Meet The Team

Antony McCoy

HOMETOWN: Cape Town, South Africa
FAVORITE RIVER: The Gore Canyon section of the Colorado River

BIO: Antony McCoy has been whitewater guiding and kayaking around the world since 1998 in locations such as Africa, Chile, and across the U.S. Antony is a Level 5 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. During the winter, Antony is a ski instructor at Vail. His favorite stretch of whitewater is right here in Colorado on the famous Gore Canyon.

Whitewater Rafting Trips Dowd Chute Upper Eagle The Numbers Pine Creek and The Numbers

Mike Reid

HOME STATE: Arizona

BIO: Mike Reid has been whitewater raft guiding for more than 20 years. He is a founding member and served as the captain of the U.S. Men’s Rafting Team. During the winter months, Mike works as a ski instructor at Vail and at Beaver Creek Ski Resort.

Whitewater Rafting Trips Dowd Chute Upper Eagle The Numbers Pine Creek and The Numbers

Dan Koerber

HOMETOWN: Wayland, MI
FAVORITE RIVER: Grand Canyon section of the Colorado River

BIO: Dan Koerber found his love for rafting while on a Grand Canyon rafting trip and has been guiding Colorado’s rivers since 2014. Born and raised in Michigan, Dan is an adventurous traveler who loves the outdoors and other cool stuff like craft beer, bright colors, and the University of Michigan.

Whitewater Rafting Trips Upper Colorado River Dinosaur Discovery Vail Wine Tasting and Rafting Lower Eagle River Browns Canyon

Chris Baer

HOME: Van, parked down by the river
FAVORITE RIVER: The one he hasn’t done yet

BIO: Chris Baer (he/him) is a career river professional who started guiding rafts in 2002. His sense of adventure and love for rivers has instigated a migratory lifestyle and river-chasing all over the US and the globe. Baer prefers his steak rare and his beer cold, and while he doesn’t believe in Bigfoot, he knows that the Giant River Squid is real.

Whitewater Rafting Trips Dowd Chute Upper Eagle The Numbers Pine Creek and The Numbers

Meg Dean

HOMETOWN: Darnestown, Maryland
FAVORITE RIVER: Whichever one her friends are paddling with her

BIO: Meg Dean has been guiding with Timberline Tours since 2018, but she started her guiding career on the mighty Potomac River near her hometown of Darnestown, Maryland. During the summers, Meg can be found paddling the Arkansas River solo in her mini raft or kicking back at the Granite boathouse with a cold beer and a whiskey chaser. In the winters, Meg spends her time trying on different careers from hospitality to teaching to mountain ops to private jet parking and everything in between to pass the time. Fun facts about Meg: She grew up in Germany and speaks fluent German; her sourdough starter is named David Doughie; and she has a polydactyl cat named Gigi.

Colyn Josey Smith

HOMETOWN: Puerto Varas, Chile

FAVORITE RIVER: The Petrohué and Futaleufú Rivers in Chile

BIO: Colyn Josey Smith has been guiding and kayaking for 13 years in many parts of the world including Perú, Argentina, Norway, Italy, New Zealand, Slovenia, and the U.S. He loves to go kayaking and explore new rivers. 

Whitewater Trips: Upper Colorado and Arkansas River trips

Greg Davidson

HOMETOWN: North Park, Colorado
FAVORITE RIVER: Colorado’s Arkansas River

BIO: Greg Davidson has been guiding rafts and instructing kayakers on rivers since 1992. Over the years, Greg has worked on rivers in Colorado, Utah, Oregon, California, and West Virginia. His passion for the outdoors led him to earn a master’s degree in wildlife biology in 2007. When he’s not on the river, Greg works as a wildlife biologist, and as the owner of Find It Detection Dogs, his wildlife detection dog business, Greg manages and trains a canine staff of six. He’s been known to sneak off in February to solo kayak the Grand Canyon.

Whitewater Rafting Trips The Numbers Pine Creek and The Numbers

Charlie Ebel

HOME: Madison, WI
FAVORITE RIVER: All of ’em!
FAVORITE WATER FLOW: High side of good

BIO: Charlie Ebel began his professional whitewater career in 1989, providing kayak safety support as Timberline pioneered the iconic Gore Canyon and Pine Creek runs. Since then, he has paddled on five continents and notched first descents in Colorado, Idaho, and Ecuador. He has worked as event safety coordinator on several extreme whitewater races and adventure races, both locally and internationally. Look for Charlie rowing on the Upper Colorado River, accompanied by his beloved spaniel, Loon.

Explore More: As a kayaker, Charlie Ebel played an important role in pioneering Vail’s rivers.

