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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Elisabeth Wertheimer, Operations Manager/Guide I like skunk cabbage! |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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". |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. Visit my blog to see what I'm currently up to: rezakalani.deviantart.com |
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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). |
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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." |
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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. |