Meet Silvia

Founder & Guide

Silvia spent her childhood lost in library books at the top of magnolia trees and as she grew, her love of losing herself outdoors only expanded! Having never developed a (healthy) fear of heights, she decided to test out water next— so throughout her college studies Silvia volunteered with both Georgia State University and Georgia Institute of Technology as a white-water kayak instructor. She kayaked all over the southeast, sometimes legally, sometimes bending under barbed wire to explore new runs! She also volunteered for over a decade as the Girl Scout leader we all wish we’d had, taking her scouts camping, climbing, caving, hiking, rafting, stand up paddling, biking and more! 

At the age of 51 Silvia earned her AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Certification. The knowledge from which she has put to great use teaching guests and mentoring guides at REI during her tenure there. She is also still kayaking with her Level 2 kayaking instructor certification. She also maintains her certification as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). She is a mother of three fearless daughters whom she raised on cliffs and rapids, and wife to Josh (whom is an excellent test dummy for cliff side rescue practice).