Presenting YOUR...

  2009-2010 TRAiLS Guides!
 

TRAiLS Bear

The TRAiLS Bear, (born Theodore McBearson IV) was born in a humble cave in the northern woods of Canada  his birthdate is unknown. His childhood was filled with pleasant memories of eating blueberries and mauling campers. However in 2002 Theodore decided to further his education at The George Washington University. Theo felt out of place in the city, however, and decided to create an organization that would cater to students like himself who craved the outdoors, this began the series of events that eventually led to the creation of TRAiLS. Today, Theo resides in "the Cave" in room 433 and generally goes by the nickname TRAiLS Bear. He has experienced considerable fame, including being featured in Maxim magazine, and is often seen at TRAiLS events. Other hobbies include attending classical music concerts, playing water polo and reading 19th century Russian literature

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Ryan "Alfonzo" Kern
I am told I was born 24 years ago on July 11th, and given the name, Ryan, I don't remember though.  What I do remember is growing up in Los Angeles, California, riding bikes in curvaceous canyons there, and playing in the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.  It was in these mountians that I became an avid skier, hiker, and white water hooligan.  Other than recreational matters, I was exiled from my home and forced to hike the Superior Hiking Trail.  This was immediately followed by a 6 week stint in the Boundry Waters Canoe and Wilderness Area. At some point the psychoemotional floggings subsided and the wilderness was all that remained. Since then I have saught revenge as a field instructor for a company specializing in Wilderness therapy and have hiked the Pacific Crest trail. This was all before I became a guide, both for trails and the zymologically impaired.See you on the Trails.

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Katie Zilch

Hi, I'm Katie and I hail from the lovely Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. I'm a sophomore majoring in international affairs. Although I love being in Washington D.C., I couldn't survive without ventures into the outdoors. I love hiking, backpacking, am getting better at rock climbing, and am up for any challenge outside. If you don't see me on the trails you might see me out on the Potomac sailing, hitting up E Street Cinema or chilling with awesome people. I also love real maple syrup, back country baking, furry creatures, and country drives. I wish I was as good at photography as Eva. Come play outside! (now, I mean it!)

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 Raphael "Raffi" Cohen
The Life and Times of Raphael Cohen: 

Born at a young age, I am the youngest of three children and two parents.  Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio I had a lot of time to gaze out onto the plantation and ponder the world.  In recent years, I have found myself a student of the George Washington University philosophy department and plan to graduate just as soon as…I can graduate.  This is my first semester as a TRAiLS guide; for I have just returned to the country after having been lost in the Ganges jungles whereupon I met a tribe of captive elephants and only recently bought a free passage out of Asia.  
If for any reason I should end up as one of your guides this semester, please do not panic.
Have a great day, 

Raphael Cohen 

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Julek Charkowski

My name is Julek and I'm a senior studying
Biology. My outdoor interests including fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking and surfing. I aspire to be an amateur mountaineer some time after college. I love being in the wilderness and observing wildlife. I listen to soul, rock, reggae and hip-hop and work occasionally as a DJ, but my style is stuck in the 90s. I love to cook and if I could be anywhere in the world right now I would be in Mancora, Peru. I look forward to seeing you on the trails.

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 Christine Alexander

Christine Alexander, a girl raised in the southland of Georgia, was brought up by the most hard core parents known to man.  You might say they rubbed off on her, as she has picked up on their love for white water kayaking, canoeing, and rafting, as well as hiking, backpacking, and climbing.  She also enjoys sloths, waterfalls, theater, reading, climbing trees, and sunsets.  After spending her summers in the incredible mountains of western North Carolina for 15 years straight and living a stones throw away from many prime spots for outdoor adventure all of her life, moving to DC was no mistake.  True it is a city, but it is surrounded by, and filled with, some of the most easily accessible adventure in these parts.  So join her as she embarks on her second year at GW and her first full year as a TRAiLS Guide.  Come roll in all the riches all around you, and for once never wonder what they're worth!

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Shelby Hickman
Shelby Hickman is a third year TRAiLS guide from St. Petersburg, Florida. She loves hiking, backpacking, snorkeling, dancing and boogie boarding. She does not love writing bios about herself. She also loves animals, especially goats.

