Dave DiCerbo and Jessica Tackett
Co-Owners
Dave left a successful but unfulfilling corporate career in publishing to pursue his passion for connecting others with the outdoors. In 2011, he founded Destination Backcountry in order to share the restorative power of the wilderness with his fellow nature-deprived New Yorkers.
In February 2014, Jessica attended Dave’s Survival School. Her natural aptitude in and passion for the wilderness led her to become a member of the team. By 2016, she and Dave fell in love, and married in the Catskills in the spring of 2018.
They and their team of guides have dedicated their lives to sharing their favorite wildernesses and helping people form a closer relationship with nature. Dave has contributed to articles and been featured in Backpacker Magazine, Men's Health, and the Wall Street Journal, and has taught his signature ADAPT approach to survival in front of wide-ranging audiences. Jessica co-founded Women of the Wilds with Morgan Skelton, dedicated to bridging the gender gap in the outdoors. They are both members of NYSOGA and Dave serves as a board member at large.
Their daughter Camila was born in June 2021 and joined her first DBA hike less than a month later, followed by her sister Cassidy in 2023, who spent her first night in the woods at 3 months old.
Lead Guides & Leadership
Brad Winer
Director of Operations, Head Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2015
Brad is a licensed NY State Outdoor Guide for hiking, camping, and boating. He also holds professional qualifications in Wilderness First Aid and Avalanche Safety. Brad is an Adirondack 46er and a member of the Catskill 3500 Club. When he is not in the great outdoors, Brad organizes and facilitates corporate team-building events—then goes back to scheming and dreaming about getting back outdoors. Brad has lived and traveled all over the world pursuing his passion for hiking and climbing. He is now based in Brooklyn, where he constantly evangelizes about the rewards of getting out of the city and experiencing the world-class wilderness opportunities available in New York State.
Destiny Colon
Strategic Projects and Senior Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2013
A hike on the Devil's Path profoundly changed native New Yorker Destiny's life and she is excited to be able to share her love of nature as a senior guide. Her confidence and easy demeanor inspires others to new heights—literally and figuratively! Destiny spends her free time completing obstacle course races, swimming, and cooking.
Henri de la Vega
Head of Training and Senior Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2019
Triple Crown Finisher
Henri de la Vega is a New York State licensed guide, long distance backpacker, fisherman, and outdoors enthusiast. Between his thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Florida Trail, as well as countless trips in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, Henri has logged more than 9,000 miles backpacking in the backcountry. Whether it’s catching a fish, carving a spoon or spending your first night sleeping under the stars, Henri has a passion for sharing his knowledge and skills in the outdoors, and strives to help every adventurer achieve their backcountry goals.
Bilen Berhanu
Lead Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2022
Born and raised in Ethiopia, currently based in Brooklyn (NY), Bilen is a lifelong enthusiast and student of all things outdoors. Bilen has an established full-spectrum doula practice. Her care work is grounded in liberatory practices of reclaiming agency and providing pathways to empowered experiences in life’s monumental transitions. In an effort to add to the movement to address disparities, she is deeply committed to creating accessible, culturally competent, and LGBTQIA+ affirming experiences in the outdoors. Bilen graduated with a BA in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College and an MA in Social Science: Environment & Community from Humboldt State University.
Herb Brooks
Lead Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2021
Herb’s love for Outdoor experiences began in Newark, New Jersey with his High School’s 50 mile trek on the Appalachian Trail. He later continued exploration as a staff member of Project U.S.E, a NJ-based experiential education program. After living in NYC and working in film and media over the past 20 years, Herb returned to his roots by volunteering with Outdoor Afro in 2019 focusing on urban-accessible nature connection and healing practices. Herb is Wilderness First Aid certified and a Level 1 Kayak instructor. Herb is currently enjoying assisting the DBA team as he pursues his NYS Guides License. He likes long walks near rivers, streams ,and water. He also relishes any opportunity to meditate, drum and/or dance in nature.
Lauren de la Vega
Senior Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2018
Triple Crown Finisher
Lauren discovered hiking and camping as a way to escape New York City during college. In 2016, she left her 9-to-5 job to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail and, soon after, the Pacific Crest Trail. She is an ultrarunner and visual artist, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Art Therapy. She believes that nature is a powerful space for our physical, mental and emotional well-being and is passionate about empowering others to escape the city and explore all of the natural beauty that New York has to offer.
Raymond DeWire
Lead Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2019
Raymond DeWire is a License New York State Wilderness guide that can lead hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, and hunting trips. He is a former division 1 Swimmer and grew up in rural Pennsylvania. Ray's outdoor life began with scouting and he eventually achieved his Eagle Scout rank. Ray's passion is everything active and outdoors. After achieving his master's degree from St. John's University in Queens, Ray began to explore upstate New York and now calls it home. Ray is a Lifeguarding, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and Water Safety Instructor through the American Red Cross. Ray enjoys white water kayaking, rock climbing, cycling, mountain biking, open water swimming, and taking in the sights and sounds of New York's best hiking trails.
Lynnardo Holland
Lead Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2022
Lynnardo hails from Portsmouth, Virginia. He discovered his love for the outdoors while attending culinary school in the Hudson Valley. Lynnardo’s primary background is rooted in whole body wellness, with a strong emphasis in functional real food, fitness, and mindfulness. Moving to NYC from the Hudson Valley highlighted the need for nature escapes. Recent worldwide events have doubled down on the urgency of nature escapes. He looks forward to helping others escape to and embrace the outdoors.
Melodie Mendez
Lead Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2019
Mel Mendez graduated with a degree in Environmental Anthropology from Davidson College. She has dedicated the last decade as a communications specialist for outdoor brands like Arc'teryx and REI, and currently works at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Outside of work, Mel is an Outings Leader for Latino Outdoors NYC where she leads hiking, bouldering, biking, and stewardship events for Latinx communities in the metropolitan area. Mel has received her Wilderness First Aid certification and is working towards her guiding license.
Morgana Skelton
Senior Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2015
Migrating from Michigan where she grew up wandering the woods and climbing the dunes of the Great Lake State, Morgan is an outdoor enthusiast and nature lover. Moving to the city was a big change for her until she discovered easy access to the mountains and ocean. An avid bicyclist and outdoor explorer she spends as much time that she can getting out of the city. From surfing to hiking to canoeing she has a wide range of interests. A photographer by necessity, she tries to capture the beauty and serenity of the landscapes around her from city life to natural world. Morgan is a NYDEC licensed guide for backpacking, camping, and boating.
Jenna Valette
Lead Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2022
Jenna, who goes by The Hood Hippie, is a city girl who spent her youthful summers in Harriman State park. She has served disenfranchised communities for 18+ years through adolescent and community development. As a newly licensed NYS hiking guide she is connecting her passionate work in social services with her love for the great outdoors. She is currently pursuing her camping guide license.
Greg Wilson
Senior Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2014
We first encountered Greg during an extended bushwhack deep in the Slide Mountain Wilderness; he rolled out of his hammock and started a proper flint and steel fire to offer a warm welcome. Greg is committed to introducing the outdoors to people who desire a fresh perspective on New York City life. He believes that a balance between these two extremes is an opportunity to not only fulfill one's thirst for adventure, but also to challenge oneself to think outside the borough box. Greg is a NYDEC licensed guide for backpacking, camping, boating, and fishing. Oh, and he makes a pretty good beef jerky.
Apprentice Guides
Sam Fuller
With Destination Backcountry since 2024
Growing up in Central Massachusetts, Sam is no stranger to the outdoors. She spent most of her childhood hiking around New England mountains and forests. Since 2020 she has been living in NYC and working as a professional photographer/videographer and began guiding with DBA in 2024. When she’s not shooting photos, Sam is usually pursuing one of her many hobbies like rock climbing, running, or soccer— in addition to planning her next outdoor adventure! Currently working towards her NYS guide exam, Sam is passionate about making everyone and anyone confident and comfortable in the backcountry.
Justin Gibble
With Destination Backcountry since 2025
Justin is a born and raised New Yorker, introduced to the beauty of the outdoors by his parents, who would take him to the Adirondacks throughout his childhood. After choosing a college nearby the ADKs, he developed a passion for introducing his friends to the outdoor activities he loves: hiking, backpacking, ice and rock climbing, and skiing. In recent years he has been adventuring out west and abroad, completing the Nüümü Poyo (AKA John Muir Trail) in California, the Laugavegur Trail of Iceland, and visiting as many national parks as he can. He is excited to continue to share his love of the outdoors with DBA! In the city, he works as a musician and audio engineer.
Chloe Johnson
With Destination Backcountry since 2025
Chloe discovered her love for all things outdoors as an adult and has been hooked ever since. A lawyer by day, she previously worked as a professional line cook and dancer/dance teacher. In her spare time, she hikes, swims, practices gymnastics, plays with her dog, and is learning to fish. She speaks Spanish, is certified in wilderness first aid and water safety, and will receive her outdoor guide license in hiking and camping this month.
Claudia Palomarez
With Destination Backcountry since 2024
Claudia (aka Cloud) is from Austin, TX, and found a love for the outdoors when she started deepening her yoga practice and began rock climbing in 2018. Since then she has spent time dirt bagging through the Sonoran desert, leading climbing trips in the south east, and taking on some long distance hiking (Camino, Long Trail, AT class of ‘23) and biking (Vancouver —> Tijuana) adventures. As an apprentice guide she is excited to share her passion for the outdoors and get people outside!
Giselle Pemberton
With Destination Backcountry since 2023
Giselle grew up in Trinidad where she spent lots of time outdoors. She moved to NY as a teenager and has found new ways to enjoy being outdoors. She is an avid camper, snowboarder, bird watcher and photographer. Giselle volunteers with Outdoor Afro and is a bird guide for the NYC Bird Alliance. She is Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified, as well as a Level 1 Canoe instructor. Giselle is committed to being visible in spaces where it is not the norm.
Monica Romanach
With Destination Backcountry since 2019
Monica traded the sunny beaches of Miami for New York City back in 2015. She discovered DBA while interning in 2014 and has been an active member ever since, summiting Mount Marcy and several Catskill peaks along the way. Fueled by Café Bustelo and a love of the woods, Mo is always excited for a long day outdoors. Back in the city, you’ll find her perusing through Strand Book Store or cheering on the Florida Gators.
Cannon Winkler
With Destination Backcountry since 2025
Cannon Winkler is a professionally trained safari guide and animal tracker who began his outdoor career in South Africa and has since led research and artistic expeditions through Central Africa and the Sonoran Desert. He is passionate about interpreting animal behavior, exploring the relationships between species, and helping people explore the natural world. As an accomplished wildlife artist, he creates paintings using real animal tracks to connect people to wild places they may never see, while his guiding is about taking them there firsthand.
Morgan "Mo" Wordes
With Destination Backcountry since 2022
Mo was born on Oahu and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She discovered her love of the outdoors while exploring the natural wonders of California as a child, and participating in an outdoor leadership course during high school. In 2004, Mo moved to Brooklyn to pursue a degree in Critical & Visual Studies from Pratt Institute, and depended mainly on New York City parks for access to natural spaces. Currently, Mo works in Communications for non-profit Urban Dove and their Sports Based Youth Development high schools in Brooklyn and the Bronx, and volunteers as an Outings Leader for Latino Outdoors New York City chapter. With Latino Outdoors, Mo engages Latinx and BIPOC communities in accessing, conserving, and advocating for public lands. She’s passionate about eliminating all barriers to enjoying outdoor spaces, and building community and safe-spaces along the way. She's certified in Wilderness First Aid, fluent in Spanish, and working towards her NYS Hiking Guide License.