REI Adventures 2010 Top Guides

The REI Adventures Top Guide Award recognizes our trip leaders who consistently exemplify the highest standards of customer service. While we believe that our entire guide team around the world is second to none, every year we choose to honor a select few who go beyond our already high expectations and consistently create a truly unforgettable travel experience for our members. Annual REI Top Guide award winners are invited to Seattle each year for a recognition ceremony at our Flagship Store and a chance to reconnect with past trip members.

The REI Adventures Top Guides for the 2010 season are:

Pavel Činátl

Prague to Budapest Cycling

Vienna to Prague Cycling

Pavel was born in Southern Bohemia, part of the Czech Republic, in the ancient walled village of Trebon, one of the many picturesque stops on our Vienna to Prague Cycling trip. Pavel has been proudly sharing his knowledge of his homeland with REI members since 2006. He graduated from Charles University in Prague with a masters degree in primary education, and later obtained a second degree in outdoor sports. During these studies, he also represented his school in international adventure racing. Passionate about travel, Pavel spent two years exploring countries throughout Asia and traveled for a year in New Zealand. When he's not guiding REI Adventures trips, this licensed river guide leads trips on Czech and Austrian rivers, and in the winter teaches skiing and snowboarding. Pavel enjoys meeting the active people who travel on REI trips and says it's great to see how complete strangers become great friends by cycling and working together to map out the daily rides. Happy REI members at the end of each trip bring him great satisfaction.

Shawn Forster

Barrier Reef and Rainforest Multisport

Shawn began his guiding career in 1995 based on what the Aussies call a "golden handshake." He was working as an outfitter and fabricator in Sydney when he was offered an early retirement. This gave him the opportunity and freedom to pursue a lifestyle of fun and adventure. Loving outdoor activities, Shawn naturally steered himself in the direction of working with friends on rafting trips and training courses for future guides. Shawn spent a year guiding rafting trips in Japan and in the year 2000, he began guiding for REI Adventures based out of Cairns, Australia. Affectionately known as "Boopa" by his long-time friends, Shawn operates on the premise that life is broken into thirds: 1/3 spent working, 1/3 spent sleeping and 1/3 spent socializing. According to Shawn, as long as you enjoy your work, then the rest is easy. He loves guiding, so the remaining 2/3 is effortless. Outside of guiding, his main loves are cricket, tennis, rugby and surfing with his dog Billy. His favorite beer hails from South Australia-Coopers. His claim to fame is that his mother went to school with Crocodile Dundee actor, Paul Hogan. As an REI guide he enjoys the diverse activities, building friendships with our guests and "having a fat old time in paradise together."

Haris Karagiannis

Greek Island Hopper

Haris's full first name is Charalampos, which means shine from joy, or happiness. Hailing from the Greek island of Evia, he loves the outdoors, especially the sea. In fact, after waterskiing for the first time at age 10, he was so inspired he decided to become a waterski instructor. In 1997 Haris began hiking and developed an interest in nature preservation. In 2000 he graduated from college, first in his class, with a degree in environmental studies and with certification to guide in national parks and recreational areas. Also in 2000, he completed training as a lifeguard by the Greek Coast Guard and began guiding for REI Adventures. Four years later, Haris started a second degree, History of the European Civilization, which he completed in 2010. Haris also loves to travel and has hiked throughout Greece, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Italy and his favorite destination, Venezuela. He also enjoys sailing, sea kayaking, books, music, and movies. Haris is married and has a lovely 1 year old daughter.

Anderson Mediding′i Lukumay

Tanzania Classic Safari

Anderson was born in Lesiraa Village in the heart of Maasai country. The Maasai are pastoralists, and as a young man Anderson herded his family's livestock in the bush. That taught him much about the wild animals that live in his homeland, and was his inspiration to go to college, where he continued to learn about animal behavior. During his studies, there were three choices for his professional course: park ranger, park warden, or a park guide. He chose to be a park guide so he could share his knowledge of animals with others. He enjoys explaining the animals' behavior in their natural environment to our members. Anderson's favorite animal is the giraffe, the national animal of Tanzania, which he describes as being very "elegant." Anderson is quick to share with REI members a very interesting sleeping habit of the giraffe. However, you'll have to join Anderson on safari to find out what it is! Anderson, who has been guiding for REI Adventures since 2007, loves his work as a guide and is very proud of his profession. He likes working with REI in particular because our vision aligns with his: "having the idea and commitment of taking care of nature for future generations." He also believes life is a learning process. Anderson has three beautiful young children: two boys and a girl.

Françoise Mantel

Tour du Mont Blanc

Switzerland Hiking: Eiger to The Matterhorn

Born in Lyon, France, Françoise moved to Chamonix in 1976 so she could climb and ski. After many years exploring the mountains above Chamonix and in other parts of the Alps, Françoise decided to become a guide and passed her exam in 1979. She started guiding in the Chamonix area in 1982, but at the end of the 1980s, she discovered a new passion-paragliding. She passed her certification in this sport and created her own paragliding school in Chamonix, staying very busy for eight years. Fortunately for us, Françoise came back to guiding and has been leading REI trips in the Alps since 2002. Françoise says guiding REI trips is a great way to experience cultural exchanges and share different points of views. Interacting with people has always been inspiring for her. Françiose loves guiding REI members in particular; she says they are very sport oriented, well prepared for the level of activity, and have a great sense of curiosity and discovery. She is married and the proud mother of two.

Maryanne Mason

Grand Canyon Havasu Falls Hiking

Grand Canyon Havasu Falls Family Adventure

Superstition Mountains Backpacking

Maryanne got hooked on outdoor adventure as a child growing up in Washington state. Her first backpacking trip in junior high school fueled her passion for the wilderness, and not long after led to work at youth summer camps, where she served as a ropes course and climbing specialist, lifeguard, and group leader. While studying painting at Pacific Lutheran University, she led hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and backpacking trips throughout western Washington for PLU's outdoor recreation program. In 2008, she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and in her free time she continues to paint in oils-her subject most often focusing on the spectacular places where she's traveled. Maryanne's adventures include climbing at Kentucky's Red River Gorge, backpacking through Wyoming's Bridger Tetons, navigating the wilderness of the Grand Canyon and exploring the Redwood coastline. When she's not guiding or painting, Maryanne is probably off somewhere on her mountain bike, hiking a remote trail, snowboarding, rock climbing, planning a survivalist backpacking trip, or trying to capture and study southwestern snakes and lizards. She enjoys triathlons as well, and even kicks back once in awhile to play some shuffleboard, darts, or Blokus. As an REI Adventures guide, Maryanne's vivacious spirit and thirst for adventure makes every trip exciting. She is also a certified EMT and Wilderness First Responder. Maryanne has been guiding trips for REI since 2008.

Tom Richman

Grand Canyon Backpacking

Tom has over 15 years experience planning, organizing and guiding multi-day outdoor adventures. He has been guiding our Grand Canyon Backpacking trip since we started it in 2006, and to date has made over 70 trips into the Canyon. Between the spring and fall departures of our backpacking trips in 2010, he completed a rafting expedition of the Colorado River. Tom has guided backpacking, kayaking and climbing trips all around the west, and has traveled to Central America, Pakistan and Fiordland in New Zealand. He spends the off-season at his home on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. A certified sailor, Tom has sailed Southern California, Tahiti and the Virgin Islands, and is passionate about astronomy and graphic design. Originally from Salt Lake City, Tom says he feels respect and reverence for the environment that comes from understanding and experiencing nature on a personal level. He loves to share in that journey with REI members. Guiding people in the great outdoors is his dream job.