We strive to be conscious about our impact upon this planet, responsible stewards of the public lands that we have the fortune and opportunity to use, and we desire to help make this a better planet for our kids.

In order to give back and make this a better world for our kids, we have implemented practices to help achieve these goals:

1. We 100% carbon onset all our vehicles. See Carbon Project C below.
2. Our office is 100% wind-powered.
3. We place a premium on environmental education by weaving environmental stewardship skills into all our services, tours, and programs.
4. We strictly practice minimum impact travel considerations and Leave No Trace ethics and principles with our tours and services.
5. We donate 5% of our net profits to Colorado charities that promote environmental and social change.

We believe education regarding preservation of wilderness areas and open spaces is part of our work. To protect these magnificent areas and the flora, fauna, and clean water that comprise them, we must make everyone aware of their role in this work. Our goal is for our guests to feel a connection to these wilderness areas and, through their experiences, to develop the desire to allocate funds, time, and resources to promoting their preservation for future generations.

We have the highest safety standards for any outfitter and/or transportation company in Colorado. Your Safety is always our first priority.

Just because we love the mountains (and hope you do, too), we know the mountains don’t always love us. Your safety is our number one priority and everything we do is with safety in mind, from the vehicles we drive, to a regular assessment of the weather/road/trail conditions, to discussing appropriate daily objectives.

We ensure our teams members under go yearly medical and first aid training. Out staff have certifications in wilderness first aid, wilderness first responder, wilderness and urban emergency medical technician, registered nurse, CPR, and even higher levels of certifications. We take in consideration and evaluate experience in this equation. Thus, we have team members that do not just have certifications with no real life patient contact. We have professionals that have the experience to go with the certifications. In addition, we are always encouraging and updating the skill levels of our team members. Rest assured, we are setting the bar and are equipped to handle issues that arise in the backcountry and truly assess you before and during a tour or outing.

Our Guides are true professionals.

Our team members (Guides) are true professionals. They are the best of the best and are experts in their disciplines.

What does this mean? In 2009, over 200 applicants applied to be part of the team and four candidates were chosen. We have a very stringent hiring and screening process. Our guides or team members have skills, education, training, and many years of experience that truly separates them from their peers. Rest assured there is no trial and error on your mountain or outdoor experience. The reality is in addition to training and education, there are many nuances developed through experience. Our team members are between the ages of 34-49 years young. If you want an amazing experience, know that you are having the best join you in the mountains.

Most personalized outings and customized services for groups and individuals.

Our goal is to "give you memories that last a lifetime", "make your lives more interesting", and "open up experiences not found in your guidebook". See testimonials.

We strive for giving you the best local experience that is not found in your guidebook, on a blog or website. Everything we do is make sure you feel you are cared for and supported. Making you feel at home, supported and knowing that your wellbeing and safety is our first priority. We do not want you to come experience Colorado with us and then just leave. We want you to always stay in touch, e-mail or call to say hi and feel free to contact us for any questions about the outdoors you may have. We strive to give you experiences that last a lifetime.

"We do not remember days... We remember moments." (Cesare pavese)

We provide outstanding access, education, and support!

We are used to providing access, education, and support for outdoor activities and recreational sports (hiking, biking, backpacking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, climbing/mountaineering, etc.). We have the outdoor skills, experience, and training to evaluate objective and subjective risks associated with outdoor activities. This allows us to truly give you information and education for you to be safe while doing these activities.

You can rest assured you will get up to date weather, mountain/trail conditions, safety considerations were evaluated, rescue plans communication, and chain of command systems are in place. You can also be assured that what you are told will help minimize your impact on the environment.

Accessing outdoors and wilderness activities is not like dropping you at the mall in downtown Denver. These activities and mountain environments can present many objective hazards. We have the skills, mountain and outdoor education and experience to make sure you are safe.

The other big difference that we provide is support. We NEVER EVER just drop you off in the mountains, but have a recorder and communication system that monitors if you are overdue or should have returned. Our guides are trained in wilderness education and safety and provide a more indepth understanding of the geography, history, wildlife and vegetation of the local area. We also provide the education to travel in the mountains and outdoors safely. If you want access, education, and support, we are the Gold Standard for guide and transportation companies.

