Meet Trent & Hannah

Olivia Thompson grew up in Summit County, Colorado, skiing, hiking, and always chasing the next adventure. Her love of travel took her to the Baja Peninsula for winters of surfing, spearfishing, and beach camping, and four summers in Seward have shown her the perfect mix of mountains, ocean, and community. Olivia’s role as Operations Assistant sees her help make every adventure run smoothly, supporting guides and transporting guests to and from their amazing adventures.

Cooper G. grew up exploring the Delaware Water Gap and has since chased wilderness from the Canadian Rockies to the peaks of the Kenai Peninsula. Solo adventures on his bike taught him the joy of simplicity and the freedom of carrying only what you need, lessons he brings to guiding and reading the subtle signs of the landscape. When he’s not kayaking or peak-bagging, Cooper enjoys finishing an adventure novel, baking “30-minute” brownies in 20, and indulging in the ultimate reward: a long couch nap.

Abby L. grew up in central Minnesota, chasing the summer sun along Lake Superior and hiking hundreds of miles of the Superior Hiking Trail. Her love of water led her west to Southern California, where tide pools, caves, and ocean adventures sparked a passion for kayak guiding, followed by summers rafting the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon. Now in Alaska, Abby balances her love of big adventures with little quirks—showing her cat the ocean, strolling barefoot on the shore, and finding delight in the unexpected along every paddle.

Charlie O. grew up in Detroit before discovering her love for the outdoors in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula while studying at Northern Michigan University. Guiding sea kayak trips at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and co-leading ice climbing adventures sparked her passion for sharing nature and advocating for the lands she loves. Now in Alaska, Charlie channels her passion for the outdoors into guiding, inspiring guests to notice the beauty around them and reminding them that adventure is as much about curiosity and wonder as it is about distance traveled.

Abi B. grew up in a small ski town in northwest Colorado, splitting her time between skiing, swimming, reading, and playing volleyball. Her curiosity for the world led her to study Latin American History and Spanish, spend time teaching in Spain, and ultimately find her way to Alaska, where she delights in exploring wild landscapes and connecting with nature. Passionate about language, culture, and shared experiences, Abi embraces the outdoors as a place to celebrate curiosity, humanity, and the simple joys—communing with wildflowers, practicing mindful movement, or sharing adventures with guests.

Lexi K. grew up in Denver, Colorado, exploring creeks, rock collecting, and falling in love with water. After earning a degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, she turned her passion for environmental education into a career, sharing the joys of nature with youth and her community. Now in Alaska, Lexi delights in guiding guests through glacial waters, always keeping an eye out for her favourite animals—majestic orcas. She is dedicated to helping others connect with and appreciate the wild beauty of our planet.

China G. grew up wandering redwood forests, cobbly beaches, and rolling hills in Northern California, often paddling tandem sea kayaks with her dad. Studying Environmental Science and minoring in writing, she spent college leading backpacking and rafting trips, packrafting across the Sierra backcountry, and sampling alpine lakes for science— discovering that she thrives outdoors. China’s love for the Alaskan wilderness is contagious, she shares her extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna with an enlightening sense of awe and is motivated by the idea that she might inspire a more expansive notion of what it means, and looks like to be outside.

Zach M. grew up as the eldest of nine in the rolling hills of Minnesota, exploring the Boundary Waters and leading multi-day backpacking trips to the Bighorn and Bridger-Teton National Forests. A transformative hitchhiking trip across Iceland in 2023 deepened his love for awe-inspiring landscapes and human connection. Now in Seward, Zach delights in the unique combination of mountains and ocean, sharing adventures by day and filling his evenings with music, drawing, and writing.

Maggie B. grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, chasing soccer balls and exploring the woods, with a lifelong love of nature sparked by backpacking trips with her dad in the Great Smoky Mountains. She honed her guiding skills at Clemson University, leading rafting, backpacking, and mountain biking trips while earning her degrees in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. Now, Maggie brings her enthusiasm, sense of fun, and love of the outdoors to every adventure—whether paddling, exploring trails with her loyal dog, taking long, leisurely bike rides, or challenging guests to a spirited round of Bananagrams.

Tony G. grew up in Michigan, splitting his time between Lake Huron, forest adventures, and marching band trumpet solos. From summers at Bryce Canyon and working on market farms to wildland firefighting in Oregon and thru-hiking across the US and New Zealand, he’s always chasing new ways to connect with the outdoors. Now in Alaska, Tony channels his love of kayaking, adventure, and environmental curiosity into every trip, showing guests why clean water, wild places, and a life of exploration are worth celebrating.

