MEET THE GUIDES
At Blazing Adventures we recruit the best and the brightest, the people that thrive on the excitement of being in the outdoors and the people that love to share their passion with others. We invest in thorough training programs to insure that our guides exceed the necessary skills and certifications in order to guide you safely in any endeavor you choose to embark upon.

Our employees travel from all around the United States and the world. What results is a unique workforce combining people from all walks of life that bring their own individual talents and personalities to your adventure.

But why not take a moment to take a personal tour and investigate our many different characters.

	Name:              Talbot Walker "Talboatman" Department:    Rafting Title:                Trip Leader/Raft Guide Yes, as the nickname suggests Talbot is a born boatsman. He exudes the confidence and calm that only comes from expert bloodlines. He has been kayaking and boating since birth (well probably) and guiding with Blazing Adventures for the last 9 years. A local guy with an exceptionally magnetic personality and a comical sense of humor. Qualifications: CPR, First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, Guide Instructor/ Trip Leader.
	Name:              Hillary Garner "Hill" Department:    Rafting Title:                Manager Our lady of rafting! When Hillary came to Blazing Adventures over 22 years ago she was already an experienced raft guide and kayaker. Not only are we blessed to have such an amazingly talented and experienced guide but in addition to this we can boast having on board one of the only women in the industry that runs a rafting division. Qualifications: CPR, First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, ACA, Guide Instructor/ Trip Leader.
	Name:            Andy Docken "Talkin Docken" Department:  Rafting Title:              Trip Leader/Raft Guide Docken has spent eight years guiding and is one of Blazing Adventure's finest. Originally from Minnesota and posessing no timid qualities, he is also the director of the Aspen Highlands Ski School. Don't be fooled by his Minnesota niceness and his ridiculous photo to the left, Docken is a lean mean rafting machine. Qualifications: CPR, First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, ACA, Guide Instructor/Trip Leader.
	Name:             Mike Lewis "The Bear" Department:   Rafting Title:               Trip Leader/Raft Guide Mike boasts wit as sharp as grizzly teeth and mighty roar as he plummets guests through rapids. Originally from San Diego, Mike finished a criminal law degree and headed for the Rocky Mountains eight years ago, He has been seen on the river guiding folk ever since and is especially well known for his ability to convert law abiding tourists into pirate crew members. ARRRGH! Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Guide Instructor/Trip Leader.
	Name:             Ronnie Shuman "DJ Ronnie" Department:   Rafting Title:               Trip Leader/ Raft Guide All the way from Miami, Florida, we are proud to introduce the infamous DJ Ronnie. He first traveled to Aspen/Snowmass five years ago. Since then he has more than made his mark on the community. Ronnie takes social skills to another level, his sharp athletic ability and entertaining prowess make him a guiding hot cake. Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Guide instructor/Trip Leader.
	Name:              Brad Krehbiel " The Blind Driver" Department:    Rafting Title:                Trip Leader/ Raft Guide Often introduced to guests as our only fully licensed blind driver, Brad has 20/20 vision and a smile that could temporarily blind any oncoming traffic. He has extraordinary river talent backed by 10 years of guiding experience. Brad is a true professional and any of his passengers are guaranteed to have a blast! Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Guide Instructor/Trip Leader.
	Name:              Fatima Simon Department:    Hikes, Jeeps, Bikes Title:                Guide A delightful chatterbox, Our lady Fatima originally an advertising account executive from Maryland has spent the last 4 years in Aspen/Snowmass. She was drawn to the area for its rugged beauty and in pursuit of an outdoor lifestyle. As a certified ski and snowboard instructor, an avid scuba diver, surfer, biker and hiker, this lady is up for just about any challenge and will convince you to do the same.  Qualifications: First Aid, CPR.
	Name:             John Bokram Department:   Hikes, Bikes and Jeeps Title:               Manager Co Manager of the Department since 1988, if Aspen/Snowmass had a male ambassador, this man would take that role. Originally from Michigan, he moved to Aspen 30 years ago and is well versed in the history, geology and wildlife of the local area. If a squirrel had a limp, this man would know why. Qualifications: First Aid, CPR.
