We had a fun and educational experience climbing with our guide, Bill. Bill is a wealth of knowledge tailored the day to suit our needs. Being new to climbing we found his teaching methods very effective. Some in our group were a bit uncomfortable going into the day but Bill created a safe and comfortable climbing experience that had everyone enjoying themselves immediately. I’d recommend Rubicon Outdoors and their guide Bill in particular for anyone – from beginners to experienced climbers – looking to learn or improve on their climbing skills!

Could not have been a better day with our guide, Bill. A local legend-everything about our trip was well executed and safe. Planning was easy, great email communication with Bill and the Rubicon staff. On arrival, everyone was super pleasant and their gear was in good, working order. We went out to a local area, the Dells, for an excellent day of climbing. Bill was patient with the both of us and gave us extra at the end in the way of a memorable rappel experience. Overall this place really has its act together!

Hi Matt,
Thank you for everything! We had a great time. We all continued to talk about how wonderful you and Marieta were and what an excellent job you did. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. From the tastings to the food to the transportation and the company, everything was great! We will definitely recommend you and use you guys again.
Thank you,

Hi Matt,
Thank you for everything! We had a great time. We all continued to talk about how wonderful you and Marieta were and what an excellent job you did. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. From the tastings to the food to the transportation and the company, everything was great! We will definitely recommend you and use you guys again.
Thank you,.

Matt,
I don’t know that I can say much about the trip that could improve it. I enjoyed the variety of hikes, the length and difficulty seemed about right (discovered when I got home that I had lost five pounds–preparing a new best seller, the Grand Canyon diet). I especially enjoyed Prescott, probably because of the activities that happened to be going on in the village square while I was there… Needless to say I especially liked the Poco Diablo even if it was only for one night.
Thanks again.

There were a group of five ladies for a bachelorette trip and we were looking for a wine tour that could pick us up and drive us safely to and from the wineries. I found this particular one online and the communication process and actual event was a complete breeze and exactly what we were looking for. We were staying in Prescott and they picked us up around 10 am and we returned roughly around 4pm. Our host was Abby and as we found out the owner Troy had also came along to see what the tour had to offer. We had such an amazing time! Our first stop was Page Springs and the view here is absolutely gorgeous. We actually witnessed an engagement as we were here and it added to the joy of the bride to be in our group. We also visited Oak Creek and Javelina Leap. The tastings were not rushed and food was provided at every stop, even cheesecake! The hosts were so much fun and laid back and it was the perfect environment we needed given our weekend. I couldn’t have asked for a better group and we are already planning the next trip. If you are looking for a wine tasting in the area, look no further! I highly recommend Rubicon Outdoor Day Tours!

Dear Matt,
I’m glad you asked about our trip to the Grand Canyon. It was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfect! Tracy contacted us the day prior, the food was good, the hike was tailored to our desire, the train ride was fun and Tracy is just fabulous. She is so knowledgeable about the area and hearing of her camping adventures was a lot of fun. She even went out of her way to try and find my daughter a certain specific stuffed animal. As beautiful as the Grand Canyon is, Tracy just made the trip “over the top” for us. Thank you for everything, and a special thank you to Tracy.

Matt,
You are simply marvelous!!! You made our wine tour way better than I could have imagined. Was worth every penny and I hope you got a goodly amount of tips. I could not believe how kind and considerate you were to Geri. The food was delicious and really perfect for the day. How sweet to provide that yummy cheesecake with a candle for Nancy. The wine tasting was such fun and all the people who poured went out of their way to please our group.

Nancy told me it was her best birthday ever. Well, probably not but at least we know she was thrilled with the day and I truly believe everyone who went loved being included. The only criticism I can make is that I gained 2 lbs. All I heard from the other gals about you and the tour were compliments. I hope we can do another wine tour and then one in Italy within the next few years. You are about as perfect as one can be, you can pass that one on to your wife! Thank you so very much!!!

Dear Matt,
Kevin was the best! Great time! Thank you for accommodating me.

Matt,
Thanks for setting up the climbing trip on December 26th. Kevin Keith was outstanding! All climbers had a fantastic day. Think this won me both Mother and Aunt of the Year. Hope to climb with you again someday. All the best,

Hi Matt,
I can’t begin to say enough good things about the ENTIRE EXPERIENCE!!!! I was a nervous wreck going into it . . . not because I thought I wasn’t physically able . . . but because I was/am terrified of heights! So, I have to say . . . it was the most terrifying thing I have ever done in my life!!!! If it hadn’t been for Matt (who was with Maddie and I), I wouldn’t have made it. I would have told them to get a helicopter, because I was not going along the high ledges without trees (my false sense of security)!! He was so kind, patient and understanding . . . as I’m sure West would have done the same thing for me. The food was great! And even the camping was a lot of fun (I wouldn’t have probably considered myself a camper). The guys made everything perfect!! And LeeAnn, even though we didn’t get to spend as much time with her . . . she was absolutely wonderful as well! I do not have one complaint to give you . . . except maybe supply blindfolds for anyone else afraid of heights! HA! And, they were all very patient with Grant . . . who was not in the best physical shape. I know they cheered him on the entire way! Thank you! Maddie and Ron had an incredible time as well!

Thank you for assigning such wonderful guides! They made all of the difference in the world!

Thanks again. I can foresee other collaborative tours between Grand Canyon Field Institute and Rubicon down the road now that we have a bit of a template.
Cheers,

p.

You beat me to the punch Matt!
I haven’t received the post class survey back from the family yet, but they appeared quite pleased with the quality/quantity/selection of food that Matt provided. There was a peanut allergy as it turns out, so Matt did great in assuming the worse during his shop based on the limited info we had. Matt Hart was awesome. Rose above and beyond the call of duty as we had some very young hikers onboard. I promise not to steal him away, but we would certainly ask for him specifically if and when we reach out to Rubicon Outdoors again.

Thanks again. I can foresee other collaborative tours between Grand Canyon Field Institute and Rubicon down the road now that we have a bit of a template.
Cheers,

Troy/Matt B/Matt H,
Thank you for making Switzerland such a fantastic trip for us. All of your recommendations for hotels/ restaurants before and after the guided trip worked out great. Your attention to details in the itinerary and package was excellent. Hotel Europe in Zermatt was very nice, we got to meet the owner, who came to pick us up at the train station and embarrassingly , we tried to tip him, not knowing he was the owner. He kindly refused the tip :-). Lunch at Zum See left an impression on my mind. Troy, I can see why it’s your favorite spot in Zermatt. Ibis also served its purpose in Zurich. We went to this very cool vegetarian only restaurant in Zurich,called Hiltl, recommended by Natalie. It’s been around since 1800’s , yes that’s right and you pay by weighing your plate, since it’s buffet style . If you get a chance you should check it out. It is Needless to say, that you will get a strong recommendation from us for all our hiker friends. Looking forward to many more adventures with you!!

Hi Matt,
Everything was great! I had dinner with them that night and they were both excited to tell me all about it and show me pictures. I was so happy that they were happy. They really liked Bill, felt very comfortable with him. Both my boys are adrenaline junkies and he must have realized that and took them to a place where they could rappel pretty far and really test their nerves. Turned out to be an awesome weekend. I’ve already told lots of people about it and I’m sure they have too. Thanks so much for working with me on such short notice and on a holiday weekend. Please let Bill know, too, how much I appreciate him being willing to do that!

Hello Matt,
Thank you for your email! We just returned home this afternoon so we are still settling in…
We had such a fantastic time with you and Matt and our adventure to the Grand Canyon exceeded our expectations. It was fun, challenging, and truly an adventure that we would never have done if it wasn’t with you. Both Rick and I are not athletes nor outdoorsmen so it has been so wonderful to have you by our side as we explore new adventure and introduce our children to experiences that we could never do as parents alone. We want to raise our kids to appreciate the world, the environment, and the exposure to camping, hiking and the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon provided it all!
Although this is only our second trip with you, Rick and I feel very grateful to have found not just a wonderful travel service, but more importantly a special friend that has helped to create some of the most memorable vacation in our life! Switzerland and now the Grand Canyon are both our top favorites!
The hike down the Grand Canyon was physically very challenging for Rick and the hike back up the Canyon was very difficult for me! Yet having you both by our side encouraging us every step of the way and even carrying my pack up was amazing. The kids were so fantastic and I was truly impressed and so very proud of both of them. I was so shocked by Lily’s endurance and excitement throughout the entire trip. She is still so proud of her accomplishment and for Nicholas I think this trip confirmed his confidence of his own strength and abilities… leading the group on all the hikes.
Thank you again for what was one of our greatest accomplishments and a truly rewarding experience! It was absolutely fantastic!
All the best, to go!

Matt,
We had the best day ever. It was wonderful. Kevin was so great, we all thought he was amazing. He is a superior people person. To be able to relate to my Dad, me, a 16 year old girl, an 8 yr old boy and tolerate a 4 yr old tag a long! Wow. He was awesome.
It seemed like everything was smooth and easy. Loved the campground.
Thank you so much for such a memorable day. My sister wants to be a climber now. How cool is that?

