Carl Dec

Owner|Guide

Originally from New Jersey Carl quit “Wall Street” and NYC and moved to Salt Lake City in September 1997 to, as his wife puts it, ski. After the first 100 ski day winter he discovered many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing, kayaking quickly became passions and in 2003 he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, skiing in 2016. Climbs rock, ice, mixed, alpine, ski tours and rafts with equal vigor.

Certifications: Licensed Utah & Idaho River Guide, AMGA Rock Instructor, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA SPI provider, AMGA Apprentice Ski & Alpine Guide, WFR, AAIRE Pro 1.

Jason Thiemann

Manager|Right hand man

Born and raised in Nebraska, Jason moved to Utah in 2005 after graduating college. Since then he’s spent much of his time exploring the desert Southwest and Rocky Mountains. An avid hiker, backpacker, mountain climber, and canyoneer, he’s climbed over 300 mountains and scrambled through countless canyons. He spends his winters avoiding cold and snow, usually in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.

Certifications: History nerd, Political junkie, literature snob

Connor Maloney

Manager|Guide

We found Connor from Utah State University’s Outdoor Program in Logan, Utah.  This Salt Lake local joined Red River Adventures in 2017 after graduating college in Business management and Recreation. In his free time, Connor enjoys biking, climbing, and backcountry skiing while jamming to anything that gets him in the zone.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swift water rescue, EMT, WFR.

Charlie Baughman

Boatyard Manager|Master Mechanic|River Guide

If it’s broken, this man can fix it! A true Moab local, Charlie has the knowledge and skills to keep our vehicles running, boats inflated and our clients happy. With over 25 years of river experience, Charlie has the record here at Red River for having over 1,000 runs on the daily section of the Colorado River. Other notable accomplishments have been duckying over 250 river miles of the Grand Canyon without flipping!

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, Grease Monkey.

Jonathan Vickers

Guide: Rock Climbing & River Rafting

Jon makes a living by splitting his time between guiding, filmmaking and coaching climbers at Momentum Indoor Climbing. Though he is an all around outdoorsman, rock climbing became an addiction that dominates most of Jon’s professional and free time. He spends most of his year rotating between various disciplines of rock climbing and trying to mix work and play whenever possible.

Jon is both a skilled guide and visual storyteller with years of leading others and working in rocky and other dynamic outdoor environments. He enjoys every moment he can spend in the outdoors and strives to better himself with every passing season, but each of those he works with, whether it be movement coaching, guiding or storytelling.

Certifications: CPR, WFR, SPI, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, B.A. News Editorial, M.A. Science of Journalism, Licensed River Guide

Adam Morrisett

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Part of the Red River Adventures crew since April 2010 Adam showed, early on, the initiative it takes to be a great guide and trip leader by hiring and adding himself to our guides roster.

Canyoneer, river junkie, addicted to good music and great friends we are lucky he hired himself. Winters days are spent riding Wasatch Powder, nights in the cab of a groomer building features at Brighton.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, ACA Swift water rescue, WFR & CPR

Mary Eden

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Mary Catherine Eden a Kentucky transplant, moved to Moab and fell in love with the rocks, canyons, and desert life. Originally an endurance horse trainer she turned into a rock climbing fanatic! Mary is currently an AMGA Rock Guide Apprentice training for her Advanced Rock Guide course. Her favorite kind of climbing involves long days with scenic summits, unique Indian Creek splitters, and crazy wide cracks. If she isn’t in a canyon or climbing a route then you’ll most likely find her delving into climbing photography. After volunteering for the National Park Service for six months Mary discovered her love of guided walks and entered the guiding industry. She is stoked and is excited for every new season!

Certifications: WFR, SPI, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, Licensed River Guide

Micaela McCann

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Raised in Montana biking, bouldering and sport climbing, Micaela’s love for the outdoors has taken her to many of the United State’s outdoor arenas. After a special climbing trip down south, she quickly made the move to Moab which she now calls home.

Micaela loves taking on new challenges. She has been pushing her climbing limits and focuses on more traditional ways of climbing. She loves to float the daily section of the Colordao River, even on her days off. She hopes to share her commitment to personal growth with all her clients that she interacts with.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, SPI.

