The Team
MEET THE TEAM:
We are immensely proud of our close-knit team of hiking guides and we know it is the 'people factor' that really makes a difference on any hiking trip.
All of the hiking guides employed by Southern Wilderness hold current first aid certificates and are equipped with the appropriate knowledge, experience and safety/communications equipment on each trip. The company has an outstanding safety record and employs New Zealand and local hiking guides wherever possible to ensure guests truly experience the essence of this country.
Our team of hiking guides are professional, personable, knowledgeable, passionate and just great fun to be around. Read on to meet everyone for yourself!
Ryan
Ryan started out exploring hiking through his backyard at an early age in the Kaimai Ranges in the North Island. His hiking and general
love of the outdoors and people lead him to complete a year long course at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre. Ryan has spent almost all of his working life in the outdoors, either instructing or guiding. From the North Island to the South Island of New Zealand including the Routeburn and Milford Track and in Australia in the world heritage park Kakadu. Ryan has led many trips through an array of different environments, from snow and ice through savannah woodlands and the dense New Zealand bush, his focus on each tour is to make sure everyone has a relaxed and safe trip. He enjoys cooking as much as the other guides and enjoys eating even more! Oh and he's got some good stories too . . .
Erin
Having grown up on a farm near Te Anau - the gateway to Fiordland National Park - the outdoors has always been a part of Erin`s life. After completing her schooling, Erin spent a year working in outdoor education in England which fueled her decision to begin a degree in recreation management at Lincoln University when she returned to New Zealand. During her time at university Erin worked several seasons 
as a guide on another of New Zealand`s `Great Walks` - the Milford Track. Having not had enough of academic study, Erin returned to Lincoln University and has just recently completed a Masters degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. This is Erin`s second season with Southern Wilderness and she is looking forward to spending more time in the beautiful Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes areas.
Ben
A young Ben first started camping and hiking in the Australian bush; and with the inherent wild animals in the outback, he learnt to be 
very aware of the dangers of his environment, and fostered a focus on safety in the outdoors early on. An avid outdoorsman his love of the environment has grown throughout life and his passions include hiking, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking and rafting. Ben has travelled extensively throughout Europe and the Caribbean. He worked on luxury charter yachts for most of his time while overseas, and while travelling he came into contact with many different cultures, and as a result he has had his fair share of interesting encounters. Upon returning to Australia he worked in the remote West Australian outback for 4 years, this was for various exploration companies and was quite an adventure. Having left that industry to pursue his true passion of working in the tourism industry, Ben has been studying, "Adventure Tourism", at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. Ben is a strong character with a ready grin and some wonderful tales to tell.
Brian
Brian's first outdoor experiences were in the Nelson region with explorations to Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Park from very 
early years. During high school, Brian's tramping interests developed into mountaineering, with forays into the peaks of the area. While gaining a degree in Geology at Otago University, he immersed himself in the local climbing scene and then headed off to climb in Australia, USA and Peru for a number of years. On return to New Zealand, mountain guiding followed in the Mt. Aspiring region along with regular expeditions to the Himalayas. Brian developed a successful career in the outdoor industry, culminating in seven years in senior management position at industry icon Macpac. With a shift back to the Nelson region, Brian is enjoying coming home to his local territory and the beauty of Golden Bay.
Diana (Di)
Di's passion for the outdoors started early with tramps at a young age in the Waitakere Ranges of Auckland and then multi-day trips to
the Kauaeranga Valley, Tongariro National Park and Lake Waikaremoana. She pursued this passion after leaving high school by obtaining a degree in Physical Education at Otago University. While here she gained experience in a range of outdoor activities including rock climbing, kayaking, trekking and offroad running. Although Di has been involved in the corporate world for the past 10-12 years she has always taken time out for trekking trips both locally and internationally, including Africa, Nepal and just recently South America. Di moved to Nelson just under 4 years ago, fell in love with the place and now calls it home. She has taken advantage of its ideal location and regularly takes weekend trips around the Richmond Ranges, and Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes and Abel Tasman National Parks. Small in size but huge in personality and strength, she is the teams 'pocket rocket'. You'll be amazed what Di can do!
Feel free to call on 0800 666 044 at any time