Matt,
Nice to meet you and the girls at the rim.
Thanks again for putting together our trip and your encouragement.
Had a great time and can’t say enough good things about Jed and Cecil …
Perfect outing…good show…well cared for…much appreciated…recommending to other local lawyers, friends, etc.

Hi Matt,
We had a absolutely great time. Kevin was so much fun to be with. He made us feel at ease and totally like we could do it. We had never rock climbed or rappelled, but it was something I had always wanted to do and the whole experience was so much fun.
My husband preferred the rappelling but my daughter and I liked the climbing more. So glad you mentioned the climbing when I had called,as I had thought the rappelling would be the bigger adrenaline rush, but not so.
It was the best way to finish off a wonderful vacation. We look forward to doing it again.
Thank you,

Matt,
Rock Climbing with Matt was very fun. He was a great guide; kept us safe, and let us find our own way to the top without over-instructing. We come out about once a year and will definitely put Rubicon at the top of our list.

Dear Matt,
We did have a wonderful trip. It was 100 times more beautiful than I ever expected. Matt did a fine job. We always felt safe, meals were tasty, kept us on schedule, and he filled us in on some facts about the area. All was good. I would do it again and recommend your company.
Thank you for completing my bucket list. It was great.

Matt,
I had a great day with Ben. I was confident in his abilities, safety, and knowledge of the mountain. He helped me to begin learning to climb cracks and I had a very enjoyable day. The lunch was great, please thank whoever made it. I would recommend Ben and Rubicon and I would use you again.

Hi Matt,
Thank you so much for everything! I would rate your services as A+. The trip went as smooth as possible and Matt, Jed and Linde couldn’t have been better. I got to know Matt and Jed pretty well because that’s who I spent the most time with. Matt and Jed are true pro’s – they made everyone feel welcome and made sure we were all enjoying our experience. I would book another trip with Rubicon in a heartbeat!
Keep up the good work and please pass my heartfelt thanks to Matt, Jed and Linde!

Hi Matt,
The whole trip was great. The bikes were good quality and John was an excellent guide – both in terms of knowing the trails and the little bits of info that he was able to give us about the local area along the way. It was really nice to have a guy that was so involved in the local bike community and clearly had a love for the sport. Also reassuring that he was a fireman, so he would know his first aid if it was needed. All in all we had a great time – exactly what we had hoped for.
Kind Regards,

The hike was awesome. Matt, Linde, and Jed kept us from getting too confident and stuck with us all the way. Loved the breakfast burritos, the beef jerky and the chocolate espresso beans.
If someone were to ask me for suggestions, I would be sure to recommend trekking poles (life saver on the downhill) and moleskin JIC.
All in all it was a fantastic trip with wonderful fellowship (including the guides). We are already thinking about something for next year (river rafting with day hikes has been suggested). I look forward to working with you again.

Matt,
I hope you are now at home enjoying some well-deserved time with your family. Ed and I want to thank you again for such a great trip. I occasionally look at the Kleine Scheidegg webcam and realize how fortunate we were with the weather. I think you asked how many pictures I took and I was a little off in my estimate – probably a little over 1200 and I whittled down the number posted to around 350 of my favorite pictures. Had the weather been worse, I’m sure I would be a little more limited!! Switzerland is too pretty for me to stop taking pictures.

Hey Matt,
Thank you for your message. We had a fantastic day out with Bill. He took us to two places–Watson Lake and a wall near what we think was the high rappel dell. Bill was a great guide and companion. Thank you so much for connecting us with him. We will definitely choose Rubicon again and hope to be living out here within the next 18 months.
Best,

Good morning, Matt,
My feedback to you on our trip last week can be summed up in one word — awesome! You and your colleagues made every aspect of the trip (except for the van and car rental experience!) impeccably efficient and enjoyable. In particular I want to extol the virtues of the two young men you assigned as our caretakers. Ted and Matt were exceptional leaders and were completely engaged and immersed in our little group of east coast misfits and hiking/camping novices. They took care of everything we asked for and I’m sure many things we didn’t even think to ask for.
Thank you again for helping us put this trip together, Matt. Marty and I felt that the actual experience exceeded our expectations, thanks, in large part, to everything you folks at Rubicon did for us in the way of logistics and planning. We’ve already started planning next year’s trip.

Hi Matt,
We had a wonderful trip to the Grand Canyon and it was due in large part to Matt and Ted’s hard work. I’ve been on many a camping trip but none as lux as this one. To arrive late Wednesday night to a well lit campsite, tents already staked down and food on the table, was wonderful. It will be hard to fend for myself the next time I take a trip. In particular, I was impressed by how conscious they were of dietary restrictions. I’m a vegetarian, and Ted actually made a point to let me know that my veggie burger was cooked on a part of the grill that no meat had touched. No one thinks of that! Please send our thanks to Matt and Ted. Best regards.

Matt,
We’re still in AZ and leaving tomorrow. We will all debrief the club kids and staff when we return home so that we can improve the experience next year, Subdivision pending of course. I can tell you that both Ted and Matt were excellent. I really appreciated both of them professionally and personally. I hope we do this or something like it again and that they as well as you can be part of it. Great job delivering from your end. We got everything we bargained for and more.

Hi Matt:
I can’t begin to describe what this adventure meant to me. I have always been in awe of the Grand Canyon, as most people comment. I have visited the Canyon at least 6 times previously and of course would look down at the Indian Garden site and wonder what it would be like to hike down into the bottom. I can now say I am one of a few that has been able to have that experience. At the age of 59, I knew if I did not do it now I probably never would. I suffer with past neck and back surgery so every day I get to do something physical is a blessing to me. Yes, I have to admit this was the most physical thing I have ever done, but with Jed as our guide he made sure the first item on my bucket list was completed.

Speaking of Jed, what a great guy. He totally thought about our comfort and safety on this trip, he pretty much is the reason I could say I completed the journey. On the decent about 1 mile from Bright Angel campground my knees just locked up on me. Every step became excruciating. It was not the knee that felt the pain but the area just below. Jed said that he was willing to carry my pack and his and just for me to come down at the pace I needed to. My pack was close to 30 lb. plus his was about 70 lb. He waited patiently until we all made it to the bottom. This is a guide who cares about his group, he went above and beyond for me. Luckily I recovered within a few hours and my ascent though challenging, I was able to complete. I certainly felt spoiled with a man cooking for me. I am the mother of three sons and a husband and I just was not used to someone doing all the cooking and prepping our camp area. I truly miss being so catered to. Jed gets an A+++ from me. Thanks again for arranging such a wonderful adventure, you provided everything we needed. Food, equipment and guide were great.

Matt,
I can’t thank you and your lovely wife enough for your pre hike help. By the way, I love your wife’s accent. You did a great job getting us ready for the hike of a lifetime. The equipment was excellent and the food prepared by “chef ” Jed was great. Poor Jed, we have been dealing with you for months and we kept calling him “Matt.” He was such a good sport about it. We even called him Jed, then the poor guy apologized for having a hard name to remember. I guarantee none of us will ever forget Jed.

Jed made an impression on us that we will ‘never’ forget. We bonded with Jed about 2 hours into the hike and grew to respect and admire him more every day. He is a one of a kind person, and like you told me pre hike, he loves and respects the canyon. At our ages and experience level, even though we prepared extensively, we could not possibly have completed this beautiful hike of a life time without our great guide, and now friend, Jed. No matter how serious the potential problem, Jed calmly addressed it and made us feel comfortable. I called Jed my “security blanket ” starting at the end of the first day. Jed is a super man and a super guide. He is kind and considerate to everyone he meets. Other hikers saw the size of his backpack and immediately knew he was a experienced hiker; they would ask him questions and he always took time to politely answer their questions. Without Jed I know I could not have completed the hike I have dreamed about for years. I only hope he knows what a special, unique person he is. We of course plan to write Jed a thank you. But no matter what we say, words alone can not convey how much he meant to us on our hike. Matt, I know that you know how special Jed is, NOW we do also !!

Matt,
I really enjoyed the hiking trip to the Grand Canyon. Your company did an exemplary job preparing us and helping us out during the entire experience. This was one of my goals and you helped me accomplish it. I still can’t believe we made it. What a beautiful hike and experience. Without the leadership of Jed, I would not have made it. Jed is one’responsive’ young man who models what he believes in!!!! Jed helped me out in all areas of the hike and never once got upset. His kindness will never be forgotten. Matt, you are one fortunate owner to have a person like Jed to lead a hike for groups like ours. There is no way we could have handled this alone. Jed made it fun, safe, meaningful, and a memory that I will take with me. Jed was just as kind to all the other hikers as he was to us. I’m going back to Joliet, Illinois in about a week. I taught school for about 20 years, was a dean and principal for about 14 years, and did other various positions in my district.I presently teach part-time at the University of St Francis. Many of my friends are waiting to hear form me about the hike, and I can’t wait to tell them about the experience and your service. Again, thanks for making my goal complete. Again, a special thanks to a special person, Jed, for being there for me, my sister-in-law, Martha, and brother, Ray.

