Curriculum. Materials. Instructors.
They make a difference.
Licensed Providers are licensed and authorized by WMTC to sponsor their own courses and contract directly with sponsors.
Affiliate Providers are colleges and universities that offer credit for WMTC courses.
They make a difference.
Licensed Providers are licensed and authorized by WMTC to sponsor their own courses and contract directly with sponsors.
Affiliate Providers are colleges and universities that offer credit for WMTC courses.
Santiago Atuesta
Instructor BA, WFR |
A hiker and mountaineer, Santiago manages the outdoor program at Colegio Los Nogales where he leads students in hiking trips throughout Colombia. He also works as an instructor trainer and guide for FullSky Colombia and teaches WMTC courses for local guides and outdoor instructors. |
Aaron Ball
Instructor MA, Advanced WEMT |
Aaron Ball is an adventure educator, guide, and recreationalist. Aaron has been a ski patroller for Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, a member of the La Plata County Search and Rescue Team, a river and mountain guide, and an outdoor educator. Aaron is also a Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer for Rescue 3 International, a Senior Lecturer and Operations Coordinator for the Adventure Education department at Fort Lewis College, an Instructor Trainer and Pro Avalanche Course Instructor for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education and a guide and instructor for San Juan Mountain Guides. Aaron has a master’s degree in Adventure Education from Prescott College with a focus on risk management and is currently pursuing a PhD in education through the University of Idaho. Aaron lives in Durango, Colorado, with his family and spends much of his time working and playing in the mountains, deserts, and rivers of the Southwest.
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Emily Dempsey
Instructor BS, WFR |
Emily hails from Michigan and is an avid paddler, hiker, and spends much of her free time camping by the Great Lakes with a loaded-down gravel bike. She also enjoys skiing and quilting. Emily has a B.S. in Biology from the University in Michigan and a growing passion for teaching wilderness medicine.
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Bix Firer
Instructor MS, WEMT |
Bix Firer has over a decade of experience in outdoor experiential education. Bix is an avid backpacker, backcountry skier, mountain biker, and packrafter and whenever possible attempts to incorporate his passion for foraging and hunting wild foods into these pursuits. Bix lives in Anchorage, Alaska with his wife, Emma, and two trusty mutts. Bix Is the co-owner of Headwall Group, LLC and an Assistant Professor of Outdoor Studies at Alaska Pacific University.
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Garrett Genereux
Instructor BS, WEMT |
A dedicated trad dad, and all-around recreationalist, Garrett also is a rock climbing guide in addition to instructing wilderness medicine courses with Cascade Wilderness Medicine. With nearly a decade in full-time outdoor program management, Garrett is dedicated to the education and development of outdoor educators and enthusiasts. In that same vein, he works with Responder Alliance, an organization working towards advancing the national conversation on stress injury formation and recovery in responders of all types.
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Larry Goldstein
Physician Adviser MD, WFR |
A paddler, canyoneer, and world explorer, Larry spends his time doing locums work at Emergency Departments throughout the country, instructing NOLS and Outward Bound courses, and taking personal wilderness trips. Every now and again you can find Larry playing his guitar and singing around a remote campfire with friends.
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Zoey Gray
Instructor BS, WEMT |
Since Zoey took her first WMTC WFR course she’s been fascinated by the intersection of medicine and outdoor education. Zoey has worked in outdoor education since 2015 while also dabbling in medicine as a ski patroller at Brighton Resort, an EMT for the Emergency Department at the University of Utah Hospital, and an EMT and SAR member for Zion National Park. Currently she’s most excited about bikepacking, but is also into skiing, canyoneering, mountain biking, and whisperlite cheffing!
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Andy Guinn
Instructor MS, WFR |
Andy Guinn lives in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and teaches math, science, and computer science at a small, public alternative high school that has launched a certification program for students in outdoor leadership. Andy also guides for the local rafting company and coaches a youth mountain biking team. He enjoys rafting, mountain biking, and skiing (xc, downhill, back country) in the winter in his backyard range - the San Juan mountains.
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Tedra Hamel
Instructor BS, RN, WEMT |
Tedra (Teddi) Hamel has ten years of experience as an outdoor educator and has worked as a field instructor, course director, staff trainer, and program manager. One of her favorite things is walking into the wilderness with a group of students for at least three weeks. Her background in wilderness medicine includes experience as a volunteer rural EMT and Search and Rescue, and her clinical experience ranges from rural family practice to Level 1 Trauma centers.
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Kenjiro Hayashi
Instructor MS, WFR |
Kenjiro instructs for WMTC Japan and helps run the Osaka YMCA Rokko Global Learning Center. He is the Director of the Rokkosan YMCA, which provides outdoor education programs for youth. Kenjiro also teaches Camp Instructor Courses sponsored by the Osaka YMCA for the Japan Camping Association. He as a masters degree in Education, is a WEA Certified Outdoor Educator, a LNT Master Educator Instructor, and a NCAJ Camp Director Grade Ⅰ.
