Since completing an M.S. degree in Wildlife Science, Steve Gehman has pursued a career that involves intensive study of wildlife and efforts to help others expand their understanding and appreciation of wild animals and wild places. Steve has worked as an instructor for the Yosemite Institute and for the Wildlands Studies Program of San Francisco State University. Steve’s wildlife research includes studies of grizzly bears and elk in the Northern Rockies; tundra birds, wolves, bears, muskoxen, and caribou on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; and brown bears on Kodiak Island.

Steve will be guiding the New Year's in Yellowstone tours.

Dr. Michael R. Pelton is Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Science in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee. Dr. Pelton taught a variety of courses during his tenure and continues to teach in the UT Noncredit Program, Smoky Mountain Field School, the National Wildlife Federation's Annual Conservation Summit, and periodically with the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. His 29-year study in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the longest continuous study of any bear species in the world. Mike and his wife Tamra now reside on their mountain farm in western Virginia where he enjoys a wide variety of activities in the out-of-doors including hiking, gardening, fishing, hunting, and canoeing.

Dick Rasp earned a degree in wildlife biology from Humboldt State University. He lives in Belize on 28 acres along the Belize River with his wife Peggy, four dogs, and a kinkajou named Kipa. He grows pitaya cactus (also known as “dragon fruit” or “strawberry pear”) for sale in local markets. In 2000, Dick retired from a 32-year career with the National Park Service and moved to Belize from Hawaii, where for eleven years he served as Chief of Interpretation at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Prior to that, he was the Chief of Interpretation at Redwood National Park, also for eleven years. Other assignments included Pinnacles National Monument, Everglades National Park, Fort Jefferson National Monument (now Dry Tortugas National Park), Hot Springs and Shenandoah national parks. While at Redwood and Hawaii Volcanoes, he wrote two natural history publications. Dick is an adventurous person who loves to dive, kayak, walk forest trails, and explore Mayan ruins. Since his retirement he has experienced some of the immense biodiversity of Belize and photographed numerous native orchids and wildlife. He enjoys helping people develop emotional and intellectual connections to the natural and cultural resources of Belize.

Gail is a veteran guide who has been leading trips both in the American West and to exotic locations internationally for individuals and small groups. Prior to guiding, Gail worked in Yellowstone National Park as group tour supervisor, snowcoach driver and guide, bus tour guide, and travel and information supervisor. Gail is extremely knowledgeable about ecology, geology, wildlife, and history of the West. Gail received a B.A. in English and history and an M.A. in English from the University of Nebraska, and her personal interests include hiking, backpacking, skiing, politics, and more recently, scuba diving in tropical locales. Gail met her husband, John, while they were both working at Old Faithful, and they and their beloved dogs now call Bozeman home.

Gail will be guiding the Adventures Afoot in Big Bend tour and the Utah Canyon Lands tour.

Betsy Robinson has degrees in Community Recreation and Ecology and has worked as a wildlife biologist and teacher over the past 12 years. Her field research includes bird surveys in Prince William Sound after the 1989 oil spill, breeding bird surveys, grizzly bear research on Kodiak Island in Alaska, a bear research project in Glacier National Park, and a forest carnivore study in Yellowstone National Park. She has also worked off and on with the Yellowstone Gray wolf recovery since its beginning in 1995. Betsy is also a naturalist guide, leading natural history tours and birding tours in Alaska, the Rocky Mountain West and the Southwest, Texas, and California since 1992.

Betsy will be guiding the New Year's in Yellowstone tour.