Thanks to Matt and Colby for a great hiking trip. Jim and I had a great time on the South Kaibab to Bright Angel Tour. Pretty sore but it is well worth it!! Great weather, good food and good company. I would definitely recommend this hike to my friends and family!

Matt –
The days were nothing less than perfect. Please accept my thanks for everything.
Weather was great. Climbing was great. Matt Hart is par excellence.
Sorry I did not thank you in person, but it seemed better to avoid the “drop in” today.
Nonetheless, I fully intend to have you and yours teach me to rock climb. Thanks again.
I look forward to the day our paths cross in person.

Hi Matt,
I would give a “10 out of 10” all around. Matt was great!

We had a really good time. The boys got 4 climbs in — I did 3. (I don’t know how well I would have done on the last one anyway, so it didn’t bother me that the rain came). Matt was great, very patient and gave directions when we needed them. I felt very safe with him. Thank you for making the adventure so easy to arrange. I would definitely recommend your tour to anyone interested in climbing.
Thank you.

Matt,
I had a fun weekend! Thanks for the extra gear. Matt did a great job, especially with the food. I picked up a couple of ideas for my next backpacking trip.
Have a Merry Christmas,

Dear Matt,
Thanks for the email. I would say the only thing that went wrong with our trip was our return car journey to CA which ended up taking 2 hours longer than it should have! Otherwise, everything was wonderful.
Cecil was an excellent guide — very prompt to our initial briefing and provided us with exactly the information and equipment we needed. The next morning she was also fantastic and got us ready for our hike. Throughout the hike she provided us with interesting information about the area and set a great pace. One of the highlights was any and all food that she prepared — it all tasted like a slice of heaven.
Cecil was also fantastic about our suggested change of plans to hike out in 1 day instead of 2 and really weighed the options with us and was very easy to work with on it.
Overall just a fantastic experience and I would recommend Cecil or Rubicon to anyone.
Thanks again for the great trip and I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
Best,

Hi Matt,
I had a wonderful time in the Grand Canyon! Cecil was amazing. The food was fantastic. The gear worked out perfectly. I don’t have a single complaint. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Thanks,

Matt,
We had the great time…Cecil was unbelievable! She took care of everything…her hiking pace, camp set-up, cooking/ food, professional behavior, made the hike perfect. I realize that this happens only with the help of the organization she represents…kudos to you and your staff. We will be in touch when planning our next adventure. Thanks for everything. You made our trip extra special.

Hi Matt,
Thanks for everything. The guides were perfect for my wife and sister. Me and Susan are ready to do it again.
A lot of people has asked about the trip and our outfitter. So Rubicon should get some more business.
The only thing I regret about the trip is not having more time at the North Rim. We really didn’t get to see it through the day. We know there was nothing you can do about that.
We’ll be talking about this trip for a long time (just the amazing beauty of the Canyon) and the great time we had. —

Hi Matt,
You beat me to the punch as I was planning on following up with you. The overall trip, Kevin and Rubicon support was great and exceeded our expectations. Without knowing what to expect and how well we could manage the terrain and climate, we enjoyed the views and hiking. You definitely were quite accurate in your overview of Kevin. He is one of the most decent and admirable people I have met and truly a wonderful guide who loves the outdoors and would give the shirt off his back for those in need. You are truly blessed to have him as part of your team that I’m sure you have heard more than once.
I don’t have any other feedback other than keep doing what you did for us . . . all aspects of pre-trip communication, advice in planning and the actual guide experience were great. Knowing what we now know, we would probably try and break up the traveling a little more to give us more time to hike in each location however that is something you can’t determine until you actually try it and everyone is different so it is no reflection on you.
I will certainly recommend Rubicon to anyone who expresses interest in such experience in the future and we may see you again at some point in the future.
Thank You,

Hello Matt,
We loved our trip. We felt we hiked in a real variety of landscapes, learned the history, culture and vegetation and picked up some tips on hiking, as we plan to take similar trips in the future. The restaurants were excellent and we realize that we would never had been able to get into the El Tovar, for example, without someone doing some advanced planning. We also really enjoyed the train ride. It was nice to not worry about how to get somewhere and have someone else do the driving.
We were also very pleased with our guide, Dee. We were relaxed with her but we could tell she had a watchful eye on us also. We realize that she probably had to pace the hiking to my level, as Andre was capable of going faster and further. While the rim trail was not very challenging, I would not have been able to attempt the Kaibab Trail without first doing the rim ….I was overwhelmed by the height at the Canyon and had to get used to it. I would not have gone down the canyon without a guide.
We would like to return to the area again. We loved Sedona and would be happy spending most of a trip just in that area. We would probably be interested in a self-guided tour for that area. Also, Andre would love to do the rim to rim tour with our two kids, who are now 19( daughter)and 17 (son), but that would probably be a few years away. We would also be interested in hearing about the Switzerland trips. We usually take a major trip every 2-3 years.
Our travel agent, Mary Lynn has been trying to contact me by phone about the trip, but I am traveling for my work, so I am going to copy her on the message. This is the first time she has recommended this type of trip and she wanted some feedback also.
Thank you, we thoroughly enjoyed our introduction to Arizona

Matt,
Just wanted to let you know that my son and I had a great time climbing and rappelling with Kevin at Watson Lake. Kevin did a great job taking care of us and instructing us during the day. We both felt challenged and extremely safe during all the climbs and rappels. This has been one of the best experiences I have had with my son, he is still pumped about the trip, only if I had brought my camera. I hope to be able to do this again in the future. Thanks again for making our vacation in Arizona a great one. Sincerely,

Hi Matt,
Thank you for a wonderful day out! We had a memorable day visiting the Grand Canyon and seeing the views. We really appreciated your flexibility with the plans—the scenic drive back through Sedona and stop in Jerome was an added bonus. It was perfect way to celebrate my MAP graduation—I am continually amazed at the universe and how my path crosses with people such as yourself. All these years at Prescott College and I never looked at the continuing ed. page—where I now see details of all of your trips! I actually found you by entering “day trips from Prescott” in Google. Will keep you in mind as we (me and my husband Robin) plan our vacation for 2011! Hope you have a safe and happy summer with your family.

Hi Matt,
We just wanted to thank you again for a great week! The transition back to work was harder than usual (I guess because we had such a good time!). We really appreciate how flexible both you and Troy were and especially liked the sunset wine and cheese at the Grand Canyon . . . very nice touch. Once we get through the pictures we will email some to you. Hopefully our paths will cross again. Thanks again –

Matt —
I had a stupendous time. The hikes, scenery, food, lodging, and of course, the guides, were great. As I have mentioned before, your planning is impeccable. I made it back fine but ironically enough, I must have left my camelback at a hotel! I would like to keep in touch too. Also, I plan to see you next year on the Swiss tour :) By the way, your kids are adorable. Take care and enjoy Switzerland!

Hello Matt,
We just got home from our vacation. I have to say that the Rock Climbing experience was clearly a highlight of the trip. Kevin was fabulous. He could keep Nick challenged and talk my more conservative Jessica down the wall. He really is incredible with kids and helping people reach their personal potential. He was clearly skilled in what he does, very personable and just fun to be around. Please pass on a personal thank you and big hug from us. My kids haven’t stopped talking about the climbing day.
We’re also excited to see if the town of Prescott will use any of the video they took in a commercial. In any case, Dave said he would send a DVD of the day so we could have it. That is great!
Regarding your business, everything was great and went smoothly. You are very flexible and easy to work with…thank you~! Thanks for making our vacation a special one. Warm regards,

Greetings Matt.
Thank you for your note. Definitely consider our experience to be a “testimonial”. Your pre-trip support, especially on such short notice from our booking, was terrific. The climbing day was perfect. Our twin 16 year-olds loved the experience, and both say it was nothing less than perfect. Same applied to Kevin Keith. Kevin’s skills as a coach, instructor and guide are plentiful. He has a great touch to make both gung-ho, fearless and timid “newbies” comfortable and inspired on the rocks. He was so incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, and such a gentlemen, we all wished other adventure guides would learn from him. Again, thanks for the great service and experience.

Matt:
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Andy and I had a fabulous experience rock climbing and rappelling. Kathy was wonderful, knowledgeable about the activity, patient with my abilities (or lack of), and just really great. Our time with her and the activities provided were well worth the money. We will absolutely recommend Rubicon, and Kathy as a guide, to our friends who visit the area. We will see you in the future for a wine country adventure. Thanks again.

