Curt Howell
Training and Certifications
M.Ed Educational Psychology
AMGA Apprentice Rock & Alpine Guide
AMGA CWI Provider
AIARE L1 & Avalanche Rescue
Professional Whitewater Rescue Tech
Wilderness First Responder
NREMT-IV
High Angle Rescue Tech
STEP
Curt's Story
Curt spent a lot of time outdoors growing up. Backyard camping, hunting trips, and a whole bunch of mountain biking. In college, he was introduced to rock climbing and was immediately hooked. After completing a bachelor's degree, he worked in youth recreation for a few years. Then he shifted into outdoor recreation full-time in 2007 with the Outdoor Pursuits Center at Texas Tech University. He oversaw this program until 2013 when he moved to the San Luis Valley to manage Adam State University's Adventure Program. In 2019, he shifted into an assistant professor position and for the Outdoor Education and Stewardship program where he provided instruction and program administration. At Adams, Curt still teaches courses in outdoor recreation, recreation ecology, experiential learning and facilitation, risk management, leadership, and a variety of adventure recreation courses. Curt founded Narrow Ridge, LLC in 2021 to offer quality guided climbing and paddling adventures in the San Luis Valley.
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Throughout Curt’s career, he has provided guided experiences for all ages in a variety of adventure activities. His instructional experience includes backpacking, rock climbing, ice climbing, caving, canyoneering, rafting, whitewater kayaking, canoeing, challenge course facilitation, self-rescue, mountaineering. Curt’s experience includes training and certifications from the American Mountain Guides Association, American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, Wilderness Medicine Training Center, Rescue 3 International, Rigging for Rescue, Outdoor Stewardship Institute, The Arbinger Institute, Franklin Covey, and numerous professional conference workshops and presentations. Curt holds a B.A. in Theology and a Master of Education in Educational Psychology.
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Curt is active in his professional and local community, volunteering time for various committees and events. Curt is an active board member for the San Luis Valley Great Outdoors, a large local nonprofit focused on community health through outdoor recreation and trails. He is also an active member of Alamosa Volunteer SAR and assists with team trainings. In 2022, Curt was appointed to a 3 year term for the Rocky Mountain Regional Advisory Council for the Bureau of Land Management to provide a voice for developed recreation. When not guiding or teaching, he enjoys being with his family, mountain biking, climbing and paddling, building furniture from locally sourced beetle kill spruce or just relaxing at home.