 |
| Shopping Cart | Checkout | Customer Service | Policies | About Us | Home |
 |
About Canyons & CragsGear • Guides • Training OUR STAFF Rich Carlson, Instructor In 1990 Rich gave up on corporate life and started guiding full time. He soon learned that he is happiest when he is teaching outdoor skills like climbing, rappelling, canyoneering, technical rope rescue, land navigation and wilderness survival. His students have included individuals, corporate groups, search and rescue teams, backcountry rangers, law enforcement angencies and the military. Rich has built a reputation as the most experienced professional canyoneering guide and instructor in the United States. In the spring of 1999 he became the first American to be certified as a canyoning guide in Europe. He subsequently founded the American Canyoneering Association and continues to serve as the association's president. Rich's experience in team building began in the mid 1980's with Leadership Reaction Courses in the military. He has since facilitated programs for numerous companies, including many from the Fortune 500. Rich's qualifications include:
Rich's adventures and courses have been featured in the media around the world. He has also served as a technical consultant for many news stories, feature articles, film projects and photo shoots. A partial list includes: 
We have had the privilege of serving many diverse client groups from companies of all sizes in a wide spectrum of industries. We look forward to the privilege of serving you as well. A partial list of our corporate and institutional clients includes:
Client Comments Thousands of clients and students from around the world have participated in our courses and adventures since 1990. Here's what some of them had to say about their experience: "We know these activities take good strategic planning, and we are glad we hired you for this event - we were definitely in capable hands. The positive feedback is to Wilderness Adventures' credit, and we would highly recommend Rich and his organization." "The creativity displayed by your organization was exceptional. The MBA students really enjoyed the opportunity to meet their fellow MBA students in an informal setting. They also expressed a great appreciation for the team building, group communication and problem solving skills they developed throughout the day." "The team building program exceeded all of our expectations. Wilderness Adventures will be a valuable resource for our meetings throughout the country." "The canyoneering adventure was the most incredible thing we have ever done. The guides were terrific and made all of us first-timers feel very safe. Those who were able to participate have not stopped talking about it. Now many other people in the office are asking to schedule another adventure next year." "Both days proved to be exciting and wonderful. Our guide was obviously very experienced, knowledgeable and patient. The hike and climb was probably one of the most exciting things I have done - incredible!" "Your presentation was exceptionally informative and entertaining, as I am sure was evident to you by the complete involvement of those of us present. I am truly disappointed for those members not present who missed such valuable information and such an enjoyable program." "I thoroughly enjoyed your rock climbing class. It was fabulous. I was very impressed with your knowledge, expertise and confidence." "Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that I really enjoyed your course. Thanks for your patience. You are a great teacher. I have found in the past that just because one has the knowledge on something, doesn't mean they have the ability to convey that information to others in a way they can retain it. You actually have the gift. I know I retained more that I thought I would. It was a pleasure spending those three days under your guidance." "Excellent course. Well thought out. I felt I learned a great deal and had a lot of fun doing it." "I am really impressed with not only the skills and techniques but the fact that you put together such a great course. You did a great job and I learned a lot." "Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that I really enjoyed your course. Thanks for your patience. You are a great teacher. I have found in the past that just because one has the knowledge on something, doesn't mean they have the ability to convey that information to others in a way they can retain it. You actually have the gift. I know I retained more that I thought I would. It was a pleasure spending those three days under your guidance." "This course will easily become the standard by which any other canyoneering course will be judged. It was amazing that the professional mountaineering guides found a lot to learn, but the pace was such that a neophyte like me could also pick things up quickly." "I have been a rock climber for over a decade and didn't really expect to learn anything new. Was I ever wrong. I didn't realize that there were so many specialized systems employed in canyoneering. All of it makes sense. Rock climbing systems are fine for dry rock, but not at all appropriate in a canyon - especially if there is water present." "Maybe I shouldn't say this since I'm planning to take more courses in the future, but your fees are too low. I learned more in three days than I have in my first six years of canyoneering with friends. The course is worth at least twice what you are charging. Kudos." "Your devotion to the sport and your concern for your students was very apparent during the course. The entire canyoneering community is in your debt for the fine work you are doing." "It was immediately obvious that your instructors are not just canyoneers, turned guides, turned instructors. The course structure and quality of instruction was as good or better than any college course I have ever taken. Very professional." "My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the course and now have a new rule for choosing canyoneering partners -- graduates of your courses only. You guys are the real deal and you are raising the bar for all canyoneers." "Even though I have climbed for 15 years, I learned a lot of new, cool techniques. Wow! Great course." "This was definitely an eye-opening experience into understanding how much there really is to canyoneering. It was a challenging week with tons and tons of information and skills to be learned. Thank you for taking extra time and effort in seeing I understood things clearly. I'm very pleased with the setup of the course. I had so much fun - the canyon trips were excellent. My excitement for canyoneering has greatened even more." "Excellent course. Well thought out. I felt I learned a great deal and had a lot of fun doing it." "The cumulative structure of the course was right on. We had three opportunities to learn each technique - classroom (camp), controlled situation (bridge), then actual application in the canyons." "This was a great opportunity for me to get exposure to a myriad of new techniques for use in future canyoneering exploits. The experience and perspective of the instructors added another dimension and contributed greatly to the value of the course." "It's unbelievable how much we have learned in one week. Great teaching and patience displayed by all instructors. Great body of knowledge taught. Good hands-on experience. Good pace and sequence of topics." "I am really impressed with not only the skills and techniques but the fact that you put together such a great course. You did a great job and I learned a lot." "In all my years of guiding I've learned to use many varied anchor systems. In just one day of the course I learned three new and efficient ones specially adapted to canyoneering." "I wanted to thank you again for the course on technical canyoneering last weekend. It truly was a great course and I am very glad I took it. I learned so much that I think I went into information-overload. So I tried to focus on the main principles you reinforced in the scenarios more than anything else: repetition, repetition, repetition. I guess I am writing because I am so grateful. I have been on the ACA website these last few days and I have noticed how much effort you put into the site, promoting the sport and the proper techniques. Thanks, it has opened up a whole new world for me."
|
|||||
| Copyright © 2010Canyons & Crags . All Rights Reserved.
|
||||||
