Scott is the Founder and Executive Director for Lasting Adventures, Inc and has been facilitating the Yosemite High Country Adventure since 1997 in which he has personally logged over 5,000 miles as a guide in the Yosemite backcountry. As both a credentialed school administrator and counselor, Scott has well over 25 years of experience working with youth. Scott attended Sonoma State University in California where he obtained both his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling. Scott holds certification in Basic Backpacking Awareness, is certified as a Wilderness First Responder by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of the National Outdoor Leadership School, and he is trained as an Outdoor Emergency Care professional. In addition to actively leading and guiding the Yosemite High Country Adventure and through community collaborations and support, Scott has also successfully developed many other youth development programs; and he is also a requested presenter on these topics. When not in Yosemite, you might be able to catch Scott on the slopes snowboarding in Tahoe.

Chris is Lasting Adventures’ Operations Manager and a former Yosemite National Park Wilderness Ranger. He has hiked every inch of trail within Yosemite and all but 20 miles in Rocky Mountain National Park, where he was also a Wilderness Ranger. Chris is not only a Wilderness EMT, but is a Leave No Trace Master Educator and is filled with a vast amount of Yosemite knowledge. His favorite locations in Yosemite include Mount Clark, Mount Hoffman, and Tenaya Creek. He started working with Lasting Adventures in 2018, and has continued to increase his Yosemite knowledge along the way. When Chris isn’t working, he spends his time traveling, and has visited 36 countries across the globe. The only continents he hasn’t been to yet are Australia and Antarctica–but they’re next on the list!

Michael grew up among the Redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where he spent much of his youth in the woods, often with a rough case of poison oak. He took his first backpacking trip to Yosemite at eight years old as cargo on his dad’s shoulders, an experience that evolved into a lifelong love for the Sierras. Over the years Michael’s thirst for wild adventures evolved into an obsession with rock climbing, hiking and surfing, and he carried it with him to college working as a lifeguard and surf instructor while earning a bachelors degree in journalism at San Diego State University. Upon graduating he paired his passions for writing and the outdoors to spawn his career as an editor for SURFING and SUP Magazine, telling stories of travel and adventure. His published works recount tales of backpacking through the jungles of Indonesia, surfing unknown breaks in Central America, running rapids in the Colorado River, climbing crags in Joshua Tree and competing in ultra-endurance events in Bora Bora, among other adventures. He’ll be the first to say: the stories from Yosemite are his favorite.

A Pacific Northwest local, Nick grew up in Bellingham, Washington surrounded by the splendor of the San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, and the Cascade Mountains. As a kid, he loved exploring the wide range of outdoor endeavors Washington has to offer, before moving to Arizona for university. He developed a love for instilling wonder, appreciation, and respect for the outdoors in others when he started guiding fellow students across the spectacular American Southwest, and graduated with degrees in Exercise and Wellness, and Parks and Protected Area Management. He has worked as a wilderness guide in Colorado, discovered a deep love for Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada with Lasting Adventures, and returns to Arizona in the winters working as an AASI certified snowboard instructor. Nick is passionate about exploring unfamiliar places, our connection and responsibility to those places, and enabling everyone’s potential through outdoor recreation!

Will Heaps started his outdoor education in Appalachia, discovered his passion for adventure in the Rockies, and found his home in the Sierra Nevada, which he shares with a beautiful wife and two incredible daughters. Thanks to parents that booked campsites instead of hotel rooms to save on travel expenses, he is quite comfortable laying his head close to the ground to sleep. Along the path to becoming an Eagle Scout, Will learned the outdoor survival skills that have given him the confidence to leave behind civilization and live in the wilderness. Will began camping as a child, backpacking as a teenager, and climbing/canyoneering in college. He graduated from BYU with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation and worked near Zion National Park as a therapist. Finding that he yearned to spend even more time in the wild, he left behind the life of a therapist and went full time into guiding with Lasting Adventures during the summer of 2015. Will loves being a guide because it affords him the opportunity to invite others to share in the experiences that have given him the hope to carry on through difficult times. When your life is simple enough to fit all necessary possessions in a backpack, you have plenty of room left to fill yourself with happiness and adventure.

I grew up in a small town of Beaver, PA and loved spending every waking moment in the outdoors as a child. Once I was taken on my first backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park I was hooked and eventually decided to change my career from the Fashion Industry to the Outdoors and that was the best decision I ever made. I then took an Outdoor Educator course with NOLS in the great Wind River Range for backpacking and rock climbing, got my Wilderness First Responder certification, and have since taken kids out into the outdoors from the White Mountains in New Hampshire to the desert in Joshua Tree National Park and challenged them in activities that include backpacking, rock climbing, white water kayaking and canoeing.

