Guided Backpacking & Hiking Trips - Meet Your Just Roughin’ It Guides

FOR THE ADVENTURER THAT LIKES IT

Meet Your Guides

Whether on one of our Grand Canyon hikes, Yosemite backpacking trips or an Olympic National Park hiking tour there will always be a Just Roughin' It guide with you. Our guides have over 80 hours of Wilderness Medical Training to ensure your safety on your Grand Canyon backpacking trip, Yosemite hiking trip or Olympic hike.

"I honestly don't think we're going to find the Grand Canyon on this road." "Jesus, it's only the biggest God-damn hole in the world!" - Ellen and Clark Griswald

Our guides will take you on backpacking and hiking journeys through the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Olympic National Parks and other areas in Arizona. Since a majority of our Arizona, Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Olympic tour guides have more than 10 years of experience they will make sure that you have an amazing experience. On a guided tour with Just Roughin’ It you’ll not only get to experience the best hikes in the Grand Canyon or the best hikes in Yosemite, but you’ll get to experience some of our guides favorite hikes and trails.

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 and West coast. 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. Our guides have:

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

All of our guides are experienced, love the outdoors, had lives before guiding and probably used to live some place else. Therefore, instead of boring you with the typical sappy story about "falling in love with Grand Canyon when I came out for the first time with my Boy Scout group," we provide just a few tidbits of information that you may never think to ask (except for the owners - we get to talk about oursleves more because we control website content).

Oh, and if you don't see any information listed for a particular guide, that is because they are either in the backcountry so much that they can't get their information to us, or they are in the witness protection program.

Debbie Hendricks (Owner/Operator and Wilderness Guide) - Everywhere!

"It is not worthwhile to keep history from repeating itself, for man's character will always make the preventing of the repetitions impossible." - Mark Twain

"I think I'm gonna barf!" - Marge Gunderson

I am a true Arizona native. I was born in Scottsdale and grew up in Tempe, AZ, spending a few of my rebellious years in the Verde Valley. I was only 9 months when I first visited the Grand Canyon. After completing my degree in Marketing at Arizona State University, I worked in the corporate world, making a quick escape after 4 years to return to school full-time; first in pre-med but then decided to commit to Political Science and History. I am now an all but dissertation (ABD) PhD candidate at Arizona State University, studying American Foreign Policy post 1945 with a specialty in the Cold War and Vietnam. I also have 12 years experience in the fitness industry, currently teaching as an Adjunct Professor in Exercise Science.

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 10+

Day job: Just Roughin' It and 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) - Everywhere!

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

I am a native New Yorker. Born and raised near the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, I hiked all over the northeast before moving to Arizona a decade ago. I am a corporate refugee with over 15 years experience in the insurance industry before diving into the ocean of small business ownership in 2006. I hold a BS in finance from the Rochester Institute of Technology and an MBA from Arizona State University.

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 30+

Other relevant experience: Leading friends on bushwacks in the Catskill Mountains of NY. I was also a corporate trainer and have customer service experience.

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

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.

Favorite sport: Dressage.

Zach Bailey (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon and Paria Canyon

"Some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity..." - Gilda Radner

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 5

Other relevant experience: Military Service

Licenses/certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Grand Bara - Djibouti.

I became a guide because... I want to share my love of the outdoors with others - one that's life changing.

Ideal date: Cheap, fun and full of surprises.

The one thing in life I cannot live without: Sugar.

Piece of gear I cannot live without: Shemagh.

If I wasn't a guide, I would be a... A guy that is outdoors a lot.

College/University: Pittsburg State University

Favorite food: Pizza

Ryan Bee (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 10

Other relevant experience: River guide and ski patrol.

Licenses and certifications: WFR

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Havasupai (Havasu Falls)

I became a guide because... I enjoy showing people new places.

1st concert: Beastie Boys

While indoors, I spend my time... Surfing the net and reading.

Destination I'd most like to visit: India/Nepal

Most people don't know that I... Love to play chess.

College/University: Northern Arizona University

Best Memory: Backpacking through Thailand

Jayci Ferrimani (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon and Paria Canyon

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 16

Other relevant experience: Climbing/Canyoneering

Licenses/certifications: WRF, CPR, AMGA Climbing Guide

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Denali National Park, Alaska

Day job: Guide and Guitar Teacher

While indoors, I spend my time...Reading up for my next adventure.

Greatest accomplishment: Climbing the Tooth - the largest sandstone formation in the world.

If I were a rockstar, I'd be...myself with better hair.

The soundtrack of my life would be...Ground Control to Major Tom.

College/University: Berklee College of Music

David Gort (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." - Thomas Edison

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 8+

Other relevant experience: Central Arizona Mountain Rescue

Licenses/certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR, Advanced Swift Water Rescue.

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Anywhere and everywhere in New Zealand.

I became a guide because... I enjoy sharing my passion for the outdoors and environment while enjoying the outdoors.

Pet peeve: The misuse of their, there and they're.

Piece of gear I cannot live without: My trekking poles - the stick of many uses and the carrier of duct tape.

The one thing I cannot live life without: The company of a good dog.

Favorite food: Any food that tastes good.

College/University: Arizona State University

If I had a million dollars I would... become a helicopter pilot then travel around the would finding the great scuba divings spots.

JP Jackson (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon and Yosemite

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 3+

Other relevant experience: Whitewater river guide.