 

 

 

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Eva Ceder
Eva was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska, surrounded by towering mountains, wild animals and the chilly Pacific Ocean. Back home Eva enjoys boating and fishing on the Inside Passage and being with her family. Soon after arriving in DC, Eva joined TRAiLS in a desperate attempt to get back into the wilderness. She's now a first year guide and can't wait to share her enthusiasm for being outside with other students here on campus. In her free time Eva enjoys photography, volunteer work and staying really, really busy.

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Mike Lewis
Hey I’m Mike Lewis. I was born in South Korea then was adopted by wonderful American parents at the ripe old age of six months. My parents forced me to grow up in a canoe and on the slopes, bribing me not to whine or complain with “go-farther-food.” I’ve since changed and consider canoeing and skiing my favorite activities! I’m a sophomore from Maryland (just the red line away), majoring in Geography. I absolutely love school buses, campfires and lying out in a field watching the stars with my closest friends. I’m all about Project Exploration (PE) and sharing the wonderful state of Maryland with the G-dub community! See you around.

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Lauren Bishop Hey y’all!  Despite her use of southern-style greetings, Lauren was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania.  Although she’s a vegetarian, and not really from Philadelphia, she stills gets mad when she sees “Real Philly Cheesesteaks” being falsely advertised.  Lauren is a big fan of the outdoors, especially when it involves rafts and paddles.  One day she will go down the Gauley in a ducky… without drowning!  Lauren also loves skiing, hiking (especially in Utah), camping, and frolicking barefoot anywhere where there is grass to be found.  There are many adventures to be had, and she can’t wait to see y’all out on the trails (… or the mountains… or the rivers, or wherever suits your fancy!).

 

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Charlie Brennan
Charlie Brennan hails from the wilds of Park City, Utah.  Born in the rugged Wasatch Mountains, he grew up hiking, biking, alpine, cross country and telemark skiing, rock climbing, rafting and backpacking.  This is Charlie's first year as a guide and he cannot wait to get out of the city and into the mountains more this year.  In his free time, Charlie'shobbies include playing blongo ball on the mall and cooking.

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Thomas Cavett

Thomas is proud to be a native of the great southern state of Mississippi.  He grew up laughing to Calvin & Hobbes, reading Huckleberry Finn, playing on the banks of the Mississippi River, running barefoot through the woods, and playing with snakes… always with his faithful dogs at his side.  Though Thomas loses much of his accent when he’s up in the District, you will still catch bits and pieces of that beautiful southern drawl if you listen closely enough.  Thomas’ favorite outdoor activities include rock climbing, mountain biking, fly fishing, and surfing.  His dream trip is to do two weeks of backpacking and rock climbing in the Swiss Alps.  In addition to being a second-year TRAiLS guide Thomas is also head of the GW TRAiLS rock Climbing Club. He can't wait to get outdoors and have some really awesome experiences… and he hopes YOU will join him!  One word to describe Thomas’ feelings about this year?  STOKED!

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      Molly Ray

Molly was born in Tennesse, but grew up in the beautiful, western foothills of Maine. She joined TRAiLS freshman year and became a guide in 2008. Molly loves mountains, rocks, kittens and adventures. Among her favorite outdoor activities are hiking, climbing, canoeing, cross country skiing and playing in the snow in general. She is excited to be a TRAiLS guide and explore new places around DC with fellow GW students and expects many great adventures to come!

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Rachel Reichenbach

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Rebecca Slotkin

Josh Smolevitz

Coming from the great city of Chicago to the great District of Columbia, Josh is always ready to leave the city and go out into the wilderness. Josh, a.k.a. Little Bear, loves climbing, hiking, and being in the great outdoors. He's been to many great places, from surfing at the beaches of Hawaii, to the mountains of Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas (yes, that is a silverback gorilla behind him). Josh spent part of his summer in the middle of Alaska's tundra, hiking, studying leadership, and exploring the wide open wilderness. As a second year trails guide, Josh is more ready than ever to spend some time in the wilderness.

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     Kaitlin Rittgers
                                         
Hey all! Kaitlin was born in the good old state of Kansas located in the middle of the United States of America full of Midwestern charm. Kaitlin loves going on random escapades and exploring the outdoors! Rock climbing, backpacking, and kayaking are just a few of her much loved outdoor activities. Her favorite trip so far has been backpacking in the White Mountains. One thing Kaitlin wants to do before she dies is spelunking!! As a first year TRAiLS Guide, Kaitlin is excited for all of the awesome adventures to be had with GW students!

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