Hi Matt-
We just returned to New York from our Spring break in Arizona and New Mexico and I must say we all agree the best day of our trip was climbing at Watson Lake with Kevin and Matt. Everything, from pre-planning to the rendezvous to the climbing itself went smoothly. Kevin and Matt were excellent guides. Again, we had a wonderful experience with Rubicon and look forward to another opportunity to climb with your company.

Hi Matt:
Had a great time. We had an abundance of food. Linde gave me plenty of space to enjoy the solitude of the canyon for which I was grateful. Thanks again for a wonderful experience.

Hi Matt,
I enjoyed our hiking adventure immensely. I learned so much about myself and feel as if I have set a new personal best as I have never conquered a feat as physically challenging. I look forward to the next adventure and would not hesitate to do a 5-day hike. Next time, I will return with friends! I wish you and yours all the best. Warm wishes,

Hi Matt,
Not enough words can express my gratitude in having me on this trip, it was such a good way to end my year 2009 with an outdoor adventure with you, Jonie and Troy in a place I always dream of visiting. Thank you for anticipating and taking care of our needs on the entire trek. The group was perfect, the weather too, it gave me a taste of different conditions down the canyon, from sunny and warm to rainy and snowy, something that I will never experience in my place. It gives me a true experience of a White Christmas and showed me the beauty of the place. Again thank you so much and looking forward on having an adventure with your group in the future. Regards,

Matt:
Got home without a hitch! Still eating the leftover trail mix, which brings back great memories. You were a super guide (and photographer) who made it possible to do this adventure with Drew and Scott “worry free.” Our biggest challenge is deciding which of so many great pictures to use on the Christmas card. We will add you to the mailing list for sure! Thank you for everything.

Dear Matt,
Joseph and I had the greatest time climbing in Prescott. The hotel was great and we enjoyed the food. The pre-trip support was good and Kevin was awesome. I feel that whole trip was such a blessing for my son and I. Kevin is an amazing guide and person for that matter. Thank you for giving us a very memorable vacation.
Thanks again.

Matt,
Just wanted to let you know that my son Ryan and I had a great time with Kevin today. He was not only a great guide but a professional in Climbing. I will be out again and may be looking at some more training on Rock Climbing.
Thanks again.

Hi Matt!
You beat me to it, I was going to send you an email later today to thank you and Marieta for a wonderful dinner and great evening! You have a beautiful family and you and your wife compliment each other very well.
As for the hike, I could not have asked for better guides. Dee and Colby are very good at providing support and feedback when requested or if the situation required it. Otherwise, they really seemed to let us find our way, which in my opinion was very empowering. Prior to venturing into a more difficult area, they had us stop along the side and went over the safety talking points in a group discussion. They were very knowledgeable about the terrain and overall environment as well.
I look forward to hiking with your crew again!

Hi Matt,
We arrived home yesterday still glowing from our Grand Canyon vacation. Although mother nature provided the show, it was so much more enjoyable because of our guide, Matt, and Rubicon Outdoors. From beginning to end, our experience with Rubicon was fantastic. We can’t say enough about Matt Hart. – he was organized, personable, knowledgeable and an all-around great guy. The meals were top rate. Matt managed my dietary requirements with finesse. This trip was planned to celebrate my 40th birthday and my husband went along as a “labor of love”. He ended up enjoying it as much as I did! My only regret about the trip is that it is over. It was a a trip of a lifetime that I will always look back on fondly.
Thanks for the great experience!

Dear Matt,
We just want to thank you for the wonderful time going down and up in the Grand Canyon. We really enjoyed the trip – and Linde was a great and caring guide. It really was the highlight of our round-trip in the U.S. and we will remember this time. Firstly, I was a bit doubtful it I could do it but now I am pretty proud that I hiked it in and out. Eckhard took wonderful pictures of the Grand Canyon and he is dreaming to come back and do another tour. It was just awesome. Thank you again and best wishes.

Hi Matt,
The trip home was good, no delays. It was very nice to meet, you have a great group. I loved the hike, the guides were wonderful, and the food was good. No complaints! I hope to take another trip with Rubicon in the future and will recommend Rubicon to others.
Thanks again,

Matt
The weather was perfect. Cathy and Aleph were a perfect fit with our group. By the end, I felt perfectly comfortable teasing them as I did my lifetime friends. They were both extremely professional, courteous and a pleasure to be with. The food was great! Much better than I was anticipating. The coffee was a very pleasant surprise. I can’t imagine what you could have done to make it more enjoyable.

Matt
I had a fabulous time. The pace, the support, and the food were spot on. Kathy and Aleph were top notch. I felt like you had provided us with adequate guidance upfront. I will definitely be referring some folks your way.

Dear Matt,
Thank you for loving your job so much that you make every hike memorable, every lunch a custom treat and every dinner delicious and worth looking forward to. We appreciate all the time, effort, planning and special touches that you put into our trip. We hope to be among your future travelers one day soon.

Matt,
Thank you so much for making our holiday such a great experience. The whole trip was fabulous. Thank you too for sharing your family with us. It was a pleasure meeting them.

Hi Matt,
Thanks so much. We had a great time. Kevin was great. He is a great guide, historian, archaeologist, teacher, encourager, and environmentalist all in one! Looking forward to the next time I can come out and go rappelling. Very empowering!!

Hi Matt,
Just arrived home after chilling in Sedona for a couple of days after our fabulous rim to rim hike in the Grand Canyon. An ideal trip in every way…better than I could have imagined. Also can’t say enough positive things about our guides Kathy and Aleph…competent, caring, organized, interesting and fun….the perfect complement to our trekking group. Please pass along our appreciation for their support. Also a big thank you to everyone at Rubicon Outdoors for flawless pre-trip support and organizational execution.

Matt,
We are just now leaving Phoenix. Kathy and Aleph are absolutely fabulous. They are smart, engaging and skilled at showing others the way. I could not have asked for better guides. I loved that there were two, we also appreciated the variety of meals which wasn’t the usual camping fare. Your pre-trip forms and info were excellent preparation. The equipment check in was key as Kathy and Aleph helped us skim down our packs based on weather. All in all I would highly recommend both Rubicon and the guides. I will contact you in the future. Thanks for a wonderful experience.

Dear Matt,
Congratulations on the new baby. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to your message about my Grand Canyon trip. Had a very nice letter from Linde. I really had a wonderful time. I t was exactly what I needed to refresh my spirit. I spent three days at Canyon De Chelly afterwards and had a hard time coming back to my usual world.

Hi Matt,
Jane and I had a fabulous time walking in the Grand Canyon under the expert guidance of Jed who was fantastic. We were very surprised and pleased with our welcome on our return to the south rim – certainly hadn’t expected this 5 star treatment! The whole trip surpassed our expectations and we can’t think of anything which could be improved. We had a really challenging trek guided by an expert who was sensitive to our expectations and fitness. This meant that if we needed to stop for a ‘quick brew’ then this was provided without any problem whatever. We really liked taking part putting up the tents, preparing supper etc although had we not wanted to Jed would have done it all! I will be contacting our travel agent to let them know what a great time we had with you and I hope that they will bear you in mind if in the future a client wants a similar type of holiday. Our only regret was not being able to meet up with Jed again on Monday for lunch but when we looked at flight times etc it was not feasible. Could you convey our thanks again to Jed for helping Jane and I to have a trip that we will remember fondly for many years to come.
Best wishes to you and your lovely family,

Hello Matt,
Home at last, did want to let you know we had a wonderful time. Jed was awesome! I think Tom said it best when he said Jed was like a chameleon, he blended in at times giving us the feeling we were alone, yet was near for advice, wisdom and knowledge. We really enjoyed ourselves and loved having Jed along. Let Tracy know the meals were delicious and we loved the variety and freshness of them.
I struggled with the elevation, but Jed and Tom were very patient and did all they could to help lighten my load and look for many places to rest. If/when we do it again we will probably allow a week to get used to the elevation and do lots of little day hikes to get in better shape for the ups and downs of such an event.
I will be recommending Rubicon Outdoors to friends and co workers who might consider such an adventure in the future, you guys were great!
Thanks again,

Matt,
We had a great time on our hike. The weather was just beautiful and Kathy was a great guide. I had some trouble on the way down…I think I “hit the wall” so to speak. Kathy was so patient and talked me through that and got me to the bottom! Once I got to the tunnel and the bridge, my legs seemed to straighten up and the rest of the hike went well. Your pre-trip support was wonderful. I appreciated the time you spent answering my questions about layers, providing the link for the weather and even giving us your phone number for last minute questions. The list of gear to bring, the itinerary of what each day would be like hiking-wise, the sample menu and all the information in the packet was very helpful. I knew we had chosen a good outfitter. The hike itself was very nicely planned. Everything went smoothly and Kathy was great. We had a lot of fun along with being able to see the Canyon up close. It was spectacular.
I can tell you that I will recommend Rubicon Outdoors to anyone who is thinking about hiking the Canyon.
Thanks again. It was a great adventure.

