OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CLUB - Key Persons
Beth has been leading hiking, backpacking and canoeing trips since college. She spent two years working with kids and teaching about outdoor education, wilderness skills, and guiding/teaching kids multi-sport activities (rock climbing, mountain biking, stand up paddle boarding, hiking, outdoor education, kayaking).
Beth came to the OAC in 2016 as a part-time guide and quickly became everyone's favorite guide. Her love for the outdoors, nature and people is contagious. Currently, she is a full-time senior guide and is an integral part of what makes us proud to do what we do. Beth has a BS in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and spent a semester as a NOLS Outdoor Educator in the Rockies. She holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder, in CPR/First Aid, Canoeing Level 1 Skills Assessment by the ACA, and a Leave No Trace Master Educator. She also spins a mean hula hoop and has a reputation for making the best guacamole around.
Forrest grew up in the mountains of northern New Mexico where he chose competitive skiing and rock climbing over the more traditional school sports. In 2008 he moved to Washington and fell in love with the alpine terrain where hiking, skiing, and climbing coexist. This led him to start guiding in 2012 and start teaching avalanche courses in 2017. In 2019, Forrest moved to California. As Forrest puts it, he gets excited about anything that involves vertical travel and loves sharing that with others. Among other accomplishments, he has over 50 Mt Rainier climbs under his belt, he has sailed across the Pacific Ocean, was a field member of the Seattle Mountain Rescue for 3 years, and worked as a professional balloon artist in college!
Forrest has a BS in Biology from the University of Washington, holds certification as an EMT, and is an AIARE avalanche instructor. He began working on his master's in global health in the fall of 2020.
Heather spent several years in Japan running an outdoor climbing program. She couldn't stay away from home for too long, so fortunately made her way back to the Bay Area. She is a Wilderness First Responder and been trained by the Professional Climbing Instructors Association, as well as the American Mountain Guides Association, through their Single Pitch Instructor course. She also knows just about every trail hiking trail the Bay Area. Heather has been guiding our hiking trips and the occasional rock climbing trip since 2011. She's an all-around outdoor leader with a great backcountry Pad Thai recipe! When not guiding, you'll find Heather spending time in the city with her family or out fly fishing.
Jennifer works in the office for the OAC. She handles almost anything that has to do with reservations, guest communications, accounts receivable, payroll, website, social media and marketing. Jennifer went on our Patagonia Rafting trip in 1998 as a guest, and has been involved with the OAC ever since. She loved it so much she even married the owner! Outside of the office, Jennifer enjoys snowboarding, swimming, and teaching ballet, and can be found on the occasional OAC rafting trip. You can reach Jennifer at jennifer@OutdoorAdventureClub.com.
Mike was born and raised in Orange County, California, where he grew up exploring the outdoors hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skate boarding and surfing. He has worked as a wilderness guide for a variety of outdoor companies in Oregon, Utah and California leading backpacking trips and a variety of wilderness activities. Next to backpacking, Mike's 2nd favorite outdoor activity is surfing and has surfed up and down the California coast and down into Baja. Mike holds a AAS degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education and a BS in Recreation Administration with a focus in Parks and Natural Resources Management. He is certified as a Wilderness First Responder/CPR and certified sea kayak instructor through the American Canoe Association. When not backpacking or surfing, you'll likely find Mike spending time with his wife, son, and his favorite adventure buddy, his Boykin Spaniel, Coda.
Job Titles:
- Owner and CFO ( Chief Fun Officer )
Since 1996, Richard has been the OAC's backwoods expert, climbing guide, splitboard guide, and a pretty good backcountry cook, too. Richard has climbed, skied, snowboarded and guided OAC trips all over the world including 4 of the "7 Summits" (Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali, and Elbrus). He's climbed extensively in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, and snowboarded down 24,000' peaks in China. He's surfed (poorly) on four continents as well.
Certifications and trainings that Richard holds or has held: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Top Rope Site Manager, AMGA Backcountry Ski Guide, AIARE Level 3 avalanche training, AIARE Avalanche Course leader, Wilderness First Responder, PSIA 1 Ski Instructor, and ACA Sea kayak instructor.
Richard is passionate about avalanche education and backcountry snowboarding. He served as the Executive Director of AIARE, and teaches for The Nickolay Dodov Foundation, Feather River College and Lake Tahoe Community College in addition to the Outdoor Adventure Club. Most of all, Richard loves connecting with people and sharing his knowledge with others. Join him on an upcoming trip or class! Richard can be reached at richard@OutdoorAdventureClub.com.
Sean was raised in Tahoe and grew up backpacking throughout the Sierra Mountains. He has been skiing since he learned to walk, eventually racing, ski patrolling, and coaching youth ski teams. He has a bachelors degree in Recreation Administration from California University Chico, and holds AIARE, Swiftwater Rescue, Rescue Diver and Technical Rope Rescue certificates. He is also a Cal Fire EMT. Pretty bad ass! When not guiding or working, you can find him hanging out at home or traveling to share his great appreciation for the backcountry with his wife and two kids.