Who are our guides?

Keith loves instructing and guiding outdoor activities, especially Mountain Biking. Keith lives near Welches, OR, at the base of Mt Hood (Wy East). He enjoys outdoor activities daily on the mountain, while also exploring across the USA, and especially out west. In these drier months, Keith is Mountain Biking almost every day, usually with his two Golden Retrievers. Keith is a retired HS Teacher (Sciences and Math), and has degrees in natural resources/ecology and teaching.

Keith was born and raised in inner city Chicago, and left as soon as he could. During his college years in MO, PA, NV and WY, as well as over the years while teaching HS and after retirement, Keith started learning and teaching outdoor activities. He started off teaching adaptive XC skiing to youth and adults with multiple special needs near Lake Tahoe, NV. This experience gave him insight about individual learning styles, and he quickly realized that all of us are unique and have special needs.

Since then, he has taught people of all abilities in multiple locations around the US. His activities have included Mountain biking, XC and Tele Skiing, Snow Shoeing, Rafting, Rock Climbing, Kayaking, SUPing, Golf Tai Chi & Chi Gong, … Today, Keith focuses on teaching Mountain Biking, XC Skiing and Rock Climbing.

Keith started Mountain Biking in 1979, and has been able to ride through the development of bike technology, as well as riding techniques. He has trained with various instructors and programs over the years. Keith has ridden in PA, IL, UT, WY, AZ, NV, CA, ID, OR, WA and Sweden.

Keith will create a plan with you based on your wants and needs for learning mountain biking. During the learning process, he will give you direct feedback about technique, body positioning and dynamic movement on your bike to help your learning process. We will reflect together about your process. We will learn and practice in a safe and controlled setting where we can unlearn and learn new skills. We unlearn some skills that people have developed riding in urban settings which hamper mountain biking. We will learn how our bikes work and what we need to check for safety and enjoyment. We will learn and add new skills, one layer at a time. As we progress, we reinforce each layer of learning which allows us to integrate our newly developed skills. It is a very active and fun process. The integration of new skills will give you the ability to pursue and enjoy Mountain Biking in a fun and safe way. Most likely, we will all be pooped by the end of the day, and hopefully have a smile on our faces.

Greg has 35 years of guiding trips and experiences for the university classes he teaches, REI, and several professional organizations. Greg has taught at the college/university level for 33 years. He teaches in the areas of Outdoor Education, Outdoor Adventure, Exercise Science, and Health and Wellness. Greg has built his career in guiding and teaching around promoting student access to the benefits of outdoor recreation.

Greg is passionate about increasing access to the outdoors for people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Greg has guided experiences in Map and Compass, Backpacking, Hiking, Mountain Climbing, Outdoor Survival, The Ten Essentials, Leave No Trace, Snowshoeing, Winter Camping, Kayaking, and Photography.

Greg is currently a Wilderness First Responder (NOLS, WMI) and Challenge Course Practitioner Level 2 (ACCT). Greg’s outdoor accomplishments include summiting 32 mountains over 14,000 feet in Colorado, standing on the geographical high point of 37 states, and visiting 32 National Parks, as well as more than 45 National Monuments and National Historic Places. Greg spends as much time as possible taking photographs of beautiful places. Greg has won several photography awards and has had photographs published in calendars and books, and organization websites.

Trish

Nanne has been guiding and instructing for the past 35 years, leading bike tours and teaching and guiding kayaking, mountain biking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing and hiking in the Northwest, California, Utah, Hawaii and British Columbia. He has also spent time with a wrench in his hand as a bike mechanic as well as a ski tech.

He caught the wheel of the beginning of the mountain biking scene here in the Pacific Northwest and has ridden most mountain biking trails in the State of Oregon and SW Washington. He’s been instrumental in developing mountain biking curriculum during his tenure at REI. He is a level 2 BCIP (formerly IMBA) certified instructor and teaches their methods, instructing at REI, Timberline and Ski Bowl. In the winter season, Nanne teaches cross country skiing at Mount Hood Meadows Nordic Center and has also taught downhill skiing on Mt Hood. 

Nanne often tells people he was born on a bike. He hails from the Netherlands, and biking is in his blood. He currently lives in Portland with his wife and two sons. In his free time he likes road biking and mountain biking in the summer and when the snow falls you can find him on the slopes.