Matt,
We had a fantastic experience! Kathy was terrific – she was probably about ready to push us over the edge! All the gear and support was more than adequate. Food and beverages were very tasty. I would be happy to recommend you to anyone. Someone had told me that they didn’t really think you could prepare for the hike. We did what we could to get ourselves in shape, but I don’t think you can truly prepare for it. The trip was truly an awesome, once in a lifetime, experience for us. I can cross it off my list. Thanks for accommodating us.

Matt,
My thanks to Matt and yourself for organizing an excellent weekend. No issues at all Matt was an excellent guide and I would be very happy to have Matt as a guide again please pass on my regards to him. Matt was knowledgeable and flexible in the planning so that we had a good hard day on Saturday and a relatively easy day on Sunday. Many thanks.

Matt,
Yes, we all agree that this was a fantastic trip. I have no constructive criticisms at all (and I usually do). Kathy and North were exceptional. I would not have made it down the canyon without them. They were pleasant, personable, fun and great guides. If we were to ever do a similar trip again, I would request them. I would recommend Rubicon to anyone looking for a trip to the Grand Canyon.

Hi Matt,
Just returned to Europe. After our great trip to the Colorado River it was a complete change to arrive at busy Las Vegas. We had a great time in Sin City, the last days we spend at San Diego at my uncle and aunt house. I even won 200 bucks at a 5 Cent poker machine!
I think you organized the trip very well, nothing could be improved. All the food was great, the supply was best and our guides were absolutely great! Also the schedule is good, that way it is no problem to do the walk. Thank you very much for that experience, I will recommend you, if I know some guys who want to go down there too.
Say hello to Matt, I would like to get some pics by him also. We are looking forward to seeing you next summer in Bavaria, either in Munich or in our area.
All the best, best regards from Bavaria.

Hi Matt,
It’s good to hear from you. Andrew and I are back to school / work and both wishing we were still hiking through the Grand Canyon. I hope all is well at home for you. Let us know when your new addition arrives. We had such a great trip and I can’t think of anything I would change. We just got back some pics and Ill try to send some your way.

Matt,
We made it home last night at about 6:00. I can’t stop thinking of the wonderful time that we had in the Canyon! As I said before, it was the most satisfying vacation I’ve ever had. After we had showered the day we came out, we walked back to the rim to get some lunch, seeing the zoo that was going on, I couldn’t help feeling like I had a secret that I wanted to keep to myself. It truly is an amazing place that you have to see to believe.
Thanks again,

Dear Matt,
Thank you for your emails. We had a fantastic time on our hike with Kathy. She really is a fantastic guide and took really good care of us. We were delighted with the scenery and the campsites made our jaws drop especially Hermits Creek and Granite Rapids. We would have no hesitation in recommending your company. Good luck with your new arrival.
Kind regards,

Matt,
I just wanted to let you know Jessica got in last night, and she is wonderfully excited and loved the trip so much!
The experiences she has at Rubicon are always so good for the mind/body/spirit, and she is vibrant and so confident in herself!
We also found a Recreational and Leisure Degree program, and she now has a focus on what exactly she wants to do! We searched forever for a degree plan that would satisfy her desire to continue to climb and be in a career that would allow her to be around what she loves so much, and I guess we just weren’t looking under Education, we were looking under outdoors and environment, etc. This program is an answer to her prayers, and now she has a firm direction on what her goal is. We are so glad she went on this trip and we are so grateful to you, your wife, your grandfather, and Kathy for all the wonderful experiences and life changing episodes she has had with your group.
Thank you so much for all your wonderful support and dedication to enriching young people’s lives!
Sincerely,

Matt,
Had some great climbs today in beautiful Prescott at the Dells and really enjoyed seeing the area and learning about the area from Kevin. What a dude ! You have a great partner there and he managed to get me and my gut up a 5.9 today so it was fun. He spoke very highly of you. All that and I forgot to tip the guy – how rude. Anyhow, I wanted to thank you for your long distance effort in coordinating the day and I look forward to returning to Prescott for climbing and perhaps to make a home here one day with Nena and our child.

Matt,
My family had a terrific time with Kevin. The climbing was great and the ease of setting up the outing couldn’t have been better. We will certainly be back for more.
Thanks again,

Dear Matt,
I cannot start to tell you how incredible our trip was. You are probably not expecting me to say anything else since the big actor among everything is this magic Canyon. What a place. Beyond that, I guess we knocked on the right door when we found Rubicon. It could have been a boring “commercial” trip with a troop of old complaining tourists. We ended up meeting up with this funny guy, definitely marginal, so interesting, and so unbelievably true. Nick made the trip extraordinary. Not quite like a typical guide to say the least! He made it possible for us to see the Grand Canyon with different eyes just because he is a very different person. His love of nature to such an extent made us breath and see the real light. It made us look at things with his eyes, for some time. He is one of a kind and he was a gift to us that we are not ready to forget.
We just got back today and I feel bad that I didn’t contact you first. I really wanted to express you and Nick our sincere thanks for making the trip we lived outstanding. Obviously, the pre-trip support is so unimportant. ‘ Although i do need to be in better shape…. it took me a week to feel my calves again!
If you ever come to Paris, please let me know. It wouldn’t be fair to know Nick and not you, after all.
My Best,

Hello Matt,
Sidney and I, along with the students and parents, can’t thank you enough for putting in all the work to make this experience such a success. It was a great trip in which the repercussions of the success will reverberate for quite some time.
We are meeting with the kids the next couple of days to get ready for the “Intensive Celebration” on Wednesday afternoon. The big goal is get our documentaries done. I hope that can happen!
We had a chance to do some reflecting, with the students, on the way through the airports and it was impressive to hear the “big impressions” that each student shared. A couple shared how privileged (and spoiled—their words) they feel they are to live in the United States. Frankly, despite many of the other great things that they might take away, this would be my number one . . . I’m glad it came through and will stick with them all for the rest of their lives. Before we left, some folks said to me that this trip will change the students’ lives. It is hard to measure that, but undoubtedly, they are coming home prepared to be better WORLD citizens— something desperately needed.
I look forward to working with you more in the future and truly appreciate all the sacrifices you and Marietta made to ensure our success.
Thanks Again,

I really had a great time on the trip. Nick is an awesome guide; I would highly recommend him, as well as Rubicon for any Hiking Trips. I appreciate the effort you put in planning my trip as well as the dinner you provided me on Sat eve. It is obvious you have an amazing family and truly a full life.
Please extend my regards and feel free to reach out to me anytime.
Thanks Again,

Dear Matt,
I had a fantastic time on the Canyon trip. Kathy was great company and an amazing person. I feel very privileged to have shared the experience with her and also thank you for allowing the trip to go ahead when I was the only person left booked into the trip.
Thank you also for your great organizational skills. I felt confident on leaving Australia that all has planned. Also thanks for the lend of the jacket and WARM sleeping bag.
The Grand Canyon is certainly a place I will return to.I have passed your details on to some friends heading over next year.
Many thanks again.
Sincerely,

Hi Matt,
Now back in Uk, with the rain and cold.
I had a great time out with Andy on Granite Mountain, it couldn’t have gone any better. Definitely a great spot to climb. I just need now to push my climbing grades up for my next visit, and find some granite climbs in this country to practice on.
Thanks a lot for organizing it for me, I really appreciate it.
I’ll call next time I’m over.

Matt,
Thanks for following-up.
Yes, the trip was a great experience. Our group did not have a lot of collective experience in hiking or camping but we felt well prepared for the trek. I particularly appreciated the literature on clothing and equipment. In reflection that check list helped us avoid some significant discomfort and therefore made the trip that much more enjoyable.
Aleph & Jed were wonderful guides. They ably adapted to the varying needs of our group and projected a level of confidence you want in a guide. The provided the perfect balance of freedom and guidance. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending them to anyone and hope they’ll be around for our next excursion.
Take care.

Matt,
Everyone had an excellent trip. Aleph and Jed were great guides. I will not hesitate to recommend Rubicon Outdoors to anyone even considering a Grand Canyon trip.
Thanks for everything,

It was a great trip. Aleph & Jed were very good guides. They were both very friendly and outgoing. They were very helpful and encouraging along the trail.
The food selection was good.

Hi Matt,
We had a great time on our trip. I think you did a good job of describing what to bring, and what to expect. Titiana and Aleph did a good job of guiding. I would certainly recommend Rubicon to my friends.

Matt,
The Grand Canyon trip was awesome, as were Titiana and Aleph. We really enjoyed getting to know them and thought they were excellent guides. The trip was everything we hoped it would be. Please let Titiana and Aleph know that we thought they were great and really enjoyed our time with them.
I think we were as prepared for the trip as as we could be in advance. The website had plenty of good information to read and the links to the weather were quite helpful.
We were very pleased with the trip and will be sure to recommend Rubicon as well as Titiana and Aleph to anyone interested in such an adventure.