Cadi Carlson

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Cadi is a Utah native, born and raised in Salt Lake City. She came down here from working at a ski resort to visit and hasn’t left since! During her free time, she loves to climb anything from beautiful desert splitters to nasty off-width cracks and working toward bettering herself as a climbing photographer. She has recently taken a liking to slacklining and acro yoga. She has a very strong love for the outdoors and is willing to try anything that provides a beautiful view of the desert landscape that we live in!

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, SPI.

Thomas Lindley

Guide: River, Canyoneering

Originally from Oklahoma, Tommy loves climbing, canyoneering, skiing, rafting, backpacking and anything else that will get him outside. While on a trip with Tommy, his passion for sharing knowledge and demonstrating skills to clients comes out to help them learn and feel confident in their abilities.
His accomplishments include summiting many alpine objectives in the Cascades and British Columbia. He is also currently pursuing a Masters of Education in Parks and Recreation Management.

Certifications: AMGA SPI, WFR, Open Water SCUBA Diver, Licensed Utah River Guide.

Dan Lundgren

Guide: River

Originally from Sandy, Dan grew up skiing, sailing, and climbing across the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains of Utah. In 2013 he moved to Vancouver, Canada where he was able to pursue his passion for the outdoors while completing his degree in Natural Resource Conservation at the University of British Columbia.

Dan has navigated through the Lofoten Islands of Norway by sailboat while skiing and climbing throughout the fjords of the Arctic along the way. He has also explored the interior and coastal mountain ranges of British Columbia by ski and has eaten 50 chicken wings in one sitting.

Certifications: WFR, Licensed Utah River Guide.

Kawika Mau

Guide: River

Originally from Olympia, Washington, Kawika spends most of his time climbing. He has a special place in his heart for cracks of the thin variety. He also loves ski-mountaineering on the beautiful volcanoes of Washington State and falling off surfboards on the West Coast.

His proudest accomplishments are climbing a 5.13 sport route, and sharing long steep ski lines on mt rainier with his closest friends.

Certifications: WFR, Licensed Utah River Guide AIARE Level I, AIARE Level II, LNT Trainer.

D Willey

Guide – River

D attends Utah State University studying both Environmental Engineering and Watershed Science. She enjoys drawing, exploring the outdoors, meeting new people, and researching the geomorphology of the Colorado River.

D has rafted in Utah and Idaho and leads rafting and backpacking trips for the University Outdoor Program.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, Swiftwater rescue, WFR.

Aubrie Rhines

Guide – River

Aubrie grew up in Southern California and moved to Utah to pursue a degree in landscape architecture. During her 4 years in Utah she has designed landscapes for Utah communities and residents. She enjoys hiking, camping, sketching, cooking and the outdoors in general.

Before starting a career in Boston, Aubrie wanted to explore and experience Southern Utah for the summer while sharing her knowledge of over 200 species of plants!

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, First-Aid.

Taylor McClellan

Guide – River

Taylor is originally from Boise, Idaho. She has always had a very active lifestyle. She grew up playing soccer and continued the sport through high school. She then decided to switch to CrossFit and trained competitively. When she’s not training, she’s either in the mountains backpacking, hiking, or mountain biking with her pup Dan.

Overall, she is most proud of her ability to be good at anything the requires athletic ability.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, First-Aid.

Seth Ward

Guide: River

Seth is a laid back guy just trying to have as much fun in this life as possible. He enjoys slacklining, unicycling and mountaineering in his free time. Being a guide is what he is currently most passionate about in life.

Seth has completed a month long NOLS Mountaineering expedition, participated and even won a few adventure races, and has enjoyed leading various trips during his time working for the University of Iowa outdoor recreation department.

Certifications: Licensed River guide, WFR.

Nate Foulger

Guide: River

Three phrases that describe Nate: Adrenaline junkie, outdoor addict, and tacos. When he’s home he enjoys riding dirt bikes, climbing boulders, and hanging out with friends. When he’s not on the river he spends his time in Tempe, Arizona studying business at Arizona State University.

When Nate was 14 years old he rode the Tour de Tuscon, a 100-mile race on a road bike in six and a half hours.
He is also a proud Eagle Scout and enjoys playing the guitar and singing campfire songs.

Certifications: Licensed River guide, CPR.

