Ali McNabb Interview, Wyoming

June 21, 2010.

Ali McNabb is one of our adventurous Wyoming guides, a BBQ-loving gal originally from Austin, Texas. In addition to kayaking, she also enjoys bike riding, hiking and reading in her down time. McNabb worked previously at Trek American and has traveled abroad extensively in between seasons, mainly in Mexico, but also throughout South America, Turkey and Ethiopia.

1. How long have you been a guide?

I have been a guide for 5 years and been lucky in my guiding experience to have traveled throughout most of North America, exploring the most amazing National Parks and Provincial Parks imaginable.

2. What is it that makes Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks so special?

The Greater Yellowstone Area is one of the most awe-inspiring places I have ever visited. The meadows, meandering streams, geysers, big wildlife and the abrupt Teton Mountains make for mother nature’s version of Never-never land. It’s a place full of adventure and mysticism. Other than seemingly countless days of rain in the spring and fall, it’s one of the greatest places on earth.

3. What is your favorite local wildlife and why?

One of my favorite local wildlife creatures is the moose. I love them because they are huge and imposing while at the same time they are super goofy (Bull winkle-style).

4. What do you bring to the adventure travel experience for O.A.R.S. travelers?

I like to think that I bring to O.A.R.S. travelers a way of guiding by educating them to explore and appreciate the wonderful place that they are visiting.

5. What is your most memorable guiding experience?

One of my greatest trips took me south of Prudhoe Bay Alaska and along the haul road to tiny, backwoods Alaskan towns and back down to Valdez, Seward and Anchorage. It was so amazing to meet folks that live by subsistence living who follow the pipeline and along the tundra, not to mention the beautiful scenery and wildlife. I also had the best group of people for those two weeks and couldn’t have asked for a better trip!

6. We hear you’re quite the world traveler. Tell us about some of your most interesting travel experiences?

My most recent trip took me to Ethiopia. Everything from that trip sticks out in my mind, namely one memory in particular. My friend and I went to the southern region to go on what I called, ‘a people safari.’ Ethiopia is not known for big animal safaris, but it is famous for tribes of people that still live the way they have lived for hundreds of years. They dress in cowhide, collect water from rivers, cover themselves with 100% organic material and live in mud huts. When we were there, one of the tribes performed a harvest ritual, which consisted of the women dancing around, shouting and stomping. They fought each other to be one of the women whipped by a few of the shepherds. It was nuts to see them all plead to be beaten solely for the sacrifice of a good harvest! Tribal members were consumed in this ceremony for hours until it ended with a young male running across the backs of 5 cattle, completely naked. I have never seen such energy from a group of beautiful people coming together to make an offering for their future, it was unbelievable and I’ll never forget it.

7. What is the one item you can’t leave home without?

I would never leave home without my headlamp!

8. Is everything really bigger in Texas?

Texans have a saying, ‘Everything is bigger and better in Texas,’ and I have to admit it’s true. The trucks, the houses, the sunset and the rainstorms come to mind, and don’t forget the big hair and the Texan hospitality.

9. We understand you love to read, what is your favorite book?

I have two favorite books, "Where the Red Fern Grows," and, "Undaunted Courage."

10. What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love the open skies, sun and getting dirty, but another great thing about my job is connecting people to nature and teaching them that there is life outside of the city walls that is worth exploring and protecting.

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