Our Guides
2021 Guides and Staff
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 the many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing and kayaking quickly became passions, and in 2003, he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Red River added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, followed by skiing trips in 2016. Carl climbs rock, ice, mixed, and alpine, ski tours, and rafts with equal vigor.
Certifications: Licensed Utah and 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 400 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
Charlie Baughman
Transportation Manager | Master Mechanic
If it’s broken, this man can fix it! A true Moab local, Charlie has the knowledge and skills to keep our vehicles running 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. Among other notable accomplishments, Charlie has navigated over 250 river miles of the Grand Canyon in an inflatable kayak–without flipping!
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, Grease Monkey
Adam Morrisett
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Adam has been part of the Red River Adventures crew since April 2010. Right from the start, Adam showed the initiative it takes to be a great guide and trip leader by hiring and adding himself to our roster of guides.
A canyoneer and river junkie, addicted to good music and great friends, we are lucky he hired himself. In the winter, his days are spent riding Wasatch Powder, with nights in the cab of a groomer building features at Brighton.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, WFR, CPR
Mary Eden
Guide: Climbing | Indian Creek Crack Clinics | Owner, Big Beauty Pitches Productions
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 excited for every new season!
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Brian Johnson
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering | Lead Trainer – Rafting
Straight out of Cazenovia, New York, Brian has a chipper old soul. Since he was a kid, he’s enjoyed spending all of his time scrambling rocks around New York. Since moving to Moab, he has developed a passion for climbing big sandstone rocks. Although a rock enthusiast, Brian fell in love with the water when he took his first trip down the Arkansas River in Colorado.
Brian is an all-around outdoor junkie and is always up for new adventures!
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Nate Foulger
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Three phrases that describe Nate: adrenaline junkie, outdoor addict, and tacos. 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 Tucson, 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: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Kenzie Knippers
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Born in Oklahoma and raised in Arizona, Kenzie currently attends Arizona State University, studying Marketing. Kenzie is an extremely easy-going person but will probably make friends with your dog before introducing herself. In her spare time, she enjoys a steep hike, climbing some rock, or a day at the lake. Overall she is most proud of her ability to catch on quickly to new activities, as well as her work as a Catalina Island Marine Institute counselor.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Hunter Corliss
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Originally from Sudbury, Massachusetts, Hunter is very interested in taking in the beauty of the outdoors with his camera. He is most passionate about rock climbing, ice climbing, and skiing, and he is always happy outside on a sunny day!
An accomplished photographer, he has won a Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Key award for his work.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, WFR, CPR
Chase Wehrenberg
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Born and raised on the plains of western Oklahoma, Chase has always longed to live, work, and play in the mountains. His wife and fur baby have finally committed to the great state of Utah in 2021. His passion for the outdoor recreation industry started in college, and after graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma, he worked as a guide in Yangshuo, China. He has also been honing his passions and skills as a backpacker and growing his professional and recreational outdoor experience. Some of his greatest accomplishments include placing in Horseshoe Canyon’s “24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell,” a climbing competition; completing a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail in 2020; and serving his wife with a well-cooked meal as often as possible. When he is not at work, you can find him climbing with friends, exploring landscapes, or relaxing somewhere by a fire.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Jonathan Vickers
Guide: Climbing and Canyoneering
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, whether it involves movement coaching, guiding or storytelling.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, WFR, B.A. News Editorial, M.A. Science of Journalism, Licensed Utah River Guide
Eli Ward
Guide: Rafting
Eli is an energetic and adventurous guide with a passion for excitement. He enjoys traveling, rock climbing, adrenaline rushes, and anything that takes him to the outdoors. He has a passion for experiencing new things; he is a true “people person” and loves connecting with new faces.
Among other endeavors, Eli has participated in RAGBRAI and several other adventure races.
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Kat Johnson
Guide: Rafting
Kat is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio but moved to Salt Lake City to attend Westminster College. This snowboarder, climber, poet, artist, and outdoorswoman cannot be tamed. When she’s not floating on the river or wrestling rocks, Kat loves to listen to good tunes, take naps and watch the Ohio State Buckeyes. Yew!
She’s great at snowboarding, climbing, being loud, waiting tables and preparing for law school.
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, First Aid, CPR
Adam Jones
Guide: Rafting
Storytelling and enthusiasm are at Adam’s core. As a guide, there’s nothing he loves more than leaving others with a tale they’ll never forget and exposing them to the amazing flora, fauna, geology, and history of the area.
