Our Crew
The staff at High Country Outfitters is a highly trained group that loves to share the experience of life in the outdoors. Many come up through our unique summer camp where they gain skills in horsemanship, mule packing, outdoor cooking and trip leading.
Camp Founder Debby Willem
Debby founded the Camp Wahoo program in 1983 and continued to develop it into the successful and popular program that it is today. Debby was featured in the publication "Women and Work", honoring her efforts as the only woman-owned outfitter business in Washington State. Debby has dedicated her life to creating learning opportunities in a safe, healthy and fun learning environment for participants and horses alike. She will be working in partnership with Stacy Sutton in the upcoming years to ensure that the High Country Outfitters and Camp Wahoo philosophy will continue for future generations.
"As camp coordinator, my goals are to build the self-confidence and self-reliance necessary for each camper to become a strong, independent individual".
Stacy Sutton - Camp Coordinator & Owner
Stacy joined the Camp Wahoo and High Country crew for the 2007 season to begin learning about the on site daily operation but was employed in other areas of the business since 1999. She was born and raised in Sunnyside Washington and now resides in Cle Elum where she and her husband Mike have raised their three active and highly motivated children. Stacy began riding at the same time she learned to walk spending much of her youth around rodeo events, riding and warming up horses for her Dad and his team roping friends. Stacy has successfully started many young horses for mountain trail riding. During this time she has extensively ridden stretches of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Pasayten Wilderness to White Pass camping out for days at a time. Her riding has covered all the trails in the Cle Elum area including the trails that are utilized by High Country Outfitters and Camp Wahoo in the Forest Service permit.
Mike Sutton - Registration & Administration
"Mountain Mike", husband of Stacy for 22 years, assists in the business operations, answering the phones and working behind the scenes keeping the business operations running smoothly. Together they spend all of their free time in the mountains on horseback, motorbike, jeep & snowmobile. The Sutton Family works with several organization including the US Forest Service, Washington Outfitters & Guides Association, Pacific Crest Trail Association & Cle Elum Chamber of Commerce.
Jeani Krogstad - Guide & Cook
Jeani is our camp cook, planning and shopping for all of the meals served during the busy summer months. She also works the Cattle Drive and Horse Drive preparing delicious Dutch Oven meals. She assists in a number of High Country and Camp Wahoo activities throughout the season. Jeani retired from the Seattle School District after 35 years of service where she developed the environmental studies program for her school. She is still an active substitute teaching during the school year. Many of her skills are used in our Leadership Program to grow our young, enthusiastic staff in training.
" If we all work together we can have a sustainable forest system open to appropriate use. Dedicated areas and mixed use areas for the enjoyment of all."
Tim Fields - Guide & Camp Coordinator
Tim is a student at Middlebury College, in Vermont, pursuing a degree in Biochemistry. Tim has been coming to camp since age nine. Thanks to his involvement at camp he has branched out into a range of wilderness activities including hiking, backpacking, biking and climbing. He began volunteering for King County Search and Rescue in 2005 and now works as an EMT both for Search and Rescue, and for the the Middlebury Ambulance squad. At camp Tim shares his love both for the backcountry and wilderness medicine and survival.
Mira Patrick - Guide & Camp Coordinator
Callie Wade - Guide & Camp Coordinator
Duncan Braden - Guide & Camp Coordintor
Note to staffers past and present: If you are still interested in participating in Camp Wahoo or High Country rides please email us a bio (small paragraph) and picture to be included on our staff page. As you have noticed we are starting from scratch. Please don't be offended if you are not currently listed.
The crew for Camp Wahoo is selected for their love of the outdoors and commitment to working with our young people. Each is an experienced horseperson and skilled in all of program areas. Each member is trained in Advanced Wilderness First Aide and CPR. They are also trained in Kid Tech, giving the ability to recognize the different learning styles, temperaments and needs of individual campers. Campers at Camp Wahoo are allowed to be themselves; loveable and exceptional in a safe, caring environment. This atmosphere allows campers to have fun while developing new skills and learning about the mountain environment.
Brianna has been drawn to the wilderness her whole life. She is currently a student at UC Davis in the agricultural college but even in high school at Redmond High, she was president of the environmental club and in the Science Olympiad. She has been coming to Camp Wahoo for 11 years. Her family shares her horse love so together they have ridden the wilderness. They also have shared many ski and back packing adventures She views this job as an opportunity to share her knowledge of the wilderness and horses with others.
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Leah Houghton - Guide & Camp Coordinator
Staff Photo Brianna
