Hole Hiking Experience

Inspired by Wyoming’s natural beauty, Cathy Shill moved to Jackson Hole in the 1980s and founded her company, the Hole Hiking Experience, in 1989. A trained naturalist with a degree in biology, Shill leads inspired expeditions, including hiking, snowshoeing and ski tours, for private clients and small groups. Her passion for the expansive countryside is contagious, and you learn a ton about the fragile ecosystems you traverse. She’s especially popular among young visitors, for whom she attempts to bring the great outdoors alive. As Shill explains it: “We utilize our senses, so you can taste, touch and smell your way through the mountains. En route, I have the kids tasting licorice and mint, even edible ants for the more intrepid ones (they taste like lemon). We smell flowers and trees and touch the soft petals and rough bark. We also bring butterfly nets, which make it fun to frolic, to catch, identify and release these beautiful creatures.” The Hole Hiking Experience offers a wide variety of tours, and with small groups, Shill will customize the itinerary. For the truly outdoorsy, there are overnight journeys to remote areas of the national parks. Shill also runs all-women trips, combing hiking, yoga, white-water rafting and time in Jackson Hole.