Travis Whitfield

Guide – River

Originally from Taxarkana, Texas, Travis is currently studying Environmental Engineering with a minor in Computer Science at Utah State University. His studies include conducting research in hydroinformatics. He is an avid cyclist, runner, alpine climber and backcountry skier. For the past four years, he has lead rafting and climbing trips for Utah State’s Outdoor Program. His most recent accomplishment includes running his first ultra-marathon this past summer.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, Swiftwater rescue, WFR.

Stephanie Buchanan

Guide – River

Originally from New Hampshire, Stephanie moved to Utah to study Parks & Recreation and Communications at Utah State University. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, rafting, painting, and reading. She is also quite involved with their Outdoor Program, taking any chance she can get to lead a climbing route or guide a raft down the Snake River. She is most proud of the fact that she is part of the 4,000 footer club, having hiked the tallest 48 peaks in New Hampshire. Finally, she is good at not taking life too seriously.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR.

Riley Maloney

Guide – River

We found Riley from Utah State University’s Outdoor Program. His favorite place to be is on multi-day river trips, taking a break from the day-to-day. Napping is his favorite hobby, followed by reading and listening to music. He is most proud of maintaining a 3.8 GPA at USU while volunteering over 600 hours of service as a Student Trip Leader for the USU Outdoor Program. Riley is very engaging with our clients and will never forget your name if you’re lucky enough to have him as your guide.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WEMT, SSI Swiftwater Rescue.

Tessa Bates

Guide – River

Originally from Heber City, Tessa is known around Red River as the Jill of all trades. From cleaning windows to organizing tissue donations, she has the experience to accomplish whatever is asked of her. Her favorite outdoor activities include snowboarding, canyoneering, and reading. One of her proudest accomplishments was completing a seven-day trek in the Himalayas during monsoon season and coming back unscathed.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR.

Ashley Weiss

Guide – River

Ashley is a fun-loving nature-nerd with a quirky sense of humor. Over the past three years, she has helped create and develop business processes for a startup e-commerce company. However, this Salt Lake native has always found an excuse to explore the beauty in her “backyard”. Starting at a young age, she began whitewater river rafting, which naturally sparked her love for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. While she enjoys other activities, such as skiing, yoga, and rocking out at concerts, she always says there’s nothing better than a day on the water.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR.

Danaka “Danni” Olsen

Guide – River

Danaka grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, playing in the mud and convincing her siblings to engage in ridiculous shenanigans. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2015, Danaka moved across the country to be a snowboarding bum in Big Sky, Montana. From that winter on, she has been fortunate enough to call the West her home. In her free time, she can be found stomping around the wilderness with a big old backpack, writing, and developing skills in landscape photography.

She is most proud of her accomplishments while working at a wilderness treatment center, traveling to 46 states, and surviving a Utah winter while living in a Ford Focus!

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR.

Molly McGovern

Guide – River

After growing up in New Jersey, Molly graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2016 majoring in environmental conservation. She’s spent the past 5 years as a sea kayak guide and kid’s camp instructor in coastal New Hampshire. Thriving in warm weather, she can usually be found kayaking, mountain biking or trail running. However, harsh New England winters have forced her into finding joy in cross-country skiing, knitting and playing guitar.

Accomplishments include: guiding a kayak packing trip to the Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire, starting her own jewelry making business, and surviving the “Whole Enchilada” trail on a junky craigslist hard-tail mountain bike on her 3rd-ever ride.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR.

Zac Karakouzian

Guide – River

Born and raised in New England, Zac studied environmental conservation at the University of New Hampshire. He fills his free time with surfing, mountain biking, diving, climbing trees and wrenching on stuff. He loves a strong cup of coffee and a well fried slice of SPAM. He is an amateur harmonica player and a semi-pro breakfast cook.

Accomplishments include skiing Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mt. Washington, surfing winter Nor’easters in New Hampshire, and eating four Klondike bars in one sitting.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR.

Zac Nickman

Guide – River

Originally from Salt Lake City, UT, Zac decided to take this summer and pursue his passion for the outdoors in Moab. If you need a ski buddy on a powder day, looking for a friend to practice art with, or want to travel around the world, he’s your guy.

Zac is a great part of our team and other guides appreciate his “go with the flow” attitude.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR.

