Staff

Each trip is led by at least two qualified instructors, most of whom have personal experience as former WO participants and are still studying at UCSD. Each leader has an extensive background in wilderness and leadership skills. Each WO trip has one staff that is certified in backcountry medicine as a Wilderness First Responder. All groups maintain at most a 6:1 student:instructor ratio to ensure quality instruction and facilitate relationship building. Instructors combine their formal wilderness training with group development and interpersonal skills to provide an environment for fun, personal growth and challenge.

We're a dynamic crew who has spent countless days in the wilderness learning the skills to manage risk and create fun experiences. Some of us were just participants on WO last year, while others have been working as instructors for several years. We're all proud to be a part of UC San Diego, Outback Adventures, and most notably, a part of Wilderness Orientation.

Simon Teale - WO Coordinator

Simon is the full time Outdoor Leadership Coordinator at Outback Adventures. He oversees the Wilderness Orientation program and trains the student leaders. He provides the home base contact while the groups are in the field.

Simon believes that spending time in nature's wild places builds better people. Over the many years he has spent in the mountains, oceans, deserts, rivers and frozen places he has learnt something of the code of the wilderness, something of the nature of people and something of life's priorities. When not working, you will typically find Simon trying to learn something new. Figuring out how to teach people how to do things they are afraid of remains his favorite challenge.