About Obsidian Expeditions
Obsidian Expeditions is a minority and women-owned (MWBE) tour operator based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Our mission is to create lifelong memories of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for our valued guests, their families, and their friends.
Our family-oriented tours are designed to help our valued guests see and experience the region’s most iconic wildlife and scenic landscapes and experience the must-do activities from the comfort and safety of one of our luxury vehicles.
For the more adventurous, we offer horseback rides, fly fishing tours, rock climbing, and exhilarating whitewater rafting trips down the wild and scenic Yellowstone or Snake Rivers through our partners.
Seasonal half, full, and multi-day tours are arranged daily from Big Sky, Bozeman, Jackson Hole & West Yellowstone.
Stacy Noland
Managing Partner & Tour DirectorStacy is a managing partner and tour director for Obsidian Expeditions, a professional snowboard instructor, recovering technophile, and 90’s grunge music aficionado.
Born in Alabama, Stacy spent his youth hiking, rappelling, and orienteering in the foothills of Appalachia. After graduating from college, Noland heeded the words of the American author Horace Greeley to “go west, young man,” and moved to Seattle, where he quickly found his passion for youth development and environmental sustainability.
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Subsequently, Stacy spent the early years of his career leading high school youth on multi-week environmental education, conservation, and restoration programs throughout Alaska, New England, the Pacific Northwest, and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
In 1996, Stacy discovered his aptitude for technology and thus began a two-decade career as an information communication, marketing, and technology professional. He held leadership roles at Microsoft, NBC, Symantec, and several boutique marketing firms and technology start-ups.
While at Microsoft, Noland served as a key contributor to the Telecentre Knowledge Network (Telecentre.org), a United Nations-inspired program to educate and alleviate global poverty by connecting two billion people in Africa, India, and China with access to information communication technologies.
In 2007, Stacy launched the Moontown Foundation, an award-winning non-profit organization that provided experiential education and leadership development opportunities in entrepreneurship and sustainability for at-risk youth.
In partnership with the City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE), Noland spearheaded the SWITCH Program, a citywide greenhouse gas reduction, and green jobs program. Participants successfully installed over 1-million energy-efficient lightbulbs and 30+ solar-powered trash compactors throughout Seattle.
In 2014, Stacy decided that he had had enough of Seattle’s dark and dreary weather, tech bro’s, and the corporate rat race, so he downsized and moved to Jackson, WY, to reconnect with his first true professional love, the outdoors.
Mr. Noland studied Applied Psychology at the University of Washington, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Psychology from Montevallo, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder and Mental Health First Aid practitioner.
When not guiding, Stacy can be found hosting dinner parties, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and backpacking in wild and scenic places.
Lisa Heslop
Co-Managing Partner & Operations DirectorIn addition to the titles of Operations Director & Tour Guide, Lisa proudly takes on the role of Chief Vehicle Detailer, and she’s a firm believer in the transformational power of the month-long road trip.
Lisa was born in a small British Columbia Mountain Town at the confluence of the Columbia and Illecillewaet Rivers, but her family relocated to Vancouver before she could walk or learn to ski. She spent her youth cycling to nearby seashores, exploring regional parks, and discovered a love for Alpine and Nordic skiing on the North Shore Mountains and at Whistler/Blackcomb.
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A few of her Pacific Northwest aquatic adventures include canoeing on the Yukon River, surfing near Tofino, kayaking off the shores of Victoria, and sailing the waters around the San Juan Islands. Fun Fact: Ask her about the time she was rescued, after a flash flood, from the base of the Grand Canyon.
In 2016 Lisa had a longing to shift her perspective and return to the mountains and she did just that when she relocated from Victoria, BC, to Jackson, WY. Before starting Obsidian Expeditions, Lisa helped lead a team of “unexpected farmers” at Vertical Harvest, North America’s first vertical, hydroponic greenhouse in the heart of downtown Jackson.