Josh Surkes

Owner Paddle Moab|Guide

Josh began working at Red River Adventures in 2008 after a brief stint in the real world clad in a suit and tie. After many successful summers running whitewater Josh, in connection with RRA, started Paddle Moab in 2012. Paddle Moab, Moab’s first and best SUP company has quickly become the leader in small group SUP trips and whitewater instruction. Josh, his wife Abbie and daughter are happy to call Moab home year round.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swift water rescue, WFR.

Carl Dec

Owner|Guide

Originally from New Jersey Carl quit “Wall Street” and NYC and moved to Salt Lake City in September 1997 to, as his wife puts it, ski. After the first 100 ski day winter he discovered many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing, kayaking quickly became passions and in 2003 he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, skiing in 2016. Climbs rock, ice, mixed, alpine, ski tours and rafts with equal vigor.

Certifications: Licensed Utah & Idaho River Guide, AMGA Rock Instructor, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA SPI provider, AMGA Apprentice Ski & Alpine Guide, WFR, AAIRE Pro 1.

Adam Morrisett

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Part of the Red River Adventures crew since April 2010 Adam showed, early on, the initiative it takes to be a great guide and trip leader by hiring and adding himself to our guides roster.

Canyoneer, river junkie, addicted to good music and great friends we are lucky he hired himself. Winters days are spent riding Wasatch Powder, nights in the cab of a groomer building features at Brighton.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, ACA Swift water rescue, WFR & CPR.

Mary Edan

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Mary Catherine Eden a Kentucky transplant, moved to Moab and fell in love with the rocks, canyons, and desert life. Originally an endurance horse trainer she turned into a rock climbing fanatic! Mary is currently an AMGA Rock Guide Apprentice training for her Advanced Rock Guide course. Her favorite kind of climbing involves long days with scenic summits, unique Indian Creek splitters, and crazy wide cracks. If she isn’t in a canyon or climbing a route then you’ll most likely find her delving into climbing photography. After volunteering for the National Park Service for six months Mary discovered her love of guided walks and entered the guiding industry. She is stoked and is excited for every new season!

Micaela McCann

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Raised in Montana biking, bouldering and sport climbing, Micaela’s love for the outdoors has taken her to many of the United State’s outdoor arenas. After a special climbing trip down south, she quickly made the move to Moab which she now calls home.

Micaela loves taking on new challenges. She has been pushing her climbing limits and focuses on more traditional ways of climbing. She loves to float the daily section of the Colordao River, even on her days off. She hopes to share her commitment to personal growth with all her clients that she interacts with.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, SPI.

John Lemnotis

Guide: Rock, Ice, Split Board, Ski

John began his life in the outdoors on the east coast learning to ski and snowboard on a small hometown hill, eventually ditching class whenever possible to escape to the grey bird slopes of Vermont’s resorts. Despite the mountains calling John finish college with a Doctorate in Pharmacy and moved to Utah for the beautiful mountains and unrivaled snow quality. By 2015 John realized that Pharmacy wasn’t for him and began pursuing a full AMGA certification.

Certifications: Certified Ski Guide, Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide. Pharm.D.

Jonathan Vickers

Guide: Rock Climbing & River Rafting

Jon makes a living by splitting his time between guiding, filmmaking and coaching climbers at Momentum Indoor Climbing. Though he is an all around outdoorsman, rock climbing became an addiction that dominates most of Jon’s professional and free time. He spends most of his year rotating between various disciplines of rock climbing and trying to mix work and play whenever possible.

Jon is both a skilled guide and visual storyteller with years of leading others and working in rocky and other dynamic outdoor environments. He enjoys every moment he can spend in the outdoors and strives to better himself with every passing season, but each of those he works with, whether it be movement coaching, guiding or storytelling.

Certifications: CPR, WFR, SPI, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, B.A. News Editorial, M.A. Science of Journalism, Licensed River Guide

Thomas Lindley

Guide: River, Canyoneering

Originally from Oklahoma, Tommy loves climbing, canyoneering, skiing, rafting, backpacking and anything else that will get him outside. While on a trip with Tommy, his passion for sharing knowledge and demonstrating skills to clients comes out to help them learn and feel confident in their abilities.
His accomplishments include summiting many alpine objectives in the Cascades and British Columbia. He is also currently pursuing a Masters of Education in Parks and Recreation Management.