Licenses/certifications: WFR, CPR, Leave No Trace trainer, life guard.

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Glacier National Park Chalet trip

I became a guide because...I loved my backpacking trips so much that I want to share the expereince with others. Also, I started backpacking in summer camp and high school programs and I enjoy teaching and leading youth in the back country.

1st concert: Modest Mouse

Day job: Calculus and stats tutor, GIS techie.

Destination I'd most like to visit: Nepal

Biggest fear: Dinosaurs

College/university: Wittenberg University

To recoup from hikes, I...eat peanut butter, nutella and banana sandwiches.

Steve Klefstad (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon and Paria Canyon

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 7+

Other relevant experience: Grand Canyon River Guide, completed nine marathons, completed TransAmerica Trail Cross Country bike trip

Licenses/certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR, First Aid, Food Handler's

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Any night spent below the rim is a good night.

I became a guide because... I enjoy sharing with others the Canyon I know and love.

Day job: I've heard about those...

Piece of gear I cannot live without: My Chaco Flips. Taking off my hiking boots at the end of the day and slipping into my flip flops feels so good it should be illegal.

While indoors, I spend my time... Watching sports.

Favorite food: Lasagna

College/University: Purdue University

Best accomplishment... Is yet to come.

Ryan Materi (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon

One final paragraph of advice, don't wear yourselves out... - Edward Abbey

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 7+

Licenses/certifications: WFR, CPR, Leave No Trace Master Educator

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: An evening hike to a cliff top on Sucia Island and watching a pod of Orcas below us as the sun set.

I became a guide because...I want to be outdoors constantly and share it with others.

To recoup from hikes, I...go on more hikes.

The soundtrack of my life would be: The Beatles catalog

Favorite holiday: Winter Solstice

College/university: University of Montana

Favorite sport: Hockey

Gavin McDonough (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon

"Everything you can imagine is real" - Pablo Picasso

"What is there to be sad about? Life is a continual celebration that knows no holidays." - OSHO

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 10+

Other relevant experience: SCA Conservation Crew Leader

Licenses/certifications: WFR, CPR

I became a guide because...I love to help people enjoy the outdoors and it sure beats the view from my last office.

Day job: Web developer.

Pet peeve: Pet peeves.

Favorite food: Avocado.

Biggest fear: Mediocracy.

College/univeristy: Western Connecticut State University.

Best accomplishment: Escaping from the rat-race.

Kelli O'Keeefe (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon

"If your eyes aren't open, you can't see the sunrise."

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 6

Other relevant experience: Grand Canyon Colorado River and Salt River Guide

Licenses/certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR, First Aid, Swift Water Rescue

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Havasupai.

I became a guide because... I enjoy sharing with people what I get to see and explore every day when I'm in the backcountry or the water.

While indoors, I spend my time... Playing guitar, crochetting

If I wasn't a guide, I would be a... Kindergarten Teacher.

Destination I'd most like to visit... India/Nepal.

Favorite Holiday: St. Patrick's Day.

College/University: Southeastern Missouri State University.

The one thing in life I cannot live without... Music.

Ken Parker (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon

A witty saying proves nothing. - Oscar Wilde

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 15

Other relevant experience: BA Psychology

Licenses/certifications: WFR, SCUBA

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Kelly Canyon/Salome Jug/Grand Canyon

I became a guide because...Nature is therapy for the soul. Helping people find themselves in the wilderness is a dream opportunity for me.

Day job: Behavorial Health Provider

Favorite Food: Leftovers

Five years ago, I was...2.5 million minutes younger.

The soundtrack of my life would be: John Philip Sousa marching music.

College/university: Arizona State University

Favorite sport: Rugby and Paintball

Jonathan Reckling (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 14

Other relevant experience: 12 years experience rock climbing and guiding

Licenses/certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: I like it all!

I became a guide because... my love for the wilderness, and the more time outside the better.

First Concert: Tom Petty

Pet Peeve: Other people's pet peeves, get over it!

The one thing I cann ot live without: Sunshine.

Five years ago, I was...a dirtbag climbing bum.

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving.

If I could meet one person dead or alive its would be: Thomas Jefferson

Crai Craig Rowe (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon

"Brevity is the soul of wit." - William Shakespeare

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 8

Other relevant experience: NOLS

Licenses/certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR, Leave No Trace Master Trainer

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Zion National Park - West Rim Trail

I became a guide because... I want to help others learn to be comfortable outside of their comfort zone.

While indoors, I spend my time... agreeing with my wife.

Five years ago, I was... wishing I was where I am now.

Destination I would most like to visit: Costa Rica.

One Wish: To have a beer with Vince Vaughn.

College/University: Nazereth College

If I could meet one person dead or alive its would be: Clint Eastwood. That would make my day.

Jeremy Stapleton (Wilderness Guide) - Grand Canyon

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Ghandi (sort of).

Years of hiking/backpacking experience: 10

Other relevant experience: Semester with NOLS in Baja 2011

Licenses/certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR

Favorite hike/backpacking adventure: Pacific Crest Trail

I became a guide because... I believe in doing what you love before you're dead and the backcountry helps balance my life's urban pursuits.

Day job: Urban Planning, Design and Ecosocial Advocacy

Biggest fear: Mediocrity.

Best memory: I don't remember.