Meet our Education Team
Charleen Angell
Education: Doctorate of Nurse Practitioner University of Utah
Certifications: Professional Canyoneering Guide, American Canyoneering Association
Founded Non Profit, Canyoning Chicks Coalition 2018, over 3000 members
Favorite Part of Canyoning: Team work, problem solving, and teaching. Taking women into the wilderness for exciting adventures!
Favorite Canyon: Any canyon I am in :)
Canyoning Kryptonite: Heights LOL!
Kasia Duc
Helen Rowe
My name is Helen and I can talk anyone over the edge!
From: Scotland, now in Colorado
Professional: I run a virtual Integrative Health Practice. I also teach part time for Colorado Mountain College's Outdoor, Rescue and WEMS programs. I have 2 Masters from a very long time ago!
Outdoor Fun & Quals: 15+ years Mountain Rescuer in Scotland and Colorado, Rope Rescue, Navigation, Survival, and WEMT. Forever chasing sunsets and solitude.
Canyoning: Started in 2015, and got addicted during the COVID years. My favorite part of canyoning is teamwork and problem solving. I love teaching new people.
Favorite Canyon: The next one... chasing potholes and anchor problem solving.
Canyon Nemesis: Super skinny slots
Hey I’m Carma. Wanna deep dive into rigging choices with me?
From: Seattle, currently St George, UT.
Professional: RN, worked in Orthopedic Trauma for 8 years, also BS in Outdoor Leadership and Recreation Management.
Outdoor Fun & Quals: Former river guide, snowboarding instructor, NFS ranger, and WFR. Currently finding my flow thru mountain biking, backpacking, skiing, and of course canyoning! Co-host/producer of the podcast “I’d Rather Be Canyoneering”
Canyoning: Started in 2008, immediately captivated by the adventure of it all! Became obsessed in 2020 after moving back to UT. Taking on new types of canyon challenges and being in pristine slots keeps me constantly planning my next canyon. Also enjoy helping others practice new canyon skills and gain a deeper understanding of canyoning concepts.
Favorite Canyon: Neon, Woody, Mystery… it’s impossible to pick just one!
Canyon Nemesis: Middle Leprechaun, the mental game was tough in that one.
Lindsey Zimmerman
I was born loving the outdoors and have always been drawn to all things adventurous. Along with my love of canyoneering I also enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and backpacking. I have a Bachelor's degree in Family and Community Services and Psychology from Utah State University. I have over 10 years of experience working for non profits and working with people with diverse backgrounds. I love people and I am passionate about building strong communities. I found canyoneering chicks in 2019 while trying to find mentors and a way to build my skills in canyoneering. I have my Assistant Canyon Leader Certification through the American Canyoneering Association and am currently working towards my Canyon Leader Certification. I have been canyoneering for 4 years and climbing for 6 years. I have been helping teach and lead canyoning trips for canyoning chicks coalition since 2021. I love teaching and empowering women. I'm grateful for all my mentors through canyoning chicks and love being able to pay it forward to other women.
Catherine Kraning
Catherine Kraning is a homemaker, with a degree in architecture technology, and a passionate outdoors enthusiast. I volunteer for Canyoning Chick’s in helping with some of their educational knotty nights, as well as helping with their rendezvous where we get to get out and explore. I am also a certified Assistant Canyon Leader with the American Canyoneering Association. I am passionate about getting people outside to experience nature. I value the connection that happens when people are out exploring together. I believe while out exploring and experiencing new things it should be a fun, positive and memorable experience.
Dan Sklinsky
Aleta Lebak
Aleta Labak is an avid hiker who ran her first canyons in the fall of 2021 and was instantly hooked. She has done dry and wet routes in Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. She enjoys the physical and mental challenges, the camaraderie, and the accomplishment she feels after every route. As someone new to canyoning, she is focused on being an efficient team member and likes to support the group by carrying / stuffing rope bags, while learning from leaders about problem-solving, navigation, and different ways to tackle obstacles. She also works in her off time to practice knots and learn more about best practices for anchors, rigging, and self-rescue. She hopes to earn her first certification as an Canyoning Team Member (CTM) in Spring 2024. Outside of the canyons, Aleta works as an editor and enjoys gardening, sewing, and camping.