Natalia Borecka

HOME COUNTRY: Slovakia
FAVORITE RIVER: The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River

BIO: Natalia Borecka has been guiding for more than 10 years in places around the world including Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Costa Rica, Brazil, and the U.S. Natalia grew up racing as a slalom kayaker, and then she took her skills to the Slovakian National Rafting Team. In the winter, Natalia likes to travel to different countries to raft, unless she’s working her real job in architecture and graphic design.

Whitewater Rafting Trips Shoshone Gore Creek Lower Eagle River Browns Canyon

Ashley Cary

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Malcolm McCandless

Home Town: Memphis, TN

Favorite River: Desolation Canyon section on the Green River

Bio: Malcolm became passionate about rivers after a trip with friends through Labyrinth Canyon in 2014. Since then, he has been leading private trips down many different sections on the Green and Colorado Rivers. Malcolm has been guiding commercially since 2020. During the winter months, he enjoys traveling abroad and searching for the perfect wave. When he is not working, you will find him riding his motorcycle, camping, or surfing.

Whitewater Rafting Trips: Lower Eagle River, Upper Colorado River, Dinosaur Discovery, Shoshone section of the Colorado River

Michelle Skellion

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Logen Cassidy

HOMETOWN: Madison, IN
FAVORITE RIVER: Gauley River, WV

BIO: Logen Cassidy started raft guiding for Timberline Tours in 2021. After his first season guiding, he went on an epic cross-country road trip from Colorado to the Gauley River in West Virginia with a crew of Timberline guides. Since then, he’s been hooked. Logen is continuously expanding his guiding skills by training on any river he gets the chance to run. In the winter season, he works at a ski shop in Vail.

Whitewater Rafting Trips: Upper Colorado River, Dinosaur Discovery, Shoshone section of the Colorado River

Cassi Kelchner

HOMETOWN: Vail, Colorado
FAVORITE RIVER: Río Fuy, Chile

BIO: A Vail Valley native, Cassi Kelchner grew up running the local rivers with her dad and other Timberline guides who have come and gone over the past 20 years. She has had the pleasure of paddling rivers all over the world, with her favorite being southern Chile’s Río Fuy. She travels year-round searching for new rivers to run and new people to paddle them with.

Max McCormick

HOMETOWN: Minneapolis, Minnesota
FAVORITE RIVER: Eagle River, Colorado

BIO: Max McCormick found his love for being on the water in his early years during canoe trips to the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. He has been guiding on Colorado rivers since 2021, and in the winter, he works as a ski instructor at Beaver Creek. When he’s not guiding, Max enjoys camping, traveling, and cooking for family and friends.

Whitewater Rafting Trips Upper Colorado River Dinosaur Discovery Lower Eagle River Browns Canyon

Maddy Cooper

HOMETOWN: Edwards, Colorado
FAVORITE RIVER: Eagle River: This river runs through my backyard!

BIO: Maddy Cooper has been guiding for Timberline Tours since 2019, but she grew up in the Vail Valley running all the local stretches of river. After attending college, skiing, and running the Yuba and American rivers out in California for four years, she traveled through Europe and Africa–eating, hiking, and rafting across different countries. Since then, she has been back in the Vail Valley spending time on the water, mountain biking, and planning future outdoor adventures. Her favorite stretches of whitewater near Vail are Browns Canyon and The Numbers on the Arkansas River.

Scout Mattison

HOMETOWN: Vail, Colorado
FAVORITE RIVER: Pine Creek section of the Arkansas River

BIO: Scout Mattison has enjoyed paddling whitewater for as long as she can remember. She began guiding for Timberline Tours in 2020 to share her love of rivers with others. She spends half the year paddling and studying in Oregon, but here favorite rapids are here in Colorado on the Pine Creek section of the Arkansas River. Although Scout is currently studying journalism, she hopes to never get a “grown-up job.”

Quaid Garton

HOMETOWN: Vail, Colorado
FAVORITE JEEP TOUR: Castle Peak

BIO: A rare local born and raised in Vail, Quaid Garton has been guiding for Timberline Tours since 2018. He started out as a raft guide but has been trading in his paddle more recently for the steering wheel, so you’ll likely see him as a jeep guide this season as he recovers from an ACL injury. Quaid hasn’t gotten enough of his hometown and its beautiful surroundings—he loves all that the Colorado outdoors has to offer. He’s always excited to hop in a Timberline jeeps and take a tour up to Castle Peak, which—in his opinion—has the best views of the valley.

