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 for healthy, outdoor non-motorized recreation in the South Denali Area.
Adam
Adam was born and raised in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania and learned a deep appreciation as a young boy for birds and flowers and all things natural from his grandmother. His father raised him to become a lifelong hunter, fisherman, and conservationist in the woods and hills of the east, but he always dreamed of coming to Alaska. A professional Brewmaster for 23 years, he was able to make that dream a reality in the winter of 2021-22 when he moved full-time to Talkeetna to work at Denali Brewing Company. Now, Adam lives in a remote, off-grid cabin with his partner and 2 Alaskan Huskies, fully realizing his Alaskan dream. He can most often be found skijoring, hiking, bikejoring and birdwatching in and around Talkeetna and Denali. He is excited to share his love and appreciation of the birds and plants and natural majesty of Alaska with you!
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 Master’s 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.
Jen
Growing up in San Diego, Jen spent a lot of time in the sun and in the water. After graduating from UCSB with a degree in Biology, she began working in biochemistry research in the Bay Area. It’s been a great spot to take advantage of the beautiful Sierras, and she has spent many weekends in the backcountry enjoying the mountains, including a week on the John Muir Trail. She is excited to spend the summer sharing her passion for the outdoors with guests. In her free time, she loves to hike, bike, run, climb, swim, and marvel at any animal she encounters!
Hayley
Hayley has worked in the outdoor industry for the last 12 years all over the American West, and is excited to come work with us this summer for her first ever time in Alaska. She was most recently a mule-packer and trail crew leader in Stanley, Idaho, during the summers. During the winters, she lives on her property just outside of Big Bend National Park and works as a canoe, hiking, horse and Jeep guide. When she’s not paddling, hiking, or riding, she enjoys traveling internationally with her friends and playing fetch with her new rescue dog, Felix.
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 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!
Michaele
Michaele is joining Alaska Nature Guides for her very first season. A California native, she grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and spent lots of time playing and learning in the mountains. She attended UC Santa Barbara to study Environmental Science and Ecology, and grew to love scientific research through her work in a tree physiology lab. She moved to Colorado in 2023 to pursue her dreams of skiing and mountain climbing, but returned to the West Coast to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2024. Following her summer with Alaska Nature Guides, she will be starting a PhD at CU Boulder, studying changes in wildfire disturbance and recovery in Alaska’s boreal forests.
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.