When not on the job or adventuring in Moab, Adam’s been seen swimming with penguins in South Africa, free-soling waterfalls in Costa Rica, and cliff jumping in Guatemala. He’s been to nearly every state in the US, loves traveling, an has an incessant drive for self-improvement. One day, Adam hopes to start his own adventure guiding business in the Pacific Northwest.
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Haley McBride
Guide: Rafting
Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, Haley has been a lover of the outdoors her entire life. She is currently attending Brigham Young University and studying Environmental Public Health. The Rocky Mountains are where she feels the most at home hiking, swimming, or backpacking, but during the summers, Moab gives her a fix of desert, river, and red rock beauty. Her most exciting outdoor adventures have been fishing on the Amazon River, tubing in Mozambique, and skydiving in Moab. Haley is easy-going and friendly and loves to talk about books, public health, or what beverage you would be if you were a beverage (she would be a peanut butter smoothie).
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, First Aid, CPR
Hannah Bernier
Guide: Rafting
Hailing from Arizona, Hannah spent her childhood mountain biking and hiking in the Sonoran Desert. She moved to Texas in 2018 to attend UT Austin, where she studies international relations and Portuguese with a focus on environmental history. But she loves the grand landscapes of the Southwest best, whether it be from the top of a climb or the middle of a river. If she’s not driving on the I-10 between Austin and Phoenix you can find her climbing at the crag, baking pastries, or planning the next great adventure.
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Hannah Lacey
Guide: Rafting
Originally from northern California, Hannah is a student at the University of Utah, majoring in environmental studies. She’s an easy-going person who loves connecting with people and experiencing new things. You can usually find her hiking, climbing, skiing, swimming, or eating ice cream. She fell in love with Moab three years ago and has been looking for an excuse to live there ever since. Hannah was a California State Park Lifeguard the past four summers, and she’s very excited to trade in her buoy for a paddle. She is stoked for this season and the new adventures ahead!
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, First Aid, CPR
Jake Murdock
Guide: Rafting
Born and raised in Waco, Texas, Jake is a lover of anything outdoors. He is enthusiastic and loves to meet new people and learn their stories. When he is not on the river, you can find Jake climbing some rock, hiking, or trying to plan his next adventure. When he graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies, he knew that he had to find some place to pursue all of his passions in the outdoors, and Moab checked all the boxes. In his words, “The red rocks were calling my name. Who could say no to that?”
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR, AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor
Jordan Nelson
Guide: Rafting
Jordan is an enthusiastic and experienced river guide with a passion for the outdoors. Fluent in Spanish, she has guided river trips in Wyoming, worked for a law firm, and completed expeditions with NOLS. In addition to rafting and climbing in Moab, Jordan is also pursuing a college degree in Tennessee.
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, Wilderness First Aid, CPR
Sierra Carmelich
Guide: Rafting
Sierra is a senior at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, earning a degree in Recreation Administration with an emphasis in Scuba Diving Leadership. When she’s not out exploring the ocean floor, you can always find her somewhere enjoying the amazing outdoors. She’s an avid snowboarder, swimmer, hiker and climber, and has explored over 30 different countries on this fascinating planet. She’s excited to meet each of our guests and guide them on their Moab adventure!
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, First Aid, CPR
Tate Tomlinson
Guide: Rafting
Tate discovered her love of water early in life. She spends her time paddle boarding, wake surfing, skiing, touring, and of course rafting. Having grown up all over the world she has seen some incredible landscapes, but none have her heart like the Moab desert. When she’s not studying Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah you can find her in the mountains climbing, camping, or skiing. Tate is always up for an adventure and is stoked to share her love of the outdoors with new people all summer!
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, First Aid, CPR
Andrew Navarre
Guide: Rafting
Andrew was born and raised in Plano, Texas. He has an associate’s degree in Tourism and Outdoor Leadership from Central Oregon Community College and is currently a senior at Oregon State University, studying Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership. Andrew’s hobbies include fishing, rafting, kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing. He is passionate about the outdoors and loves sharing that experience with others. He is goofy and fun-loving, but most importantly, he was part of a Mötley Crüe cover band when he was 16.
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, ACA Flatwater Rescue, WFR, CPR
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 conjunction 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 their two children are happy to call Moab home year-round.
Certifications: Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, WFR, CPR
Rock Guides and Instructors
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 the many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing and kayaking quickly became passions, and in 2003, he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Red River added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, followed by skiing trips in 2016. Carl climbs rock, ice, mixed, and alpine, ski tours, and rafts with equal vigor.
