Experience Matters
Founded in 2010, Red Desert Adventure is built on decades of technical guiding experience. Our team has played a key role in advancing safety practices, developing new canyon and rock climbing routes, and delivering high-level guiding experiences. With deep roots that include years at Zion Rock and Mountain Guides (est. 2003), we bring proven expertise, professionalism, and a passion for exceptional adventures.
Andy Knight
Born in Provo Utah, Andy was raised by parents at the cutting edge of climbing and outdoor adventure pursuits. Backpacking trips in the Sierras, multi-day raft trips on the Colorado Plateau, and climbing the Grand Teton were all normal activities for children in the Knight family. By the age of 10 his love for climbing was deeply established. With encouragement from his parents and help from the local climbing gym Andy strengthened and finely tuned his skills in the art of climbing. By the age of 15 his climbing interests had evolved into new route development on unclimbed big walls, ice routes, and all types of vertical terrain.
In 2015 Andy moved south to Zion to begin a new chapter as a professional climbing and canyoneering guide in the Zion region.
Jack Towt
Born in Salt Lake City he moved to southern Utah in 1985. Jack spent the majority of his youth exploring and adventuring in the outdoors. In 1996 Jack got his first taste of rock climbing and was instantly hooked. For the next 10 years all of his free time was spent at the cliffs climbing routes in the southwest desert. In 2011 the opportunity to guide canyoneering trips presented itself and Jack immediately fell in love with the trade. He has experience videography and photography and has helped many families and groups capture the moment during their trips with him.
He is a certified Wilderness First Responder, and is extremely safety conscience. He is patient and personable and has vast knowledge in all aspects of canyoneering.
Steffan Gregory
Steffan is a California native that started his career guiding in the Pacific Northwest. Steffan has been guiding professionally since 2010. He has been guiding in Zion since 2014. He is an accomplished big wall climber, establishing 10 new free or first free ascent routes up to IV, 5.12+ numerous single pitch and short multi pitch routes in and around Zion National Park
Steffan’s been fortunate have to climbed in Patagonia, Bugaboos and established new routes in Zion.
Eric Draper
Following a traditional Utah upbringing Eric moved from Salt Lake City to Zion. He has studied all disciplines of climbing with a focus on big wall and traditional routes. He had the opportunity to climb the main canyon prior to the shuttle system and established many new routes in Zion National Park.
His photography has been published by Patagonia, Black Diamond, Mountain Hardwear, Zion Natural History Association, and more. Eric has worked as a canyoneering and rock climbing guide since 2003
Jake Jarzyniecki
Jake grew up in Indianapolis Indiana. Starting climbing in the hills of Kentucky and the Red River Gorge. These experiences opened the door to more climbing possibilities. In 2014 he began taking trips west to the Utah National Parks, Indian Creek, and other classic desert climbing areas. After seeing the magic of these desert landscapes he was determined to move west. During a return trip to Zion in 2018 the opportunity to guide enabled Jake to put down roots and continue exploring the southwest desert potential. His enthusiasm for canyoneering, climbing, biking, rafting, hiking, and all things desert remains high. Now married to a local he and his 3 dog family are here to stay.
Matt Rabe
Matt grew up in the rolling farm lands of Eastern Iowa, exploring the creeks, lakes and woods that surrounds the rural farm country. In his teens he began snowboarding and skateboarding, which brought him, to the ski slopes of Norther Utah as a young adult. When the snow melted Matt journeyed to the souther portion of Utah and discovered canyoneering. He fell in love with the exploration, thrill and problem solving canyoneering requires. He has been guiding white water rafting, canyoneering and more professionally since 2012. From the cornfields to the canyons, this Iowa boy turned his dreams into a lifetime of exploration.
Melissa Jordan
Melissa grew up here in Southwest Utah, enjoying a free-range childhood with plenty of time outdoors. She has been a professional guide since 2011 and has led a range of activities, including whitewater rafting, canyoneering, hiking, and Jeep tours. She loves learning about the geology, plants, and animals of this region and enjoys sharing her knowledge with our guests. In addition to spending as much time as possible adventuring outdoors, she also pursues creative endeavors in digital art and photography.
Josh Hagen
Greetings from the heart of Zion! I’m Josh, an adventurer who traded the wide-open plains of South Dakota for Zion’s red rocks in 1994. By the summer of ’96, I was fully immersed in the world of climbing here, and over the past 30 years that passion has expanded beyond Zion into the vast landscapes of the greater Southwest.
My journey has been shaped by countless climbs, canyons, and unforgettable moments etched into these rugged terrains. Now, as a parent to two young boys, adventure has taken on new meaning—balancing excitement with safety while sharing my love for this place and inspiring the next generation to appreciate the outdoors.
Join me as I continue to explore, climb, and create new stories throughout the American Southwest. Adventure awaits!
Dan Snyder
Born and raised in northern Utah, Dan started rock climbing in 1990. He worked as a wilderness therapy instructor for 5 years. Dan moved to southern Utah in 2003 and started guiding professionally in 2007. Dan is an expert rock climber and adventurer. His ability to connect with a wide range of people makes him and excellent guide. Dan is a member of the Virgin Utah Fire Department and has recently become and EMT.
Ethan Newman
Ethan grew up in Ohio, and moved to the desert in 2008. He came to Zion in 2012 on a week long climbing trip, and has lived here ever since. He has climbed all over the US, as well as Canada, Mexico, and Argentina. He is a passionate outdoor educator and naturalist. Ethan is a certified AMGA SPI and is currently pursuing his AMGA Rock Guide certification.
Alan Thorne
Alan grew up near Seattle Washington. He started working in the outdoor industry in 2012 as a NOLS Instructor. In 2015 Alan moved to the Zion National Park area primarily to pursue rock climbing. His passion for the outdoors and his enthusiasm to share his knowledge with others makes him an amazing guide. Alan has worked as a rigger for American Ninja Warrior and is also experienced with indoor climbing facility construction.
Jeremy Draper
At a young age Jeremy loved to explore the mountains of Utah and Wyoming with his Father. In 2000 he moved to Zion. His 10 years of canyoneering and climbing in Zion lend to a wealth of solid local knowledge and experience. During the off season he can be found chasing powder in the Tetons, surfing in Central America, or climbing in Thailand. He enjoys guiding and Instructing with an emphasis on fun, safety & environmental stewardship. Jeremy has professionally guided canyoneering and rock climbing since 2005.
Joe French
Joe French was born in Duluth MN in 1974. He first experienced climbing on the north shore of Lake Superior. Joe moved to Zion in 1996, specifically to climb, and has since climbed extensively within Zion and beyond. Mr. French is a member of the Access Fund and the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) currently pursuing his AMGA Rock Guide Certification and has received his Single Pitch certification and completed his Rock Instructor Course in 2008. Joe loves Zion and enjoys sharing it with all of his guests. Joe has guided professionally here since 2004.