Authorized and permitted by the US Government (Rocky National Park and US Forest Service – Roosevelt National Forest), State of Colorado, City of Boulder, Jefferson Co., and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

We are also the only outfitter in Boulder County that is authorized by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to provide transportation. What does this mean? We are truly a one-stop and have the highest safety standards for both outfitters and transportation companies.

In terms of outfitters or tour companies, our guides are also professional drivers. We have them have routine medical and physical exams, driving safety and background checks are performed, yearly driving records are checked, driving hours are monitored, specialized mountain driver training is accessed and additional training is provided, and a much higher level of insurance is required than just an outfitter. As a result of this authority with the Public Utilities we are allowed to charge for transportation, outfitters or tour companies are not. The biggest difference is you can rest assured we have insurance for transportation and professional drivers are driving you. If safety is important, make sure professionals meeting the gold standard for safety requirements are transporting you. Please check to make sure the tour company or outfitter is authorized by the State of Colorado Public Utilities Commission to provide transportation. CO PUC

If the tour company or outfitter is not authorized, chances are they are able to charge cheaper rates because of inadequate or lack of insurance or minimum levels or poor safety standards. Outfitters (hiking, biking, rafting, mountaineering, climbing, etc) are not required in the State of Colorado to have transportation authority or insurance to transport passenger. Thus, your safety is put at risk or should anything happen, there is no recourse.

Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides is owned and operated by Joshua Baruch. Joshua has been working in the outdoor industry for 15 years, with experience in transportation, guiding, healthcare, mountain rescue and safety. Joshua has a tremendous passion for exploring the outdoors, a desire to promote exploration in others, a strong sense of responsiblity related to mountain safety, and an uncanny ability to find the best local places and experiences possible.

Josh lives in Boulder with his wife, Erica, son, Asher, and newborn daughter, Lilah. When not working, Josh can be found on the many trails, peaks, and couloirs in Colorado's front range mountains. Erica is another avid outdoor enthusiast and son Asher is already a formidable hiker at age two. Throughout the four seasons, the Baruch clan continuously explores the manificant terrain, scenery, and wildlife of their incredibly extended backyard!

Managed and owned a mountaineering guiding company that operated domestically and internationally for 5 years (California Expeditions), more than 30 international expeditions to five continents; AMGA training and AIARE certiciations; 2 years high angle search and rescue experience; 2 years EMT-I working the 911 call system (Golden and SWAC Firestations); W-EMT training and certifications; Critical Care resgistered nurse and six year experience in six medical disipines (ICU, telemetry, PACU, IR, SDU, and DS); Certifications in Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pedicatic Advanced Life Support (PALS); College Instructor for outdoor navigation, Safety consultant and risk management plans written for the State of California; Former wildfire red card and wildlife crew member. First profession was traveling on the ATP Tennis tour, had to choose between skiing or tennis at age 15, chose tennis because father was a tennis pro. Seven month honeymoon traveling around the world, favorite spot Ladakh. Education and degrees in Environmental Studies (adventures education and alpine ecology) and nursing. Research in altitude physiolgy and the 10 environmental stewardship skills developed in adventure education.

First backpacking trip was at age 7 with Mother, Heidi, and brother, Eddie, that included eight days and the eight AMC huts around New Hampshires Presidental Range. At the end of that trip, I was hooked by mountains and what I had experienced on that trip. The next year I skied Tuckermans Ravine headwall for mothers day at age 8 and that tradition continued every mothers day for the next 8 years. The time since has been building upon a solid outdoor foundation and passion developed from a young age. The important lesson I learned is exposure at a young age can really set the seed for a foundness and love of the outdoors. I am trying to create the same foundation for my kids and those that I have the opportunity of share time with outdoors, regardless of their age. We all get our exposure to different things at different ages and times. The most important thing is creating a safe, fun, and engaging experience to maximize personal growth, learning, and 'thirst for adventure of some kind'.

Nick has been with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides since the first day of operation. Nick works as a driver educator on various shuttle trips and tours. Nick is also responsible for the bulk of our guiding on hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and mountain biking trips. He is dedicated to providing each client with the best experience possible without compromising safety.