Molly Reeder

Home Town: Avon, Colorado

Favorite River: Grand Canyon section of the Colorado River

Bio: Molly Reeder grew up in Avon, Colorado, where she’s been rafting since the age of 2. With both parents working as guides for Timberline Tours, Molly spent her childhood exploring the boathouse, learning the ropes, and developing a deep connection to the river from an early age. Now a student at the College of Charleston, Molly returns to Colorado every summer to guide. She’s paddled on a variety of rivers, but the Grand Canyon remains her favorite stretch of water. Known for her upbeat energy and genuine love for the outdoors, Molly brings a sense of fun and calm to every trip. Whether navigating rapids or floating through scenic canyons, she’s always at home on the water and is passionate about sharing that joy with others.

Amparo Killing

BORN IN: Flint, Michigan
LIVES IN: Ensenada, Chile
FAVORITE RIVERS: South Fork Canyon of the Payette in Idaho; Petrohué River in Chile

BIO: Amparo Killing was born in Michigan to an English mother and a Chilean father. A world traveler based in Chile, Amparo is co-founder and owner of River Friends School and Expeditions, which specializes in providing therapy through rivers near Chile’s Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. When she’s not raft guiding, Amparo continues to travel and explore, embracing the River Friends ideal of an “exceptional lifestyle—a lifestyle of water, waves, laughter and the best of friends.”

Stella Von Dedenroth

HOMETOWN: Creede, Colorado
FAVORITE RIVER & TRAIL: My favorite rafting run is Browns Canyon, and my favorite jeep trails are Homestake and Camp Hale.

BIO: A proud Colorado native, Stella Von Dedenroth grew up surrounded by the rugged beauty of southwestern Colorado—a place that deeply shaped her love for the mountains and the outdoors. With a lifetime spent exploring the high country, Stella brings both passion and deep local knowledge to every jeep trip and rafting adventure.

Whether she’s navigating scenic backroads, pointing out hidden waterfalls, or sharing stories about the region’s rich history and wildlife, Stella’s goal is to help guests experience the magic of Colorado’s wild landscapes. In the off-season, you’ll find her fly fishing alpine streams, rafting whitewater, or chasing sunsets on mountain passes.

Skip Dornseif

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J.J. Williams

HOMETOWN: Military-kid nomad from Oklahoma City, OK
FAVORITE TRAIL: Shrine Pass

BIO: A retired professional geologist / engineer originally from Oklahoma City, J.J. Williams was born into a military family and has lived all over the world. His adventurous spirit brought him to the Vail Valley, where he enjoys fishing, hiking, biking, world travel, and skiing—of course. J.J. works as a ski instructor at Beaver Creek in the winter and is also a private chef.

Orlando Ruiz

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Theo Raun

HOMETOWN: Lyons, Iowa
FAVORITE ROAD: Muddy Pass Road

BIO: Jeep tour guide Theo Raun was born in eastern Iowa, near the Mississippi River. He moved to Vail in 1977 and has since enjoyed many adventures in the surrounding mountains, including twice cross-country skiing from Aspen to Vail. Theo began guiding jeep tours in 2004, and he takes pride in still being able to keep at least 3 tires on the road at all times.

Greg Kelchner

HOMETOWN: Vail, CO

BIO: Timberline Tours owner Greg Kelchner founded Timberline Tours in 1971 under the name Timberline Ski and Mountaineering as a guide service for the town of Vail, Colorado. His other exciting accomplishments include directing the outdoor education program at Colorado Mountain College from its beginnings and opening the first mountaineering and backpacking store in Vail in 1973. Greg was also the first permitted guide to lead overnight cross-country ski tours in Yellowstone National Park. As Vail has grown over the years, so has Timberline Tours and Greg’s impact as a commercial rafting expert and an industry spokesman.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GREG KELCHNER AND TIMBERLINE’S RICH HISTORY:
Timberline Tours: A History of Vail Adventures
Vail Rafting History

Billy Mattison

HOME: Vail, CO
FAVORITE RIVER: The Gore Canyon section of the Colorado River

BIO: Co-owner, head boatman Billy Mattison’s river skills and leadership have become legendary in paddling circles. As well as pioneering many of Colorado’s most demanding river runs, Billy is an accomplished mountaineer and assistant director of the Vail Ski Patrol. Whether it’s a Class VI kayak run in Corsica, guiding a group in Gore Canyon, or on a Gore Extreme adventure, sound judgment and an unquenchable enthusiasm have been the hallmarks of Billy’s whitewater career that spans almost thirty years.

Mongo

HOME: Vail, CO
FAVORITE RIVER: The Gore Canyon section of the Colorado River

BIO: Guiding rivers throughout the United States for decades, Chris “Mongo”  Reeder has a number of first descents under his belt. Most often found on Class IV and V rivers, Mongo is truly at home on the technically challenging rivers of Colorado. Mongo is a longtime leader with Vail Ski Patrol during the winter, and he continues to be a true river legend all year long.

