The Film

The People

Laura Titensor is a self taught cinematographer and film editor with experience creating short adventure films and has worked with (Amazon Prime Video's) Expedition Overland and Youtube's sensation Lifestyle Overland. She started Crayons and Cairns, a non-profit, to help give resources and education to families searching for connection - to each other and to natural world. She was born and raised in Utah and lives there now with her three kids and husband.

Dan Dearden is nearing 65 years old and still adventuring as if he was 25. He's also Laura's dad. He's eager to bestow his love and knowledge of the outdoors to anyone who's interested and has years of experience guiding and training newbie explorers. He certainly taught Laura everything she knows about the great outdoors. He's located in Bountiful, Utah where he spends time running marathons, overlanding, playing with his grandkids, and hiking with his wife.

Pill Monson is a long-time adventurer, photographer and stewardship advocate. He defines his "why" as to promote wilderness awareness and encourage outdoor stewardship. He envisions a world where all who enjoy the outdoors do so responsibly, ethically and strive to put nature first. Although he grew up in Idaho and Oregon, he considers Utah home, living in Centerville, Utah with his wife, two kids and dog.

Kaitlin Martin is the Stewardship Program Coordinator for Grand Staircase Escalante Partners and loves taking folks out on volunteer events to restore and protect the Monument. She was born and raised in the big sky country of Montana, where she also attended college studying Natural Resource Conservation. She grew up spending vacations with her parents exploring the canyon country of the desert southwest. Upon receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Montana, Kaitlin quickly moved south. She spent the last six years working throughout Utah conducting extensive aquatic sampling and monitoring, while also developing ways to better present and use data for public land management. She is excited to find ways to help educate and involve everyone in protecting the Grand Staircase. Whether exploring the Rocky Mountains or navigating the deep canyons of Southern Utah, Kaitlin’s passion lies in protecting and appreciating our public lands.

Neak Louks is an anthropologist and educator based in southern Utah. Neak is currently finishing their PhD in sociocultural anthropology with a dissertation focused on conflicts about land management and use in the American West. They wish to apply insights from that project to foster relationships that encourage collaboration over conflict and polarization in the realm of land use and management. Additionally, they bring together anthropological expertise, pedagogical skills, and lived experience to offer training in topics of equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion. As an educator, Neak's approach to teaching is guided by an eclectic mix of experiences as an education programs manager, youth sports coach, 4-H volunteer leader, K-8 ecology educator, tap dance teacher, and university teaching assistant. In their spare time, Neak can be found running, biking, swimming, climbing, canyoneering, hiking with their dog, or searching for new activities that involve sweating outside.

Rick Green Rick's first memory is of sliding down sandstone with his Mom and Dad. His parent's passion for exploring old mining towns and spending the day underground laid the groundwork for a lifetime spent in nature's powerful embrace.
After finishing the Army and College, Rick moved to remote Escalante Utah and opened his canyoneering guide service (EoE) in 1999. His passion for safely taking folks to incredible locations has led him to become active in facilitating the protection of tourists and the environment. “‘Education is key. I believe that when people are given good information, they tend to make very good choices”. When not Guiding, Rick is out exploring new canyons, volunteering on Escalante’s Search and Rescue, or working to organize quality education as President of the American Canyoneering Association.

Bob Stevenson Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Head Ranger.