Juneau shore excursions and hiking tours | Alaska's Premier Hiking Company

Meet our Guides

Our Staff

Our guides are what make Gastineau Guiding so extraordinary. Take a hike or walk with us and you’ll be inspired by your guide’s passion and knowledge. Our guides spend all day everyday in the rainforest and mountains of Southeast Alaska. They truly value the opportunity to share this precious place with you, here, where daily life and breath-taking nature still exist hand in hand.

Our guide’s knowledge stems from simple, pure enthusiasm and appreciation for this magnificent place we call home. Coming from varied experiences and walks of life, each guide completes our annual Spring training. They immerse themselves in workshops, discussions, and books about Juneau’s natural and cultural histories. Many guides also complete a course with the National Association of Interpretation to become Certified Interpretive Guides. Each guide then adds his or her specific areas of interest, expertise and style and personal stories.

Truly believing in the privilege and importance of sharing Southeast Alaska’s nature with other people, many of our guides hit the trails with visitors year after year. Our small company is quite a close-knit family of outdoor enthusiasts.

	Lauren Champagne, Naturalist Guide In 1990 there was little white Honda civic loaded with outdoor gear and a dog named Sheba aboard the AK Marine Highway headed for Juneau. At last, a life long dream to explore more of Alaska, its mountains and wilderness were coming true. I left the Green Mountains of Vermont and began a continuous adventure in the wilds here. My healthcare professional life has been rewarding and it also was mostly indoors, leading me to pursue trail guiding with people who shared curiosity in uncovering the spectacular treasures here on a daily basis. In addition to wandering our local trails, I enjoy sea kayaking Southeast waters, camping and cross country skiing winter mornings on Mendenhall Lake.
	Steve White, Boat Captain I grew up in Ohio and Michigan and began my maritime career as a captain of a charter sailing boat on the Great Lakes. After college, I served as a U.S. Navy frogman and then attended law school. Thirty one years ago, I moved to Alaska. On the Last Frontier, I have worked as a driver, commercial fisherman, college instructor, and Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alaska. For the past four years, I have captained boats and performed as the Manager of Marine Operations for Gastineau Guiding Company. In 2007, I married Gastineaus Office Manager, BJ. Together, we have five children and four grandchildren. We enjoy spending our off-seasons in the southwest U.S. or in New Zealand and Australia.
	Dave Hedden, Driver After teaching in the department of engineering technology and mathematical sciences for 25 years at Appalachian State University, I moved to Tennessee where I worked as a research engineer until retiring from the University of Tennessee in 2006. I still work as a consultant at Oak Ridge National Lab during the winter where I bicycle 12 miles to work each day. Ive hiked about half of the Appalachian Trail and Ive sailed all the east coast of the US as well as most of the Caribbean. I love to fly fish and I currently live on my 27 foot sail boat while working in Alaska.
	Alida Bus, Naturalist Guide Alida found her naturalizing roots right here in Juneau. Growin up in wilderness breeds a free spirit, you know. Now with a degree in sustainability, I've got something to show. Outside for adventure, solitude, rejuvination, exercise, beauty, wonder, or learning I go. A passion for sharing this place with people makes all of us guides glow. North to the Future--come explore Southeast with a true Alaskan sourdough!
	Susanne Badilla, Naturalist Guide I have lived in Alaska for 30 years, 20 of those in Juneau. When I first came out from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest to attend college at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington I knew Id come home. I have a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science, am married and have three children. I enjoy sharing our rainforest, glacier, mountains and everything in between with visitors.
	Brandon Hauser, Photography Guide Im from New Hampshire and have an amazing family. Everyday I find that my drive to create astounding images becomes stronger. I feel that photographers see differently and attempt to become aware of life on an alternate level. I will never lose the innocence and dangerously inventive power of a childs heart. I want to travel, work, and live fully submerged within this earth. Alaska has provided me with some intense stomping grounds. I will be filling my web site with recent AK photos come Oct. brandonhauser.com
	Naomi Judd, Naturalist Guide Juneau was a five-month block of time marked on my calendar and three years later, I'm still here. With my self-designed Bachelors degree combining outdoor adventure education and journalism, Juneau has been a place of inspiration and adventure for my writing. Having been a guide on the Mendenhall glacier and now a hiking guide/ naturalist on the trails I can't imagine my life without the beauty of this place. When I'm not on the trails I might be climbing, sea kayaking, practicing yoga on the glacier or just sipping tea in the Alaska rain forest. Some of my writing can be found at www.naomimahalajudd.com
	Nate Heck, Naturalist Guide Nate's love for adventure and the outdoors started at the young age of five. His father worked for the Mendocino National Forest, and his summers were spent studying the forest with the resident biologist. Nate holds a degree in Natural Resources Interpretation and a K-8 teaching credential. It was during the summer of 1995 that Nate first traveled to Alaska. The beauty of Alaskas temperate rainforest astounded him and he has returned ever since to work as a guide. Nate has guided glaciers, rivers, mountains, and oceans in southeast Alaska. "There are few places that you can find the scenery so stunning and the wildlife so active, and that all happens here in southeast Alaska." Nate enjoys traveling, teaching, and sharing his experiences with others.
	Alicia Mallo, Naturalist Photography Guide I have a degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Marine studies. My interest in photography was sparked at a young age and eventually led to field projects and underwater assignments using photography as a tool for research. I have dedicated the past 8 years with a camera in hand on the sea, studying cetaceans in the North and South Pacific.
