Meet the Team

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  • Rich Zelter

    Rich Zelter "Zoltar "

    Department: 
    Rafting
    Title: 
    Operations Manager
    Training: 
    First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Guide Instructor, Trip Leader

    The Grand Daddy of rafting, occasionally referred to as Bat Boy, is the Operations Manager 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.

  • Hillary Garner

    Hillary Garner "Hill Dog"

    Department: 
    Rafting
    Title: 
    Manager
    Training: 
    CPR, First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, ACA, Guide Instructor/ Trip Leader.

    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 fortunate 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.

  • Talbott Walker

    Talbott Walker "Talboatman/Halibut"

    Department: 
    Rafting
    Title: 
    Trip Leader/Raft Guide
    Training: 
    CPR, First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, Guide Instructor/ Trip Leader.

    Yes, as the nickname suggests Talbott 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.

  • Diane Platek

    Diane Platek

    Department: 
    Hikes, Bikes, and Jeeps
    Title: 
    Manager and Guide
    Training: 
    First Aid, CPR

    If you're lucky enough to have Diane as your guide, you are in for an educational adventure! Diane has guided for Blazing Adventures for 18 seasons. She is an expert on all the local trails, specializing in single track and natural history.

  • John Bokram

    John Bokram

    Department: 
    Hikes, Bikes, Jeeps, and Sunset Dinners
    Title: 
    Manager and Guide
    Training: 
    First Aid, CPR

    Co-Manager of the Hikes, Bikes, and Jeeps department since 1988. John guides the majority of our Sunset Dinner tours. He moved to Aspen in the mid- 1980’s and has developed a wealth of knowledge of the area. If they crowned a Mr. Aspen, John would be an alumni and current judge.

  • Mike Glock

    Mike Glock "Glock"

    Department: 
    Rafting
    Title: 
    Raft Guide
    Training: 
    EMT, CPR, Trip Leader, Guide Instructor

    Our very own Tasmanian Devil! Mike Glock has been guiding for Blazing Adventures since 2003. His experience, athletic ability, and irresistible Aussie charm make a raft trip with “Glocky” unforgettable.

  • Mike Lewis

    Mike Lewis "The Bear"

    Department: 
    Rafting
    Title: 
    Trip Leader/Raft Guide
    Training: 
    First Aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Guide Instructor/Trip Leader.

    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 justice degree and headed for the Rocky Mountains in 2000. 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!

  • Ester Yarger

    Ester Yarger "E Funk"

    Department: 
    Rafting
    Title: 
    Raft Guide
    Training: 
    First Aid, CPR

    Five years ago Esther came to work for an Aspen family as a Nanny. When they moved, she became our kindest and loveliest raft guide to date. Needless to say, she is great with people and children. Guides often joke about her temper and roughness, yet nothing could be further from the truth. Additional skills include: goat milking and chicken wing clipping.

  • Vince Nichols

    Vince Nichols

    Department: 
    Rafting
    Title: 
    Raft Guide
    Training: 
    EMT, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue, Trip Leader, Guide Trainer

    Originally from North Dakota, Vince has been guiding for blazing adventures since 2005. He is a ski patroller on Snowmass Mountain in the winter. He is an excellent guide due to his vast experience working in the outdoors and his finely honed skills working with children. Vince is a proud father of two.

  • Michael Bone

    Michael Bone "Bone"

    Department: 
    Rafting
    Title: 
    Raft Guide, Safety Kayaker
    Training: 
    First Aid, CPR, Swift Water Rescue

    When Bone isn't launching off of huge waterfalls and or gutting big rapids in his kayak he can be found at home in Carbondale, CO chilling out with his 12 year old black lab, Cooper. During the off season, Bone has been known to travel far and wide in search of multi day river trips in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in Arizona, and the Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho.