Andrew Roberts
President & Co-Founder
Growing up in the North Carolina, Andrew's passion for the great outdoors began at a young age exploring the Appalachian Mountains and the Outer Banks. Exploring the deserts and mountains of New Mexico in his early teens sparked an insatiable curiosity in him about the American West. At the age of 15, he embarked on his first guiding adventure, leading a group of fellow scouts through the rugged terrain he had come to know so well. This experience ignited a fire within him to share his love for the wilderness with others. Over the years, Andrew has honed his technical and leadership skills, guiding people of all ages and abilities to some of his favorite spots throughout North and South America. From the towering peaks of Mt. Whitney to the deep canyons of the Southwest, from the Pacific shoreline to the snow-capped mountains and glaciers of Patagonia, Andrew has explored it all.
His expertise extends to luxury customer service, and he specializes in privately guiding tours through the national parks of the Western U.S. and Canada. As an AMGA SPI and Wilderness Medical Institute-certified Wilderness First Responder, Andrew takes safety very seriously. He is also Red Cross certified in First Aid and CPR, ensuring that his clients are always in capable hands. However, it's his deep understanding and appreciation for the local terrain that truly sets him apart. While many guides may focus on the more well-known destinations, Andrew is proud to share the hidden gems of the American West with those who are willing to venture off the beaten path.
In addition to his guiding work, Andrew holds a degree in Textile Engineering and has extensive experience in systemized planning, operations, and technical skills. This background serves him well in his role developing and managing American Safari Camp where he works closely with others to plan logistics for all programs and ensure that every journey is truly unique and luxurious. When he's not guiding clients or working behind the scenes, you can find Andrew floundering in the water at the local surf break, or skiing the slopes of his latest mountain adventure.
;
​
Shane Retelski
Operations Manager
Brought up in Charlotte, North Carolina, Shane developed a love for the outdoors at an early age through Cub Scouts. After receiving the Arrow of Light Award, Shane continued into Boy Scouts where he further developed his knowledge of and respect for the outdoors, achieving Eagle Scout rank. With the Boy Scouts, Shane was able to develop extensive outdoor leadership skills and he rose to the role of Troop 133's senior patrol leader for two terms. Shane led adventurous trips including an 80-mile kayaking excursion in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and an 86-mile hike through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at the Philmont Scout Ranch.
Shane continued his adventure by moving to Boone, North Carolina where for three years he was engulfed in the Appalachian Mountains. He regularly hiked sections of the Appalachian Trail and hopes to one day complete the entire trail in one trip. Shane made his way west to Flagstaff, Arizona where he currently resides and enjoys regularly hiking Mount Elden and Humphreys Peak (Arizona’s highest, with an elevation of 12,637 feet). When not sharing his knowledge of the Southwest or preparing for the next big adventure, you can often find Shane snowboarding, mountain biking, or climbing. The great outdoors has impacted Shane immensely, and he aims to share his knowledge and love for all things wild with clients through customized journeys through the Southwest.
Maxie Johnson
Camp Manager & Permit Facilitator
Maxie grew up in LaGrange, Georgia, just a few miles from Pine Mountain - famous as the beloved vacation destination of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Although he embraced the outdoors as a child, it was not until after college when he spent almost five months on the Appalachian Trail that his true love for the outdoors blossomed. Since that time, Maxie has been lucky enough to have amazing opportunities around the globe including an unsupported trek to Everest Base Camp, summiting over half of the 50 state highpoints and hiking from Mexico to the Sierra Nevadas.
And then somewhere along the way, the passion for outdoor adventure turned into a career...
Since venturing into the travel industry half a decade ago, Maxie has had the opportunity to teach and guide in some of the most beautiful and cherished locales on the planet. Despite the numerous places he has been blessed to visit, the "must see" list somehow always grows longer. When Maxie is not out guiding, he trades his backpack for a briefcase and "practices" law. Oftentimes, this consists of staring out the window, tugging at his tie and wishing he could be back out there… wherever that may be.
Maxie loves sharing his passion for the outdoors with others and is grateful to be able to take clients off the beaten path, create experiences that are entirely unique for each of them, and play a part in forging trips of a lifetime!
Josh Krysiak
Operations Specialist
Born and raised on a farm in the Ozarks, Josh was introduced to the outdoors through bucking hay and catching crawdads. His mother, a teacher by trade but a botanist at heart, took it upon herself to instill in him naturalist values. Due to this persistence, Josh discovered a passion for gardening, climbing, and appreciating the natural world from a very young age. It wasn’t until after studying Environmental Science in college that Josh acted on these passions. After a stint with AmeriCorps, he moved west towards Arizona to pursue a career in wilderness guiding and education. Here is where he spent many years river guiding (which eventually evolved into managing a river company), pursuing wilderness medicine via NOLS (where he obtained WFR, Swiftwater, AIARE-1, and High Angle Rescue certifications), and falling deeply in love with the Sonoran Desert. Despite his fondness for the desert, he found himself missing
the woods (and the seasons). Coupled with a newfound love for skiing, his move to Flagstaff in the Fall of 2022 was imminent. Since then, Josh has split his time between working at Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters (a local gear shop), ski patrolling/snow-making at Arizona Snowbowl, and exploring Northern Arizona. These days, when Josh isn’t in the office, he can be found climbing on the warm Sedona sandstone, chasing the sometimes elusive Flagstaff powder, tending his garden, and riding his bike. Throughout his journey, two things have remained true since his humble beginnings on the farm; a love for the outdoors, and a passion for sharing it. Josh is
excited to be able to enact these goals and values through ASC, and to continue to be an outdoor liaison!
Mike Dold
Camp Manager
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Michael discovered his love for the outdoors through Boy Scouts and backpacking trips throughout the Mid-Atlantic. He spent much of his youth exploring the trails of the nearby Appalachian Mountains. While earning his Eagle Scout Award, Michael led multiple overnight trips throughout the United States including trips in the boundary waters of Northern Minnesota, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and two trips in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. Michael found a true passion for the outdoors in college while pursuing an Outdoor Education degree from Colorado Mountain College. After college, Michael completed a 50-day outdoor leadership course through the Outward Bound Outdoor Leadership School in Asheville, North Carolina. He managed an outdoor retailer for two years, operated a bed and breakfast, guided kayaking tours on the Pamlico River, and even found himself in The Last Frontier managing a hotel in Denali National Park.
He now calls Arizona home and prior to working for ASC, Michael guided hiking and paddling tours in Antelope Canyon and on Lake Powell. Through his endeavors, Michael has earned his Wilderness First Responder Certification as well as his ACA level 1, 2 Certification. He now lives in Phoenix and when he isn’t preparing for his next adventure, you can find Michael exploring the Superstition Mountains, hiking, biking, paddle boarding, working on his artwork, and playing pickup soccer.
Will Payton
Camp Manager
Growing up on the Eastern Seaboard, Will always found peace in the outdoors whether through sports, scouts, or long hikes in the Appalachian Mountains. Will eventually found his way out west for the first time in early 2018, and he made the permanent move to Northern Arizona just over a year later. It was here that his love for outdoor recreation grew even more. His favorite hobbies include hiking Mount Elden and Humphreys Peak whenever possible, free climbing in Sedona and Oak Creek, kayaking on any accessible river, and mountain biking in the Coconino wilderness.
Will’s knowledge of the wilderness throughout the country continues to grow, and he loves to share it with anybody that shares his passions!