Scott Williams

August 29, 2011

Bill and Scott,

Sorry it took so long to get back to yall, life's been busy. Anyways, I wanted to thank yall again for the excellent training you provided. 

First of all, I want you to know how impressed I was with the training. I have been through many outdoor educational experiences in my career as an outdoor enthusiast, guide, and trainer, and that one is one of the best I have experienced. At the start of the day, you were able to very quickly asses the experience of both the group and of the individuals present. You took interest in our background and our goals, and started a good rapport right off the bat. During the long bus ride out to water canyon, you were able to entertain us to pass the time and educate us about the local area.

When we started the actual training, I was very impressed with several things. The first was the way you were able to accommodate the widely varying skill levels and present challenges that all could learn from and enjoy. And we all enjoyed the way you would let us work out the process ourselves instead of just telling us how to do something. Additionally, your use of the surroundings, and setting up limitations thereof, was very helpful in helping us to not just learn a checklist of skills, but rather a way of looking critically at our gear and environment to come up with a solution.

All in all, I, along with several of the more experienced group members, came in expecting a fairly straightforward, run of the mill day of instruction, and we left having experienced a very thorough, engaging, and challenging day of learning. We at ORGT are very grateful for the excellent trip you provided us and were all very impressed.

Thanks again guys!

-- 

David Ward
Outpost Manager
VP Whitewater Kayaking
Georgia Tech 

August 1, 2011

Dear Zion Adventure Company,

On July 23, our group encountered two of your staff, BJ Cassell and Scott Williams, guiding a group in Water Canyon. I want to commend them on their professionalism, courtesy and in being great ambassadors for ZAC. We encountered BJ and Scott at the top of Water Canyon. They allowed our group to proceed first down the canyon in that our group was smaller. As the day progressed, we interacted many times. I thought we would be faster but their proficiency had them with us the majority of the day. They were always courteous as we got our group deployed down the ropes. At the 160’ rappel, BJ untied the ropes and threw them to us to save us energy in pulling the ropes. At the “Subway”, BJ took our groups picture. I just want to say that I had a good experience interacting with these two young men and would recommend them to anyone interested.

Sincerely,
Harold Jacobsen
Las Vegas, NV

November 24, 2010

We just came back from a 4 day trip to Zion, while there we did an afternoon canyoneering trip. Our guide, Scott, was great, knowledgeable and allowed us to decide what we wanted to do. We were fortunate to get a private tour without actually booking it. Since our trip was during the last week of ZAC canyoneering no one lese booked a trip, but I would recommend spending the extra $30 per person for this option. 

We got 4 repels in, one of which was a 95 footer into a tight canyon. We also did alot of climbing in and out of the different canyons. Scott taught us a great deal about the canyons, ropes, knots and other useful info about canyoneering. 

I wold definitely recommend this trip to anyone that wants to get "into" the canyons and if you have the time do a full day private tour.

Frank Imbrescia
Redding, MA 

May 14, 2011

What a day, what an adventure, what a memory!!!! I had high expectations, the day far exceeded these. Our guide Scott made the experience phenomenal, rewarding and something I want to go back and share with my friends and loved ones. If you have the opportunity don't pass it up.

Curt Anderson
San Diego, CA 

June 6, 2010

My wife and I had a great day out with Zion Adventure Company. Scott was a great guide and we really enjoyed hanging out with him and listening to his perspective on things. We did some great biking and Scott catered the day to our abilities. Unfortunately my wife had a crash due to pulling her brakes too hard - Scott was great at dealing with this situation and although we had to go to plan B Scott still made the day an awesome experience and showed us some amazing sights.

Original Post at TripAdvisor.com

5/18/2010

Dear Mr. Zambella,

Over the weekend of May 15, 2010, I was part of a 15-person bachelor party visiting Zion National Park for a weekend of outdoor adventures, tomfoolery, and strolls down memory lane.

On Saturday, we hired ZAC to guide us on a downhill Tour de Zion. We had three guides: Scott Williams, Steven, and Rob. All three were very gregarious, knowledgeable, and careful, given the dynamics and skill level of the group. One member of our group took a minor "biff" that resulted in textbook road rash. Steven and Rob (Scott was leading the pack) responded quickly through first aid and bike maintenance. We contined and completed the ride. I was thoroughly impressed by the entire experience.