Hi Matt,
We would love to be able to give you some feedback that would help in your future trips but you’ll have to go with what you’ve been doing because everything for us was just right… We had a great time and Titiana was a very knowledgeable guide and has a very friendly personality. We had a wonderful time at the Grand Canyon and on the rest of our trip in Arizona.
Thank you very much for a great hiking experience.
We are thinking about next year and hoping to get to Utah and visit Zion National Park. I will keep checking your website to see what trips you are offering.
thanks again!

Dear Matt,
I have just about scrubbed all the dust off my body and feeling almost normal now.
I had a great time. Dee and Kathy were truly amazing, extremely knowledgeable and great fun to be with. Cheri was really good company too. I must admit when I first found out that I was the only client, I wasn’t too sure how well it was going to work. But it actually worked incredible well. the trip fulfilled all my expectations and much more! I would definitely recommend you to my friends and if you do anymore trips in Europe, please let me know.
It was not easy to find information for a good company to do such a trip to the Canyon. I would suggest to advertise in any English trekking mag to inform the Brits. Also Flying with Vision airways from Vegas was any easy and affordable way to get to the South Rim.
Thank you so much for a great trip.
Kind Regards,

Dear Matt,
I wanted to take the time to thank you for the amazing rock climbing experience with Rubicon Outdoors. Instead of the tradition round of golf the day before a wedding, my groomsmen and I went the more adventurous route and decided to try rock climbing.
From the moment we arrived your staff was courteous and professional, already having all of the equipment and gear ready for climbing. Our group consisted of various skill levels from hard-core climbers to novices who were afraid of heights. The guides set up a variety of climbs to make sure that everyone had an enjoyable experience.
The lunch and the snacks were delicious and the drinks hit the spot. It was nice after a good morning of climbing not to have to worry about getting food prepared.
I would recommend your company to anyone interested in an action packed adventure. Our rock climbing trip was a memorable experience, and I look forward to trying some of your additional trips in the future.

Matt,
We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our climbing day! Kevin and Kerry were friendly, courteous, and competent. Their obvious expertise put us at ease immediately, and some of us were very apprehensive in the beginning! The Keith’s were very patient with our total lack of experience and offered their expert support and guidance every step of the way. We all felt successful and proud of our accomplishments, for which we credit Kevin and Kerry. We left wishing we could stay longer and climb higher! I might also add that we enjoyed having Kiva along, as well. She is a delightful child and contributed to the overall positive experience we all enjoyed.
Thank you, also, for the professional manner in which you handled the arrangements for our climbing trip. The administrative tasks were managed efficiently, and we appreciated the clear directions on how to find the climbing site. We were well prepared for the day, thanks to the instructions you sent prior to our trip. From the first time I contacted you until we drove away from the climbing site, the experience was absolutely everything I had hoped it would be—and everything you had promised! Thank you so much for providing us with an exciting, memorable trip.
Most sincerely,

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the follow-up email. I had such a great time! Khalila gave me the perfect balance of fun and learning. She didn’t make me feel rushed or pressured and there wasn’t an ounce of fear for me throughout the whole day. Even so, I learned a ton and really felt like I was pushing myself. Boulderland offered a nice variety of problems for beginners, but the area didn’t give the appearance of being over-used or abused. So I can’t complain about a single thing . . . not even my sore body! The only things that weren’t covered was climber etiquette (protecting the rock, crowding other groups, etc) and pre- and post-climbing stretches, exercises, safeguards, etc. I’m sure Khalila would have taught me these things if I asked, but it might be good to include them for all beginners.
Again, thank you for all of your organizational work and thanks to Khalila for a perfect morning of climbing!
Sincerely,

Matt,
Kathy was great. She was very flexible with the whole plane delay and being off by a day. She has a great personality and let me try a few new things like chimney climbs and a mock lead which inspired me to look into more gear for this summer! Thanks and have a great time in So. Africa! I may be in touch on my next visit to AZ as I usually visit every few years and would definitely use Rubicon again!!!

Hi Matt,
The Canyon trip was amazing!! And was a great, great guide! We enjoyed talking with him and absorbing the wealth of knowledge he had about the Canyon and camping!
I think you guys made the trip as easy as possible – from the lists of what to bring, to instructions on where to meet Nick and the orientation with him the night before, on to the actual hike. It was all easy and made for a very enjoyable experience!
The only thing I would suggest (remember I’m a Nutritionist PhD) is that it would be nice to have protein (maybe some cheese) each morning for breakfast. The granola was great and delicious, but protein would really help sustain us on the long hikes. By the way, the food was good and surprisingly gourmet for camping!
Thanks again for making it such a special trip for Dad and I.
Best regards,

Hi Matt,
Nick was great. The experience for me was incredible. I only wish that I could have hiked it the first time I saw it in 1969. It perhaps would have been easier. However 38 years later and at age 62 you guys made a dream come true for me. . . .
Sorry that we missed you Sunday. If I had not taken so much time huffing and puffing we could have been there at noon. We finished at about 12:30.
Nick was a wonderful guide. His knowledge of the canyon and the surrounding area kept us entertained throughout the entire trip. The last minute add of the down jackets were a god send. I was not prepared for the snow and wind that we started with Friday morning. His cooking skills are good as well.
“GREAT JOB.”

Hi Matt,
Sorry for being so tardy getting back to you, but I have only just got proper internet access at my daughters place in LA. From my point of view the trek was great, Nick was just right opening me up to an interesting perspective on life.
The food was great the service was great and the company was great.
I found the Grand Canyon more awesome than I had thought I would. Photos of it look pretty but nothing can replicated the awesome scale and deafening silence one experiences when you are down there.
Seeing the condors was a huge bonus.
Kind regards and by the way congratulations to you and your wife on the birth of your first child.

Hey Matt,
Thanks for the follow-up. I really enjoyed the hike and thought Kathy was a perfect match to both of me and my sister’s personalities. She was very easy going and attentive to our needs. It couldn’t have worked out better even if Tracy had guided the trip. Kathy is truly a teacher and helped us in reaching our goal of learning how to do this on our own….we hope.
The gear was great and provided more than adequate comfort (pack, tent, pad, and extra down jacket) and the poles were the ticket that protected and cushioned the blows of all the step downs required on the Hermit trail…forgot to mention the additional assistance of the naproxen sodium, thanks for that.
Finally, I want to thank you for all your diligence in maintaining the communication prior to the trip.
Lest I forget, CONGRATULATIONS to you and Marieta on your new, healthy baby daughter!! Woohoo!! Take care and I wish you and your family all the best in the future,

Matt,
Thank you for providing a well planned and organized trip for us to the most scenic hike I’ve ever taken. Your guides were great and worked well together.
The food was excellent and far more than we expected!!! The appetizers on the point was a nice touch. We will be sure to forward your name for anyone interested in hiking the Grand Canyon.
Thanks again for a great experience,

Dear Matt and all of Rubicon Outdoors,
RUBICON ROCKS! Rubicon is the ONLY way I would hike the Grand Canyon, and for so many reasons.
When hiking Rim to Rim, my family enjoyed a comfortable pace, chances to explore, and unexpected occasions to play! We had ample time to savor each experience: enjoy the continual views, sit down to fine meals, and stay well rested. How was this possible in a 24-mile four-day backpack? It’s because our Guides Extraordinaire, Brian and Titiana not only took care of everything connected with camp, including site selection, tent set-up/down, meal preparations, and clean-up but they also carried in the supplies involved and carried the whatevers to leave no trace.
Brian and Titiana were personable, and fun to be with, and were helpful and fine teachers as well. We benefited from their comprehensive geology explanations, identification of the diverse plant and animal life in the multiple life zones, as well as leadership in great stretches—adding up to our incredibly beautiful trip into time. Yet they subtly allowed us space and alone time to make the experience our own.
Even the process of planning with Rubicon has been rewarding. Not only did you answer our questions with each step you responded quickly and graciously making each of us feel as if we were your favorite client.
Just as the Grand Canyon has rock layers revealing ages, colors, stories, and significance, each of these Rubicon layers made for an awesome adventure that exceeded our expectations.
Thank you so much; you are now a part of our treasured life-long memories of hiking this Grandest of Canyons. Sincerely,