Katie Allred
Katie has a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management and Experience Design and a minor in Business Administration from Brigham Young University in Provo. She has worked in wilderness therapy and for the National Park Service. She has experience in city recreation and has served on the administration teams of three health and human service nonprofits. She is the founder of Pivot Adventure nonprofit to teach resiliency and mental health for youth in the outdoors and is the Development Director at Wasatch Adaptive Sports. She is married and the mother of two children. In her free time she enjoy skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoneering, and world travel. She has stood on the top of Mt. Rainer, dove to the depths of the Great Barrier Reef and descended over 100 slot canyons. She thoroughly believes in breaking barriers to help people gain access to outdoor adventures.
Hannah Bonner
I'm Hannah, your go-to for tall partner assists and fun rock facts. (6'1")
Professional: I'm an environmental scientist and spend my work hours tracking down dangerous algae in Utah's lakes and rivers. I have a PhD in geology and am very enthusiastic about biological soil crust.
Outdoor exp: Former park ranger and backcountry medic, professional canyon guide outside of Zion, 25+ years playing and living in Utah's red rock deserts.
Canyoneering: Got hooked while living in Capitol Reef in 2015. I love scenic rappels, puzzly downclimbs, and the way light reflects from sculpted slot canyon walls.
Brandy Pauff
From: I was an Army child - born in Colorado, lived in New York, Italy, Oklahoma and North Carolina. Now living in Utah and it's the best so far!
Professional: Pharmacist - currently working in pharmacy quality management with a focus on medication safety
Outdoor Fun and Quals: 4 years actively honing backpacking, canyoning, skiing, climbing and peak bagging skills. First Aid and Basic Life Support/CPR certification.
Canyoning: 2+ years and American Canyoneering Association Aspirant Canyon Leader certification. I love the endless solutions to problems and using your brain while outdoors!
Favorite Canyon: Keyhole at Lake Mead
Canyon Nemesis: The 10 hour ones!
Welcome to The Canyoning Institute.org, your premier destination for canyoning courses and training programs. As the Education Team we take pride in offering comprehensive and expertly crafted courses that will equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a safe and effective canyoning team member. Our mission is to provide individuals with the opportunity to explore the thrilling world of canyoning while prioritizing safety and skill development. At The Canyoning Institute.org, we understand the importance of a solid foundation in canyoning techniques. We believe that canyoning is not just a sport, but a way to connect with nature and challenge yourself. That's why our courses are designed to be informative, engaging, and transformative. Whether you're a beginner looking to dip your toes into the world of canyoning or an experienced canyoner seeking to enhance your skills, The Canyoning Institute.org has the perfect course for you. Join us today and embark on an unforgettable journey into the world of canyoning.
Alex Fluegel
From: Colorado and now in Salt Lake City, Utah
Professional: In the summer I am a Lead instructor for the Montana Wilderness School leading extended backcountry wilderness expedition for High School aged youth focusing on leadership and personal development skills. In the Winter I am a Professional Ski Patroller at Canyons Ski Resort in Park City. Along with those I have my Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and my Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) certifications. I have a bachelor's degree in Adventure and Outdoor Programming from the University of Utah.
Canyoning: Started Canyoning in 2021 and progressed through all 3 of the courses provided by the University of Utah. Since then I have been canyoning both as a mentor and in my personal time. My favorite part of canyoning is working through problems with my team.
Favorite Canyon: Neon canyon in Escalante. The long hike through the desert paired with the various challenges of the canyon being a smile to my fac
My name is Tori and I love the way canyoning takes you to unique places and spectacular views.
From: Utah!
Professional: I work as an accountant at a local trucking company. I do nails on the side and I'm a UVU alumni with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and as Associate's Degree in Graphic Design. You could say I split my time between analysis and creativity.
Outdoor Fun & Quals: I grew up camping, dirt biking, and river rafting with my family, so I learned adventure at a young age. I got into canyoning as an adult and have since been working on getting certified through the Canyoning Institute.
Canyoning: First time was 2017 and I was hooked. But I didn't know where to go from there until 2020 when I found Canyoning Chicks. Since then, being in canyons with good people and learning new skills has become a great joy of mine!
Favorite Canyon: Cassidy Arch in Capitol Reef!
Canyon Nemesis: Dirty swimmer potholes