	Beth Peluso, Naturalist Guide I've lived in Juneau for 3 years and love it. I work for an environmental nonprofit full-time. I'm an avid birder, so I tend to run short on sleep in the spring and summer when the birds return. I teach fencing (yes, the kind with swords!) for the Community Schools program.
	Bob Janes, Owner/Operator I have resided in Juneau since 1965. With my wife Dawn, we founded Gastineau Guiding in 1994 "as a way to keep fit and stay in touch with nature's lessons". In the summer, you're likely to find me roaming the trails with my camera, driving a classic white school bus, or sharing stories about Juneau with visitors on the dock.
	Chad Kruzic, Naturalist Photography Guide In photography I seek to document my own personal experiences and to share with others the beauty and diversity of the world. As the images of other photographers have inspired me to explore the world, I hope my own contributions will inspire others to do the same. I currently live in Alaska and Hawaii.
	Dan Hopson, Naturalist Guide I came to Alaska from New York State in 1970 and unexpectedly landed a job with Alaska Department of Fish & Game the first day off the ferry. Along the way my classical guitar-playing evolved from a hobby to a gig traveling around Alaska with a violinist to private guitar teaching and eventually to a teaching position at University of Alaska Southeast and regular weekend performances at the Baranof Hotel. My old piano teacher, who gave up on me back in the late 1950's, would probably be rolling her eyes at the thought. Somehow the balance of naturalist/ trail-guiding and classical guitar works for me and life in Alaska has never been dull.
	Dawn Wolfe, Owner/Operator My two week vacation to Juneau in 1980 still hasn't ended. I've somehow managed to become the administrative lifeline of Gastineau Guiding. When not playing softball or enjoying the outdoors with our twins, I'm likely to be filling in at the Nature Center, or buried in piles of paperwork at our downtown office.
	Elisabeth Wertheimer, Operations Manager/Guide I like skunk cabbage!
	Erik Daun, Naturalist Guide I arrived in Alaska in 1996 on a cruise ship - all those sunny days in Juneau have kept me here ever since! I've worked four seasons with the National Park Service as an interpretive/backcountry ranger and three seasons with Gastineau Guiding as an interpretive/guide.
	Gene Harrison, Naturalist Guide I am now living the life of a retired career executive, having once and for all left corporate America. These days I make my living as an artist and as an interpreter; in both disciplines sharing my understanding of and love for the Tongass National Forest. You can see some of my work here, http://www.artisan-santafe.com
	Jami Likins, Lead Guide Although I did not choose it, I am a fourth generation Juneauite, having grown up in the heart of town on South Franklin Street. I was presented with Juneau's "Guide of the Year" award following the 2003 season. All I can say is I try to fill my tours with stories and perspective brought only by a lifelong Alaskan. Hope to see you out there.
	Jim Hammond, Naturalist Photography Guide I was sent on assignment to Alaska in 1975. I have yet to recover from that trip. After all these years,I am still in search of that perfect photograph. You are invited to join me.
	Linda Nicklin, Training Manager/Guide As a naturalist, educator and writer I have been with Gastineau Guiding from the beginning. I really enjoy helping to ensure the quality of our tours by providing guide training in naturally history and interpretive skills. When not working for Gastineau Guiding, I teach NAI interpretive skills courses, author books and act as a naturalist in various parts of the world. I also work with a humpback whale research project in Maui called Whale Trust. I endeavor to bring inspiration to our interpretive programs, both on the trail and at the Nature Center. I have also recently authored a National Geographic children book, "Face to Face with Dolphins".
	Liz Stahl, Naturalist Photo Guide I was born a California girl, lived in the country and was a card carrying member of save the whales from when I was about 8 years old 'till I was about 25. Married with two sons, we moved to Alaska in 2005. I was selling my pictures at the local Public Market when my work was noticed and it opened the door to this great job. Its what keeps me smilin' in Juneau. When I'm not working I love to travel, shoot photographs, read and crochet.
	Mikeala Rodriguez, Dock Rep/Guide I have been involved in a lovely whirlwind romance with Juneau since age 3. While not galivanting in Spanish-speaking countries I spend my winters studying Biology at Scripps College of Claremont, CA and my summers at home with the folks. Eventual plans include learning traditional medicine, eventually getting a MD, and practicing rural medicine in gorgeous Alaska.
	Molly George, Jack of all Trades I grew up in St. Louis. My Juneau favorites: Long summer days with evening kayaking and long winter nights curled up with good books. My husband and I reside in New Zealand during Alaska's winter furthering our education and prolonging the summer.
	Reza Kalani, Naturalist Guide My hobbies and interests include the ocean and the wilderness, riding waves, kayaking, hiking and backpacking, rock climbing, camping, cooking, reading, art, skateboarding, bike riding, photography, filming and editing. Being an outdoorsman and a science major is what brought me to Alaska, living here is a dream come true.
	Richard Stokes, Guide As a retired chemist, I have worked with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and I enjoy sharing a bit of my local knowledge. My summer days on the trails have lowered my cholesterol 30 points and kept my weight at a lean and mean (well, never mind).
	Richard Brigman, Naturalist Guide Born just over a year after V-J day, I am the typical goal driven, acquisitive baby boomer. A low lottery number started my 23 year military career which led directly to my 13 year business career. A couple of years ago, I was a reluctant cruise ship passenger until a Photo Safari in Juneau changed my life and led me to understand what John Muir meant when he said, "Going to the mountains is going home."
	Theresa Walden, Nature Center Manager I enjoy operating the Mount Roberts Nature Center during the summer months. Up here we'll tailor trail information to fit your needs and keep the bears at bay! Hopefully having dedicated involvement with the Nature Center for the past five years will make it one of your favorite places to shop and visit in Juneau.