In my free time I love going canyoneering, backpacking, trail running, researching new cheesy jokes, cooking and eating lots of yummy food, climbing multi-pitch routes in Red Rocks, road tripping, playing lots ‘o’ board games, writing for my blog, star-gazing, chasing rainbows and ultimately lounging in my hammock.

I believe in the philosophy that you should never stop learning and I am very much looking forward to learning even more about Yosemite, where I got first bitten by the outdoors bug, and sharing that knowledge with all the participants on Lasting Adventures trips!

Jenna has been goofing off with Lasting Adventures since 2016. As a seasoned guide, she has many very fond memories in the backcountry with an assortment of guests from far and wide. While leading trips has been a rewarding and fulfilling job the past four years, Jenna is now turning her attention to supporting the staff through moral boosting frolicsomeness. She hopes that this new role will keep spirits high during turbulent times. Some of her successes include: 2nd annual John Muir-athon co-creator, enthusiastic party attender and developer of shenanigans.

Chrissy grew up camping in the Sierras all her life, but it wasn’t until her first visit to Yosemite as a teen that she absolutely fell in love with nature and the Sierra’s. That single day hike in Yosemite, and her now husband Tim, launched a growing need for nature that introduced her to backpacking. On one particular trip to the Yosemite backcountry Chrissy was engaged to on top of Clouds Rest. While finishing up school, Chrissy (& Tim) guided for Lasting Adventures for three summers. She received her BA in History and continued on to obtain her teaching credential. Chrissy took a break from guiding to peruse her passion of teaching while teaching history at Gridley High School. Chrissy would leave teaching to become a stay at home mother for her twin sons Eli and Wyatt. Chrissy enjoys road-tripping with her family all over the U.S. or exploring nature with her twins. Chrissy is beyond thrilled to be joining the amazing staff of Lasting Adventures once again and to give back to the company that gave her some of the most wonderful and lasting memories of her young adult life.

Gus grew up in Berkeley, California, and his passion for the wilderness started with day hikes in Lake Tahoe when he was five. He had his first experience with Yosemite with Lasting Adventures in 2013 at age 14, and immediately fell in love with the dramatic granite walls and beautiful trails and rivers. Lasting Adventures and Yosemite became an important part of his life, and came back every year to better his skills and knowledge of the area. He became a junior guide in 2015, and is now super stoked to begin working with Lasting Adventures as an intern! Gus is a certified Wilderness First Responder, and he plans to major in Adventure Education at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.

Trey has spent 4 seasons in Yosemite. His love for nature and the people that he has the pleasure of guiding on the trail are what keep him coming back every summer. To him, there’s nothing more grounding than being in nature’s playground, while its impenetrable beauty slowly pulls you away from all of the drama and distractions that keep you from simply being with yourself and the intricate life around you.

Nicole is an east-coast adventurer who continues to find new corners of the world to explore. Growing up, Nicole was taken along by her father on backpacking, rock climbing, and ice climbing trips at a very young age. She went on to study both Adventure Education and Health Education in college, as well as completing a Rocky Mountain Semester with NOLS in 2013. Throughout school Nicole gained experience working with two non-profits in her area, along with working for her University’s Outdoor Center. Nicole has since worked in Alaska, New Zealand, and Australia as a health advocate and kayak guide. Nicole is an avid climber but has just as much passion for teaching, traveling, and making connections with others along the way. She believes in the value of both experiential education and outdoor recreation, and sees the most growth when these two come hand-in-hand. Nicole recently updated her Wilderness First Responder while on a short visit to her beautiful New Hampshire home. She is excited to start her new chapter with Lasting Adventures!

Lucie grew up in Burlington Vermont. It was there that she spent spring, summer and fall racing sailboats on Lake Champlain and backpacking. Her winters were spent ski racing. When she was 17, she hiked the length of Vermont, and the following summer she led backpacking trips throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. She then decided to take a semester off and attend a semester-long NOLS course in Lander WY. She currently lives in Bozeman, Montana and attends Montana State University studying Biology. She hopes to find a career one day that combines her passion for education and love of the outdoors.

Alice grew up playing on a tire swing and frolicking in the woods in her backyard where she was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After high school she was itching to start exploring, which led her to college in Orlando, where she got her degree in English-Literature and a certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language. After college (and a few-dozen road trips) she truly discovered her passion for the outdoors, which led her to conservation work in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and around the Southwest. Constructing trails and living in a tent only solidified her love for the earth and adventuring, and she intends to continue her path of exploration absolutely everywhere she can. Alice feels passionately that you are never too old (or young) to grow and evolve, and that learning never stops.

