Meet the Instructors

The instructors and guides at IWLS are professionals. They are special individuals who have a passion for being in the wilderness environment. They bring a wealth of experience from years of guiding throughout Alaska and the world to every course, and they genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge. Their skill and positive attitudes insure our students a great experience during their leadership and guide training courses. The following is a partial list of our guides’ accomplishments:

* More than 75 Mt McKinley expeditions (20,320 ft.).
* Extensive climbing, trekking, and skiing trips throughout the Wrangell, St.Elias, Alaska, and Fairweather ranges in Alaska.
* More than 80 expeditions to Aconcagua (22,829 ft.) in Argentina.
* Climbing expeditions and treks throughout Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan.
* Sea kayaking expeditions throughout Alaska, Mexico, Honduras and Greece.
* Guided technical climbing on objectives as varied as Ama Dablam (22,493 ft) in Nepal’s Everest region, and classic alpine rock routes on Patagonia’s infamous towers.
* Exploratory sea kayaking expeditions to Dundas and Taylor Bays in Glacier Bay National Park.
* 30-Day ski mountaineering trip from Skagway to Juneau Alaska. This was the 1st crossing of the Juneau Ice Cap from this direction.
* 25-day ski mountaineering trip from Mt. Fairweather to Haines Alaska crossing the remote Fairweather range.
* Climbs and treks throughout Greenland.
* Trekking in the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia.
* Treks throughout Chilean and Argentine Patagonia.
* Expedition to Broad Peak (8000 meters) in Pakistan.
* Cultural treks in Guatemala, Ecuador, Nepal, Pakistan, Greenland and Africa.
* Rafting trips in Pakistan, Alaska, Nepal, Africa, and Costa Rica.
* Multiple Climbs of the volcanoes of Ecuador.
* Expedition to Bogda Feng in Xinjiang, China.
* Multiple climbs of the volcanoes of Mexico.
* Training of US Army Special Forces in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah.
* Canoe trip down the Yukon River to Dawson with a team from National Geographic. The article is in National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s March/April 2001 issue.
* Expeditions to Mt Elbrus in Russia.
* Over 100 ascents of Mt Kilimanjaro.
* Multiple Ascents of Mt Vinson in Antarctica.

IWLS has over 50 instructors.  Below is a partial list of these special individuals.

Sean Gaffney

Sean is the IWLS Executive Director. He is an EMT and has been instructing and guiding for 25 years. He is an international climbing guide with more than 75 ascents of mountains over 18,000 feet including an alpine style climb of Ama Dablam in Nepal and a new route on Aconcagua in Argentina. Sean has led extensive skiing, rafting and trekking expeditions throughout North America.

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Jason Gaffney

As a Director, Jason has received accolades throughout North America for his expertise in risk management and program development. He teaches many of our professional programs including risk management seminars and professional incident response. He is an avid whitewater boater and rock climber with experience guiding and instructing around the world.

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Eli Fierer

Eli manages IWLS field operations. He has guided and instructed more than 10 years throughout North America, Alaska, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, and China. An EMT II, avalanche instructor, and accomplished teacher, Eli also leads many of our first aid and rescue courses.

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Zach Tarleton

Zach is the IWLS  operations manager. He enjoys skiing the deep powder at Alta and SE Alaska and rock climbing on the peaks in the Wasatch and Chilkat ranges. Zach is also a passionate fly fisher. He brings a wealth of knowledge of the IWLS programs and his enthusiasm and positive personality extends well beyond logistics.

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Brian Rougeux

Equally at home on the high peaks of South America or the granite cracks of Utah, Brian is an EMT and has been leading IWLS courses since 2005. He brings a wealth of skill and experience from instructing and guiding on Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, the Cordillera Blanca, the volcanoes of Ecuador and Mexico, and peaks throughout Alaska.

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Nathaniel Stephens

A WEMT, expert naturalist, ACA certified sea kayak instructor and an accomplished whitewater boater, Nathaniel has been guiding and instructing in Baja, Mexico and Alaska for more than 12 years. He is our University Program Coordinator, and he manages our sea kayak program.

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Since receiving her degree in Outdoor Education from Ohio University, Abbey has been leading mountaineering, backpacking, sea kayaking and ice climbing courses in Alaska with IWLS. She is an EMT and enjoys rock climbing and canyoneering in the Utah wilderness.

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Bob Daffe

Bob is a whitewater pioneer. He has over 30 years of experience in whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing. He is a Rescue 3 International instructor, a raft guide examiner, and a canoe and kayak instructor. When he isn’t leading whitewater in the Yukon, Bob can be found teaching courses in Nepal and Ecuador, or leading personal expeditions in Chile and Africa.

Bill Dwyer

Bill has ice climbed with kangaroos, guided expeditions to the highest peaks on three continents, and sea kayaked throughout Southeast Alaska. With over six years of wilderness education and teaching experience, Bill is at home in the outdoor classroom. Between organizing service programs in Tanzania and leading mountaineering courses in Argentina, Bill teaches English in Juneau, Alaska.

John Chitanda

John brings his high altitude experience and broad knowledge of local culture to the IWLS Tanzania programs. John is a fully licensed Kilimanjaro guide with over 200 ascents. He is a passionate supporter of education and community service on the mountain and in his home town of Moshi, Tanzania.

