Meet Austin Adventures Guide, Daniel
Daniel was born in Kentucky where he began his life of adventure camping and hiking the rolling hills of the Appalachian mountains. He started his career guiding in the Rainforests of Alaska and spent three years looking at bears, fishing for salmon, and walking on glaciers. His travels brought him south to New Zealand, his new favorite place to travel and that's where he began working with the Active Adventures, Austin Adventures, and Discovery Bicycle Tours family of brands.
What's your favorite travel destination?
Alaska, USA.
What's your favorite adventure activity?
Hiking is my favorite, by a mile.
What has been your most inspiring adventure experience?
My most inspiring adventure would have to be the first time I made my way up to Alaska. I had a brother working at a large resort by Denali and at the age of sixteen I flew up to work. Now to overcome the hindrance of being a teenage I crinkled up the learners permit I had just received and poked a hole through the 9 of 1999 so as to be allowed to work, and in between shifts scooping ice cream for tourists I’d hike the wilds of Alaska in the shadow of Mount Denali. It’s hard to work in any other industry following the thrills, excitement, and people you meet working in tourism.
When did you first get the travel bug?
As a kid I was a part of a traveling dance group, I had ants in my pants and the travel bug in my heart.
What is your favorite trip to lead?
Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Adventure and the Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Family Vacation. Who doesn't love cowboys and the wild west?
What inspired you to become a trip leader?
I feel that life is too short for me to do anything but the most fun and invigorating jobs.
Why did you want to guide for Austin Adventures?
The people who sign up for an Austin Adventures tour are the best in the world.
What's a destination you'd like to travel to, that you haven't been to yet?
I would love to go to Antarctica, a legendary place for adventure following in the footsteps of Shacklebolt and many many penguins.
Do you have any favorite hobbies or special talents?
Having grown up in Kentucky I do love to both waltz and play the mandolin.