Lisa Reeder

BIO: Lisa Reeder spent a lot of time near the water growing up in California. She arrived in Colorado in the early 1980s and acquired an immediate interest in the state’s many rivers. After embarking on several raft trips, she moved to Vail, learned to kayak, and went through the Timberline Tours Raft Guide training program. Lisa was also previously a member of the U.S. Women’s Raft Team, which took her around the world to race rivers in Africa and the Czech Republic. Lisa and her husband Mongo are part owners of Timberline Tours.

Philani Moyo

HOMETOWN: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
FAVORITE RIVER: Africa’s Zambezi River

BIO: Philani Moyo began guiding in 1995 on the Mighty Zambezi in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. His guiding skills have taken him around the world to places including Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Austria, Slovenia, and Colorado. Philani owns and operates Shockwave Rafting and Safari in Victoria Falls. When he’s not in Colorado, Philani would love to take you out on a great adventure in Africa with his company, www.shockwavevictoriafalls.com.

Christian Labrana

HOMETOWN: Choshuenco, Chile
FAVORITE RIVER: Rio Fuy, Chile

BIO: A native of Chile, Christian grew up beside the river that he would eventually pioneer as a raft guide, the Rio Fuy. His love and skill on the river brings him around the world to guide. If you find Christian on the back of your raft, he will surely have a big smile on his face. To learn more about his Chilean rafting company, Rucapillan Expediciones, click here.

Thabani Masuku

HOMETOWN: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
FAVORITE RIVER: The Edwards Mile section of Colorado’s Eagle River

BIO: Thabani has more than 22 years of rafting experience, and he guides year-round, following the sun. Thabani has guided in some stunning locations across the globe including South Africa, Zimbabwe, the Nile River in Uganda, and in Colorado. Making a clean and splashy run through the rapids really gets his heart going, but beware: Thabani loves to look at the pictures after a whitewater trip to see how much he splashed his guests.

Kristy Madill

HOMETOWN: Potato Point, Australia
FAVORITE RIVER: Upper Dalaman in Turkey

BIO: Rafting guide Kristy Madill has been guiding year-round since 1995 in locations across the globe including Bhutan, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Chile, Turkey, Mexico, California, Arizona, and Colorado. Kristy likes to keep “in shape,” and she considers “round” a shape.

Whitewater Rafting Trips Shoshone Gore Creek Lower Eagle River Browns Canyon The Numbers

Johnny Haraki

HOMETOWN: Queenstown, New Zealand
FAVORITE RIVER: Upper Eagle section of Colorado’s Eagle River

BIO: A true river professional, Johnny Haraki has been raft guiding around the world since 1998 on rivers in Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, the United States, and in his home country of New Zealand. Johnny is certified in First Aid/CPR and swiftwater rescue; he has also taught guide courses in Australia. When he’s not on the river, you’ll find Johnny outside downhill mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and snowboarding.

Oscar Colorado

HOMETOWN: Veracruz, Mexico

BIO: A raft guide since 1995, Oscar Colorado has deep river experience and has raft guided around the world on rivers including the Ottawa River (Canada), Trancura River (Chile), Mendoza River (Argentina), Pacuare River (Costa Rica), and on the Pescados River in his home country of Mexico. Oscar is certified in advanced first aid and swiftwater rescue. He’s a leader on the river who loves to meet new people and have a safe and memorable time rafting. When he’s not guiding, Oscar likes to kayak, travel, and explore new cultures.

Verny Chavarría

Home Country: Costa Rica
Favorite River: Costa Rica’s Pacuare River

Bio: Verny Chavarría began his raft guiding career in 2002 in his home country of Costa Rica and has also guided in the US states of California, Tennessee, Colorado, and North Carolina. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and a swiftwater rescuer. Verny grew up in an athletic family that organizes sporting events in Costa Rica, including triathlons and adventure races. A man of many talents, Verny also guides outdoor adventures in Costa Rica including trekking, nature hikes, kayaking, zip-lining, rappelling, horseback riding, and canyoneering.

Whitewater Rafting Trips Dowd Chute Upper Eagle

Joe Dunne

HOMETOWN: Blue Mountains, Australia
FAVORITE RIVER: North Carolina’s Green River

BIO: Raft guide and kayaker Joe Dunne has been guiding, paddling, and instructing around the world since 2012 in locations including Nepal, Canada, the United States, and in his home country of Australia. Joe is a certified Wilderness First Responder and a Swiftwater Rescue Technician. You might catch sight of Joe cruising by on a skateboard, but since he began kayaking in 2006, he paddles in his spare time every chance he gets.