The Chilkat Guides Team
The guides at Chilkat Guides are highly qualified, and passionate about what they do. With first descents all over the globe, a wide scope technical outdoor and safety skills, and more experience than any river guides in the area, they bring both knowledge and passion for wild places to every expedition.
There are over 100 people on staff at Chilkat Guides. Below is just a short list of some of our amazing team members:
Sean GaffneySean is the President of Chilkat Guides and has been instructing and guiding for 30 years. He has led extensive rafting, skiing, high-altitude mountaineering, and trekking expeditions throughout North and South America, Africa, and Asia.
Eli FiererEli is one of the owners and General Manager. He has guided and instructed for more than 14 years throughout North America, Alaska, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, and China. He is a certified EMT, holds an Avalanche Level III, and is an accomplished teacher.
Charlie StewartCharlie is the Expedition Manager for Chilkat Guides. Originally from the East Coast, he developed a love for paddling in the Adirondacks of Upstate New York. When not out enjoying a paddle in his whitewater kayak or sea kayaking, Charlie can be found coordinating our expeditions.
Meghan CondonMeghan is our Haines Program Manager and has been working and guiding in Alaska since 2008. She has led numerous Alaskan river expeditions and has embarked upon several fun personal trips on the Grand Canyon during the off-seasons. When she’s not rafting, Meghan is busy building her frontier paradise, complete with her dog Lupe and her chickens!
Bart HendersonBart Henderson started guiding raft trips in 1969. He has over 35,000 river miles guiding under his belt, from the Grand Canyon to Africa and much of the world in between. In 1976 he came to Alaska and explored the Tatshenshini, fell in love with it, and founded Chilkat Guides. Bart’s love for the river lifestyle is still an integral part of our company and has been passed down to all our guides over the years.
Scott Ramsey, Ph.D.Scott enjoys all aspects of river-running and mountaineering, working as a guide and environmental educator over 20 years. He has been an integral part of the training at Chilkat Guides since 1997, and has been leading the ‘Guide School’ since it’s inception in 2004. Scott has a doctorate degree in Sustainability Education and is passionate about conserving wild places for future generations. When he is not running rivers he is a college professor.
Chris MuseChris has an infectious smile and upbeat attitude that will brighten even the rainiest Alaskan day. He has been guiding river trips in Alaska for several years and recently spent the winter off-season guiding whitewater in the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand). He enjoys spending his free time packrafting, running, and playing with his dog Madison.
Zack HawksZack has been guiding in Alaska for a number of years and is a core part of our expedition team. When he’s not on the Tatshenshini, he is instrumental in conducting repairs and keeping our gear in tip-top shape. Zack enjoys fishing and participating in personal adventures on rivers like the Grand Canyon.
Josette DeschambeaultJosette manages the Hike & Float rafting tours from our Skagway office, and trains our new tour guides. She started guiding in Alaska in 2016 and fell in love with the coastal mountain valleys and the characters that come to work in our small Alaskan communities. When not rafting, she enjoys writing articles and gear reviews for outdoor companies and taking personal adventures in Colorado and Maine.