Why We do What We Do

is the operations manager of Tutka Bay Lodge. He is the self-appointed “minister of fun” at the lodge and you will agree once you experience Gus’ style of enthusiasm for Tutka Bay, the water and mountains surrounding the lodge, and Alaska in general. Gus has been with Within The Wild for the last eleven years. He began in 2009 at Winterlake Lodge as a lodge assistant/guide. For the past decade he has spent his Summers at Tutka Bay Lodge first as guide manager and now as Operations Manager. His favorite activities include hiking Grace Ridge and whale watching with our guests. During his free hours you can find him biking on the frozen Eagle River.

is guide manager and resident scientist at Tutka Bay Lodge. Karyn is passionate about helping guests stay curious about the world. Whether looking for the tiniest intertidal marine creatures, exploring the nooks and crannies of Tutka Bay from a kayak, foraging during a forest hike, or photographing bears, she always has an eye out for something new to see, learn, and experience. Exploring around the globe has led her to be accepted as a member of the international society, The Explorers Club. As Naturalist Guide/Scientist-in-Residence at Tutka Bay Lodge, she shares her love and knowledge of Tutka Bay and Alaska with everyone who visits.

Henry is our resident teen and guide in training at Tutka Bay Lodge. This is his third season learning the ways of the wild natural world under the tutelage of Gus. In the off season he plays hockey for city and high school. Henry is Katherine’s son.

Wes is our Operations Manager at Winterlake Lodge. Originally from Florida, Wes has made his way to the last frontier with extended stops in Colorado and Montana. An avid fly fisher, rafter and skier Wes spends his time seeking adventure in the mountains and the rivers that run through them.

Taylor is our front of house Manager at Winterlake Lodge. She is originally from Portland, OR but has been living in Montana for the past four years catching brown trout and hiking through the Bitterroot Mountains. Taylor has a passion for the outdoors including fly fishing, camping, backpacking, kayaking and mountain biking.

Eli is our guide manager. Eli has spent his entire adult life working in the outdoors and inspiring others about it’s wonders. Eli has been leading helicopter-assisted backcountry trips at Winterlake Lodge since 2016 that include fly fishing, glacier and tundra exploration, white water rafting, and many more. Eli has a huge sense of humor and offers complimentary hugs on Fridays!

Meet our sled dog team at Winterlake Lodge. Our beloved dog team, many born and raised at the lodge, others from the teams of Martin Buser and DeeDee Jonrowe, entertain us all year long. We get to know our dogs so well, the guides can tell when a dog is having a good day, a little moody, or ready to run!

Graham is our Anchorage-based reservations manager. He is the glue that keeps us together. Graham answers phones tirelessly and hand-crafts detailed itineraries for our lodge guests to perfection. Graham enjoys kayaking, river rafting, and photography. Originally from North Carolina, Graham is a good ole’ Alaska boy now.

Katherine is our Anchorage-based marketing manager. She frequently travels around the world sharing our story with travel agents and advisors. Katherine has been with our company on and off since she was a teenager. Now she is a proud mother (and grandmother). Katherine went to Syracuse University and has a degree in social work, which comes in handy from time to time.

Mandy heads our culinary program at the lodges and at the La Baleine Café in Homer. She is a graduate of the Cordon Bleu Culinary School and the Culinary Institute of America pastry arts program. Mandy is the co-author of the Tutka Bay Lodge Cookbook. Obviously, she loves to cook! Mandy is a life-long Alaskan.

Neil, Mandy’s husband, is our company expeditor. He manages freight loads to and from the lodges, organizes the purchasing of all our supplies, including food and fuel. Neil travels between the lodges and Homer frequently in his job and he often helps Carl with the building of cabins and lodge infrastructure. Neil is our star softball player and he enjoys all things related to organized sports.

Rohnen is our resident “kid”, present at both Tutka Bay Lodge or Winterlake Lodge throughout the summer months. He always has his naturalist guide backpack ready for any “kid” guiding assignment. In the winter, Rohnen, seven years old, attends a Russian immersion school in Anchorage.