Meet Our Crew

Chris and Jeanne - Owners

Over seventeen years of marriage have taught Chris and Jeanne Szczech the value of working together and the importance of clear communication. Both of them have been exploring in the wilderness since they’ve been able to walk! Whether as an Eagle Scout, USMC Infantry Officer, or while climbing mountains or backpacking with Jeanne, Chris believes in keeping his skills honed. Jeanne’s love of the outdoors was instilled in her at an early age by her parents and six siblings. Stewardship and attention to detail are her focus. When they’re not hiking the Colorado Trail, they can be found with their two daughters in the mountains or the rivers of the Southwest.

Chris and Jeanne are also hired by The Colorado Trail Foundation to be the managers of The Colorado Trail Foundation Trekking Program. They will ensure that your Colorado hiking vacation is highly enjoyable and safe.

Joanna Huis - Guide

Joanna Huis, originally from the Midwest, came to Colorado via upstate NY where she lived, worked and played for 10 years. Having hiked and camped since a young age it seems to be in her blood. She hiked the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks, did many winter camping trips and now sticks to summer camping adventures. Joanna has worn many hats including restaurant work, bartending, Mental Health Counselor, Executive Director for a family service agency. Currently she is a small business owner, ski instructor and guide. Joanna has 8 years guiding experience including 4 years guiding horse pack trips and 4 years guiding on the Colorado Trail. She splits her time living half the year in Durango and half in Telluride, CO.

Nicole Adamczyk - Guide

Hi! My name is Nicole Adamczyk. I am currently in my second year of veterinary school at UW- Madison. Before moving to Madison, WI to start my veterinary career, I lived in Boulder, CO for 4 years where I obtained my MS in Chemistry at CU. I started hiking the CT during weekend trips to the mountains. Since then, I have thru hiked the CT twice, summer ’08 and ’09. I was a guide on sections 4 and 5 this past summer and had a blast! I’m ready to share your CT experience with you. So lace up your hiking boots, grab your backpack and poles and come hiking with us!

Nick Olson - Guide

Howdy all. My name is Nick Olson. I am proud to call Durango, Colorado my hometown; although currently I am happily homeless and travelling through South America. I recently earned my Bachelors in Economics from Birmingham-Southern College in the heart of ole dixieland, Birmingham, Alabama. Now I am enjoying the natural treasures of our southern neighbors from Patagonia to the Amazons. As for the Colorado Trail, I completed a thru-hike with two of our past and hopefully future guides (sister Ryne Olson and lifelong friend Kevin Emrich) in 2006. I have added two years of guiding experience on the trail since then and could not be more excited for a third!

Jodie Petersen & Dave Peters - Guides (along with their dogs banjo and bela)

Dave Peters and Jodie Peterson are living the Colorado dream!  After retiring from their respective "real jobs" as a large animal veternarian (Jodie) and a physical therapist (Dave), they now spend as much time as possible in the mountains and deserts of the Four Corners area.  In addition to guiding on the Colorado Trail, they work as dog sled mushers in the winter.  They also spend a lot of time volunteering- as long as it is outside work!  They have adopted and maintain the most remote section of the Colorado Trail as well as building trails for Trails 2000 in Durango.  Whether hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, skiing or maintaining trails, Jodie and Dave can usually be found in the remote reaches of the Rocky Mountains.

Evan Ramsey - Guide

Evan Ramsey
Evan used to have a life - he now feels alive one week a year when he guides the CT.

US Forest Service Permitted Outfitter and Guide Service

Colorado Mountain Expeditions (CME) is a permitted guide service that offers supported hiking on the Colorado Trail. They must file an operating plan and annual itinerary with the Forest Service offices. CME has authorized United States Forest Service permits to operate in the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests as well as the Weminuche Wilderness. The Colorado Trail Foundation is also permitted by the US Forest Service to operate supported trekking programs on the entire length of the Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango, CO that covers seven National Forests.

References

We have many written testimonials from past customers who have been very happy with their Colorado hiking vacation. If you would like us to send you a copy of these testimonials we would be happy to do so. Our headquarters is located in Durango, Co., which is a small town of 18,000 people. Word of mouth is our best advertising. If we were doing a bad job, we would get run out of town.

Join us for your next trekking vacation!