Certifications: Licensed Utah and 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: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Adam has been part of the Red River Adventures crew since April 2010. Right from the start, Adam showed the initiative it takes to be a great guide and trip leader by hiring and adding himself to our roster of guides.
A canyoneer and river junkie, addicted to good music and great friends, we are lucky he hired himself. In the winter, his days are spent riding Wasatch Powder, with nights in the cab of a groomer building features at Brighton.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, WFR, CPR
Mary Eden
Guide: Climbing | Indian Creek Crack Clinics | Owner, Big Beauty Pitches Productions
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 excited for every new season!
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Brian Johnson
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Straight out of Cazenovia, New York, Brian has a chipper old soul. Since he was a kid, he’s enjoyed spending all of his time scrambling rocks around New York. Since moving to Moab, he has developed a passion for climbing big sandstone rocks. Although a rock enthusiast, Brian fell in love with the water when he took his first trip down the Arkansas River in Colorado.
Brian is an all-around outdoor junkie and is always up for new adventures!
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Nate Foulger
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Three phrases that describe Nate: adrenaline junkie, outdoor addict, and tacos. 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 Tucson, 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: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Kenzie Knippers
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Born in Oklahoma and raised in Arizona, Kenzie currently attends Arizona State University, studying Marketing. Kenzie is an extremely easy-going person but will probably make friends with your dog before introducing herself. In her spare time, she enjoys a steep hike, climbing some rock, or a day at the lake. Overall she is most proud of her ability to catch on quickly to new activities, as well as her work as a Catalina Island Marine Institute counselor.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Hunter Corliss
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Originally from Sudbury, Massachusetts, Hunter is very interested in taking in the beauty of the outdoors with his camera. He is most passionate about rock climbing, ice climbing, and skiing, and he is always happy outside on a sunny day!
An accomplished photographer, he has won a Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Key award for his work.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, WFR, CPR
Chase Wehrenberg
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Born and raised on the plains of western Oklahoma, Chase has always longed to live, work, and play in the mountains. His wife and fur baby have finally committed to the great state of Utah in 2021. His passion for the outdoor recreation industry started in college, and after graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma, he worked as a guide in Yangshuo, China. He has also been honing his passions and skills as a backpacker and growing his professional and recreational outdoor experience. Some of his greatest accomplishments include placing in Horseshoe Canyon’s “24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell,” a climbing competition; completing a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail in 2020; and serving his wife with a well-cooked meal as often as possible. When he is not at work, you can find him climbing with friends, exploring landscapes, or relaxing somewhere by a fire.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
John Lemnotis
Guide: Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Split Board, Ski
John began his life in the outdoors on the East Coast, learning to ski and snowboard on a small hometown hill, and eventually ditching class whenever possible to escape to the grey bird slopes of Vermont’s resorts. Despite the call of the mountains, John finished 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 he began pursuing a full AMGA certification.
Certifications: Certified Ski Guide, Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, Pharm.D.
Jonathan Vickers
Guide: Climbing and Canyoneering
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, whether it involves movement coaching, guiding or storytelling.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, WFR, B.A. News Editorial, M.A. Science of Journalism, Licensed Utah River Guide
Amos Whiting
Guide and Instructor: AMGA SPI courses and exams, AIARE 2
Owner, Aspen Expeditions | IFMGA Mountain Guide
Amos is a 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 Red River Adventures.
Certifications: IFMGA, AAIRE level Yoda, WFR
John Kear
Guide and Instructor: AMGA SPI courses and exams
Owner, Suntoucher Mountain Guides | IFMGA Mountain Guide
John is a 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, New Mexico. He continues to share his experience, knowledge, and mastery of the mountains, both as an instructor team-member for the American Mountain Guides Association, and as the owner and head guide for Suntoucher Mountain Guides.
Certifications: IFMGA, WFR
Canyoneering Guides
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 the many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing and kayaking quickly became passions, and in 2003, he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Red River added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, followed by skiing trips in 2016. Carl climbs rock, ice, mixed, and alpine, ski tours, and rafts with equal vigor.
Certifications: Licensed Utah and 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: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Adam has been part of the Red River Adventures crew since April 2010. Right from the start, Adam showed the initiative it takes to be a great guide and trip leader by hiring and adding himself to our roster of guides.