Hello! My name is Shelby Lowman and I am an avid climber of all the things, writer, photographer, all-around adventurer, and amateur mustache grower. I’m originally from Colorado but spent most of my early life moving around the world in a military family.  These travels exposed me to varying cultures, natural beauty, and unique challenges. Those experiences combined with a stint in the military combined to foster a deep passion for not only recreating in beautiful, natural spaces, but to also protect and conserve them for others to enjoy. I currently live in Gunnison, Colorado and am studying the intersection of environmental sustainability, climate science, and human geography at Western Colorado University and work at the student run outdoor pursuits program as a guide.  I’m also certified as a WEMT, Rope Rescue technician, and search and rescue technician. I am a strong believer that impactful, positive experiences in the outdoors have the potential to change lives and inspire stewardship in others. I am committed to providing this experience for those on my trips and look forward to exploring the beauty of Yosemite with you!

Originally from The Netherlands, Emma grew up in Pacific Grove, California, where she fell in love with the ocean and the forested mountains of the Central Coast. As a child, she spent most holidays and school breaks hiking and camping in Yosemite, making the spectacular mountains and valleys of the park feel as familiar as home. After consistently bothering her dad to take her on her first backpacking trip at age 14, Emma became hooked on the outdoors and life in the mountains. Following high school, she took a gap year to spend some time backpacking, kayaking, and climbing mountains in the Patagonian wilderness. Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at Lewis & Clark College in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Emma spends most of her weekends either backpacking, kayaking, trail running, mountain biking, or working as a Trip Leader for her school’s outdoor program.

Ciara was born and raised in Southern California but has spent the last five years living in Thailand and Greece. She first moved to Asia in 2013 when she studied abroad at a university in Bangkok. After completing her undergraduate degrees from UC Santa Barbara in 2015, she returned to Thailand to work as a high school English teacher. Working in education fostered her love for teaching and her enthusiasm working with teenagers. When she’s not working in Yosemite, Ciara teaches refugees and asylum seekers in Northern Greece. Her favorite part of the week is taking the youth scouts from the camps on hiking and outdoor expeditions in the nearby forest. She lives to be outdoors, whether it’s underwater, in the mountains, or with her feet in the sand. In her free time, you can usually find her reading in a hammock, freediving, or hiking. She’s excited for her second season sharing her passion for the outdoors and environmental conservation with people visiting Yosemite.

Matt is an outdoor educator and guide who loves working in the outdoors. He has been climbing, hiking and exploring all over the US, but his favorite place to be is the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, and especially Yosemite National Park. Sharing adventures with others and teaching about our planet and its amazing natural wonders is Matt’s passion. Working in the outdoors has always been a dream job, and is always balanced out with personal adventures on Matt’s days off. After a day of climbing in the mountains he enjoys relaxing by drawing or practicing astronomy, one of his favorite subjects to teach. Matt is really looking forward to his fourth year with Lasting Adventures.

Jack grew up in a small town in Massachusetts, and went to college in northern New York, where he discovered rock climbing and ski touring while completing a degree in outdoor recreation at SUNY Plattsburgh. These two pursuits have led him to many places throughout the world, including the place he now considers home, Yosemite.
Jack’s first Yosemite job was cleaning rooms at the Yosemite Valley Lodge, where he was known for having the fastest hospital corner in the west. He later moved on to guiding with Lasting Adventures at the recommendation of a friend, and this season will be his second with the company.
Jack has also worked as a ski instructor, rappel-tour guide, and many other less glamorous positions. As with all of Lasting Adventures’ guides, he holds current Wilderness First Responder and CPR Certifications. In his spare time he enjoys reading books, and believes in the value of going outside.

Originally from Oregon, Marina grew up hiking through old growth and swimming in hidden lakes. A graduate from the University of Oregon, she loves to spend her time rock climbing, hiking and exploring the natural wonders of the world. Marina is a passionate photographer, a certified yoga teacher and makes a mean backcountry curry. She has spent the last year guiding in Yosemite, living and working at a surf hostel in Costa Rica, and interning for an environmental justice nonprofit in Eugene, Oregon. Marina is excited for another season in Yosemite with Lasting Adventures!

