Ben Murphy, father of Walter and founder of All-Star Grand Canyon Tours, Inc., brings diverse personal and professional skills to his Grand Canyon All-Star team. Ben’s profound respect and appreciation for the outdoors began as youngster and growing up in Vermont with the Appalachian Trail at his back door. As a teen his explorations extended southward through the Blue Ridge Mountains and he became a certified scuba diver, expanding his range to ocean environments of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. While continuing to be an avid backpacker, mountain biker, hiker, skier, and snowboarder; Ben spent four years in the Coast Guard performing Search and Rescue. He ventured West ten years ago, to extensively explore and guide backcountry to luxury tours within the Grand Canyon, Red Rock country, and the Southwestern Four-Corners States. Ben concurrently earned his Bachelor of Science in Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. His education, leadership, nurturing and outdoor skills, combined with an abundance of enthusiasm make him a great guide,vacation coordinator, and corporate event planner. The biggest reward for him is fostering a relationship with people and their environment. Ben believes, “The more that people understand and appreciate natural places, the more they will want to protect these places.”
Matt Nelson’s love of the outdoors began in his youth as a hiker and mountain biker in California’s Sierra Nevada ranges. This led him naturally to a career in guiding, and he has guided backpackers, hikers, alpinism/mountaineering groups, and mountain bikers. Matt has led trips in the volcanic regions of Northern and Central Mexico, while for several years leading Mt. Aconcagua’s largest environmental service project in the Argentine Andes. He has worked with diverse populations ranging from at risk youth to corporate organizations like Red Bull; as well as various medical, financial, and insurance companies. Matt has been guiding in the Grand Canyon and Southwest for the past seven years, as well as working as an accomplished journalist. He enjoys sharing his passion for the outdoors with others, and loves to teach people about the unique ecosystems of the Four Corners Region.
Rob Noonan has worked 16 full seasons as a Grand Canyon River Guide. He has a degree in Environmental Studies from Prescott College, and has worked for 7 years with prominent scientists on the Glenn Canyon Environmental Studies Team for the Bureau of Reclamation. Rob has been involved in major research studies of big horn sheep, water fowl, and peregrine falcons. He has guided from Alaska to Patagonia, but the Four Corners area and the Grand Canyon have remained his primary passion. His skills and experience make him a valuable member of the All-Star Grand Canyon Team.
Chad Stone was born and raised in Arizona, and has been guiding since 1996. He has guided in Alaska, throughout the Bavarian and Tirol Alps, and extensively in the Four Corners Region. Chad has led hiking, backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, rafting, fly fishing, and horseback riding trips; and has instructed many teambuilding exercises. He has led trips for youths and adults, politicians and embassy workers, diverse corporations such as Teva, and all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Chad enjoys having the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them appreciate the outdoors. We are pleased to have him aboard the All-Star Grand Canyon Team.
Drew Schlachter has been involved in outdoor leadership and recreational programs for over ten years. He has led programs in Alaska, Canada, Oregon, California, Wyoming and throughout the Southwest. His professional experiences include: High Ropes Challenge Course Supervisor, Outdoor Living Skills Facilitator, Rock Climbing Instructor, Outdoor Hiking and Backpacking Tour Leader and director of numerous other environmental programs in outdoor and classroom settings. Drew has been guiding in the Grand Canyon and Four Corners Regions for over seven years, including backpacking, guided hikes, and day programs. Of all the places Drew has been fortunate to have experienced, the solitude and simplicity of Grand Canyon speaks most to him. We are pleased to have him aboard the All-Star Grand Canyon Team.
Ally Martinez was born and raised in Arizona, and has been guiding since 1995. She has guided in New Guinea, Australia and extensively in the Four Corners Region. Ally has led hiking, backpacking, and rafting trips throughout the Southwest; and has worked as a backcountry biologist in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. With a B.S. in biology from Northern Arizona University Ally currently works as an EMT, while earning a second degree in nursing. She enjoys educating people about wild places, archeology, geology, aquatic biology, and botany in an effort to expand their awareness and respect for our natural environment. We are pleased to have Ally aboard the All-Star Grand Canyon Team.
John Domaska, father of Cameron, and professional guide, has 12 years of experience guiding in the Grand Canyon and Four Corner Region. Growing up surfing in California eventually led John to becoming a Surfing Instructor. John’s athleticism and interest in working with people in the outdoors naturally evolved into his development into a Professional Climbing, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, Canoeing and even Spelunking Guide. He has guided from the North East to the Pacific North West and has even worked as a guide in Russia and Mexico. For the past five years John has worked as a Team Building Challenge Course Facilitator for various institutions and populations including: at risk youth; elder hostels; and corporations such as Intel, Motorola, Verizon, Coke, Pepsi, and numerous law firms. We are pleased to have him aboard the All-Star Grand Canyon Team.
Mac Cornwell grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, which inspired him to develop an early appreciation for sailing and nature. Mac moved to Flagstaff 12 years ago and fell in love with Arizona’s arid canyon country. Since then, he has guided throughout the Grand Canyon and Southwest. Whether hiking the 220 mile John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada, navigating technical slot canyons in Utah, or solo hiking hundreds of remote miles in Grand Canyon; Mac is in his element. He has trained hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts the LNT techniques of low impact camping, as well sharing his knowledge of backcountry medical preparedness. Mac has trained with the National Outdoor Leadership School, worked for Outward Bound, and worked with people of all ages in both the motivational and recreational realms. He is a welcome addition to the Grand Canyon All-Star Lineup.