After growing up in Oregon and graduating from college in Washington, Karen’s passion for adventure led her north to Alaska. She has worked as a nature guide and natural history trip leader throughout Alaska and Canada for more than 20 years and has guided visitors into the heart of Denali National Park since 1992. Her love of the wild has also inspired her to spend five seasons in Antarctica supporting scientific efforts at the South Pole and McMurdo Stations. Karen has trekked the mountains of Nepal, climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, rafted the great Nile and Zambezi rivers, tracked mountain gorillas and polar bears, kayaked with humpback whales, dived the Great Barrier Reef, and even jumped in the Antarctic Ocean on the Winter Solstice! Karen brings her deep understanding of the natural world, management skills and relaxed and easygoing attitude to every destination she explores.

Praise from Natural Habitat travelers:

H. Holdsworth
“Karen was wonderful and did a very thorough and professional job. She was a lot of fun and did and excellent job. I would be delighted to be one one of her trips in the future."

C. Kohl
“Karen was absolutely FABULOUS. She was extremely knowledgeable about the bears and other critters, as well as the Churchill area, and, if she didn't know the answer to a question, she researched it! She was also incredibly patient and good-humored. What a delight and real asset to the trip and NHA!"

F. Byers
"Karen was sooooo personable, organized, and professional. She has such a great passion and enthusiasm for her work and was such a wonderful ambassador for Alaska and a truly great representative for Nat Hab. She was constantly concerned about each individual's needs, was ALWAYS positive, and had a great sense of humor! She knew her stuff and would always keep us posted on each area we visited. BE PROUD TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT LADY ON YOUR STAFF!!!!"

B. Humienny
“Karen was tops. She was everywhere helping us out, making a head count to be sure we were all there. Knowledge on the tundra and Churchill. She just kept talking with a smile. I give her a Bravo Zulu."

R. Meagher
“Karen is so very knowledgable about the wildlife, the town and surrounding area was great. Her attention to every little detail towards making each and every guest's experience a pleasant one, seemed to be foremost in her mind. We couldn't have asked for better guide."