	Name:             Ben Whitaker " Mr Darcy" Department:   Rafting Title:               Trip Leader/ Raft Guide  " Mr Darcy" Our dashing Englishman will gain your confidence immediately. With over seven years guiding experience under his belt, this man knows his river! Ask him about the Ben Show! Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Guide Instructor/Trip Leader.
	Name:              Ryan Whiting "Wendle" Department:    Rafting Title:                Trip Leader/ Raft Guide As intriguing as the origin of his nickname, "Wendle" is an entertaining character to say the least. Somewhat of an ideas genius, he occasionally makes local headline news for his various novelty enterprises whether it be making faux fur coozies or raising money for charity in a gondola endurance test. A superb boatsman, guaranteed to make for interesting conversation. Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Guide Instructor/Trip Leader.
	Name:             Tammy Teske Department:   Rafting Title:               Trip Leader/ Raft Guide Tammy Teske is the daughter of a preacher man. She was born in Papua New Guinea and moved to that States when she was only a little rug rat. An avid traveller, she has visited places like Thailand, Tanzania, Kenya, Australia, Europe and Africa. Skillful and foxy, Tammy can drive a semi, fix your irrigation system, tend bar, life guard and to top it all off, this will be her seventh season as a river guide with Blazing Adventures! Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Guide Instructor/Trip Leader.
	Name:             Diane Platek Department:   Hikes, Bikes and Jeeps Title:               Manager If you're lucky enough to get Diane as your guide, you will be in the hands of one of the most knowledgable women in the Roaring Fork Valley. Occasionally you can hear her dulcet tones and the strum of her guitar around a campfire. Heading into her 12th year as a guide with Blazing Adventures, if a beaver was missing a tooth, this woman would know why. Qualifications: First Aid, CPR.
	Name:            Rich Zelter - 'Zoltar' (As in the fortune teller) Department:  Rafting Title:              Manager The Grand Daddy of rafting, occassionally referred to as Bat Boy is the partner head of the rafting division. Over the last 20 years Rich has seen more people float down the river than ants in a colony. Legend has it, this man has extraordinary even superhero like multi-tasking abilities. Our resident trout juggler can make just about anything happen, making him a customer service extraordinaire. Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Guide Instructor, Trip Leader.
	Name:               Scotty Gibson "GIBBO" Department:     Rafting Title:                 Natural Born Raft Guide The penultimate river rat! No man is his equal. A charisma that surpasses all that is earthly, somewhat of a legend of his time. Rafting since he could speak, and much better at rafting than speech, this man will have you laughing your way into Valhala or alternatively his country of origin (New Zealand). Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, ACA, Guide Instructor/Trip Leader.
	Name:              Justin Worth Department:    Hikes, Bikes and Jeeps Title:                Guide Justin digs anything with wheels, he's also a big fan of feet and ever since he could walk, he's been feeding the adrenaline junky within. A pro mountain biker and amazing athlete, when he is not riding he is seen working on his bike. But be warned, go on a trip with Justin and his enthusiam is infectious. Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Competitive Athlete (2nd place Crested Butte. Mountain States Cup; 3rd place Snowmass Norba Nationals).
	Name:              Mike Glock "Glocky" Department:    Rafting Title:                Trip Leader/ Raft Guide Our very own Tasmanian Devil!  Mike Glock spent four consecutive summers teaching watersports in Maine before he joined Blazing Adventures six years ago. A combination of experience, athletic ability and irresistible Aussie charm makes a raft trip with "Glocky" quite unforgettable. Qualifications; First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Trip Leader.

Name:              Andrew Butler "Butts"  Department:    Rafting  Title:                Raft Guide  Meet Andrew, he's all "aboot" rafting! Orginally from Barrie,    Ontario, he has been Kayaking for 15 years and guiding raft   trips for 10 years. When he's not on the water you'll find him   mountain biking, golfing, skiing and bungee jumping. A zest for   life and tons of experience will ensure that Andrew makes your  boatful have a blast!  Qualifications: CPR, First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, High Angle  Rescue, Trip Leader.