Our Guides

Dallin Tait / General Manager

Dallin has led Wild Expeditions since 2012 and enjoys nothing more than exploring the canyons of Bears Ears National Monument.  He’s guided professionally for over 15 years including skiing, rafting, canyoneering, 4×4’s and backpacking.  Married to Cassidy, who also guided with Wild Expeditions before starting a family.  Now with 5 young kids at home and a small farm there is never a dull moment, but you’ll find them living life to the fullest.  Favorite outdoor activities include hard enduro dirt biking, split-boarding, climbing and trail running.

Bucketlist Trip: Heli-skiing in British Columbia.  I’ve been once and I’m addicted.

Favorite part of Guiding: Creating new experiences, meeting new people and helping them safely step outside their comfort zone.

Fun fact about Dallin:  We ran Grand Gulch top to bottom 52 miles in a single day and enjoyed it.

Ashlyn Davis

This is my fourth year guiding, and I look forward to the summer every year! I was born and raised in Southern Utah, and the deserts out here are my favorite places in the world. I love being out of cell service and getting to know the canyons around me.

Bucketlist trip: Kayaking the Inside Passage in Canada and Alaska.
Favorite Part of Guiding: Watching people overcome their fears.
Fun fact about Ashlyn: I am really good at Mancala.

Eli Lansing

Bucketlist Trip: Fishing in Alaska. 

Favorite part of Guiding: Next to meeting new people everyday, the land has to be my favorite part of guiding. 

Fun fact about Eli: I like to hike and fish.

Ian Lameman

Ya’a’teeh everybody! I am from Red Mesa, AZ/UT on the Navajo Nation which I am also an enrolled member of. I’ve been a river guide for 3 years and also did some tour driving in Monument Valley prior to working here. I grew up in the 4 corners region mainly farming & ranching before I became a guide.

Bucketlist Trip: I dream of going to Japan and Mexico one day.
Favorite part of Guiding: My favorite part about being a guide is being able to share the cultural history of the land in an outdoor setting.
Fun Fact about Ian: I love music of many kinds but prefer Rock N Roll, Country, Regional Mexican, and Hip-hop most of the time.

Jenson Bayles

My name is Jenson, I was raised in Ohio but a year ago I fell in love with the desert and packed up my car and moved to Utah. Archaeology is my passion and I love being able to share the ancient history and rugged beauty of this place with others.

Bucketlist Trip: Mine would have to be working on a small sailboat sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.
Favorite part of Guiding: My favorite part of guiding is being able to help other people experience this amazing place that completely changed my life.
Fun fact about Jenson: I love to cook and make mean butternut squash risotto.

Kari Stoddard

Meet Kari! This is her first year with us. Previously a nurse, we are excited to have her as a guide here at WILD expeditions. As a guide she is stoked to share with you the history of the San Juan river and the intricacies of the areas flora, fauna, and geology that called her to the desert years ago. When Kari is not rowing it on the river, you can find her painting and chasing lizards.

Bucketlist Trip: To river raft on all 7 continents (well maybe not Antarctica). 

Favorite part of Guiding: Sharing great adventures with amazing people from all over the world.

Fun Fact about Kari: She’s worked as a surgical nurse at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.

Kayleb Carr

This will be Kayleb’s third season with Wild Expeditions. He enjoys being outside, riding his motorcycle, being in the sun and spending time with his daughters. In the off season Kayleb works for Picture it Palmer, doing broadcasts and working on film and commercials.

Bucketlist Trip: I would love to travel to the United Kingdom and visit all the beautiful sites.

Favorite part of Guiding: Spending time with the guests, getting to cook and share such a wonderful experience.

Fun Fact about Kayleb: I have a degree in Mortuary Science.

Lane Palmer

Bucketlist Trip: One of my bucket list trips is to embark on a journey to visit all 50 states and their capitals. Currently, I’m engaged in a friendly competition with my little brother to achieve this goal. The stakes are high, as the loser will fund a trip for both of us to Washington DC, the capital of the United States. It’s a thrilling adventure that combines my love for travel, exploration and a bit of sibling rivalry.