Hi Matt,
We all had such a wonderful time! I was impressed with the time and care you put into packaging our snacks. I really appreciated how you took care not to give me oranges or EmergenC. I also appreciated your web site and the list you have put together of items to pack, that is very helpful and especially for someone who has never gone backpacking before.
The food was awesome, I loved it all. Brian and Titiana were very pleasant, fun and knowledgeable. Both Stephen and Roland really loved Brian’s geology expertise. I enjoyed it, but I just don’t retain very much of that kind of detail. Titiana’s stretching session with the beautiful Grand Canyon background was just awesome.
All the equipment was great. We ended up putting our camel backs in the front pocket of the backpacks because they fit better, were easier to access for refilling and mine occasionally leaked so it worked out better being on the outside. The tents were awesome. One of the tents had a gear loft which was really handy for all the odds and ends you end up with before calling it a night and things you want to have handy in the morning. I couldn’t bring myself to sleep without the tent, I had visions of one of those raccoon critters sniffing my face or a tarantula crawling over me.
I don’t really have a lot of feedback for improving anything, everything was very well done. It was great for us not to have to worry about securing a good camp site or preparing food and cleaning up. I was continually impressed with how Brian and Titiana packed up the tents, prepared breakfast and cleaned up the dishes and were ready to go before the rest of us! I will definitely recommend you to anyone I know who is considering a Grand Canyon adventure.
Thank you so much for such a rewarding experience! This trip is definitely on the top of my list of all time favorites. We did a cross country ski trip at Yellowstone which was phenomenal, but for some reason, I’m not sure I can even explain why yet, this trip left me feeling even higher and sadly more depressed when I came back to the real world of working for a living!
Thank you again,

Hi Matt:
Just a quick response to let you know we enjoyed the adventure and are happy with our selection of Rubicon. The equipment, food, and guides were “top quality.” I was extremely impressed with the newness and quality of all equipment. The backpack felt like it was made for me. We thoroughly enjoyed Titiana and Colin—they were knowledgeable, energetic, concerned for our well-being, great campers and hikers, and fun! The food was great.
The hike was challenging for me. I get the prize for being the “weakest link.” I do feel that the next time I’ll be more prepared now that I know the roughness of the trail. Frank and I are already talking about what we would like to do for his hiking experience.
I can’t think of anything you should change. The weather was cold, but no rain so all agreed they preferred cool to hot. I think the gear check is a very valuable benefit. The beauty of the Canyon and the quality of the guides and equipment are the most important things.
Take care.

Hello Matt,
It was a great day in Prescott! Titiana and Nathan were great guides, I really enjoyed their company and climbing. The pre-trip support was informative and a non-issue—everything was smooth.
Thanks again and if I need a guide in the area I’ll definitely look Rubicon up again.

Hi Matt,
I had a truly fantastic time during our Grand Canyon trip. Julie was an excellent leader. We could not have wished for anyone better!
I personally appreciated it very much that Julie gave us detailed explanations of the geology of the Canyon. I tried to read up on it before the trip but could not really get into it – what a difference it made to see it all in front of my eyes and to get explanations there and then! I also enjoyed learning a bit more about the environment, the names of the buttes etc., the trails, and animals and plants in the canyon. I had never seen a chipmunk before!
Julie made us always feel very comfortable and she was always encouraging and supportive. I had a truly good time . . . .
Kind regards,

We really enjoyed our Grand Canyon trip. Melaine was a fantastic guide. I appreciated you providing me with sugar free treats. I will recommend you to anyone I know that is coming to your area.
Thanks again for everything.

Hi Matt,
We had a terrific time climbing in Prescott! Kathy was both professional and personable. Having the routes set before we arrived really made the most of our time, and Kathy adapted the climbs to accommodate the heat and the everyone’s climbing ability. I was really pleased with the whole experience.
I recommended Rubicon to a friend headed out to Tahoe, and will definitely be back in touch next time we go west. Thank you so much for adding a really memorable experience to our vacation, and for working everything out to accommodate our schedules on such short notice.
Sincerely,

Hi Matt
Thanks for your e-mail. We are now back in England, but Geoff and Nicky are still over there. We all had a wonderful time and couldn’t have wished for better guides than Tracy and Nick. They gave us space to enjoy the canyon by ourselves but were always on hand to answer questions. Their own enthusiasm and respect for the canyon enhanced our own experiences. We also picked up a lot of backpacking tips from them – although I haven’t mastered Tracy’s specialty yet! All the equipment that we needed was provided and the food was amazingly good, given the limited facilities and amount that could be carried. Thank you for your excellent organization and please pass on our best wishes to Nick and Tracy.
Best wishes,

Hi Matt,
We are still a little jet lagged as we only got back to Britain a few days ago and we’re straight back to work!!
We had a wonderful time, in fact it was an experience of a lifetime made even more special by the excellent service and care from Tracy & Nick. There are no suggestions we can make to improve your service and support and you will certainly hear from us again.
Would you please remember the ‘Old People’ to Tracy & Nick and thank them again for everything they did for us.
Sincerely,

Hi Matt,
Just a quick note to say thanks for organizing a terrific trip for us into the Grand Canyon – we all had a fantastic time; please pass on our thanks and best wishes to Tracy, Evan and Titiana.
We shall certainly be recommending you to others in the UK.
Best wishes,

Hello Matt,
We have just returned home last night after a super trip to the States, and the highlight of it all was our time spent in the Canyon. This was all due to your company’s superb planning and excellent staff and guides. I really do not think it could have been bettered, you had thought of everything, even supplying us with the most delightful hiking companions. Blair and I would like to thank you all very much indeed, and we will continue to extol the virtues of Rubicon Outdoors.
With our sincere gratitude,

Awesome trip Matt!! Tracey and D were knowledgeable, informative and just supportive enough without being overbearing. They let each of us be who we are and let us get out of the trip what we each individually wanted. Can’t say enough about that. Wanted also to thank your wife for all the great food and thoughtfulness that went in to the eating part of the trip . . . . up and including the appetizers for the Plateau Point expedition (man was I tired at that point). We will hook up with you all again . . . probably in the spring when my sister will once again be available. I think we want to try the Rim to Rim on that trip. Again, thank you and your great crew.

The trip was amazing, Evan was cool and having him as my own personal guide meant that the whole trip was tailored to my specific requirements; it was great to be able to walk at my own pace (fast). Evan was flexible with his plans and the hike was developed when we finished each leg, and ended up being extended to suit my pace and stamina. I was appropriately exhausted at the end of the first day: I would have been disappointed if I had finished the first day thinking I could have done more. Evan was also very efficient with his duties and made a fantastic meal at camp–then put my tent up without me even noticing! It was obvious that there had been a lot of careful planning with the preparation and provisions, a fact that Evan seemed to appreciate as much as me. The other couple that shared camp with us were great: Jeff had a good sense of humor so we had some good banter both at night and at first light. Tracy is a living legend, what a power house, and it was interesting to hear about her lifestyle and exploits. All in all, the trip was the highlight of my holiday and has given me some great memories. I shall be boring my friends and family about it for a while. Thanks again.

Hi Matt,
We have just arrived home after visiting Sedona and the area around after the Canyon trip. It was an excellent trip, we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Our muscles were a little sore, but well worth it. Tracy and Titiana were brilliant, we don’t know how they managed to carry all the extras in their packs. It was a super trip and would love to do another one at a later date. Please thank Titiana and Tracy for all their help and hard work, it seemed at the end that we didn’t really have time to say Thank you. The whole trip was arranged perfectly and it made a super birthday present for Trevor. Thanks again and hopefully we will be in touch with another trip sometime, i will certainly pass your name on to anyone who would like to do a similar trip. Thank you.

Dear Matt,
We just got back to Germany with great memories of our trip to Arizona. The day hike with Brian and Dena was excellent. Our first day in the Canyon was memorable for not so nice reasons and to follow that up with our Rubicon experience was just great. I would like to mention that we both had a very strong impression of Brian and Dena as professional, responsible guides and above all very warm and accommodating people. It was a pleasure to spend the day with them. Some specific points of feedback:
–  pickup was right on time and the vehicle was very comfortable
–  the food provided was delicious, and plentiful water and extra snacks were also provided
–  guides were very informative on geography, geology, general hiking tips and etiquette, etc.
–  we were given a lot of “say” in how our day would turn out: which trails to try, how far/long we wanted to hike out, when to stop, etc–great flexibility and openness . . .
We will definitely contact you again if an overnight opportunity in the GC comes up!

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the follow up. Philip and I had a GRAND time!!! It’s a trip we’re never going to forget. Titiana and Tracy were wonderful. Very supportive and a lot of fun around camp each night!!! We had never done a “tour” before and found Rubicon to be quick with an answer and understanding with any of our questions and concerns. There was never any pressure to go at a certain pace and Titiana and Tracy always asked if we needed anything and made sure we were doing ok. It was one of the best vacations we’ve ever had!!! I’ve already passed your name on to a couple friends . . . I really hope they’re able to get out there. Thanks again and say “hi” and “thank you” to Titiana and Tracy.

Hello Matt!!!
Wowsers . . . I really want to thank you and Kathy for such an awesome experience throughout that week of rock climbing!!! It made me fall in love with it all (especially the being up high and the only thing that’s keeping you from falling is the rope . . . whoo . . . it’s a rush of excitement). Everyone was supportive and a blast to be around, but I really wish I didn’t take so long to warm up to them, that’s the one thing I regretted *sad face*. You also helped me motivate myself to do things I never thought I could do. And for that I thank y’all. I have already told everyone I know about this lifetime experience!!! I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET YOU GUYS!!!
P.S. I would definitely love to come out next year!!!

