Right from the beginning his love for Glacier showed - he is always out hiking, biking, and rafting. He formerly guided in Washington around the San Juan Islands. In the winter he is the head ski instructor at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Mike's favorite quote: "You can't hike all day if you don't start early."
Favorite Place: Avalanche Lake - the blue green water, bountiful water falls, and the awesome gorge at the begging of the trail.
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. plus there are usually goats there to inspire energy and balance".
SARAH FITZGERALD
Age: Annie Hall won Best Picture the year she was born
Hometown: currently, Missoula, MT
Description: How happy we were to have Sarah start working with us in 2002. With her warm smile, she guides both the river and in the backcountry of Glacier. She has guided the Green, San Juan and Colorado rivers, as well as guiding in Hawaii, Alaska and Australia. Sarah has a B.A. in Environmental Studies and is currently finishing up her Masters. All that learning and traveling makes her a wealth of information and an all around great guide.
Sarah's favorite quote: "A place didn't stand alone after a man had been there once. It stood along with the times he'd had, with the thoughts he'd thought, with the men he had played and fought and drunk with..." AB Guthrie, The Big Sky
Favorite Place: "hmmm, I'll tell ya if I end up as your guide!"
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.
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. He has recently returned to school after 30 years and is currently completing 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
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, donââ¬â ¢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"
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. When she is at home in Columbia Falls she loves to ski, paint, cook and spend time with her husband. 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.
CHERI LEBLEU
Age: Born the same year as Woodstock
Hometown: upstate NY (Now Whitefish, MT)
Description: Cheri is our master botanist. This spunky gal has been hiking and exploring Glacier for 5 years. Also known for her culinary and coffee brewing skills, whether on the trail or cooking in camp, Cheri is sure to whip up a smile. When not in Glacier, Cheri might be home visiting her native Adirondacks, or 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.
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.
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.
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."
FEDEERICO 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.
TODD PIRAINO
Age: The Dirty Dozen was #1 in the Box Office the year he was born
Hometown: LEWISTON, ID
Description: Todd has been know to do a little bit of everything. In the summer, he can usually be found on the river or out walking the dogs.
Favorite Place: West Glacier.
"There is always a good time going on there!"
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.
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.
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 is now primarily guiding our longer multi-day backpacking trips, so we don't get to see him as much as we'd like. During the "off" season, he works as a naturalist at Woodleaf Outdoor School. It's a residential environmental education center for sixth graders located in the foothills of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains.
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!"
Dan Voermans
Age: Boomer Age
Hometown: Tomahawk, WI
Description: Originally from Northern Wisconsin but came to Glacier National Park to work trails and just couldn't stay off them so joined Glacier Guides so I could share the Park with the guests.
Favorite Place: Belly Rive, Two Medicine, Hole-In-The-Wall, Northern Tier Traverse, etc, etc, etc...
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