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Cheryl Fleet
Canyon Calling is the labor of love of founder and Trip Leader, Cheryl Fleet. While guiding tours on Sedona's red rocks she recognized the serene space that evolved when women were her only passengers. An admirer of the native people and the stunning beauty of Arizona, Cheryl decided to launch an adventure company in 1996, leading women on trips in Arizona. Canyon Calling now offers trips to fourteen destinations.
Cheryl is right at home planning and guiding adventure trips. She grew up hiking and camping in the mountains of New Zealand with the Girl Guides, and boating with the Sea Rangers. She graduated from Outward Bound in New Zealand and considers this her best training for her role as Trip Leader. "Outward Bound pushes you to physical and mental extremes in the outdoors and teaches you how to work effectively with a group during situations of duress. Thankfully, nothing even close to these situations has occurred on Canyon Calling trips!" says Cheryl. She played on the New Zealand Basketball Team for six years including two Olympic qualifying tournaments. After backpacking for a year through 12 countries in 1983, she earned a degree in Business Administration at George Mason University, VA. Professionally, Cheryl was a Detective in the New Zealand Police for seven years, a corporate marketer in Maryland and a tour guide in Sedona, AZ, her current home. Along the way she has coached girls high school basketball and renovated three homes.What Clients Say...
Cheryl: "When sharing funny stories from other trips, customers have said to me, You should write a book! Maybe I will some day." In the meantime, she contributed "Life's an Adventure" to the recently published anthology of women's stories called Wise Women Speak -Changes Along the Path. See "Life's an Adventure"...
Julie Kirch
When I announced to the ladies on Fire + Iceland! this year that Julie, their fellow traveler, would be guiding for Canyon Calling in the future, there were big cheers. The consensus was that "We'd love to travel with Julie again." Julie is well traveled, very inclusive, and has a wonderful sense of humor. Next year, Julie will lead Fire + Iceland! and will escort our group in Morocco.
Gaelyn Penberthy
Gaelyn is a charter boat captain who will lead our Hawaiian Islands trip each spring and fall. A native of New Zealand, she now calls the trade winds of Oahu home. Like most Kiwis in their twenties, Gaelyn took a year to travel and explored most of the South American continent. She has owned a swim school and a yacht brokerage and currently offers her services as a marriage celebrant. She helped lead our Hawaii trip this spring and was a huge hit.
Prue Keenan
Prue is a teacher who will lead our Awesome Aussie trip. She is an Australian who spent two years in New Zealand as a hiking and canoeing guide after completing an Outdoor Recreation Leadership certification. Exploring became an intrinsic part of her life when she rode her bike solo for 15 months down the west coast of the US and into the rich, eclectic world of Latin America. She has traveled extensively in South America and can communicate in Spanish. She will be helping develop Canyon Calling trips in Peru and Ecuador in the near future. Prue has spent the last two years teaching English in Japan and getting a buzz from the cultural mix of locals, festivities and food - just lovin' the simple things!
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Cheryl Fleet in Maine
Cheryl in New Zealand
Julie Kirch
Gaelyn Penberthy
Prue Keenan
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