REI celebrates Top Guides from around the world in annual awards
Six guides from Tanzania, Portugal, Argentina, New Zealand, Ecuador, and the United States are honored
Mar 19, 2019
SEATTLE – REI has announced the winners of its Top Guide awards, an annual recognition honoring the company’s top travel guides from around the world. Six adventure experts representing Tanzania, Portugal, Argentina, New Zealand, Ecuador, and the United States take home this year’s honor.
The six guides receiving an REI Top Guide award include:
Kibacha Chalambo Athumani (Tanzania)
Trips: Mount Kilimanjaro Climb – Marangu + Lemosho Route
Nuno Brouwer Rodrigues (Portugal)
Trips: Portugal Coastal Hiking
Claudio Silva (Chile)
Trips: Patagonia Multisport
Cimarron Anderson (United States)
Trips: Arizona Hiking – Sedona / Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch / Backpacking Joshua Tree National Park / Superstition Mountains Backpacking / Arizona Hiking – Tucson + Sonoran Desert / Four Corners Hiking – Discover the American Southwest / Yellowstone Backpacking – Black Canyon / Yellowstone + Grand Teton Hiking + Camping / Yellowstone Family Adventure / Bryce Women’s Hiking + Camping Weekend
Angela Sexton (New Zealand)
Trips: New Zealand Hiking – The Southern Alps
Cesar Romero (Ecuador)
Trips: Amazon Basin + Galapagos Islands Family Adventure / Galapagos Islands Multisport / Galapagos Islands + Machu Picchu Multisport
This is the 15th year that REI Adventures has awarded Top Guides. Winners are determined on the basis of consistently outstanding performance and customer feedback. The travel leader also gives significant consideration to guides who best represent REI’s values and brand, and partner with the co-op to strengthen the company’s travel offerings around the world.
REI’s sustainable, human-powered outdoor adventures explore destinations through activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking. Local guides are at the center of every experience, sharing their love of their region through off the beaten path exploration and meaningful interactions with local cultures, communities, and businesses. In addition to the wide range of responsibilities an REI Adventures guide has in the field, guides are focused on limiting environmental impact when they lead trips for the co-op through using Leave No Trace principles and, wherever possible, utilizing reusable or recyclable materials.
The Top Guides are celebrated during a weeklong visit to REI headquarters, including on-campus festivities, touring Pike Place Market and downtown Seattle, and outdoor adventures in the surrounding mountains.
About the REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op’s many stores across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.