Guides of Grand Canyon and the Four Corners Region
Ben Murphy, husband, father, 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 a youngster growing up in Vermont with the Appalachian Trail at his back door. As a teen his explorations extended southward through the Blue Ridge Mountains. 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 sixteen years ago extensively exploring and guiding backcountry and luxury tours throughout the Grand Canyon, Red Rock country, and Southwestern Four-Corners States. Ben concurrently earned his Bachelor degrees in Education and Fine Arts from NAU 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 between people and their environment. Ben believes that the more 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 21 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.
Kevin Moriarty is a perfect fit for our Grand Canyon Tours. He is a native of Northern Arizona and an avid outdoor enthusiast. As a young boy, he was fortunate enough to be exposed to the marvels of the Grand Canyon, the wonder of our local ponderosa pine forests, and the people that call these places home. These feelings were nurtured through his experiences in the Boy Scouts, where he eventually became a Eagle Scout. He led younger scouts on various excursions that covered a full range of outdoor activities from snow camping on the San Francisco Peaks of Northern Arizona, to canoe trips on the Colorado River.
In 2007, he graduated with BA in Spanish, a minor in German and a proficiency in conversational Portuguese. After earning a Master's Degree in the Art of Teaching Spanish from Northern Arizona University he worked as a Spanish instructor for Coconino Community College and the local University. While at NAU one of his duties was to help coordinate a study abroad program to Cuernavaca, Mexico. As their guide in a foreign country he helped the students acclimate to new cultures and helped them to explore the best parts of Mexico.
Although new to the world of guiding, Kevin's background provides a beautiful perspective on Northern Arizona. He is excellent at communicating with his guests, and his passion and enthusiasm for the area is experienced throughout his tour.
