Cimarron Anderson
Founder & Guide
Born and raised in the flatlands of Minnesota, Cimarron fell in love with the mountains and canyons of the Western United States at an early age on a family trip. She moved West in high school and has lived in the mountains and deserts ever since. Cimarron has over two decades of experience working as an outdoor guide, trainer, and operations expert within the Western US, particularly, the Intermountain Rockies, Colorado Plateau, Southwest, and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies, emphasizing Wildlife Biology and Public Land Management. Her soul sings when she is among the wild things and she loves to share the deep connection, inspiration, and contentment that comes from being in nature. Cimarron is a certified holistic nutritionist, yoga therapist, and licensed massage therapist as well. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder and received REI’s Top Guide Award in 2018.
Sarah Hardy
Guide
Born and raised in the mountains of New Hampshire, Sarah grew up with a deep fondness for the outdoors. Her family fostered this passion; she spent many of her adolescent days outside with the family horses, exploring with her four siblings. They instilled in her a love for skiing, hiking, and all things learned from time spent outside. In early adulthood, Sarah took her outdoor pursuits to the next level, spending seasons working at ski resorts in Colorado and Vermont. In these places, Sarah was able to hone her craft, teaching ski lessons and coaching ski racing. She has been on countless outdoor adventures in the U.S. but also has a passion for international travel. She has had opportunities to backpack in New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Southeast Asia. Sarah has a passion for empowering individuals to get outside of their comfort zone in the outdoors. From two years of solo traveling in Australia and New Zealand to her 35-day solo experience thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. These experiences inspired her guiding endeavors and furthered her desire to connect diverse groups of people with wild spaces. When she is without a pack, she enjoys communal cooking, live music, and plein air painting in Yellowstone. Sarah’s appreciation for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem fuels her creative endeavors as a local artist and inspires her to share her passion for the outdoors with others. Sarah is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Mike Kmit
Guide
Mike has been leading hiking and backpacking trips since 2017. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mike moved to Phoenix in 2010 and has been an avid lover of the desert wilderness ever since. Mike has spent most of his adult life guiding camping trips in and around the National Parks of the Colorado Plateau and the Rocky Mountains. He has a keen interest in geology, native history, and all things music! When he’s not guiding, Mike enjoys playing guitar, fly fishing, and volunteering for Tonto National Forest’s Superstition Wilderness where many of his formative outdoor experiences have taken place. Mike is a certified Wilderness First Responder, an NAI certified Interpretive Guide, and an overall swell fella that loves spending time outside and is excited to join you on your next adventure! Mike received the REI Guide of the Year Award in 2022.
Colin Pleasants
Guide
Based in Missoula, MT, Colin is an outdoor industry professional with over 10 years of experience. He has commercially guided both front and backcountry trips in Yellowstone National Park, a place he considers truly one of a kind. Colin has an Appalachian Trail thru-hike under his belt, along with countless nights spent camping all over the United States. In his free time, you’ll find him working on bikes or playing his guitar. His favorite outdoor memory is seeing the northern lights for the first time! Colin is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Rachel Dargis
Guide
Rachel guides and operates our Yosemite Half Dome backpacking trips. She is the owner and lead guide of Sierra Soul Adventures, based in Yosemite National Park. She brings nearly a decade of experience in the outdoor industry, including almost ten years with REI, where she honed her guiding and outdoor education expertise. Specializing in custom backpacking adventures, Rachel is dedicated to teaching the technical skills that empower you to confidently explore the backcountry on your own. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder with nine years of experience, prioritizing safety and risk management in all her trips. Known for her warmth and approachable nature, Rachel has a unique ability to connect with people, always offering a helping hand and a friendly smile. Rachel received the REI Guide of the Year award in 2023.
Casey High
Guide
Casey has been guiding unforgettable outdoor adventures since 2016, leading groups through some of the most awe-inspiring places in the western U.S., from the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone to the towering cliffs of Zion and the ancient canyons of the Grand Canyon. Certified as a Wilderness First Responder, Casey is all about showing people the beauty of the wild while keeping them safe, well-fed, and entertained with captivating stories and cool facts. Though he grew up in North Texas, it wasn’t until he moved to the Rocky Mountains that he truly fell in love with the outdoors. A linguistics grad from the University of Oklahoma, Casey has since called a variety of places home, from Oregon to Colorado to Arizona, each one deepening his connection to the diverse landscapes and rich cultures of the West. Whether hiking through the high desert, hunting for hidden waterfalls in Oregon, or exploring remote backcountry trails, he finds endless inspiration in the wild places he calls home. Casey received the REI Guide of the Year Award in 2022.