Ground Up Adventures was created to inspire you to climb your mountain from the Ground UP!

Ground Up Adventures was created to inspire you to climb your mountain from the Ground UP!

Ground Up Adventures was created to inspire you to climb your mountain from the Ground UP!

As a professional hiking guide, I will take you on private guided tours through trails in the Rocky Mountains so you can experience Colorado safely. Along the way, we will educate you about the mountains & hiking, so you can feel self-reliant and confident on all of your adventures to come thereafter! 

Ground Up Adventures specializes in educational guided hikes, preparing aspiring adventurers to get outside safely and teaching you the tools you need to feel empowered on the trails AFTER your guided experience. 

All adventures are customized just for YOU!
Some things I teach:

•  What to Bring & Why
• How to Pack & Fit Your Bag
• Leave No Trace
• Trail Etiquette
• Injury Prevention
• What to Do in Wildlife Encounters
• How to Prevent Wildlife Encounters
• Risk Management
• Navigation Basics
• & More!

Hi there, I’m Shelby!

I’m a professional hiking guide and outdoor educator in Buena Vista, Colorado.

From the moment I first laid eyes on the Rockies, I felt more at home than I ever had my entire life. I had never felt more called to anything than I did to these mountains. It wasn’t long before I moved here, and I didn’t waste any time to start exploring. These mountains are such a special place, and they truly changed my life.

I grew up camping, fishing, shooting, hiking, and spending countless hours in the woods. Since moving to Colorado five years ago, I have hiked thousands of miles, most of them as a solo female hiker. I have eagerly learned as much as possible out here and am constantly expanding my knowledge. These trails have brought me solace by grounding myself in nature – the best teacher of all.

The Great Outdoors Changed My Life

My passion for the great outdoors has led me on numerous unforgettable experiences. These experiences have enriched my life, and I know they can do the same for you. My goal as a hiking guide is to show others how special nature is. 

I wanted to find a way to show people how healing the mountains can be, how much they can teach you about yourself and life, and educate you with the tools you need to get outside and do it on your own.

Certifications: 

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
• Wilderness Anaphylaxis Trained (WAT)
• CPR
• AIARE 1