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Curt Howell
Instructor MA, WEMT |
Curt has been working in outdoor education since 2004. He managed two different university outdoor pursuits programs and was an Assistant Professor for Outdoor Education and Stewardship at Adams State University. Currently, he is the owner of Narrow Ridge, LLC which operates guided climbing and paddling trips in the San Luis Valley, Colorado and is a WMTC Licensed Provider. Curt holds a B.A. in Theology and a Master of Education in Educational Psychology. When not guiding or teaching, Curt enjoys being with his family, mountain biking, climbing and paddling, building furniture from locally sourced beetle kill spruce or just relaxing at home.
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Scott Jordan
Instructor PhD, WEMT-retired |
Scott Jordan is an Associate Professor in the Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management program and the Director of the Administration of Outdoor Recreation and Nature-based Tourism MS degree at Northern Michigan University (a WMTC Affiliate provider). Scott has worked as a guide, in aerial adventure industries, and higher education. He has served as President of the Board of Directors for the Wilderness Education Association and on the Executive Committee of the Professional Ropes Course Association. Scott also participated in the development of an American national standard for zip line and challenge course construction and operations and has co-authored a textbook on the topic. Most recently, Scott’s research interests have turned to community planning in association with sustainable nature based tourism development in rural areas. When not working, Scott enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking, and hikes with his wife Cathy and dog Kraken.
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Aaron Kent
Instructor MA, Advanced WEMT |
Aaron is the owner of Southwest Rescue, a WMTC Licensed business based in Durango, CO. His background is in disaster response and public health, and he aspires to be mediocre at ALL outdoor activities. He has a masters degree in Outdoor Education, is an adjunct faculty at Fort Lewis College, a volunteer on La Plata County Search-and-Rescue, and a firefighter/EMT with Durango Fire. He is also a regional manager for Rescue 3 International, which has him teaching in the Southwest United States, Southeast Asia, and South America.
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Alison Lay Cranston
Instructor BS, MA, WEMT |
An avid climber, skier, mountaineer, boater and mountain biker, Alison currently teaches in the Natural Resources Program at Oregon State University - Cascades. She has been a Course Director and senior instructor for the Northwest Outward Bound School, as well as an Instructor for several other expedition-based outdoor education programs. She has also worked as a Biological Science Technician and Wildland Firefighter at Glacier National Park, where she was involved with several large-scale Search and Rescue missions. Alison owns and operates Cascade Wilderness Medicine, a WMTC licensed provider.
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Katherine Miller
Instructor MS, WEMT |
Katherine enjoys backpacking, climbing, paddling, and riding her gravel bike. She currently works as the coordinator for UREC Outdoors at the University of Arkansas. When she isn't working she prefers to spend her free time reading a good book, perfecting her backcountry recipes, learning a new outdoor skill, or exploring the gravel roads around her. Katherine owns and operates Wildgrace Outdoors, LLC - a WMTC Licensed Provider.
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Stu Montgomery
Instructor BS, WFR |
In addition to instructing for WMTC, Stu works with Outward Bound at the Mazama base camp where he enjoys skiing, climbing, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
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Kota Morimoto
Instructor BC, WFR |
Kota instructs for WMTC Japan and is the Outdoor Training Director at Encourage Co., Ltd., which
provides outdoor education and training for companies, primarily in Kyushu, Japan. He is an Outward Bound instructor and has experience guiding in Canada and New Zealand. Kota is also a WEA Certified Outdoor Educator and a LNT Master Educator Instructor. |
Paul Nicolazzo
President, Director, Instructor BA, WEMT-retired |
Paul founded WMTC and now spends his time supporting the company by managing WMTC's curriculum and publications, and overseeing finances and operations. Paul works part-time as an outdoor program risk management consultant and is an active member of the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC), a professional group responsible for setting standards for WFA, WAFA, and WFR certifications. A climber, skier, canyoneer, and paddler with numerous first ascents and descents in his resume, Paul now recreates a lot closer to home in the mountains and rivers of northern Washington on his skis and paddleboard and spending time with family.
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Taito Okamura
Instructor PhD, WFR |
A backpacker, skier, climber and paddler, Taito owns Backcountry Classroom Inc. where he provides outdoor leadership programs to companies, professional sports teams and communities. Backcountry Classroom is a Licensed WMTC Provider. Taito is a Wilderness Education Association Certifying Examiner and a Leave No Trace Master Educator Instructor. Taito also established the Wilderness Education Association Japan and Leave No Trace Japan.
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Allison Parker
Instructor JD, WFR |
Allison has had the privilege of guiding in the wilderness for over twenty years. A biologist and lifelong horsewoman, she loves helping people explore the wilds of Wyoming through her outfitting and guiding businesses, Wilderness Trails Outfitters and Teton Wilderness Tours. In her free time, she enjoys horse packing, rafting, skiing, and mountaineering. She is particularly interested in risk mitigation and management.
