Our Guides

Jeff Gartzke is a professional naturalist and geologist who relishes working with the sun on his back. Hailing from the Midwest, he attended the University of Wisconsin and earned a degree in geology where he focused strongly on speleology and hydrology. He has worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a Watershed Technician and Wilderness Conservationist, as a guide at Cave of the Mounds, and as a Bear Naturalist / Wildlife guide in Alaska. Known for his obsession of skiing and winter sports, Jeff can often be found in his time off exploring the expanses of North America's high country. Jeff started his fourth year guiding for Wanderlust this spring and we're elated to have him back. Being a true Wisconsinite, his knowledge and love of beer makes him the perfect guide for our ever-popular Brews and Views tours! With an easy going, yet intelligent guiding style, you will find Jeff’s passion and admiration of our natural world quite contagious.
Jack Newkirk is a professional naturalist guide with Wanderlust Tours. Jack has worked in outdoor education and youth programs since 2002 and spent most of 2007 guiding in the rainforest of Lamington National Park, Australia. In addition to holding Certified Interpretive Guide credentials from the National Association for Interpretation, he holds a Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification and is also an authorized American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Instructor Trainer. Jack is an avid birdwatcher and his passion is sharing his love of the outdoors with as many people as possible. He holds his Bachelor's of Science degree in International Ecotourism from Oregon State University. His sister loves to tell people that her little brother has a degree in camping.
Joe Checketts is a professional naturalist guide who is certified in First Aid and CPR. He was born and raised in the mountains of Utah where he earned a BA in Marketing and an MBA. He then went to work in corporate America and moved to Phoenix, AZ and then to Portland, OR. After an 8-year business career he decided he needed to leave the office and get back to nature. He then earned a BS in Natural Resources from Oregon State University. He has spent his entire life playing in the mountains, where he typically spends his free time mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, backcountry telemark skiing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. He is also an avid guitar player and is fluent in the Russian language.
James Jaggard is a professional naturalist guide with Wanderlust Tours. He has earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Outdoor and Experiential Education from Oregon State University. In addition to holding Certified Interpretive Guide credentials from the National Association for Interpretation, he is certified in CPR and Wilderness Advanced First Aid. James has guided for Wanderlust Tours for two summer and winter seasons. James is also an accomplished nature and portrait photographer. You can find much of his work on this website.
Dave Nissen founded Wanderlust Tours in 1993. Wanderlust Tours, which is based in Bend, offers half- and full-day guided, natural and cultural history tours around the Central Oregon region. Dave’s passion is to help people understand the intricate links between nature and we, who rely on everything she provides for us. David and his wife, Aleta, have received the 2000 Governor’s Tourism Award. Governor Kitzhaber gave this award to Wanderlust Tours in recognition of their leadership, cooperation and support for building sustainable tourism in Oregon. In 2005 Wanderlust Tours received the Gene Leo award for their outstanding contributions and efforts in outdoor recreation and for its focus on Oregon’s natural beauty. In 2007 Dave and Aleta were awarded the Excellence in Family Business Award from the Austin Family Business Program at Oregon State University for promoting the understanding of natural, cultural and environmental issues in Oregon. Outside of business, life is active with his family pursuing outdoor recreation in Bend’s nearby forest, traveling and volunteering in various capacities.
Allan Staley is a professional naturalist guide and retired pharmacist who has spent most of his non-working life in the outdoors. His greatest passion is competitive sail boat racing, both offshore and around the buoys. He’s raced to Hawaii from the West Coast on four occasions and even won once! Allan’s other hobbies and passions include flat and white water kayaking, fishing, rafting and now and again some golf. You can find Allan in the winter months at Mt. Bachelor as a Mountain Host where he manages to get in 80-100 days of skiing. With a life-long interest in geology and natural history you have the makings of a fantastic Wanderlust Guide who has been with the company for four outstanding years.