Our History

Wheeler Peak Outfitters was founded in 2026 with the vision of creating meaningful outdoor experiences through guided backpacking.

From the beginning, the focus was on building a program that combines practical outdoor skills with intentional group experiences. Emphasis was placed on small group sizes, strong safety practices, and creating an environment where participants can grow through challenge and shared experience.

As the vision developed, Red River, New Mexico was chosen as the base of operations for its access to diverse terrain, scenic landscapes, and the Carson National Forest offering a variety of routes for both beginner and more experienced participants.

Today, Wheeler Peak Outfitters operates as a guided backpacking program that fosters personal growth, connection, and reflection through time spent in the outdoors.

Property & Location

Base Location

Wheeler Peak Outfitters is based in Red River, New Mexico, a mountain town located in northern New Mexico. The base location serves as the central meeting point for participants, where gear is distributed, safety briefings are conducted, and trips begin and end.

Surrounding Environment

The program operates primarily within the Carson National Forest, which provides access to a wide range of backcountry terrain including forested trails, alpine environments, mountain ridgelines, and high-elevation lakes. The area offers a variety of routes suitable for both beginner and more experienced backpackers.

Program Setting

Trips take place in remote backcountry settings where participants camp, cook, and travel together as a group. These environments allow for immersion in nature while also creating space for challenge, reflection, and community development.

Core Values

  1. Embrace Challenge – We want to cultivate experiences that stretch participants, build confidence, and seek growth through perseverance and meaningful adventure.

 

  1. Develop Leadership – We model leadership by supplying our guides and clients with knowledge, skills, and responsibility needed for safe and ethical travel in the backcountry.

 

  1. Practice Humility – We engage with the Red River community, our customers, and the land with an attitude of valuing, listening, and learning, while recognizing that we are stewards of a shared environment.

 

  1. Prioritize Safety – We commit to detailed trip planning, proper gear inspections, risk management, and clear communication to ensure that each backcountry experience is done with the highest regard of safety, care, and responsibility.

Mission & Vision

Our Mission: 

Wheeler Peak Outfitters seeks to provide remarkable guided backpacking experiences that make the backcountry more accessible to greater amounts of people while setting a standard for preparation, safety, and responsible travel in the wilderness.

Our Vision:

Wheeler Peak Outfitters aims to see individuals leave the outdoors more confident, more self-aware, and more connected to others. Through guided backpacking experiences, we seek to create lasting impact by helping participants grow through challenge and carry those lessons into their everyday lives.

Beliefs and Purpose

Wheeler Peak Outfitters exists to create meaningful outdoor experiences that promote personal growth, strengthen community, and encourage responsible engagement with the wilderness.

We believe the outdoors provides a unique environment where individuals can grow through challenge, build lasting relationships, and gain a deeper appreciation for creation. Throughout Scripture, the wilderness is often a place of growth and transformation, and we seek to create similar opportunities through guided backpacking experiences.

Through conservation giving, ethical business practices, and the promotion of responsible backcountry travel, Wheeler Peak Outfitters is committed to practicing stewardship in a way that honors God and serves the community well.

Doctrinal Statement

Wheeler Peak Outfitters is grounded in a Christian worldview that shapes how we lead, serve, and interact with others.

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and serves as a guide for truth and life. We believe in one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whose life, death, and resurrection make restoration and new life possible.

We believe that all people are created in the image of God and have inherent value and purpose. Because of this, we are committed to treating every participant with dignity, respect, and care.

We also believe that creation reflects the character of God, and that time spent in the natural world provides meaningful opportunities for reflection, growth, and connection.

While Wheeler Peak Outfitters is not a traditional ministry program, these beliefs shape our values, leadership, and the way we create experiences for others.

Meet the Director

Hi, I’m Emily, the Owner and Director of Wheeler Peak Outfitters. I have a degree in Outdoor Leadership, and a passion for adventure.

I started Wheeler Peak Outfitters out of a desire to make the outdoors more accessible while creating opportunities for meaningful growth and connection. Through my experiences, I’ve seen how stepping away from everyday routines and into a challenging environment can build confidence, strengthen relationships, and create space for reflection.

As a leader, I prioritize safety, intentionality, and creating a positive group environment where participants feel both supported and challenged. My goal is to provide experiences that not only introduce people to the outdoors, but also leave a lasting impact on how they view themselves and engage with the world around them.