Our Guides

Finding the Grand Canyon is not an issue for our guides, they know where it is! In fact, we have extensive knowledge of some of the most beautiful places in the Southwest. We know of the touristy hotspots as well as secluded backcountry areas you won't find in any guidebook. So expect to have an awesome adventure - and know that we have your safety in mind at all times. All of our guides have:

• At least 80 hours of Wilderness First Responder of equivalent (this means we are trained to handle all kinds of emergencies in remote settings)
• First aid and CPR training
• Food Handlers Certified

Debbie Hendricks (Owner/Operator and Wilderness Guide)

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
"I think I'm gonna barf!" - Marge Gunderson

Years of hiking/backing experience: 10+
Day job: Just Roughin' It and I am an Adjunct Professor at Mesa Community College
Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Grand Canyon - South Bass
First concert: Cheap Trick - backstage
The one thing in life I cannot live without: Oxygen
Favorite food: Dessert
If I were a rock star, I'd be: I am a rock star!
The soundtrack of my life would be: Twilight Zone
If my life were a movie, it would be called: The Misfits
Favorite sport: Rugby

Ray Hendricks (Owner/Operator and Wilderness Guide)

"Buy the ticket, take the ride." - Hunter S. Thompson

Years of hiking/backing experience: 30+
Other relevant experience: Leading friends on bushwacks in the Catskill Mountains of NY. Other than that I am a corporate refugee with years of customer service and management experience. I was also a corporate trainer
Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Hermit Canyon in Grand Canyon, there are many historic sites and other cool out of the way places to explore
I became a guide because: I always wanted to make a living doing something I love
First concert: The Ramones in 1980
While indoors, I spend my time: On the computer ruining my eyes, reading books, or playing guitar
The one thing in life I cannot live without: Coffee, I get a headache by noon if I don't get my fix
Piece of gear I cannot live without: French Press (of course!)
If I were a rock star, I'd be: Jimi Hendrix although Jimmy Page would be really cool as well
The soundtrack of my life would be: "Changes" by David Bowie

Aaron Wilson (Wilderness Guide)

Years of hiking/backing experience: Over 25 years
Other relevant experience: Mountain Bike Guide in Canyon Lands National Park. Snowboard Instructor. Extensive Mountaineering experience ie... Climbed Tetons, Cascades and peaks in Idaho and Utah. Backpacking sections of the AT (Appalachian Trail) and the PTC (Pacific Crest Trail)
Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Rim to Rim via North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail
Piece of Gear I cannot live without: My lucky hat
Favorite Food: Mexican
Day Job: Field Instructor for Wilderness Therapy program

Taylor Branch (Wilderness Guide)

Years of hiking/backing experience: Over 15 years
Other relevant experience: Been on 4 river trips through Grand Canyon studying the native and non-native fish species
Favorite food: Turkey Tacos the day after Thanksgiving
If I were a rock star, I'd be: Doing a reunion tour or a reality T.V. show
Five years from now, I plan to be: 56
If I had a millian dollars, I would: Spend it!
Favorite holiday: Opening day of baseball
Most people don't know that I: Am uncomfortable around mice
If I were a superhero, I would: Probably be in better shape

Russ Nordstrand (Wilderness Guide)

Years of hiking/backing experience: 15+
Other relevant experience: Wilderness Therapy Instructor, Guided backpacking trips in Utah, Colorado and Hawaii
Licenses/certifications: Wilderness First Responder, NOLS Outdoor Educator, Leave No Trace Trainer, B.A in Outdoor Recreation
1st concert: Pearl Jam in Seattle with Neil Young
Day job: What's that?
Favorite food: The Puna Pie - pizza from Kona Brewing Company in Hawaii
Best accomplishment: Building my first surfboard then catching a monster wave and riding it all the way in!
Biggest fear: Sharks
Most people don't know that I... love tropical flowers!