Trip Initiators and Staff
Dr. Chad Thatcher, Outdoor Program Director
Nickname: El Jefe, Chadwick, El Papa & Thatch Master
Hometown: Spokane, Washington
BA: History and Spanish from Portland State University,
MA: Experiential Education from Portland State University,
PhD: Sustainability Education from Prescott College.
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Tele Skiing, Whitewater Kayaking, Rafting, International Travel
Best Known For: Being in school for twenty years, carbonated beverage refills, "This is the best ___ i've had in my life!" (Patagonia)
Favorite OP Trip: India
Mantra: "The world is a book; he who stays at home reads only one page." St. Augustine
Years worked: 9
Email: cthatche@coloradomesa.edu
Ryan Dutch , Outdoor Program Assistant Director
Nickname: Dutch
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
BA: Physics from Colorado Mesa University, AS: Engineering and Mathmatics from MSC
Favorite Outdoor Activities: CRACK CLIMBING!!! Rock & Ice Climbing, Backcountry Skiing, International Travel, Astronomy, Mountainineering, Multiday Backpacking, Being in Amazing Places, and Time Travel.
Best Known For: Time Traveling
Favorite OP Trip: Patagonia 2004, Desert Climbing Trips
Mantra:
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." T.S. Eliot
Years worked: First year as Assistant Director, 5 years as student (2002-2007)
Email: rdutch@coloradomesa.edu
Alan Barbee
Home Town: Roswell, NM
BBA: Finance, Economics, Real Estate, and General Business – New Mexico State University
MA: Economics – New Mexico State University
BA: History and Secondary Education – Colorado Mesa University
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Backcountry Skiing, Ice Climbing, International Travel, Canyoneering, Whitewater Rafting, Mtn. Biking, Backpacking, and Scuba Diving to name a few.
Favorite OP Trip: Nepal/China and Haute Route France/Switzerland.
Mantra: “Pain is in the present, but glory lasts forever.” Chef from South Park.
Years Worked: Multiple
Megan McGrath
Nickname: Megs
Hometown: Aurora, CO
Major: Something Medical
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Climbing, Kayaking, Canyoneering, Skiing, Paddle Boarding, Fishing, Biking, Travelling
Favorite O.P. Trip: Middle East International Trip: Cairo - Istanbul
Mantra: "If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space."
Years Worked: 4
Joslyn Funez
Nickname: J-Bird
Hometown: Vail Valley, CO
Major: Psychology, Minor in Anthropology
Favorite Outdoor Activities: International Travel, Canyoneering, Backcountry Hut Skiing, Rafting, Climbing
Best Known For: Naked Skydiving
Favorite O.P. Trip: Zion Canyoneering
Mantra: "Visit Balgladesh before the tourist come" - Posted in a bus station in Dhaka, Bangladesh in English
Years worked: 4
Kayla Luhrs
Nickname: K$ (that's K-Money to you)
Hometown: Bouldah!, CO
Major: Kinesiology Education
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Climbing Rock, Riding Bike
Favorite O.P. Trip: Middle East International Trip
Mantra: "It's not what you gather, but rather what you scatter, that tells what kind of life you have lived."
Years worked: 3
Heidi Duce
Nickname: Heidi Jo or DUCE
Hometown: Ouray, CO
Major: Kinesiology with Adaptive Physical Education, Minor in Psychology
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Kayaking! Kayaking! Kayaking! Rafting, Ice Climbing, Canyoneering, and oh ya more Kayaking
Favorite O.P. Trip: Gunny Gorge Kayaking
Mantra: " I am only one but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but I can still do something; and because I cannot do everything, I refuse to do something that I can do."
Years Worked: 3
Stoney Molina
Nickname: "One guy called me Stone Cold one time."
Hometown: ?Misterio?
Major: Literatura de Ingles
Outdoor Activities: Si
Favorite Trip: Denali
Mantra: "Ser mas como Superman ."
Years Worked: 3
Alyssa Hampson
Nickname: Lyss
Hometown: Anchorage, AK
Major: Business Entrepreneurship
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Kayaking, Rafting, International Travelling, Scuba Diving, Fishing
Favorite O.P. Trip: Indonesia and Malaysia International Trip
Mantra: Ancient Indian Sanskrit given to by a Guru in India
Years Worked: 3
Nicholas Moore
Nickname: NickMo
Hometown: Grand Junction, CO
Major: English, Business, Minor in International Studies
Outdoor Activities: Mounatineering, International Backpacking, Cycling
Favorite Trip: Mt. Sneffels and Southern India
Mantra: Stay positive my friends...
Years Worked: 3
Travis Alan Crawford
Nickname: Slavis, Captain America
Hometown: Fruita, CO
Major: Environmental Science
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Rafting, Snowboarding, Canyoneering, and Backpacking
Favorite O.P. Trip: Middle East International Trip
Mantra: "Be more like Stoney!"
Years Worked: 2
Julie Stump
Nickname: Stumpy
Hometown: Sant Jose, CA
Major: Kinesiology K-12 Education
Outdoor Activities: Climbing, Haning-out, and Biking
Favorite Trip: Mt. Sneffels 14er
Mantra: "Nutritious & Delicious"
Years Worked: 2
Matt Davis
Nickname: The Bike Guy
Homewtown: Grand Junction, CO
Major: X-Ray Tech
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Mountain Biking, Camping, Rafting, Climbing, Skiing
Favorite O.P. Trip: The Tobacco Route in Montana
Mantra: "Don't take life too seriously; you'll never get out alive."
Years Worked: 1
Nick Scott
Nickname: Whatever Floats Your Boat
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Major: Geology
Outdoor Activities: Rock Climbing, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, Ice Climbing, Bouldering, Kayaking, Rafting
Favorite Trip: Orvis Hot Springs Ice Climbing Trip
Mantra: "Wilderness in not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit." - Edward Abbey
Years Worked: 1
Kenny Coles
Nickname: Da Puma
Hometown: Eagle Point, OR
Major: English
Outdoor Activities: Rock Climbing
Favorite Trip: Skydiving
Mantra: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi
Years Worked: 1
Tyler Hawkins
Nickname: Ty
Hometown: Collbran, CO
Major: Kinesiology K-12 Education
Outdoor Activities: Yes Please! Kayaking & Rafting
Favorite Trip: Life!!
Mantra: "Everything I have and do is the best."
Years Worked: 1
Joel Adams
Nickname:
Hometown: Grand Junction, CO
Major: Visual Arts
Outdoor Activities: Hiking, Backpacking, Travel
Favorite Trip: Southern Africa
Mantra: "Don't slow down"
Years Worked: 1
Spencer Rugland
Nickname: Rugly Duckling, Nails, Rug Life, Rug Stain
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Major: English
Outdoor Activities: Skiing, Biking
Favorite Trip: GETTIN SOME!
Mantra: "GET SOME!"
Years Worked: 1
Laura Chase
Nickname: Chase
Hometown: Belmont, NH
Major: Nursing
Outdoor Activities: Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Backcountry Skiing
Favorite Trip:
Mantra:
Years Worked: 1
Past Staff