George Robinson, earned a degree from San Jose State University in biological science with a major in wildlife management and is a second generation National Park Service naturalist & interpreter. George served for ten years as the Chief of Interpretation at Yellowstone National Park as well as Chief of Interpretation in Everglades National Park, Florida, and Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota. He was also one of the first professional interpretive planners stationed at the Harpers Ferry Center in West Virginia. In that capacity George was involved in developing interpretive plans for several new and existing units of the National Park System, among them, Crater Lake National Park, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mammoth Cave National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. He has also worked in Glacier, Sequoia-Kings Canyon, and Lassen Volcanic National parks. Since his retirement, George has served as a private consultant and freelance writer. He is the author or co-author of 15 natural history publications. George is an expert on Belize and its natural systems and will be moving there permanently in 2008.

If they gave trophies for “most energetic guide,” Hugh Rose would have a cabin-full. A resident of Fairbanks, Hugh has photographed and lived in northern climes most of his life. He left a ten-year career in geology to explore and photograph the vast landscapes and wildlife of the north. His sense of aesthetics is matched by his sense of humor, and he is as knowledgeable about the Northland as he is enthusiastic.

Hugh will be guiding the Exhilarating Alaskan Excursions tours. 

Michael Sanders, President and Founder of Environmental Adventure Company, offers a vast collection of experiences in wildlife & resource management. He has worked as a wildlife biologist for Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Everglades, and Grand Canyon National Parks, and has become a foremost authority on human/mountain lion interactions. His work has brought him local, national, and international recognition. He has led trips throughout the Northern Hemisphere including whales in Baja, polar bears in Manitoba, and the aurora borealis at the Arctic Circle. In addition, Michael has achieved an expertise in photography, being published in numerous magazines and newspapers nationwide. His special interest in photography and group dynamics, coupled with his Masters degree in natural resource management provides an outstanding foundation for his guide experience and adventure travel. Michael and his wife live in the mountains outside Livingston, Montana.

Leslie Stoltz was raised in the Finger Lakes region of New York State and moved to Yellowstone National Park in 1979. She has lived in Montana ever since, currently residing in Big Sky. Her degree in biology, coupled with her field and naturalist guide work provide her knowledge base as well as a deep love and respect for the parks of the American West. Over the years, Leslie has taught and guided cross country ski tours in the Greater Yellowstone area, participated in grizzly bear studies in Glacier National Park, and led many natural history trips for Off the Beaten Path. In addition, Leslie has guided trips to far away lands, including Alaska, Nepal, Tanzania and Ecuador. Passion for wild country has led Leslie on several extensive wilderness trips. We are sure that your time with Leslie will be fun, educational and inspirational.

Ericka Swenson grew up in California and spent much of her time traveling both nationally and internationally. Some of her favorite parts of the world are in the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest. Traveling is her passion and she feels that the only thing better than getting out and exploring on her own, is sharing her experiences with others.

Ericka will be guiding the Yosemite & the Merced River tour.

Kurt Westenbarger traveled much of the United States before finally settling in Montana in 1970. He attended Montana State University, Bozeman, where he began guiding recreational and educational outings for camping, backpacking, river running, and Nordic skiing. After graduating with a degree in photography and relocating to West Yellowstone in 1986, Kurt turned to guiding and writing full-time. Today, Kurt leads private educational tours covering everything from the region’s diverse geology, flora and fauna, to the Lewis & Clark expedition, the 1877 Nez Perce flight, and the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. He also teaches several regional topics for Western Montana College in Dillon, where he currently resides. His articles on recreation, history and natural history have appeared in Bicycling, Outdoor Life, Montana Magazine, West Yellowstone News and Big Sky’s Lone Peak Lookout. His experience as a guide, writer, photographer, and teacher has given him unique insights and understanding, and a great base of knowledge from which to answer just about any question.

Kurt will be guiding the Photo Safari in Yellowstone tour.

Having spent the past ten summers leading hiking and wildlife viewing expeditions in Denali National Park, Fritz brings in-depth knowledge of Alaskan wildlife, botany, and history to our Alaska tours. Fritz and his wife, Marianne, live year-round at the entrance to Denali National Park and have lots of stories to share about life in Alaska.

Fritz will be guiding the Exhilarating Alaskan Excursions tour.