Now Hiring Guides for Summer 2023!
Overview
Rare Earth Adventures is a guiding company based out of Troutdale, Oregon. We operate in multiple and National Forests and National Parks in Oregon, Washington, and beyond. Our trips are education-focused, with the goal of providing our participants with the skills necessary to safely and successfully embark on their own adventures.
We also work closely with the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Climb for Hope to guide special fundraising trips. Climb for Hope supports cancer and MS research through mountain climbing.
Our guides are responsible for the safety and well-being of our participants. This includes providing thorough and engaging instruction, managing environmental hazards, cultivating a positive group dynamic, and ensuring all feel welcome on our trips: regardless of background, ability, or identity.
We also work closely with the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Climb for Hope to guide special fundraising trips. Climb for Hope supports cancer and MS research through mountain climbing.
Our guides are responsible for the safety and well-being of our participants. This includes providing thorough and engaging instruction, managing environmental hazards, cultivating a positive group dynamic, and ensuring all feel welcome on our trips: regardless of background, ability, or identity.
Current Openings
We are currently seeking backpacking and mountaineering guides for the Summer 2023 season, with the option to continue into Winter 2023/2024 and beyond. We have the greatest need for applicants to lead our Women’s Pacific Crest Trail Backpacking trips and Women’s Mt. St. Helens Summit, and for shuttle drivers on the first/last day of select trips.
Application Instructions
Send a resume and cover letter to the Operations Manager, Connor Henzel at connor@rareearthadventures.com. Be sure to include your active certifications, and the trips you are interested in guiding. Full trip descriptions can be found at www.rareearthadventures.com/adventures
Please speak to your skill set and experience in the outdoors in your cover letter, especially if you are applying for a mountaineering position. This could include specific distances, elevation gains, and trip durations from your personal or professional adventures, along with a description of your technical know-how.
Please speak to your skill set and experience in the outdoors in your cover letter, especially if you are applying for a mountaineering position. This could include specific distances, elevation gains, and trip durations from your personal or professional adventures, along with a description of your technical know-how.
Summer Adventures Lineup
Backpacking
- Backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail (4-day)
- Women’s Backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail (4-day)
- LGBTQ+ Backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail (4-day)
- Shuttle drivers for backpacking trips
- Mt. St. Helens Summit (1-day)
- Mt. Adams Summit (3-day)
- Mt. Rainier Summit (5-day)
- Grand Canyon Rim to Rim (5-day)
- Pico de Orizaba Summit (7-day)
Winter Adventures Lineup
Snowshoeing
- Moonlight Snowshoe
- Mt. St. Helens Winter Camping (2-day)
- Crater Lake Winter Camping (4-day)
- Backcountry Ski & Splitboard (2-day)
- Alpine Skills (2-day)
Minimum Qualifications
- Physical fitness and ability for the activity
- Relevant outdoor experience as per the activity
- Technical mountain or climbing experience needed for mountaineering trips
- Knowledge of the area of travel (hazards, natural and cultural history, geography, etc.)
- Public speaking and customer service experience
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
- Attendance at 1-2 day guide training in May (date TBD) in Troutdale, Oregon
- Basic competence with Google Workspace applications
- Fluency in English
Minimum Certifications
- Active Wilderness First Responder certification (or ability to obtain before start date)
- Active First Aid and CPR certification (or ability to obtain before start date)
- Valid Driver’s License
Guide Duties
- Prepare gear and food prior to each trip
- Transport participants to and from trailhead in 12-passenger vans
- Communicate the hazards and inherent risks of the activity
- Manage hazard mitigation in changing conditions
- Safe, hygienic, and tasty food preparation for guests
- Provide first aid and manage emergency response as needed
- Manage the daily schedule and group pace
- Keep participants motivated on the trail
- Provide context through interpretation of the natural environment
- Resolve potential social conflicts on the trail
- Clean, dry, and put away gear after each trip
- Complete post-trip reports
- Instruct participants in various outdoor skills, including but not limited to:
- Backcountry cooking
- Campsite selection and set up
- Pacific Northwest ecology
- Leave No Trace Skills
- The 10 Essentials
- Camp hygiene
- Hydration and nutrition on the trail
- Crampon and ice axe use (for mountaineering)
- Backcountry cooking
Job Schedule
Our Summer season runs from June-August, with training in May. Winter runs from December-March. Positions and part-time and seasonal. Guides are able to work as few (or as many) openings as they wish, with no minimum requirement.
Compensation
For Pacific Crest Trail Backpacking (4 days), the standard rate for new guides is $140 per day. Guides who return to work additional seasons with us can expect to earn $155 per day on this trip. Prep work completed prior to a trip and shuttle driving participants to and from the trailhead are both compensated at $15 per hour. See the below PDF for a full breakdown of pay rates for all of our trips.
Clients are encouraged to tip guides directly. This may be in the form of cash or through electronic payment methods like Venmo and PayPal. Tips will be split if working with a co-guide. Tips amounts are at the full discretion of clients.
Clients are encouraged to tip guides directly. This may be in the form of cash or through electronic payment methods like Venmo and PayPal. Tips will be split if working with a co-guide. Tips amounts are at the full discretion of clients.
| 2023 Guide Pay Rates |
Benefits
Certification Reimbursement
Rare Earth Adventures will reimburse 50% or $200 (whichever is lower) of the cost of outside training, certification, or continuing education. Guides will only be reimbursed for each training after 5 days of direct guiding work with clients have been completed. This training must be approved in advance, and with a recognized agency.
Employee Discounts
Rare Earth Adventures will reimburse 50% or $200 (whichever is lower) of the cost of outside training, certification, or continuing education. Guides will only be reimbursed for each training after 5 days of direct guiding work with clients have been completed. This training must be approved in advance, and with a recognized agency.
Employee Discounts
- Direct employee discount of 50% off on adventures with us (subject to approval)
- Friends and family discount of 30% off on adventures with us
- Outdoor gear pro deals through Outdoor Prolink
Diversity and Inclusion
Rare Earth Adventures is an equal opportunity employer. We are a Queer and Women owned company.