Certifications: AMGA SPI, WFR, Open Water SCUBA Diver, Licensed Utah River Guide.

Amos Whiting

Guide: SPI courses and Exams, AIARE 2
Owner Aspen Expeditions, IFMGA Mountain Guide 

Full-time Mountain Guide, AMGA Instructor pool member, SPI provider, and AAIRE instructor. Amos has been a lead instructor on SPI courses since 2008. He also provides AAIRE instruction for RRA.

Certifications: IFMGA, AAIRE level Yoda, WFR.

John Kear

Guide: AMGA courses and Exams
Owner Sun Toucher Mountain Guides, IFMGA Mountain Guide 

Full-time Mountain Guide and AMGA Instructor pool member, John’s climbing, skiing and guiding encompasses nearly three decades of experience. After many years of professional guiding throughout North and South America as well as Europe, he set out on a new path, graduate school. John received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2015 and currently practices in Taos NM. He continues to share his experience, knowledge, and mastery of mountains with students as an instructor team member for the American Mountain Guides Association and with guests as the owner and head guide for Suntoucher Mountain Guides.

Certifications: IFMGA, WFR.

Carl Dec

Owner|Guide

Originally from New Jersey Carl quit “Wall Street” and NYC and moved to Salt Lake City in September 1997 to, as his wife puts it, ski. After the first 100 ski day winter he discovered many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing, kayaking quickly became passions and in 2003 he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, skiing in 2016. Climbs rock, ice, mixed, alpine, ski tours and rafts with equal vigor.

Certifications: Licensed Utah & Idaho River Guide, AMGA Rock Instructor, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA SPI provider, AMGA Apprentice Ski & Alpine Guide, WFR, AAIRE Pro 1.

Adam Morrisett

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Part of the Red River Adventures crew since April 2010 Adam showed, early on, the initiative it takes to be a great guide and trip leader by hiring and adding himself to our guides roster.

Canyoneer, river junkie, addicted to good music and great friends we are lucky he hired himself. Winters days are spent riding Wasatch Powder, nights in the cab of a groomer building features at Brighton.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, ACA Swift water rescue, WFR & CPR

Mary Edan

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Mary Catherine Eden a Kentucky transplant, moved to Moab and fell in love with the rocks, canyons, and desert life. Originally an endurance horse trainer she turned into a rock climbing fanatic! Mary is currently an AMGA Rock Guide Apprentice training for her Advanced Rock Guide course. Her favorite kind of climbing involves long days with scenic summits, unique Indian Creek splitters, and crazy wide cracks. If she isn’t in a canyon or climbing a route then you’ll most likely find her delving into climbing photography. After volunteering for the National Park Service for six months Mary discovered her love of guided walks and entered the guiding industry. She is stoked and is excited for every new season!

Cadi Carlson

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Cadi is a Utah native, born and raised in Salt Lake City. She came down here from working at a ski resort to visit and hasn’t left since! During her free time, she loves to climb anything from beautiful desert splitters to nasty off-width cracks and working toward bettering herself as a climbing photographer. She has recently taken a liking to slacklining and acro yoga. She has a very strong love for the outdoors and is willing to try anything that provides a beautiful view of the desert landscape that we live in!

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, SPI.

Micaela McCann

Guide: River, Climbing & Canyoneering

Raised in Montana biking, bouldering and sport climbing, Micaela’s love for the outdoors has taken her to many of the United State’s outdoor arenas. After a special climbing trip down south, she quickly made the move to Moab which she now calls home.

Micaela loves taking on new challenges. She has been pushing her climbing limits and focuses on more traditional ways of climbing. She loves to float the daily section of the Colordao River, even on her days off. She hopes to share her commitment to personal growth with all her clients that she interacts with.

Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, SPI.

Jonathan Vickers

Guide: Rock Climbing & River Rafting

Jon makes a living by splitting his time between guiding, filmmaking and coaching climbers at Momentum Indoor Climbing. Though he is an all-around outdoorsman, rock climbing became an addiction that dominates most of Jon’s professional and free time. He spends most of his year rotating between various disciplines of rock climbing and trying to mix work and play whenever possible.

