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Meet
the Guides
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Eric Pinkston
is Pathways’ founder and Lead Guide. He began his
outdoor leadership experience as a Scout. Some of his
highlights include attending all of the high adventure
bases at least once, attending the 1987/88 World Scout
Jamboree in Australia and being selected as the Senior
Patrol Leader of Atlanta’s contingent troop to the 1989
National Jamboree. He continued his involvement as an
adult leader where he served as an Assistant Scoutmaster
and the Advisor for newly formed Venture Crew 70 in
Stone Mountain, Georgia. He also completed his Woodbadge
Training and served on numerous District Committees.
Eric attended Purdue University (1991-1995) where he
received a triple major in Forest Recreation, Forest
Management and Wildlife Management. This is also where
he began to hone his more advanced outdoor skills as
part of Purdue’s Outing Club. He quickly became involved
in all aspects of the club, particularly climbing and
caving. |
He served
in many aspects of the club including Lead climbing
consultant and President. He also began working with the
Central Indiana Grotto (a caving “club” associated with
the National Speleological Society) where his interest
in cave rescue began. After school Eric continued his
training by becoming certified as a Wilderness First Responder
(WFR) through
Wilderness Medical Associates
and attended High Angle Rescue Training with Alpine
Towers International.
Eric married
Tina in 1999 and they have been having adventures
together ever since. They have both worked for numerous
camping programs, working extensively with youth in
outdoor adventure and ropes course settings, and are
certified Wilderness First Responders. They
are members of the National Speleological Society and
regularly read trade magazines to keep up with current
trends in climbing and caving technique and safety.
Pathways has functioned as a formal guiding service
since 1996. The business has spread primarily through word of
mouth in all that time, from one satisfied customer to
the next. Over the years they have worked with a variety
of groups, from Scouting programs to church youth groups
and staffs, to private schools. Currently, Pathways is
based out of Ringgold, Georgia. Eric and Tina run
Pathways from their home, which will soon be outfitted
as a base camp for groups to use when needed.
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Tina Pinkston
started backpacking as a child, grew
up in the wilderness, and seemed to only be waiting for
Eric to bring Pathways into her life so she could
continue her outdoor adventures. She worked at
Beckwith,
an Episcopal Summer Camp for 5 years – focused on high
and low ropes course facilitation. She worked with
At-Risk-youth in a residential therapeutic wilderness
program at the
John de la Howe School
for 1 year – long story you’ll have to ask her about.
And she has been working in the
United Methodist Church
with youth and adults for the last 9 years. She also
enjoys pottery & stained glass – teaching classes from
the Hopeful Hands Arts Studio –
click
here for a brochure! |
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Anthony Rood
has been guiding with Pathways for about 5 years. He’s
an extraordinary climber and always fun to have around.
When you get stuck on the crux of a climb, just ask him
to show you some moves. Anthony has climbed all
over the south east, is an active member in the SCC and
The Access Fund, and has participated in a few bouldering
competitions recently - winning first in his division
each time. He is also an accomplished bass player
- you can catch him on Sunday nights at The Water's Edge
worship gathering in the band with Tina. Or you
might see him out on his Harley or working under the
hood of his 1966 Chevelle. Anthony also is a student and is
working two other jobs in addition to guiding with
Pathways!
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This is Moab,
Eric & Tina's dog.
He goes on most outings with
them - and ends up being one of the highlights of the
trip for many participants.
All in all,
there’s nothing fancy about us!
We’re just good people who love the outdoors and can
help you to have a phenomenal experience enjoying them,
too.
Give us a call
we’d love to hang out!
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