Cole K. is drawn to Alaska’s dramatic landscapes and the glaciers that carve them, finding purpose in sharing these fragile ecosystems with others. Guiding with KAW allows him to live a life of his dreams….outside; combining his love of water, adventure, and fun. Known for his playful spirit, Cole has a knack for turning trips into memorable experiences—If you want to get any of Cole’s specially themed tours just tell him the word “spelunk” with a wink, and he’s ready to deliver an unforgettable adventure.

Anna T. grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, usually lost in a book. Early adventures to National parks with her family sparked a love for the environment, leading her to study Environmental Studies and Public Health at Tulane and work on a rainforest reforestation project in Ecuador. Now in Alaska, Anna is thrilled to guide with KAW, sharing her infectious smile and love of the outdoors wherever she goes. When she’s not out on a trip she’ll be deep in a book, running trails, plunging into icy waters, and fuelling up on as much coffee as humanly possible.

Hannah and Trent Lafleur met, married, and built a life together in Seward, a place they’re endlessly grateful to call home. Their paths into guiding took them far and wide—Hannah from exploring the woods and dirt roads of New Hampshire to studying Environmental Science in Maine, and Trent from surfing the California coast to earning a degree in Adventure Education in Vermont. After years of leading trips across the globe, they’ve found their greatest adventure here—sharing Seward’s wild beauty, supporting their community, and raising their growing family.

An outdoor enthusiast by nature, Ria W. was born and raised in Alaska and spends her summers hiking, camping, and adventuring. 7 years in the guiding industry has only strengthened her passion for exploring and sharing this magical state with others.

Abby H. has followed her love of the outdoors across the country—from the Utah mountains to the Louisiana bayous—before landing in Alaska, which quickly became the love of her life. She holds a degree in Marine Biology and is currently completing her Master’s thesis on Pacific Salmon, building on her background in biology and environmental education. She brings both passion and knowledge to every trip. In her spare time you’ll find her trail running, skiing, or polar-plunging in Resurrection Bay, Abby is always looking for ways to celebrate and share the joy and wonder of the place she calls home; Alaska.

Erick L. grew up in Maryland chasing frogs and flipping logs, a love of the outdoors that carried him through studies in environmental science and philosophy and into work in conservation, outdoor education, and wetland restoration. These days, his mind is mostly on kayaks, if he’s not paddling he’ll be coaching the Seward Seahawks HS football team, geeking out over lichens, or chasing whitewater. With his mix of humour, humility, and passion for wild places, Erick inspires others to discover their own love for the natural world.

Kaelyn S. grew up exploring the northern shores of Minnesota before earning a Psychology degree with minors in Environmental Studies and Global Health at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. A summer in Alaska sparked her love for the state, which grew through years working in wilderness therapy and adventure programs across Utah, Montana, and Washington. Now our Logistics Coordinator, Kaelyn keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes while still finding time to enjoy snowboarding, climbing, hiking, paddling, and creating art.

Ryan W. has spent decades exploring, guiding, and teaching—from kayaking the fjords of Alaska and Scandinavia to farming under the Eastern Sierra sun. With nearly 30 years as an environmental educator, he’s passionate about experiential learning and helping people discover their connection to each other, the land, and the more-than-human world. As Logistics Coordinator, Ryan keeps trips running like clockwork, all while sprinkling in his love of adventure, curiosity, and the occasional well-timed jacket joke.

Dustin N. is Alaska Native (Aleut and Deg Hit’an Athabascan) and grew up in the small fishing community of King Cove, Alaska. A traditional kayak builder, storyteller, and Alaska Native artist, he brings culture, skill, and a deep love of his homeland to every trip he leads. When he’s not guiding, Dustin inspires young people through cultural programs that connect tradition with healthy, meaningful ways of living—and he brings that same curiosity, patience, and joy to helping guests experience Alaska’s wilderness with guests.

Sarah M. grew up exploring the Ontario side of Lake Erie in Buffalo, New York, where she discovered a love for paddling that now carries her from Seward to beyond. Whether she’s canoeing, climbing, or ski touring, she embraces the cold with a warm heart and a love for adventure. An avid student of weather and snow science, former engineer, and board game extraordinaire. She embraces life with a curious mind and a playful spirit, and makes every trip an experience to remember.

Freddy A. grew up on California’s Central Coast, exploring tidepools, jumping into waves, and spending plenty of time on football and baseball fields. His passion for the outdoors led him to study Geology and Outdoor Education at the University of Oregon, where he guided multi-day backcountry trips and honed his outdoor education and technical rescue skills. Now, Freddy shares his love of adventure in Alaska, guiding guests through mountains and waterways, and on days off you might find him climbing, skipping rocks, or searching for the perfect hammock-reading spot in the woods.