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.
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Name: Talbott Walker "Talboatman/Halibut"
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.
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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Name: Kate Giampapa "Our Poster Child"
Department: Rafting
Title: Trip Leader/ Raft Guide
A Jersey girl with a Colorado attitude, Kate has been a raft guide for five years. She loves travelling and being in the great outdoors. Whether negotiating rapids, jumping out of an airlpane, instructing a yoga class or travelling to the far ends of the earth she follows the one motto.... No Day But Today!!!
Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Yoga instructor/Trip Leader.
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
www.benjaminwhitaker.com
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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). |
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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. |
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Name: Casey Van den Broek
Department: Rafting
Title: Raft Guide
Michigan born and bred, Casey has been a prized asset to the Blazing team for over four years. In 2007 Casey won the “Stars of the Summer Season Award” for his exceptional customer service flair. This extreme athlete, extrovert and joker is certain to engage you on every level!!
Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Trip Leader.
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Name: Matt Pearson "Matty P"
Department: Rafting
Title: Trip Leader/Raft Guide
Matt has been guiding for Blazing Adventures for 9 years now. He is a ski instructor in the winter and a closet qualified social worker. In his spare time, he studies the law and warms a seat at Zanes Tavern. He comes with his own river guarantee to wow you with his skill on the river and charm your socks off old Chigaco style.
Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Trip Leader. |
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Name: Fisk Biggar "Fiscus"
Department: Rafting
Title: Trip Leader/Raft Guide
Fisk has a heart of gold and a love of the river. He has been guiding going on six years and when he's not rafting he can be found fishing on his favorite river, the Roaring Fork. Other guides often refer to him as River Ninja to credit his fierce skill and shark like reflexes.
Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, EMT, Trip Leader. |
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Name: Jason Wessels "Wessels, King of Shoshone"
Department: Rafting
Title: Trip Leader/Raft Guide
Previously a cog in a soul eating corporation in the Seattle area, Jason grew to realise that he was more than a pretty face.. he had ripped abs too. So in an effort to expose them he moved to Colorado and became a raft guide. He then realised that he was incredibly gifted both on the river and with people so he has been doing his thing for five years. Jason also moonlights at two Carbondale Restaurants, Phat Thai and Six89.
Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Trip Leader. |
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Name: Chris Tatsuno "Tats"
Department: Rafting
Title: Trip Leader/Raft Guide
Chris Tatsuno was born and raised in Sun Valley Idaho in traditional Japanese ski bum style. When he's not shreddin' gnar gnar, you can find him on the river. For the last five years we have been graced with Tatsuno's professional athleticism and TV host charm. In fact, he does some work hosting for several ski events and Warren Miller Films. You can read about the tats van chronicles at www.christatsuno.com.
Qualifications: First Aid, CPR, Trip Leader |
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Name: Esther Yarger "E-Funk"
Department: Rafting
Title: Raft Guide
Five years ago Esther came to work for an Aspen family as a Nanny. When they moved town, she became our kindest and lovliest raft guide to date. Needless to say she is great with people. Her additional skills include goat milking and chicken wing clipping. Guides often joke about how mean and rough she can be simply because nothing could be further from the truth.
Qualifications: First Aid, CPR. |
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