Denali Guides
Northern Epics’ Denali Guides Are The Best in The Industry.
Here’s Why.
We believe that our Denali guides ARE our business, and for that reason we make sure that we have the best guides in the industry. This is how we accomplish that:
We handpick all of our guides to make sure they are all well qualified and well-suited to role. We make sure that each of our Denali guides has an inherent curiosity about nature and is self-motivated learn more. We also make sure that they are predisposed to teaching, and have a passion for sharing their wealth of knowledge with as many people as possible. As a side-note, our competitors will hire guides off the side of the road (literally).
We pay our Denali guides more than double the industry average, ensuring that they are well taken care of and excited to give you the hike of your life. Many companies in the guiding industry pay their guides minimum wage. Do you want the person guiding you and your family through the backcountry full of moose and grizzly bear to be paid less than a McDonalds drive-through worker? We certainly don’t.
All of our guides have Wilderness First Responder certifications (this means that they have undergone an eighty hour intensive first-aid training) and carry comprehensive first-aid kits, bear spray, and GPS/SOS devices. They are also highly trained in natural navigation (the art of using trees, plants, water, terrain, etc. to find your way in the wilderness) and utilize that training on every off-trail tour that they guide.
Our Denali guides are expected to study - even in the offseason. Once they’ve arrived in Denali for the summer, they go on five to ten familiarization hikes every year before they ever start guiding customers. Once this process is complete, they are shadowed by one of our senior guides until it is decided that they are experienced and skilled enough to take people out on their own. All of this to ensure that our guides can provide you with the best tours in Denali National Park.
“Guiding in Denali with Northern Epics has honestly been a dream come true. I get to spend every day working outside with other people who share the same passion for the outdoors that I have. I’d say the best part of working with Northern Epics is the opportunity it’s given me to learn so much about the Denali area.”
- Jordan Allen, Head Guide at Northern Epics
Trinidad Collier, Owner/Hiking Guide
Trinidad is the co-founder of Northern Epics and was the company’s first guide. He is a passionate outdoorsman with over half a decade of hard-won experience hiking, climbing, navigating, and surviving in backcountry conditions. He has performed multiple rescues up in the mountains, and has spent weeks surviving alone in the backcountry with minimal gear. He loves to share his stories as well as his knowledge and appreciation for the natural world and all the wonders it has to offer with anyone who will listen. Before becoming a Denali guide, he guided rafting, hiking, and climbing for the better part of a decade in other areas around the United States.
Jordan Allen, Head Guide
Jordan is an avid climber, backpacker, and fly fisherman. He studies at the University of California, Davis, where he founded the Aggie Fly Fishing Club. He spends every free moment outdoors, finding new hiking trails and expanding his experience and love for nature. He has a passion for exploration and looks forward to helping others grow in their knowledge and love for the wilderness. He is currently Northern Epics’ head Denali guide, and strives to give every single traveler a perfect Denali experience!
Sam Collier, Owner/Hiking Guide
Sam is the second co-founder of Northern Epics. He is an outdoor sports enthusiast, and particularly loves skiing, hiking, and rock climbing. He is also a huge movie nerd and will talk your ear off about anything cinematic for hours on end. He enjoys learning and sharing history and other facts he finds fascinating about the outdoor areas he frequents, and values fun, communication, and safety above all in his outdoor adventures.
Jason Fernandez, Hiking Guide
Jason absolutely loves being outside. He spends as much time as possible in the outdoors, and whether it’s skiing, climbing, rafting or hiking, he loves it all. Jason is also pursuing a passion for learning, and for teaching through the University of Oregon as a student, and as a glassblowing instructor. As a hiking guide, his love of the outdoors and of teaching coincide, making him extra exuberant and excited to help all of his guests have the best vacation of their lives!
Jade Weaver, Survival Guide
Jade grew up in Eugene, Oregon, where he spent his time camping, hiking, canoeing, rock climbing and backpacking with his family. Some of his fondest memories are spending time in beautiful, wild places with people he loves. At nine years old, Jade began doing camps through Whole Earth Nature School where he began to develop his primitive skills, outdoor knowledge, and love for nature. He took these skills further when he became a lead instructor teaching primitive skills. He did this for five years before graduating from Lane Community College with a degree in Theatre. He incorporates his love for Theatre into his work by telling stories and providing positive and creative energy to every situation he can. More than anything, Jade loves spending time with others and connecting with the outdoors.
Derek Nickerson, Hiking Guide
Derek is an avid outdoorsman, taking every opportunity to get outside and have a new adventure. His main loves are surfing, running and climbing, but he also dabbles in skiing, backpacking, and high lining. During the off-season, Derek is a student at UC Davis. He studies Mechanical Engineering and works as a climbing, skiing, and rafting guide for the school. When he is locked inside, Derek likes to play the drums, violin and Settlers of Catan.