Most travelers walk away from a guided trip thinking, “That was amazing”—but they have no idea what it actually took to make it feel that way.
In Part 2 of my conversation with former REI Guide of the Year Chris Anderson, we go behind the curtain to uncover what guides really do:
- How REI tried to flip the script and treat guiding as a real career—and why that model didn’t survive
- The long hours, behind-the-scenes prep, and emotional labor that guests never see
- The broken tipping culture—and why it puts guides in a tough, awkward position
- What it really means to serve 10+ guests for 14+ hours a day with zero margin for error
- How underprepared guests affect group dynamics, safety, and morale
- The impossible math behind seasonal contracts, no PTO, and $100 day rates
- Why the best guides make you feel like the trip ran itself—and how much effort that actually takes
If you’ve ever been on a guided trip—or plan to—this episode will change how you see your guide forever.
🎧 Start listening now—and maybe rethink that tip envelope.
Check out the LinkedIn post from Chris that sparked this two-part series…
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