Hi Matt,
I’ve thought a great deal of Tracy and Titiana this week as they crossed the canyon once again. . . . As you must be aware, my dad’s unexpected knee troubles were the cause of much concern and a great deal of extra effort both physically and emotionally. All I can say is that the careful, thoughtful, strong, and professional approach to our situation which Tracy and Titiana offered was highly appreciated and much respected. Those two women are a testament to your company and can only reflect the commitment and intention you have based Rubicon upon. Many, many heartfelt thanks to you all for offering my dad, Ron, and I something that can only be described as life changing. What else can I say? I wouldn’t have changed a thing. We hold you all in our highest regards. . . . Again, we can’t express enough how grateful we are to have had the pleasure of being guided and cared for by Tracy and Titiana . . . . I’ve had some difficulty describing the experience this past week in response to questions. Remarkable seems to be my best right now. . . . Thanks again.

Hi Matt,
I hope you had a great labor day weekend. I’m sorry we missed you this time in Prescott. Thank you for organizing the climbing for us. It was a really great day. I also wanted to let you know that Kevin did an absolutely spectacular job. I just don’t even know how to praise him sufficiently. Eight vocal adults and three very active kids could be quite an overwhelming group–he managed beautifully. He was completely awesome with us–both helping the adults and the kids with the climbing, keeping the kids safe and just making sure everyone was having a great day. Thanks so much for hooking us up with him.

Hi Matt,
. . . . My son Jeff and I were two of the four folks that participated in the April 28 – May 2 Hermit Trail backpacking trip. I had a great time. I’ve organized canoe-backpacking trips before so I recognize the planning that’s necessary to pull off something like this. This time, I enjoyed being able to sit around and watch others do the tent set-up, cooking and clean-up, not to mention carrying significantly more gear than I had to. I actually felt bad that I couldn’t help set up, clean up, cook, etc. However, it was nice to cool my feet in a cold stream while dinner was cooking. Tracey, Lindy and Sara were fun to be with and combined what I would call professional guide services along with personal humor and camaraderie. I think we had a lot of common interests in outdoor activities with these three folks. I would recommend your services to others who are thinking of doing a trip like this.

Matt the trip was great!
Tracey, Sara, and Lindy where great company, great guides, great cooks, and super company–we couldn’t have asked for better.
The trip itinerary was excellent–rest time between hard days, great camping locations (thanks to Tracey’s effort at the Monument camp grounds) and a wonderful scope in terms of the scenery and exposure to the various aspects of the canyon.
I would absolutely recommend Rubicon to anyone I know who is thinking of camping in the canyon.
Thanks for a wonderful trip–a lifetime experience for me made possible by the canyon and your team

The trip was excellent and so were the guides. There was absolutely nothing I can fault. I will be telling everyone about you. I thank Tracey and Titiana for making it a memory I will treasure forever. Thanks again.

Dear Matt,
You run a great organization and Tracey and Titiana were wonderful guides; wise, strong, thoughtful, nurturing, and terrific fun. We had an amazing trip, a truly moving experience that will stay with us forever. There is no way that we can express our gratitude to you sufficiently for the fine care that we were given, before, during and after this walk of a lifetime. Thank you for everything.

Hi Matt,
I can say all four of us, at very different levels of anticipation and experience, had a great time with Titiana and Kevin on Monday. They were knowledge-able and truly interested in helping each of us succeed.
The pre-trip support via email and phone from you and your wife was informative and professional; the actual climbing day was perfect weather-wise, and they put us all at ease.
We’d definitely do this again the next time we are in Prescott! Thanks for making the arrangements!

Hi Matt,
I have finally got around to working on my trip scrapbook . . . quite a project as you can imagine with all those pictures we took. The trip was so incredible for us and it becomes more so every day that we are back here and in our busy routine. You and Brian were the best guides . . . and the most patient guides!! Everything about the trip was perfect and way beyond our expectations. Would be happy to be a reference and talk to anyone wanting to do a trip with Rubicon Outdoors.
Christopher actually did a presentation in English class on how to prepare for a backpacking trip. He took in a full pack, pictures and equipment and really had fun doing it. There were no other presentations like his.
We are already thinking about what trip we can do next!! Thanks again.

Matt,
They had a wonderful time and many stories to share! The guides were professional, knowledgeable and safety conscious. The fact that they offered a variety of climbs (easy, hard, etc.) was great because every one of the guys could do some. They were worn out when they returned but all of them would do it again in a minute. I think it was the one activity that they all enjoyed the most during our trip. Thanks so much for making the arrangements and please pass on our thanks to the guides. If I hear of anyone that would be out your way and looking for a rock climbing experience I will certainly tell them about you all.
Thanks again!

Hi Matt,
I felt I must write to you on behalf of all my family to say thank you so much for organizing such a fantastic trip down the Grand Canyon for us. We had the most marvelous three days, and an adventure we will remember forever.
Brian and Kristine were wonderful guides, you were right–Brian knew the answer to every question we could ask. Andrew, our son, particularly enjoyed hearing all about the geology and natural history. They treated us so well, cooked marvelous meals and never let us help with anything–truly luxurious. We’re now determined to come back and do some walking on the Tonto trail in the next few years. Hiking with Brian and Kristine was like being out with old friends, I can’t tell you enough how fantastic they were.
Thank you again for organizing such a wonderful trip and adding to a great holiday–one we will never forget.
With very best wishes,

I run a year-round youth program with the First Baptist Church of Tahoe City, CA. We have been using Rubicon Outdoors as a regular part of our summer Cross Training program since 1999. Our students range in age from 11 to 18, and just as vastly in experience and ability. Matt and his team work well with all students, no matter their age, ability, sex, or level of climbing experience. He always has a smile on his face, and acts like leading our group is not work, but a pleasure. I have been impressed by his administrative attention to detail, as he always returns phone calls and e-mails, and sends us any paperwork we might need well before we need it. The fact that Rubicon Outdoors is such a small company allows them to maintain the highest level of quality and personal attention while on the mountain.
Being responsible for these teenagers, I don’t take safety lightly, and I am confident that Matt’s immaculate safety record is no accident. He is intensely careful in preparing climbs as well as providing helmets for everyone near the climbing area. I have noticed many instances where a student wanders to the base of a climb without a helmet, and Matt wastes no time in sending the student back for one. No one begins climbing without all the necessary safety equipment checked and rechecked. Even though he requires us to bring adult supervision, he works as though from the moment we arrive on site, he is solely responsible for all of our safety, whether we are swimming, climbing, hiking, or just having lunch.
Lastly, I must share what a pleasure it is to work with Rubicon Outdoors. Every year, our needs have been slightly different, and every year, Matt has worked to accommodate our needs. Because we have such a packed calendar, we work hard to keep our cost down each week, and he has been more than generous to us in that aspect as well. Rubicon Outdoors is professional, fun, safe, affordable, and challenging for our students. I couldn’t ask for a more positive experience for myself or my youth.

Our son, Chris Smith, has been climbing with Matt Brown every summer for the past five years. Sending a twelve year old cross-country to rock climb takes a lot of trust on a parent’s part. Though Rubicon Outdoors and Matt Brown had a wonderful reputation, this was a leap of faith for us. Chris’s experiences with Matt and his staff have gone far beyond our expectations. Matt has instilled a sense of respect for the environment, self-reliance and climbing professionalism that Chris has carried with him into all areas of his life. Matt has reinforced values Chris has seen at home, from a love of the outdoors to pursuing activities with a passion that is mixed with a healthy respect for inherent risks.
Chris is now off to college and Matt has taken on the role of a mentor and friend. As parents we feel that Rubicon Outdoors has contributed significantly to embellishing who Chris is — a pretty wonderful person who continues to climb with incredible enthusiasm.

Matt,
Thanks again for all the hospitality. I want you to know that the AMGA course that I took with Rubicon was one of the most professional and fun courses I have been a part of. The guide, Alan Jolley, was superb in his knowledge and teaching ability. I really enjoyed having Amos Whiting there as I felt he added a good complement to Alan. The accommodations and food that were part of the package were amazing. I would not hesitate to encourage people to take this course from Rubicon. They are a great company.

Dear Matt,
I am writing to thank you for taking the youth group of the First Baptist Church of Tahoe City for a day of rock climbing. . . . As the person who schedules all of the events for the children’s and youth ministries of our church, I must tell you that I am very impressed with you as a person and with your business practices.
The youth have said for the past two years that the trip with you was the highlight of their summer. . . . The parents have all commented about how secure they felt letting their kids go rock climbing with you. I too, have been very impressed. You have been easy to communicate with and you follow through on everything. . . . You have been very flexible on scheduling and have tried to accommodate our needs and desires.
Thanks again for such a great trip! I’ll be talking to you soon to set up rock climbing days for the youth for next summer!