Looking for a day trip with experienced and responsible Alaska guides? That’s us! We don’t just call ourselves “ecotourism.” We walk the walk.
- We are the area’s only company with an Adventure Green Alaska ecotourism certification
- We have proven our dedication to responsible tourism by meeting specific standards of economic, environmental, and social sustainability
- We are proud sponsors of community conservation and education program
- We practice Leave No Trace outdoor skills and ethics, adopted a section of highway in Denali State Park, and combat invasive plant species
- Our naturalist guides use their experience to avoid disturbing wildlife, keep our guests safe, and help our guests gain a better understanding of Alaska
- We pay higher wages than other area guide businesses
- We recycle and keep trails completely free of litter
- We work cooperatively with land management agencies to protect public lands
- By going with us, you help to protect the places you have come to see
Howard and Noelle Carbone have shared the wonders of the greater Denali area with Alaska’s visitors since 1993. Noelle has a bachelor’s degree in education and worked for over ten years as a naturalist interpreter and backcountry ranger in Denali National Park. Howard holds a Master’s Degree in biology, worked as a naturalist and educator in Denali National Park for 12 years, and has climbed to Denali’s 20,310-foot summit. They are year-round residents of Talkeetna.
Our Guides
Dan
Dan’s father was the local Scout Master when he was young and because of this he learned an appreciation for nature from an early age. Dan became an Eagle Scout and continued his love for the outdoors into his adulthood. He is an avid backpacker, trail runner and nordic skier. After more than two decades working with people with disabilities, he moved to Alaska with his wife so they could explore their dream of living more simply and closer to nature in a remote setting. Dan has a passion for learning to understand nature and how we all can live in harmony with it. This is his fifth year guiding hikes for Alaska Nature Guides. He is currently a stay at home dad for his 7 year old son and works with people in the area with special-needs on a part time basis. Dan is active member of the Talkeetna community. He sits on the Mat-Su Borough Parks, Recreation & Trails Advisory board, the Talkeetna Elementary PTA board and he produces a local radio show for KTNA radio called ‘Get Outside and Play’. He is a strong advocate healthy, outdoor non-motorized recreation in the South Denali Area.
Josh
My name is Josh Sandifer. A love for the outdoors has been ingrained in me since I was a child, and I love to backpack, rock climb, and trail run; I couldn’t imagine working in any other field. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Leadership where I worked on improving my hard skills like climbing, backpacking, paddling, and navigating; and polishing up my soft skills like communication, facilitation, and leadership. I am Wilderness First Responder certified, swift water rescue trained, CPR/First Aid/AED instructor certified, and lifeguard certified. I married my college girlfriend in June of 2017, and we just recently packed up our house and made the move from South Carolina to Alaska full time. We spent 11 days making the most beautiful drive across North America. I spent this last year working for a large luxury living community as their Outdoor Recreation Lead where I led hikes, designed outdoor programs, and showed the members the beautiful world around them. Alaska has so much to see and learn and is a place that fosters education. I love all the fine details of nature and getting the opportunity to share my love of plants, animals, and the beautiful state of Alaska with others in hopes they receive the same joy from it that I do. This will be my 3rd season working with Alaska Nature Guides.
Bernard
Bernard Federspiel was born and raised in Washington state, mere minutes from ski resorts, fishing, hiking, camping, and all things outdoors. Learning to be a good steward of the world was only part of the journey.
A Masters in Ethics extended his understanding of life’s meaning to a whole new level. Experiences and travel, near and far, ultimately landed him in Alaska. Whereby considering this to be the “greater, great northwest,” since 2011, he has considered himself truly home.
Having recently lived for an extended time in remote and off grid Alaska, including a wilderness lodge and a state historic site, has also broadened his respect for nature. With an excited passion to share in the explorations that draw anyone to this wild and amazing place, Bernard emphasizes helping others seek out their own new experiences.