Favorite part of Guiding: The joy of being outdoors and sharing that love with others. I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life, exchanging stories, and imparting my knowledge about the local area and history. I find this deeply rewarding. It’s the blend of adventure, connection, and the chance to showcase the place I call home. 

Fun Fact about Lane: He owns and runs his own video production business. This venture is a stepping stone toward my dream of making movies while embracing the lifestyle of living in a small town in Utah. It’s my way of blending my passion for storytelling with my love of god, family and the adventures I find in the great outdoors.

Levi Nells

Levi is a Dine native from Cortez, Colorado and the SouthWest region, but finds himself on adventures all over the world. Whether it’s high altitude climbing in South America, scuba diving off the Galapagos Islands, or Ice climbing on glaciers in Alaska, he is ready for the next big adventure! With plenty of hobbies like playing guitar, starting a non-profit climbing gym, and playing Dungeons and Dragons, the time passed alongside Levi will always become cherished memories saturated in laughter and joy. 

Bucketlist Trip: One of my most recent bucket list trips is to visit Vietnam in the name of eating the best possible street food known to man and to rock climb limestone island cliffs on the coast while diving for seafood dinner.

Favorite part of Guiding: One of my favorite parts of guiding is seeing the face of triumphant clients who realize they can do so much more than they think they are capable of, ingraining a sense of confidence and belief that they too have what it takes.

Fun Fact about Levi: I grew up doing 4-H and raising farm animals for 13 years!

Marley Haws

I was raised in San Juan county and have been lucky enough to guide for WILD on the San Juan River for over 7 years. For me, nothing will ever replace experiencing the spirit of the land, the sacred archeology, waking up to cool mornings riverside and floating down stream while making a new friend.

Bucketlist Trip: Grand Canyon River Trip

Favorite part of guiding: Sharing experiences with others

Fun fact about Marley: I have a hard time with olives

Sierra Klemme

Hi my name is Sierra Klemme (she/her) I am from Page, Arizona and this will be my second year guiding for Wild Expeditions. I love being outside whether it is an extreme adventure or just a walk around the block.

Bucketlist Trip: To go to Patagonia and see the gigantic mountain ranges.

Favorite part of Guiding: My favorite part of guiding is getting to share the beauty and adventure of river rafting. It also allows me to show the importance of conservation to be able to enjoy and have these outdoor spaces for generations to come.

Fun Fact about Sierra: To release the 2023 year and welcome in the New Year of 2024 I got to watch 23 baby turtles be released into the ocean.

Wes Hawkins

Wes grew up in Monticello, riding mules and scrambling all over the sandstone of Bears Ears with his family. He has deep roots to the area with one side of his ancestors being part of the original settlers in the “Hole in the Rock” expedition and the other side being on the very first Grand Canyon River Expedition of 1869. I’ve always felt a deep connection to the sandy, sage covered desert valley’s in this sacred area with my fondness only growing every day I am lucky enough to spend in the area.

Bucketlist Trip– Exploring the rest of the Colorado river, thru the Grand Canyon. I look forward to exploring all of the rivers in the West. 

Favorite part of Guiding– Guiding guests into completely unplugging and watching the everyday worries melt away in the sun until I meet their ‘river personality’.

Fun Fact about Wes– Wes was named after his Great Great Grandpa William Wesley Hawkins aka ‘Billy Hawkins’. A Mountain Man, Guide, and Cook accompanying Major John Wesley Powell on the first expedition through the Grand Canyon in 1869. Guiding is in his blood!

Raquel Thomas

Ya’a’teeh, I am Racquel Thomas from Monument Valley, AZ, a member of the Dine’ tribe who was born and raised on the Navajo Nation. I am currently going on my third guiding season for Wild Expedition this year. I love being a guide, I’ve been a tour guide for 14 years all together, due to Monument Valley being a tourist attraction.

Bucketlist Trip: A place I’ve dreamed of visiting is the Japanese cherry blossom garden in Japan and to walk the Great Wall of China.

Favorite Part of Guiding: My favorite part of guiding is having an outdoor job and educating others about the land and cultures within the area.

Fun Fact about Raquel: A fun fact about me is, I love to make jewelry and tend to my animals.