Guide Resources
Welcome! This page contains helpful resources as you prepare to lead an upcoming trek with TSX. You’ll find links, videos, PDF files and more, some of which can be saved to your phone for quick reference each morning throughout your trip. Here are a few things to remember about the culture you’ll be working in as a guide with TSX:
- We call people who join our treks “participants“! Not guest, clients, or other.
- You and the participants comprise a “team” and you are the “team leader” in addition to an incredible guide. Participants are encouraged to help around camp if interested, willing and able.
- Past and current participants, guides, and the greater TSX community are referred to as the “TSX Family“.
- Our experiences are called “challenges“. We help people accomplish incredible things.
- High fives, hugs and laughter are highly encouraged!
- Please conduct a “Thorns& Roses” session each evening on the trail. It’s important to give everyone an opportunity to share their thoughts and be heard. Watch this video for an example of how people share their experiences through these ritualized open discussions.
- We give out trail names (if they don’t have one) and say a few nice words about each participant on the hike at the last group meal.
- Hand out trophy shirts with big congratulations and after the trek!
- Please remind people to leave a review, take the survey, and share photos after the hike.
- If you have questions, comments or ideas, please call, text or email Chris or Dave. We value your feedback as part of our team.
Operating Guidelines
As a guide, you are responsible for ensuring our treks comply with the terms of our Commercial Use Authorization Permit and run in accordance with with best practices identified in our Operating Plan. Please review both, and always carry a hard copy CUA with you when in the park, which can be found in the office.
***24/7 Support When On the Trail is the TSX Main Line – (925) 255-5065, typically Manned by Chris or Dave. Please Add TSX Challenge Support if Using a Personal In Reach for Text Communication***
Participant Expectations
Delivering a great experience is about beating expectations. Review your trek page and get to know how we position each experience. Please read the reviews as well for insight into what participants actually experienced.
Participant prep resources
Before each trek, we send reminders and tips to help people plan and prepare. Here is a sampling of our FAQs and pre-trek prep videos. Get to know what we communicate in advance.
View our Frequently Asked Questions
See the gear we take on the trail
How to pack a backpack
How to adjust a backpack
Basic Interp Resources
Sometimes it’s nice to have a cheat sheet in your pocket for those details that are on the tip of your tongue. The following TSX and NPS documents are reference materials for Grand Canyon history, geology and trail information. They can be stored on your phone and referenced during the trip.
Pre-Trek Resources
These reference files are printed and available at the office, and are provided here for reference for use in pre-trek preparations.
Connect with your team.
One to two weeks before your trek, we ask that you reach out to your team personally to welcome them, update weather conditions, and field last-minute to day-of inquires. Be yourself! Start with these sample emails…
