Looking for a day trip with experienced and responsible Alaskan 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 programs.
- 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 to gain a better understanding of Alaska.
- We pay higher wages than other area guide businesses.
- We recycle and keep the trails completely free of litter.
- We work cooperatively with land management agencies to protect our 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 Denali with Alaska’s visitors since 1993. Noelle has a 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 for twelve 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.
Steven Sanders
Steven is a Wildlife Biologist, Environmental Consultant, Science Educator, and Naturalist Guide specializing in Ornithology, Herpetology, Entomology, Ichthyology, Botany, Water Quality, Technology, Outdoor Experiential Education, Wilderness Adventures, Regenerative Farming, Ecological Restoration, and Preserve Management. Steven earned his degree in Biology from Sonoma State University and a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Education at Santa Clara University. He then worked as a field biologist aboard commercial fishing vessels in Alaska and with Hawkwatch International in Nevada. As a secondary educator Steven taught Biology, Earth Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Environmental Leadership and Restoration, and was the Coordinator of the Montebello Ridge Program, an outdoor education program aimed at developing students’ connection to nature by exposing them to wilderness and ecological restoration activities.
Kaila Wildermuth
Kaila was born and raised in Talkeetna Alaska and has spent her life exploring the beautiful forests right in her backyard. She enjoys all kinds of adventuring including hiking, backpacking, camping, biking, tree climbing and many more outdoor activities. She is currently studying biology and chemistry at Western Washington University and is exploring the area on the weekends. She’s excited for another season guiding for Alaska Nature Guides.
Amanda Palumbo
Amanda is from the North East Kingdom of Vermont, where she has used her expertise and passion for plants working at a cannabis dispensary and on an organic veggie farm. She’s passionate about foraging, organic farming and gardening, and exploring the great outdoors.
Kadia Corbin
Kadia spent her childhood moving all over the continental US, from the East Coast to the West Coast, and everywhere in between! She had a lengthy stop in the desert, where she graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in Hopsitality and Tourism in 2021. Since then, she’s been on the move, exploring whenever and wherever she can. She has road tripped across America three times, hiked mountains in Peru, and led guided tours on horse carriages. When she’s not adventuring, she enjoys rock climbing, working on her second novel, and playing her guitar. This is her first time in Alaska, and she’s “beyond stoked” to share this experience with others.
Kelsey McNamara
Kelsey is excited to share her adventurous joy and intuitive leadership skills to guide groups in the outdoors with Alaska Nature Guides. For the past 10 years, she has accumulated unique experiences working in the outdoor industry in her roles as a ski instructor, beach lifeguard, and crew mate aboard a sailing catamaran. She is a world traveler and since graduating with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Entrepreneurship from The University of Colorado Boulder in 2020, she has volunteered in California, The Bahamas, and Europe, trekked to the base camp of Annapurna in Nepal, and most recently, studied meditation and yoga philosophy in India for 5 months.
Kelsey’s vision is to work at the intersection of mindfulness, movement, outdoor therapy, and education. This is Kelsey’s first season in Alaska and she’s keen on educating guests on the unique cultural, geological, and biological features of Denali State Park and the surrounding areas.
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.