Hannah
Hannah moved up to Alaska from Colorado in 2022 to pursue her dream of racing the Iditarod, a 1,000 mile trek by dog team through the Alaskan backcountry. Unlike many of her coworkers, Hannah did not grow up with the outdoor world being a central part of her life; she was raised in the Chicago suburbs and went on to earn her degree in Arabic Language and Literature in rural Ohio. It wasn’t until she was 19 that she went on her first backpacking trip, during which she plunged right into the deep end and spent an entire month backpacking in the Pasayten Wilderness in the Pacific Northwest. Since then, she’s hiked over 100 miles of trail in Yukon, Canada, camped with sled dogs atop mountains in Colorado and Alaska, crashed her skis into every tree in Talkeetna, and even lived in the desert in Amman, Jordan. Her goal is to build an off-grid homestead with her partner and plenty of room for their own sled dog team.
Mariah
Mariah moved to Talkeetna in 2015 after receiving her bachelor of science in biogeochemistry from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. She has since discovered her love for teaching and returned to school for her master of education. She is now a math teacher at Talkeetna’s Jr/Sr high school. In her free time she loves hiking, cross country skiing, paddle boarding, fishing, and biking. She loves the slow pace of living in a rural area and the excellent opportunities it provides to spend time outdoors.
Micah
Micah has enjoyed a lifetime love of the outdoors. He grew up in the Loess Hills of rural Southwest Iowa where he hiked, learned to forage wild plants/mushrooms, and wild camped. In his twenties he spent a short time living in Colorado. While there he spent his free time skiing and driving his Jeep on many mountain trails throughout the high country. He and his wife, April, moved to Talkeetna in 2022 after a visit in late 2021 to better enjoy life in a wonderful small Alaska community. Since moving here he has tried to further his knowledge of native flora and fauna while exploring the local forests on foot or his Altai skis with his dog Vista.
Amanda
I’m Amanda, I worked for Alaska Nature Guides in 2023 and am so excited to return. Most of the time I live in Vermont where I’m an avid hiker and love marvelling at our native wildflowers. I’m passionate about natural history and sustainable forest management, and I love sharing my passions with guests.
Catherine
Catherine grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she fell in love with the outdoors through summer camp and the Girl Scouts. She first came to Alaska in 2016 in order to work as a river rafting guide in Skagway and then joined Alaska Nature Guides in 2017. Catherine moved to New Zealand in 2019, where she runs multi-day hiking trips. However, she missed Alaska, especially Denali State Park! She’s excited to return to Alaska Nature Guides for the season and experience the Alaska summer rather than the New Zealand winter. Her favorite things about being a guide are helping people to get out of their comfort zones, create special memories, and connect with nature. In her free time she enjoys boxing, paddling, sailing, surfing, and spending as much time as possible in the mountains.
Celia
Celia was born and raised in Talkeetna, Alaska. She’s been an assistant guide for many years, learning from some of the best, and is now leading her own hikes. She is full of stories about wildlife encounters, Alaskan winters, and living on the edge of the wilderness. When she’s not guiding she enjoys playing music, volunteering in the community, and playing with her dogs Curry and Lola.
Matt
Matt came to Talkeetna from his home state of New York for a summer of seasonal work in Talkeetna, and five years later he’s still here! When’s he’s not guiding hikes you can find him floating the local river systems, backpacking, and waiting for the curling season to come back. You could not ask for better company on your Alaskan adventure!
Earl
Every community has some outstanding young people, and Earl is one of ours! He’s Alaskan born and raised, avidly enjoys the outdoors, and many plays sports to keep active. We welcome Earl aboard this year for our custom family activities!
Curry
Curry is Alaskan, born and raised. Her love and affection for people, as well as the outdoors makes her the perfect ANG mascot. She loves hiking, finding moose antler sheds in the forest, and napping in the sun. Curry Ridge trail is her favorite place to hike in Denali State Park, because it offers both forest and alpine tundra biomes and it is, of course, the ridge she’s named after. Curry is also a valuble part of our social media team and you can often find her on our Instagram and Facebook posts.
