Ashley is an adventurous spirit with a passion for the great outdoors. She has extensive experience guiding trips in breathtaking landscapes such as Alaska, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, Yosemite, and Death Valley.

A true outdoor enthusiast, Ashley finds joy in activities like hiking alongside her trusty companion (her dog Ryder), stand-up paddle boarding, ultra running, mountain biking, backcountry snowboarding, gardening, and even roller skating. In the winter, she spends time as a pro ski patroller at Northstar California.

Her journey into the outdoors began with a college wilderness survival course, sparking a deep fascination with the natural world. This curiosity led her to become a Wilderness EMT, blending her medical expertise with her love for adventure. Ashley began leading trips for REI Adventures in 2015, quickly making a name for herself as a hard-working, thoughtful, and fun guide. Years of outstanding reviews culminated in her receiving an REI Top Guide Award in 2022.

Ashley hopes to inspire others to embrace the wonders of the outdoors and discover their own passion for adventure.

Ashley is a certified Wilderness EMT.

Chris grew up splitting time between Northern California and coastal Massachusetts, finding a deep appreciation for both the mountains and ocean. He was introduced to National Parks like Yosemite and Arches at a young age while his Mom was guiding “Toddler Tromps” for the Sierra Club. Later, his Dad brought him on REI Adventures trips in the High Sierra where he paid his dues washing dishes.

After graduating and pursuing a career in photo and video production, the inescapable call of the mountains brought him back to guiding. Following in his Father’s footsteps, he started leading trips for REI starting in 2010, and went on to receive an REI Top Guide award.

Chris has enjoyed travels around the world, but believes some of the best adventures can be found closer to home in the Western United States. He acknowledges that guiding is a unique opportunity and is grateful he can share his love of the region with guests.

Chris is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Oz spends her time hiking, biking, running and skiing the mountains of the west with her three beloved dogs, also finding time along the way to manage a residential composting company based in Reno, Nevada.

Over 5 years, Oz guided countless trips for REI Adventures in the National Parks of Utah and California, receiving glowing reviews. Her love of animals, the outdoors, and sustainability are all passions she brings to the trail.

Oz is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Simon has a thirst for all things wild! He has been moving in outdoor spaces for as long as he can remember. Some of his earliest memories are of wading barefoot in the meandering creeks of Maryland, leaving no stone unturned. From an early age, he began fostering a curiosity about what lies around the next bend—an interest that has stayed with him throughout the years.

His passion for facilitating outdoor experiences began at the age of 15, under the mentorship of a whitewater kayaking legend. Together, they guided river trips along the East Coast, to the northern reaches of Canada, and even into Mexico! Building on these foundational experiences, Simon continued to share his love for the outdoors by leading trips for his university’s outdoor program.

Over the past decade, Simon has been fostering a deep connection with the awe-inspiring national parks of the West. From the surprisingly lush oasis that is Zion to the towering hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, the starkly beautiful Death Valley, and the striking walls and wildflowers of Yosemite, Simon has cultivated a wealth of knowledge. With these experiences, he feels at home in the outdoors and is eager to share new adventures with folks from all walks of life.

Simon is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Steve got his start guiding trips for the Sierra Club in Alaska in the late 1980’s. While restocking for a trip at the newly opened Anchorage REI store, Steve picked up a copy of REI Adventures’ very first adventure travel catalog. Noticing an absence of trips in Alaska, he contacted the company and pitched an Alaskan adventure, which they accepted. This started a 35-year partnership with REI Adventures that lasted until the program’s closure in 2025. During that time, Steve developed some of the first trips for REI in places like Death Valley, Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef National Park.

An REI Top Guide award recipient, Steve enthusiastically guided hiking and mountain biking adventures in the Southwest for over 30 years.

Always looking for the path less traveled, Steve has established many of the backcountry routes that Outdoor Calling still uses today.

Steve still spends much of his time venturing off the beaten path, exploring the backcountry canyons of Escalante, Utah, and the mountains of Truckee, California, and continues to provide valuable insight and wisdom as part of the Outdoor Calling team.