Rya is an outdoor enthusiast who seeks out every opportunity to connect with nature. When he’s not flippin’ burgers he enjoys climbing desert towers, sailing the great lakes, backpacking in the wilderness, snowboarding the backcountry, scuba diving deep below the sea, and riding his bike. Be it snow, wind, rock, or water, (haven’t figured out fire yet), he is constantly searching for new ways to interact with the natural world. Ryan believes the outdoors are our greatest teacher, serving as a source of healing and growth. His passion in life is developing personally and communally through outdoor experiences.

Emma was born and raised in Truckee, California. She grew up rock climbing, skiing, and camping, which fostered her love for the outdoors. Yosemite has a special place in her heart, as she has visited the park nearly every summer with her family and friends. She is a passionate outdoor enthusiast, who loves nothing more than to play outside, especially in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Emma completed a three month Wilderness Medicine and Rescue course with NOLS, and received various certifications while basing out of Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. She recently graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management and Leadership, with an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation. She looks forward to a future and career in the guiding industry. As she begins her second season with Lasting Adventures, Emma is stoked to spend her summer sharing her true love for Yosemite and the Sierra with others!

Kanyon grew up in the Great Plains and Black Hills of South Dakota, where he gained a passion for the great outdoors through hiking, biking, and camping. While pursuing a degree in Environmental Science, he developed a new passion for rock climbing which drove him to Yosemite in Summer of 2017. Kanyon spent three seasons making beds at the Yosemite Valley Lodge and exploring the backcountry in his off time. Most recently Kanyon has worked in Montana as a ski instructor, and he’s excited for the opportunity to share the beauty of the outdoors while basking in the warm rays of the hot California sun.

Callie was born in Akron, Ohio, and grew up loving the outdoors. She took her first trip to Yosemite at the age of seven and was instantly hooked! Callie’s love of backpacking began after moving to Colorado. In 2013, she completed a solo thru-hike of the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. This was followed by many other trips in the Grand Canyon, on the Pacific Crest Trail, and in Colorado. After spending her senior year living in Russia, Callie graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2017 with degrees in mathematics and philosophy. As she became more interested in finding a career in the outdoors, Callie obtained her WEMT from NOLS in 2019. Now, she works as a ski patroller at Heavenly Mountain Resort during the winter and is excited to be spending her first season guiding with Lasting Adventures. She is a passionate skier, hiker, backpacker, white water rafter, and rock climber.

Growing up, being outside was second nature for Emily. From riding the sand dunes of the Oregon coast in a dune buggy, to multi-week camping trips while on the road to Disneyland, Emily’s family never hesitated to get outside. When Emily joined The Arizona Outdoors Club as a young adult, she met many peers who shared a love and interest for the outdoors. Soon Emily was shown the in’s and out’s of backpacking, from learning that sleeping pads have existed this entire time, all the way to how to cultivate a livelihood in the outdoor industry. Emily has guided previously for a non-profit company in Colorado guiding children on backpacking trips and loves joining the journey anyone takes by getting outside. Emily also loves to Snowboard, and is an instructor in Flagstaff, Arizona. Emily is excited her path has lead her to Lasting Adventures and strives to be a positive impact on whoever she gets to spend time with. Emily thrives when connecting with others, especially in such a beautiful place like Yosemite.

Born in Denver and raised outside of Chicago, Morgan spent most of her childhood itching for adventure. She made it back to the mountains to attend Western Colorado University in Gunnison and graduated with a degree in Psychology and Political Science. During the summers, she took every opportunity to explore—including road tripping, backpacking in the great national parks, as well as traveling and studying in over 8 countries in Asia and Europe. If there’s anything she learned during her travels, it was the importance of being grounded in the natural world and never underestimating it’s wonder. One of her favorite outdoor memories to date was a two week leadership expedition in Tanzania where she got to watch the sunrise over Mt. Kilimanjaro and experience the culture of “ubuntu” first hand. The only thing Morgan loves more than exploring is connecting with people, and she is so excited for her fist full summer in the Yosemite Valley guiding with Lasting Adventures!

Angelique grew up in central Michigan, and moved to northern Wisconsin for college. She pursued a degree in Sustainable Community Development and spent her summers working on organic farms and riding horses. After graduation, she followed the call of the mountains to Washington state and started working in outdoor education, leading trips and team building programs in the San Juan Islands. After becoming a PSIA certified ski instructor, she has continued to work in the ski industry as a professional instructor, adaptive coach, and most recently backcountry ski guide. During the warmer months, Angelique continues to work as an outdoor educator in southern California, Washington, and Oregon. In 2018 she completed the 2650 mile Pacific Crest Trail and has enjoyed exploring other long distance trails. She calls South Lake Tahoe home for now and, when not guiding, can be found backcountry spring skiing, mountain biking, gardening, and traveling internationally.