Throughout the course of the day, I was intrigued by Scott's leadership techniques. Having been on wilderness trips before (Outward Bound and NOLS), I take interest in dialogue, group management, and how guides "read" personalities. Scott has a gift. When he suggested that we should try Canyoneering sometime, three of us pow-wowed during the day and decidedx if we could secure Scott as a guide, we were in.

The next morning, the day we were slated to leave Utah, we rose with the sun and met Scott in Springdale for a half-day trip. Our rapport already established, we laughed the entire way up to the trailhead, got serious about safety, and then Scott got real.

With my ass hanging off the edge of a 90-foot rappel, he asked me about my life as it is today. Having gone through some recent and vicious heartbreak, he was one of the first people to provide objective insight about forgiveness, compassion, and acceptance. It was like he knew me as a life-long friend after just 24 hours. Looking into those steel blue eyes (not in a gay way), Scott somehow untwisted a knot of anxiety, nerves, and pain - just before I jumped backwards off a rock face. I haven't been able to stop thinking about how phenomenal my experience was in the desert. Since arriving back in Chicago, it's a new day. It's my 1st chance in the 2nd City.

I cannot thank Scott and Zion Adventure Company enough. Mr. Zambella, you have quite an asset on your team. Scott not only has a wealth of knowledge about Zion National Park, adventure sports, and leadership, he also dons an arsenal of insights and the heart of Gandhi.

Cheers,
John Wargo
Chicago, IL

October 13, 2009

My husband and I went on an adventure trip on on honeymoon last year in Puerto Vallarta that included zip lines as well as a couple of rappels. We had a great time so when we discovered that there was canyoneering where we were going for our anniversary trip, we jumped at the opportunity to spend a day canyoneering. It was AWESOME and it is something we would really encourage you to do if you find yourself in the Zion area. I think there are slot canyons located on the west side of Utah as well.

Why we chose this company - we found the website and found it extremely detailed and informative. Booking the trip was straightforward. The company has been in operation for several years so everything seemed well run and efficient. There is another company out there that seems to offer a similar experience. The company seemed very big on education for developing skills. Unfortunately, we had limited time during our trip so we could not take advantage of one of the skills courses and instead opted to do the adventure series where they send you out with a guide who will make sure you don't do anything stupid :) Neither of us really had much experience, but neither of us was super-terrified of heights (just enough to get the adrenaline going).

We were paired up with guide Scott Williams. He was fantastic - extremely knowledgable and patient. Good teacher too because he taught us enough to make this a very hands on experience without babying the group. We were paired up with two other folks - one had some experience, the other didn't. One had a sensible fear of heights, but he got over that quickly and enjoyed the 100 ft drop as much as everyone else. There was a good amount of hiking with our gear, especially at the end of the day. We went to Birch Hollow which is around the Orderville area. To clarify, we technically weren't canyoneering IN Zion (as guided tours aren't permitted). This area is on the east side of Zion and a bit of a drive to get to... definitely need someone experienced in Canyoneering if you are going to do this area. There were 7 or 8 rappels - all different and all a little scary and exciting in their own way.

Read the Full Article on TripAdvisor

7/1/2009

Hi Nick,

I'm sure that you hear this all the time, but our full day of canyoneering with Cory and Scott was the best part of our vacation. The 5 of us just loved this opportunity that your team helped us with. Although this was Scott and Cory's first time to work together, you would never know it. They were a great team. Scott really has a great personality and we appreciated (and used a little) of Cory's mountaineering experience (my 2 boys did some downclimbing with him).

One more thing... We received the pictures that Scott took and they were just fantastic. What a nice touch to get a disk with pictures of our experience on it. Please tell Scott that the pictures came out great.

Thank you again. You have a great team, run a very professional operation, and really provide a great experience to your customers. We'll be back.

Boyd Christiansen
Plano, Texas

6/2/2009

ZAC Staff,

We wanted to write to you, to say thank you for an unforgettable tour. Scott and Calvin were some of the best tour guides we have ever had anywhere. They did an amazing job of teaching us exactly what we needed to do, and how to overcome our nerves about canyoneering for the first time - while still feeling like we were always having a great time. We learned so much from them. They really made us feel like it was our experience just as much as theirs, and they weren't just informing us what to do. We will recommend your company and Scott and Calvin to anyone.

Corinne and Caitlin Ferraro
Fort Meyers, FL

10/12/2009

Hi. I just wanted to say that I went on your 1 day canyoneering course on Thursday 1st October and had a good time and learned a lot. Scott Williams was a good instructor and a credit to your company.

Thanks,
Mike Small
New York City, NY