Celebrating the Skill, Grit, and Growth of Our Newest Certified Canyon Leaders
The American Canyoneering Association is proud to celebrate a major milestone in our community—eight canyoneers have successfully passed the Canyon Leader Assessment.
This is no small achievement.
The Canyon Leader Assessment is one of the most demanding evaluations in our training progression. It requires more than just technical proficiency—it calls for sound judgment, calm under pressure, and years of experience navigating complex environments. Candidates must demonstrate not only mastery of rope systems, anchor building, and partner rescues, but also the ability to lead others with clarity, safety, and confidence in real canyon terrain.
These eight individuals have put in hundreds of hours, in the canyons, in trainings, and in study. They’ve learned from mentors, made mistakes, and come back stronger. Most importantly, they’ve shown a commitment to growing not only as technicians, but as leaders who elevate the safety and experience of everyone around them.
We honor their achievement because we know what it takes to get here. This certification marks the transition from skilled team member to responsible leader—and it opens doors to guiding, teaching, and mentoring others within our growing community.
To our newest Canyon Leaders,
Ryan Thatcher, Tammy Tucker ,Robert Miller, Jason Caldwell,
Maxwell Lehr, Wilmer Sandoval, Rob Page, and Andrew Sparks
Congratulations! Your hard work and perseverance raise the bar for all of us.
Want to become a Canyon Leader?
Learn more about the Canyon Leader Assessment, training pathways, and how to get started on your journey at the ACA Programs Page