William B Smith SFC (Ret)
William is the owner and operator of Cascade Mountain & Ropes Outdoor Adventures LLC, a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and life time member of the 10th Mountain Division Association WWII. William began his Training as an outdoor Mountaineering Guide with the United States Army in 1977, while stationed at Ft. Richardson Alaska with the 172 Light Infantry Brigade. His Wife Karen was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force base and that is where they met and married. The Father of four grown children, William has added to his credentials over the years to become a Master Trainer, Inspector and Builder of High Ropes Courses. 52 years young William plans to continue his outdoor lifestyle and follow in the footsteps of his aging WWII friends from the 10th Mountain Division Association. "Every man dies, not every man really lives." anon
Jeff Albin
A High Ropes Course Lead Facilitator, Program Director & Course Manager Klickitat High School, High Ropes Course Program developer & Advisor for CMR. Jeff first began empowering people through adventure education when he taught his first orienteering at the tender age of 16. Since that time he has led backpacking trips, whitewater rafting adventures, sea kayaking expeditions and cross country ski experiences. Jeff began "bringing the adventure home" when he began facilitating high and low ropes courses over 12 years ago. His personal credits include solo kayaking the Inside Passage from Washington to Alaska in 1984 and co-leading the first joint Russian/American sea kayaking in the former Soviet Union country of Uzbekistan in 1989. Through his ongoing work in the schools Jeff pioneered a comprehensive community building process that continues to this day. In 2004, Jeff published "Changing The Message, A Handbook for Experiential Prevention." Changing The Message describes a school based program that focuses on building supportive learning environments through adventure and adventure play. The program has been shown to reduce substance abuse and bullying through fun, experience and reflection. Jeff is a frequently requested speaker and trainer at conferences and is working on two new books.
Ralph J. Ariza
Ralph is a Graduate with a Masters Degree in Forest Resources & Conservation from the University of Florida. Ralph came to Trout Lake as a member of the Ameri-Corp Northwest Service Academy's Environmental Education Team in 2007. He now works full / part time as an Assistant Mountain Guide, High Ropes Co-Facilitator and Sales Manager for the CMR Mountain Shop. Ralph has extensive experience in Low Ropes operation and is a PADI-certified underwater diver. Ralph has worked in Central America conducting Sea Turtle Conservation and Community Outreach projects.
Donald Thrall MSG (Ret)
Don is a Retired Master Sergeant with the United States Army and a former employee of the United States Forest Service. Don is our primary Ski Instructor, with a background that includes The National Ski Patrol, employment with Squaw Valley Ski Area and special duty with the U.S. Army in Garmish Germany as a Ski Instructor in the Alps. Don has been Skiing since he was 15 years old and he teaches both Cross Country, Back Country (All Terrain) and Down Hill Skiing. Ski with this guy and you will reach a new level of confidence and skill.
Scott Thompson
Scott
is a currently serving Oregon Army National Guard Soldier, a Veteran of
Operation Iraqi Freedom and a Former Marine. Scott has been a Lead Dog
Musher, Breeder and Guide for fourteen years. Scott was the North West
Mid-Distance Dog Sledding Champion for 2007 and will be sponsored by CMR into
the 2010 Iditarod Dog Sled Race in Alaska. A Father of 4 and married to
Katie, who is also an employee and staff member of Team CMR, Scott works for the
U.S. Forest Service as a Fire Team Crew Leader in the Summer, while preparing
his dog team for the winter. Scott has been on the racing circuit for 11
years and his dogs are awesome. Taz, Crazy Landon and the lot, we couldn't
do it with out them, you guys and gals are great.
Morgan Murdock Smith
Morgan began his training at the age of ----well birth we think. No joke this guy has been climbing and the lot since he could walk and he received a credential from the United States Army as a High Ropes Co-Facilitator at the age of 14. A Snowboarder and Long Boarder Excalibur, Morgan thrives and lives for his outdoor time. Yes he's great at War Craft to, but this guy is no couch potato. Morgan is an assistant Guide only because of his age.
Joanna Marie Smith
Joanna works as a Military Lead High Ropes Course Facilitator and web designer. She is currently working on her degree in web design and is employed with a local area newspaper as well. At the age of 5 she completed her first Rappel on Mt. Chocorua New Hampshire and has just finished her first 6 year tour with the Oregon Army National Guard. She plans to continue her military career and hopes to have a family of her own.
Katie Thompson
Katie is an Assistant Dog Sled Guide and a Mother of Four. Katie is Married to Scott our Lead Dog Sled Guide and works with Marketing and Store sales. Katie is also a Ski Joring Racer and is always thinking of ways to support the CMR Team. She has worked as an instructor with our Elementary School Programs and hopes to see her Girls follow, in both Her and Scotts footsteps. We may have another Susan Butcher in the wings at the Thompson home.
Jonathan D. Steward
Jonathan is a certified EMT-B in the State of Washington. Newly married to Sarah and their new baby boy Elijah, Jonathan plans to continue his outdoor education, while he works as an Assistant Mountaineering / Dogsled Guide and High Ropes Course Facilitator. His past experience includes the YWAM Basic Leadership Course and a basic Construction Technology Course.