A graduate of the university of Vermont's Recreation Management program, Nick is an experienced mountaineer, mountain biker, paddler, and back-country traveler. He is Wilderness First Responder medically trained and has been for over ten years. He served five years as a U.S. army ranger and is a graduate of Airborne School, Ranger School, S.E.R.E. Survival School, Non Commissioned Officer Primary Leadership Development Course, Combat Lifesaver, and Field Sanitation. He has also been employed by the National Park Service as a park ranger and a biological technician.

Nick has spent the last several years working as the Field Director for a wilderness therapy program in Colorado. Nick is an avid mountain biker who competes in numerous races throughout the summer under the Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides sponsorship. He is committed to getting people from all walks of life involved in the outdoors.

In addition to his duties at Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides, Nick is working hard to develope a non-profit that focuses on disabled and able bodied Veterans experiencing outdoor achievements. This organization is called Veterans Expedition Teams and will make it's debut with a summit attempt of Mt. Shasta on September 11th, 2010.

Sonja has been with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides shortly after it's beginning operations and is one of our two designated photography guides. She also guides hikes, mountain bike trips and snow shoeing as well as educational excursions, shuttles, and tours.

As a military brat she had the chance to travel the globe starting with Africa as a 3 year old and later living in Micronesia where she first showed signs of extreme tom girl-ism. She became a tree climbing fanatic, watched every Tarzan movie ever made and plans on living in a tree house someday. She is a ski instructor in the winter months at a local Colorado mountain resort and has been skiing for 37 years. She also guided cross country skiing in the state of Maine in the 80's.

Sonja's years in college were focused on photography and the dark room and her work has been displayed at various locations from New England to Santa Fe and the Caribbean where she lived for four years becoming a body builder and working as an architectural draftsperson along with first mating on a 40 ft sailboat. Her travels have also taken her to at least 20 national parks, 35 states, 5 continents including Europe (backpacking for 5 months) and South America.

Her other interests and expertise are river kayaking, white water rafting, golfing, volleyball, soccer, motorcycling, bowling, computers, and submitting articles for magazines such as Woman's World (featured twice) Business Leader and Bliss. She has also been a lead singer in 2 bands, an extra in 5 movies and TV shows and a featured actor in one other.

Caleb is one of our designated photography guides at Colorado Wilderness Rides And Guides. In addition to guiding photography tours, he guides peak ascents, and winter activity programs. Caleb is responsible for many great pictures on our website as well. When not working with us, Caleb can be found at his other job as an officer in the US Air Force.

Artist's Statement:
Although I have always appreciated the varied beauty of nature, my first real inspiration to photograph it was on a trip to Sequoia National Park in California. I had borrowed a few cameras before that, but decided on that trip to acquire my own and start using it regularly. I was originally drawn to landscape photography, specifically, high-contrast black and white landscapes/seascapes. I have since become fascinated with the many genres of photography and enjoy shooting portraits, abstracts, and time-lapse to name a few.

I have been influenced through the work of many great photographers, most importantly my friends Jason Rearick, Ira Lippke, and Steve O’Day. I have not had the privilege of shooting with these great photographers, but Ansel Adams and Scott Bourne have had a big influence on shooting style.

I have always shot digital, but I try and shoot like I care about the film I would have to develop. For example, I usually set up and wait for the light to be proper when shooting landscapes instead of just clicking away and searching for “the one” in a bunch of photos.

Most of my travels have been within the United States and I love shooting in California, Colorado, Wyoming, Maryland, Virginia, and Alaska. Favorite places aside, I am convinced that beauty can be found in the places least expected.

I have not taken any formal training in photography and am self-taught through my own trial and error. I have studied many photographers/photos, read numerous books, listened to a variety of photography talk shows and practiced many different techniques through experimentation.

Although I have limited experience in formal photography, some of the events I have covered include Relay for Life events in Calvert County and a mountain climbing training weekend for Veterans Green Jobs. I am a member of the Artists Association of Northern Colorado, and am working towards placing work in local galleries.

You can check out some of Caleb's other photographs at http://burycm.smugmug.com/

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