A canyoneer and river junkie, addicted to good music and great friends, we are lucky he hired himself. In the winter, his days are spent riding Wasatch Powder, with nights in the cab of a groomer building features at Brighton.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, WFR, CPR
Brian Johnson
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Straight out of Cazenovia, New York, Brian has a chipper old soul. Since he was a kid, he’s enjoyed spending all of his time scrambling rocks around New York. Since moving to Moab, he has developed a passion for climbing big sandstone rocks. Although a rock enthusiast, Brian fell in love with the water when he took his first trip down the Arkansas River in Colorado.
Brian is an all-around outdoor junkie and is always up for new adventures!
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Nate Foulger
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Three phrases that describe Nate: adrenaline junkie, outdoor addict, and tacos. 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 Tucson, 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: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Kenzie Knippers
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Born in Oklahoma and raised in Arizona, Kenzie currently attends Arizona State University, studying Marketing. Kenzie is an extremely easy-going person but will probably make friends with your dog before introducing herself. In her spare time, she enjoys a steep hike, climbing some rock, or a day at the lake. Overall she is most proud of her ability to catch on quickly to new activities, as well as her work as a Catalina Island Marine Institute counselor.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Hunter Corliss
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Originally from Sudbury, Massachusetts, Hunter is very interested in taking in the beauty of the outdoors with his camera. He is most passionate about rock climbing, ice climbing, and skiing, and he is always happy outside on a sunny day!
An accomplished photographer, he has won a Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Key award for his work.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, WFR, CPR
Chase Wehrenberg
Guide: Rafting, Climbing and Canyoneering
Born and raised on the plains of western Oklahoma, Chase has always longed to live, work, and play in the mountains. His wife and fur baby have finally committed to the great state of Utah in 2021. His passion for the outdoor recreation industry started in college, and after graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma, he worked as a guide in Yangshuo, China. He has also been honing his passions and skills as a backpacker and growing his professional and recreational outdoor experience. Some of his greatest accomplishments include placing in Horseshoe Canyon’s “24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell,” a climbing competition; completing a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail in 2020; and serving his wife with a well-cooked meal as often as possible. When he is not at work, you can find him climbing with friends, exploring landscapes, or relaxing somewhere by a fire.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Licensed Utah River Guide, WFR, CPR
Jonathan Vickers
Guide: Climbing and Canyoneering
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, whether it involves movement coaching, guiding or storytelling.
Certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide, WFR, B.A. News Editorial, M.A. Science of Journalism, Licensed Utah River Guide
Ice Guides
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 the many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing and kayaking quickly became passions, and in 2003, he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Red River added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, followed by skiing trips in 2016. Carl climbs rock, ice, mixed, and alpine, ski tours, and rafts with equal vigor.
Certifications: Licensed Utah and 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 Climbing, Ice Climbing, Split Board, Ski
John began his life in the outdoors on the East Coast, learning to ski and snowboard on a small hometown hill, and eventually ditching class whenever possible to escape to the grey bird slopes of Vermont’s resorts. Despite the call of the mountains, John finished 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 he began pursuing a full AMGA certification.
Certifications: Certified Ski Guide, Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, Pharm.D.
Ski Guides and Instructors
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 the many other outdoor activities that Utah has to offer. Climbing and kayaking quickly became passions, and in 2003, he started Red River Adventures and began rafting operations. Red River added climbing and canyoneering trips to the mix in 2005, followed by skiing trips in 2016. Carl climbs rock, ice, mixed, and alpine, ski tours, and rafts with equal vigor.
Certifications: Licensed Utah and 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 Climbing, Ice Climbing, Split Board, Ski
John began his life in the outdoors on the East Coast, learning to ski and snowboard on a small hometown hill, and eventually ditching class whenever possible to escape to the grey bird slopes of Vermont’s resorts. Despite the call of the mountains, John finished 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 he began pursuing a full AMGA certification.
Certifications: Certified Ski Guide, Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide, Pharm.D.
Amos Whiting
Guide and Instructor: AMGA SPI courses and exams, AIARE 2
Owner, Aspen Expeditions | IFMGA Mountain Guide
Amos is a 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 Red River Adventures.
Certifications: IFMGA, AAIRE level Yoda, WFR
John Kear
Guide and Instructor: AMGA SPI courses and exams
Owner, Suntoucher Mountain Guides | IFMGA Mountain Guide
John is a 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, New Mexico. He continues to share his experience, knowledge, and mastery of the mountains, both as an instructor team-member for the American Mountain Guides Association, and as the owner and head guide for Suntoucher Mountain Guides.
Certifications: IFMGA, WFR