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Derek Prill
Instructor MS, WEMT |
Derek Prill lives in the High Peaks of NY’s Adirondack Park and serves his community as an Advanced EMT and Volunteer Firefighter. He also volunteers with the County Medical Reserve Corps, Search & Rescue of Northern Adirondacks, and with the Whiteface Ski Patrol. Derek has an Undergraduate degree in Adventure Education and a M.S. in Complementary & Alternative Medicine (Herbal Medicine Concentration). He has been a competitive equestrian, Eagle Scout, sprint triathlete, PSIA & AASI Instructor, and he served as a Medic in the US Army with a long tour in Afghanistan. Within the last decade, he has worked with the YMCA as a Director of the Wilderness Program at a NY Summer Camp and worked as an Adjunct Professor for the Adventure Education immersion-semester at his Alma-mater - Green Mountain College. He now Recreates through hiking, biking, canoeing, rock climbing, nordic & alpine skiing, hunting, fishing, camping, forest bathing, hand drumming, qigong…and fixing things. He owns and operates Feral Medicine LLC - a WMTC Licensed Provider and is a DEC Licensed NYS Guide.
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Levi Pendleton
Instructor MS, WFR, OEC |
A paddler, skier, climber, mountain biker, paraglider and all things motorsports, Levi works as the coordinator for the outdoor program at Southern Utah University, a WMTC Affiliate Provider. Prior to working in higher education, he spent various seasons river guiding and ski patrolling. When he is not working, he enjoys learning new outdoor activities and continuing to pursue time in the mountains.
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Paul Przybylowicz
Instructor PHD, WFR |
Owner of Sound Wilderness Medicine (a licensed WMTC provider), Paul is a climber, rafter, backcountry skier, fisherman, and forager. Paul has been faculty at The Evergreen State College for over 30 years. In addition to wilderness medicine, Paul teaches mycology, human biology, human anatomy & physiology, ecology and outdoor leadership. Paul brings decades of expertise in experiential teaching and learning into every course.
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Joel Reid
Instructor BA, Advanced WEMT |
A climber, mountaineer, and sea kayaker. Joel owns Cascade Outdoor Education, a Licensed WMTC Provider and has been an both a field educator and outdoor education administrator for many years.
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Drew Ross
Physician Advisor MD, MS, WEMT |
A climber, skier, and paddler, Drew is an former WMTC and -Outward Bound instructor; he now spends his time working in the hospital and outside playing with his family.
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Koichi Sakata
Instructor MS, WFR |
Koichi instructs for WMTC Japan and is the Director of the Kobe YMCA Yoshima Outdoor Activity Center in Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. He has a masters degree in Education, is a WEA Certified Outdoor Educator, and a LNT Master Educator Instructor.
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Andrew Saunders
Instructor MS, WEMT |
Andrew Saunders is owner and lead instructor for Viking Response and Recreation and Consulting. He also teaches for the unique International Rescue and Relief degree program at Union College as a WMTC Affiliate Provider. He has been an EMT since 2009, a Rescue 3 instructor since 2012, and a WMTC instructor since 2018. Andrew has spent many years working overseas in disaster areas such as Iraq and Ukraine during civil conflict. He is also an avid rock climber, swift water paddler, hiker, mountaineer, and off-roader. He has taught classes all over the world for private companies and public organizations. Andrew is passionate about education, mitigation, and preparation, and ensuring people are trained to do their jobs well.
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Josh Stratman
Instructor MS, WEMT |
A climber, mountaineer, skier, canyoneer, and paddler, Josh is the director of the Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education associate degree program at Mt Hood Community College; Mt Hood CC is a WMTC Affiliate Provider.
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AJ Verkouw
Instructor MS, WFR |
A skier, climber, mountaineer, mountain biker, and mediocre paddler, AJ has been working in the field of outdoor education in the mountain west for the better part of a decade. During that tenure, AJ has worked as an instructor and staff trainer for the Colorado Outward Bound School, climbing wall manager, professional ski patroller, avalanche educator, river guide, and climbing instructor. He has had the privilege of working and traveling in amazing places like Alaska, Nepal, Mexico, and Ecuador. He currently is the Director of the Outdoor Program and adjunct faculty at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT.
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Tiana White
Instructor, Operations, Special Projects MS, WEMT |
In addition to being a WMTC lead instructor, Tiana works full-time with WMTC's Operations and Special Projects, which includes training instructors and working with sponsors to facilitate courses. When not teaching or admin-ing, Tiana enjoys time in the garden and remote human-powered multi-modal explorations of the deserts and mountains of the Intermountain West. Her personal and professional adventures have taken her all over the US from Maine to Alaska and internationally to India, Canada, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Singapore and China. Tiana has over 25 years in outdoor education, instructed for the National Outdoor Leadership School, has run several outdoor programs throughout the US, and values WMTC's focus on high-quality wilderness medicine education.
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Ryoji Yamamoto
Instructor BC, WFR |
Ryoji instructs for WMTC Japan and is the Camp Director at the Kobe YMCA Yoshima Outdoor Activities Center, which provides camp programs for young people and trains volunteer leaders. He is also a WEA Certified Outdoor Leader and a LNT Master Educator.
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