Jon is both a skilled guide and visual storyteller with years of leading others and working in rocky and other dynamic outdoor environments. He enjoys every moment he can spend in the outdoors and strives to better himself with every passing season, but each of those he works with, whether it be movement coaching, guiding or storytelling.

Certifications: CPR, WFR, SPI, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, B.A. News Editorial, M.A. Science of Journalism, Licensed River Guide

Thomas Lindley

Guide: River, Canyoneering

Originally from Oklahoma, Tommy loves climbing, canyoneering, skiing, rafting, backpacking and anything else that will get him outside. While on a trip with Tommy, his passion for sharing knowledge and demonstrating skills to clients comes out to help them learn and feel confident in their abilities.
His accomplishments include summiting many alpine objectives in the Cascades and British Columbia. He is also currently pursuing a Masters of Education in Parks and Recreation Management.

Certifications: AMGA SPI, WFR, Open Water SCUBA Diver, Licensed Utah River Guide.

Carl Dec

Owner|Guide

Originally from New Jersey Carl quit “Wall Street” and NYC and moved to Salt Lake City in September 1997 to, as his wife puts it, ski. After the first 100 ski day winter he discovered many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing, kayaking quickly became passions and in 2003 he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, skiing in 2016. Climbs rock, ice, mixed, alpine, ski tours and rafts with equal vigor.

Certifications: Licensed Utah & Idaho River Guide, AMGA Rock Instructor, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA SPI provider, AMGA Apprentice Ski & Alpine Guide, WFR, AAIRE Pro 1.

John Lemnotis

Guide: Rock, Ice, Split Board, Ski

John began his life in the outdoors on the east coast learning to ski and snowboard on a small hometown hill, eventually ditching class whenever possible to escape to the grey bird slopes of Vermont’s resorts. Despite the mountains calling John finish college with a Doctorate in Pharmacy and moved to Utah for the beautiful mountains and unrivaled snow quality. By 2015 John realized that Pharmacy wasn’t for him and began pursuing a full AMGA certification.

Certifications: Certified Ski Guide, Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide. Pharm.D.

Carl Dec

Owner|Guide

Originally from New Jersey Carl quit “Wall Street” and NYC and moved to Salt Lake City in September 1997 to, as his wife puts it, ski. After the first 100 ski day winter he discovered many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing, kayaking quickly became passions and in 2003 he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, skiing in 2016. Climbs rock, ice, mixed, alpine, ski tours and rafts with equal vigor.

Certifications: Licensed Utah & Idaho River Guide, AMGA Rock Instructor, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA SPI provider, AMGA Apprentice Ski & Alpine Guide, WFR, AAIRE Pro 1.

John Lemnotis

Guide: Rock, Ice, Split Board, Ski

John began his life in the outdoors on the east coast learning to ski and snowboard on a small hometown hill, eventually ditching class whenever possible to escape to the grey bird slopes of Vermont’s resorts. Despite the mountains calling John to finish college with a Doctorate in Pharmacy and moved to Utah for the beautiful mountains and unrivaled snow quality. By 2015 John realized that Pharmacy wasn’t for him and began pursuing a full AMGA certification.

Certifications: Certified Ski Guide, Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide. Pharm.D.

Amos Whiting

Guide: SPI courses and Exams, AIARE 2
Owner Aspen Expedtions, IFMGA Mountain Guide 

Full-time Mountain Guide, AMGA Instructor pool member, SPI provider and AAIRE instructor. Amos has been lead instructor on SPI courses since 2008. He also provides AAIRE instruction for RRA.

Certifications: IFMGA, AAIRE level Yoda, WFR.

John Kear

Guide: AMGA courses and Exams
Owner Sun Toucher Mountain Guides, IFMGA Mountain Guide 

Full-time Mountain Guide and AMGA Instructor pool member, John’s climbing, skiing and guiding encompasses nearly three decades of experience. After many years of professional guiding throughout North and South America as well as Europe, he set out on a new path, graduate school. John received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2015 and currently practices in Taos NM. He continues to share his experience, knowledge, and mastery of mountains with students as an instructor team member for the American Mountain Guides Association and with guests as the owner and head guide for Suntoucher Mountain Guides.

Certifications: IFMGA, WFR.