​ABOUT STICK AND STONES ADVENTURES

Sticks and Stones Adventures’ vision is to help foster opportunities for our students to build a deeper connection with nature, one another, and ourselves. We aim to do this by offering extended overnight stays in remote backcountry areas not often visited by the general public. The extended time creates an unique opportunity to have time to get to know our patrons, engage in group discussions, teach mindfulness, and bring more nature awareness to the days activities.

Each day begins with a thought reading, chosen to enrich group dynamics, promote personal growth, and be a spark for the days discussions and learning. We want our students to walk away invigorated in body, heart, mind, and soul having gained new perspectives to build a tribe of like minded nature stewards.

Kayd Burton​

kayd@sticksandstonesadventures.com

Owner, certified Wilderness First Responder

Kayd has an insatiable love for exploring nature. This passion began in his childhood while roaming wild and free on his family's farm tucked into the foothills south of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He discovered a deep love for southern Utah in 2007 while on a 30 day expedition exploring the remote backcountry from Escalante to Moab. This sparked a paradigm shift in his thoughts and visions for life where he began to value time over money and to live a more fulfilled life.  He believes sustainability on this planet is found in living simple lives, doing more with less, minimal consumption, and smaller homes. With a sustainable approach, Kayd feels freer to spend time doing what is most important to him. He spends 150+ days a year sleeping under the stars in the backcountry of Wyoming and Southern Utah. Kayd received a bachelor's degree in Outdoor Recreation Management and has studied biology, geology, natural and environmental science education. He is a natural educator and an advanced student of personality psychology and personal development. Kayd enjoys backpacking, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and canyoneering. He has 12+ years experience in the backcountry adventure industry.  Kayd’s greatest joy is his three daughters and son who adventure with him regularly. His dream since he first discovered southern Utah and outdoor adventure has been to share this world with everyone he knows. So come and let him give you the tools to begin a life of nature exploration and personal growth & development.

Shane Wallace

Guide, instructor

ACA FIXED SITE/SINGLE PITCH PROFESSIONAL GUIDE

canyon guides international - LEVEL 2

Certified Wilderness First Responder

I’ve been addicted to canyoneering since my first canyon, Neon. Now I’d say I’m more passionate than addicted. From that first descent, I set out to learn about as much about canyoneering as I could. I had no idea what was available. I’m currently gaining as much education and knowledge as I can while mixing a few canyons at the same time. After that I’ll just be mixing in canyons! I have completed and most recently earned my Fixed Site/Single Pitch Guide Certification in 2017! Looking forward to a great season in 2018! Also a WFR as of 1/18! Currently an ACA FS/SP Guide. Taken ART, Aspirant Training, Canyon Leader Training, Basic Rescue, Canyon Rescue, 4-day Level 2 assessment with Rich Carlson. Rick Green’s Pothole Workshop and WFR in 1/18.
​

Brent Mccormick

brent@sticksandstonesadventures.com

Sticks and Stones Administrator, ACA Canyon Leader I

I love the outdoors and have been snow & water skiing for 30+ years. I began canyoneering without knowing it while exploring cayons from the bottom up during many Lake Powell vacations.  In 2017 I decided to take Canyoneering Level I & II courses through University of Utah. Other courses I have taken include ACA Aspirant Training, Canyon Leader Training, Excursions of Escalante-Pothole course, Rich Carlson-Art of Ropework. I have taught snow skiing for 20+ years at Alta & Snowbird. I’m a certified PISA L2 instructor, Park & Pipe L1, Accredited Child Educator-ACE L2 and Telemark L1 instructor certified.

Jason Linder

jason@sticksandstonesadventures.com

business adviser, Assistant to the regional manager, dishwasher, mule

I was introduced to southern Utah in the fall of 2008 on a trip to visit my parents in Teasdale. I borrowed my mother's car to go for a drive and two hours after turning onto Highway 12, I found myself on the Hogsback. From that day on I was fascinated with the ancient sandstone and returned every chance I got to explore further into the Escalante desert. By 2016 I was out of hiking options and began to take canyoneering courses to give me the skills to go even further on my explorations.  By 2017, I'd convinced (suckered) my wife Bonnie into taking some classes as well.  I met Kayd at a course in October 2017. He shared visions of starting his own adventure business and I've been riding his coattails ever since.  

​​JOHANNA (jo) lARSEN

@j_wells03

social media contributor

Born and raised in Ohio, I moved to Utah in 2011 and immediately fell in love with the great outdoors. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in Exercise and Wellness and spend as much time as possible in the mountains and desert. I went canyoneering for the first time in early 2015 and was hooked. I took the canyoneering course at BYU and then became a TA for five semesters. My husband and I love canyoneering together and spent two summers working as canyoneering guides near Zion National Park. I love photography and enjoy sharing my travels through Instagram and other social media. I'm honored to be a part of the Sticks and Stones team.

Bruce Shapiro, Esq. 

STICKS AND STONES legal adviser, ACA canyon leader II

I am a Canyon Leader with the American Canyoneering Association and an Associate Canyoneering Instructor for the University of Utah.  I am a practicing business Lawyer living in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I received a Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Wildlands Administration from the University of West Virginia. I have been roaming the deserts of the Southwest for over two decades. Hiking to remote locations with a diverse group of people to explore and problem solve fuels my passion for canyoneering. When I am not canyoneering I am thinking about canyoneering which I love to share with anyone who will listen. I am dedicated to the American Canyoneering Association’s mission of maintaining the highest standards for a safe, environmentally responsible and fun canyoneering experience for all.

Kelly Magleby

Anasazi potter

Kelly Magleby is a primitive potter who is inspired by the ceramic art of the southwest, particularly of the ancient Anasazi culture. She has been traveling and teaching in the western US for seven years now with a focus on how landscapes shape culture, art and design.  Kelly is interested in promoting clay art as a path to re-connect to the earth using all the elements.

Kelly currently lives in Orem, Utah with her two daughters, and their family of animal friends.
​
A Word From the Owner

Nature speaks to my soul and calms my mind. It's the place I go to make sense of the world. I have discovered that nature has a way of reaching out and touching us in such a profound way that it can literally change who we are. This is what happened for me and I have met countless others that have had similar experiences. It's my belief that the more opportunities we have to spend prolonged periods in nature the deeper our connection with nature will become. Once on day twelve without showers and cell phones, I had a student say, “It’s like we have become one with nature, she is in us and we are in her.” This is a place of being very few people in the modern world ever get to experience. I describe connection as the point when we no longer fight against nature but melt into her. We accept the insects, dirt, grime, and rain as normal and even comfortable. We become dirt and suddenly see our own diminutiveness displayed in the grandeur of the universe and watch our personal story melt away in the perspective of geologic time, while simultaneously being filled with gratitude, peace, and self love.  I call this the “nature shift”. The shift happens when we become more fully aware of nature and we begin to hear the bees, feel the vibrations in the air from a bird's wings as it soars by, smell moisture on a changing breeze, observe the slightest change in color of plants across a landscape, and ultimately learn to hear nature's voice. We accept everything nature and life offers with gratitude, peace and love. Once experienced, this state of being changes us to the core and this peace is sought after for the rest of one’s life. This type of connection spontaneously creates natural land and life stewards. Stewards that understand that humanity is a part of this ecosystem and the need to create a harmonious balance between appropriate use and riotous plunder of nature for economic gains and human needs. “We see with bigger eyes and feel with bigger hands and hearts.”