Luis Villaba

Originally hailing from Puebla, Mexico, Luis has worked with IWLS for over 4 years and leads rock climbing and high altitude courses in Mexico. As a certified Mexican paramedic, Luis also teaches emergency response and rescue courses.

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Meredith Riley

Meredith grew up in Hong Kong and moved to Park City, UT to pursue skiing.  She is a  professional skier and competes internationally.  She instructs IWLS mountaineering, ski, mountaineering, and ice climbing courses in Alaska and Utah.  Meredith is also an EMT.

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Kyle Bates

Kyle is a Recreation and Outdoor Leadership major from Aurora University. With multiple ski descents on Denali, ascents in the Nepal Himalaya, and a current rib eating record in Chicago, Kyle looks forward to another season’s adventures.  Kyle can be found teaching Avalanche Levels 1-2, Wilderness First Responder, and ski mountaineering courses in Alaska, Utah, and abroad.

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Tom Chambers

In addition to leading expeditions to the roof of Africa and the high peaks of Alaska, Tom has taught numerous mountaineering and climbing courses in Alaska and Utah. British wit and infectious friendliness give him a unique ability to bring joy and camaraderie to every course. Tom is an enthusiastic rock, ice and alpine climber and an EMT.

Micah Lewkowitz

Micah teaches mountaineering and rock & ice climbing courses in Alaska and Utah and is a W-EMT. Micah also leads high altitude expedition courses to the volcanoes of Mexico and Ecuador. He is a passionate rock, ice, & alpine climber and teacher with challenging ascents throughout North America.

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Coleman Worthen

A Utah native, Coleman has been guiding and instructing professionally for more than 6 years. He has led multiple expeditions on Aconcagua and Kilimanjaro. When he isn’t teaching mountaineering courses in Alaska or Patagonia, Coleman works as a ski patroller at Alta in Utah.

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With a degree in alternative tourism and firsthand knowledge of local archeology, culture and natural history, Isis brings her passion for environmental education to IWLS Mexico programs. She is an enthusiastic photographer,diver, sea kayaker, and jungle trekker.

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Chad Wiles

Chad’s recent east to west bike trip across Asia and Europe is indicative of his overwhelming enthusiasm for adventure. An accomplished skier, climber, mountaineer, and sea kayaker, Chad spends his winters in his favorite play-ground of North Lake Tahoe. He leads IWLS courses in Tanzania and Alaska.

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Travis Tucker

Travis leads IWLS courses in Alaska and South America. He is a certified WEMT, has multiple ascents of Aconcagua and Denali under his belt, and enjoys snowboard mountaineering and ice climbing at home in Telluride, Colorado.

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Taylor Brown

As a certified EMT IV, Taylor is continually involved with Search and Rescue in Alaska. He brings his extensive experience and enthusiasm to teaching IWLS first aid, mountaineering, and avalanche courses. He has skied, climbed and instructed throughout the Wrangell-St. Elias.

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Nic Cunningham

Nic has climbed the seven summits.  Nic also leads high altitude trips in South America and Africa.  Originally from the farmlands of Minnesota, Nic brings his healthy appetite and attitude to mountaineering and ice climbing courses throughout Alaska.  He has been guiding and instructing with IWLS for 6 years.

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Phillip Bassignani

Phil is a passionate adventurer and outdoor enthusiast.  He is an EMT, pilot, and skilled guide.  Phil splits his time climbing, skiing, surfing, and traveling.  With multiple ascents on Aconcagua to educational courses in Alaska’s glaciated mountain ranges, Phil is stoked to be part of the IWLS family.

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Will Hockett

Will has climbed on 6 continents and traveled to more than 40 countries.  He instructs IWLS mountaineering courses throughout Alaska and Argentina, in addition to a significant climbing experience around the world.  He is a collector of stories and is truly “living the dream”.  Will is also the site manager for our Skagway, AK climbing operations.

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 Caleb Smith

Caleb is a passionate rock, ice, and alpine climber with numerous ascents of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya, and Aconcagua and has traveled extensively throughout South America. He is also an EMT and Wilderness First Responder.  When not instructing IWLS courses or traveling the world he lives in Reno, NV.

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Clay Meier

Clay developed a passion for the outdoors at an early age, attending Western State College and earning degrees in Outdoor Leadership & Resort Management and Business.  He is a talented rock and ice climber with difficult ski descents throughout Colorado.  He instructs IWLS climbing and ski mountaineering courses throughout SE Alaska, Utah, and Ecuador.  Clay also works for the Gunnison Search and Rescue team.

 

Brian Muller

Brian instructs IWLS ski mountaineering, backpacking, and canyoneering courses throughout Alaska, the Yukon, and Utah, as well as guiding high altitude treks to the “Roof of Africa”.  During the winter months, Brian works as a ski patroller for Snowbird Resort.  He is also an EMT-1 and certified Avalanche Level 3 professional.

 
 

Jonathan Wood

Jonathan is at home whether he is instructing canyoneering courses in the Southwest, teaching whitewater rafting skills in the Yukon, or backcountry skiing in Utah. He is an EMT and leads expeditions on Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua.