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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Lead Guide
With Destination Backcountry since 2024

Cliff is a NY State–licensed hiking guide (Badge #9454), photographer, and wilderness first responder based in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. A San Francisco native, his lifelong love of the outdoors has taken him from the Bay Area to South America, New Zealand, and beyond. After a career in finance and tech, he returned to his roots to guide others through some of the Northeast’s most stunning trails—and send them home with the photos to prove it. Cliff lives near the Shawangunks with his wife, Dani, and their goldendoodle, Pancho—and yes, he speaks Spanish.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

With Destination Backcountry since 2024

Libby McGrosky (they/them) is an experienced outdoor guide in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, now expanding their guiding expertise to New York state! Libby grew up in rural Pennsylvania where they explored often and used the acres of woods surrounding their house as an extended backyard. From there, Libby went to college in Lowell Massachusetts for Environmental Science where they also skated for the US synchronized skating team and competed internationally. While in school and skating, Libby needed an adventure outlet to reconnect with nature during the stressful weeks of training and learning and became a guide for their school's outdoor adventure program. This program gave them experience guiding in the White mountains and kayaking all over the Massachusetts coastline. When Libby moved to New York City for a professional ice-skating contract, they knew they needed to find a way to get outside as much as possible and reached out to DBA and got back into hiking, canoeing, and camping!

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.

With Destination Backcountry since 2025

Elise is a native Vermonter who grew up camping, hiking, snowboarding, and paddle boarding. She has completed the Long Trail in Vermont and aspires to do more treks in the future! While living in Brooklyn helps her pursue music and theater, Elise finds great joy and comfort in leaving the city to be in nature, and is excited to adventure with like-minded New Yorkers! 

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! 

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.

With Destination Backcountry since 2025

Anna’s love for the outdoors began at the age of nine when she went on her first overnight canoeing trip at summer camp. Since then, she has spent as much time outside as possible – skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and backpacking anywhere from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to Idaho’s Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to the Swiss Alps. Originally from Chicago, Anna recently moved to New York City to study Environmental Studies and Documentary Film at NYU. While living in the city, she feeds her love for the outdoors by leading canoeing and backpacking trips across the Midwest and is excited to continue her guiding adventures in the Northeast! Anna is a certified Wilderness First Responder through NOLS Wilderness Medicine and is certified in Wilderness Water Safety.

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.

With Destination Backcountry since 2020

Mayana is a hard core Brooklynite with African-American and Latina roots. As a multi-hyphenate visual artist, florist, and grassroots climate organizer, her work focuses on cultural preservation, liberation, and the shared human experiences (through art and community-based practices) that push against the erasure of Blackness in art and ecology.  Centering the unity of body, mind, and spirit in the name of community care. Mayana is committed to actively promoting the knowledge of environmental and racial injustices toward global awareness and in hope of a global structural shift.  Mayana has collaborated with national and local climate groups on programming, education, and art.  Her leadership spans from Delegate Leader to a COP27 Egypt cohort, to leading art builds for actions in Brooklyn, NY. Mayana's art has been installed in local parks, painted on a community mutual aid refrigerator, exhibited in curated shows, as well as used for NGOs websites/cards/campaigns/merch.  Mayana was named a Top 10 artist in "Art Gowanus Open Studios" for two consecutive years. She has been quoted in articles by The New York Times, The Reuter, The Washington Post and The Women and Gender Constituency issues on environmental justice.  Mayana is always engaging in radical hope toward a safer and softer equitable world.

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.

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.