Greatland Adventures Guide: Meet Mike

A regular series introducing the professional guides who help make Greatland Adventures a success

When longtime guide Mike talks about his life in Alaska, he admits it’s a fortunate position.

“I (had) enjoyed the nomadic lifestyle and guiding people with desires to see and experience new places and tackle new challenges. Throughout years of visiting North America’s most beautiful places, I always felt the need to move on, until I crossed the border from the Yukon into Alaska, and right then the feeling of finding home found me emotional.”

Guide Michael "Shaggy" standing under the northern lights

This backcountry guide is a valuable member of the Greatland team, and says showing off Alaska’s wonders to people every day is a highlight, particularly for older guests who have begun checking items off their ‘bucket list’ of destinations and activities.

When asked about challenges of guiding (and make no mistake, there are many), Mike responded quickly with “Keeping guests from overdosing from excitement” for an answer. With a backpack loaded with worldwide experience in the realm of adventure leadership, Mike’s tenure reaches to the Himalayas and Andes mountain ranges, Canada’s rugged peaks, and the remote Brooks and Alaska Ranges.

But, he says, “The best part is this harsh, beautiful place, and the vastness of (Alaska’s) vast wilderness frontier.”

Mike is a year-round guide, and enjoys visualizing the differences among Alaska’s vibrant four seasons along with guests, because it’s never the same experience. He relishes the time to show off the nuances of winter, spring, summer, and fall in Alaska, a benefit of working for a company that focuses on small-group experiences and the ability to meet guests’ interests and needs.

But first and foremost, Mike is an Alaskan, and loves his life in the 49th state:

“In between guiding and traveling, I’ve built a cabin in McCarthy, and built a home in Denali, all while having my love for Alaska being renewed by the excitement and adventurous spirit of my clients. My joy is showing guests the wonders of my home: from watching a moose (from a distance) or a bear catching a fish or the aurora borealis lighting up the long winter nights.”

We couldn’t have said it any better, Mike!