Our Story
How it All Began
Welcome to our compassion (karuna) project! We're Seth Quigg and Nicole Blaser, seasoned outdoor guides and educators with over four decades of combined experience. We first crossed paths in the rugged Wind River Wilderness, co-leading a 30-day NOLS expedition in 2008. Technically speaking, Seth might have reported to Nicole on that expedition, but who's counting? Since then, we've dedicated our careers to guiding and instructing countless individuals through challenging environments worldwide, from Alaskan high-altitude mountaineering to remote Nepali river rafting and everything in between.
Reunited in Crested Butte, Colorado, in 2016, our shared passion for wilderness exploration and a desire to make a positive impact ignited a daily ritual. As we trained together for the demanding Grand Traverse 40-mile ski race, countless alpineglo mornings were spent discussing the complexities of our rapidly evolving world. With Seth at the helm owning a large international adventure travel company and Nicole leading outdoor education and land stewardship nonprofits, the formation of Karuna Project was a natural culmination of our shared experiences. Together, we sought to create a platform for immersive travel experiences that would foster meaningful connections between travelers and local communities while also contributing to positive long-lasting change.
Our partnership is rooted in mutual respect and admiration for each other's unique strengths and a shared passion for transformative wilderness adventures and humanitarian work. With complementary skill sets, we form a dynamic and effective team. Seth, a natural connector and networking expert, thrives on meeting people from diverse cultures. Nicole finds purpose in the administration of bring complex dreams and solutions into reality. Together, we bring a harmonious balance to our work, leveraging our individual talents to create a thriving and inspiring venture. Our inaugural expedition was met with overwhelming demand, selling out within a month. The positive momentum continues unabated!