Lisa studied Applied Arts and Urban Land Economics, and her diverse professional experience includes over 20 years of event logistics, space planning, theatre design, and National Historic Site interpretation. As a lifelong learner, she enjoyed volunteering as a TEDxVictoria organizer and recently completed the Outdoor Guide Certification program through the University of Wyoming.
With a keen eye for detail, a curious mind, and an innate sense of wonder, she looks forward to welcoming you to her new wild surroundings and helping to create lifelong memories for you and your family.
Tessa Waddle
Reservation SpecialistMeet Tessa Waddle, a Certified Call Center Manager (CCMA) from Huntsville, Alabama, serving as the Reservation Specialist at Obsidian Expeditions. With over 20 years of customer service and management expertise, she stands as the gatekeeper for the company, ensuring every customer’s travel needs are met with utmost care and dedication.
Tessa’s journey in the customer service industry began at Delta Airlines, where she managed customer calls with finesse, earning a reputation for her exceptional communication skills and ability to resolve even the most complex inquiries.
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Later, she ventured into the world of logistics at Target, where her territory included much of the southeastern region of the United States. This experience honed her organizational prowess and attention to detail, qualities that shine through in her role at Obsidian Expeditions.
Having pursued her education at Howard University, Tessa holds a degree in Mathematics with a specialization in Actuarial Science and a minor in Economics. This academic background has enriched her analytical and problem-solving skills, which she seamlessly integrates into her work as a Reservation Specialist.
Beyond her professional achievements, Tessa’s passion for baking and creating fun desserts adds a delightful touch to her personality. Her creativity extends from the office to her kitchen, where she crafts culinary masterpieces that awe her family, friends, and colleagues.
As the heart of Obsidian Expeditions, Tessa is the primary frontline, engaging with customers and acting as a reliable liaison for all their travel needs. Her CCMA certification further validates her expertise in call center management, making her an invaluable asset to the company and its commitment to top-notch customer service.
Outside the office, Tessa remains an active member of her community, contributing her time and efforts to various volunteer initiatives. Her dedication to making the world a better place resonates with everyone she encounters, leaving a lasting impression on colleagues and customers.
With Tessa Waddle at the helm, Obsidian Expeditions guarantees a seamless travel experience for its customers and embodies a genuine and compassionate approach to service, setting a standard of excellence for the entire industry.
Lexie Anderson
Tour Guide & Global TrekkerLexie’s passion for adventure began during her upbringing in Boulder, Colorado, where her parents, both former Northwoods canoeing guides, instilled a love for the outdoors.
From snowboarding and skating to hiking, biking, and world travel, Lexie’s family excursions were always filled with thrilling experiences. Together, they embarked on road trips to Honduras and Alaska and a memorable trek of the Annapurna circuit in Nepal.
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This adventurous spirit carried into Lexie’s adulthood, guiding her academic and professional pursuits. She studied Foreign Languages and Literatures at Lewis and Clark College, focusing on German and Spanish. During her studies, Lexie had the opportunity to further immerse herself in different cultures by studying abroad in Spain and Germany.
Throughout her journey, Lexie has gathered a diverse range of experiences. She has worked as a professional snowboarding coach at prestigious resorts like Eldora, Snowbird, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Ms. Anderson has also guided canoeing and hiking expeditions in the Northwoods of Minnesota, contributed to Wilderness Therapy programs in the Utah desert, taught backcountry snowboarding clinics, and worked in upscale events catering and private cheffing in the Tetons. Additionally, she is currently pursuing a degree in Registered Nursing.
In 2016, Lexie moved to the Tetons, where she fell in love with the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. During her free time, she actively engages in rock climbing, mountain climbing, biking, fly fishing, snowboarding, boating, and other outdoor activities that allow her to explore the wonders of nature. She is also an avid reader, delving into subjects such as geology, volcanology, wildlife, and the complex human history of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Lexie’s contagious enthusiasm for this magical region is evident. With over twenty years of experience in outdoor education and hospitality, she is ready to share her knowledge and passion as your guide. Prepare to have your eyes opened to the wonders of one of the most incredible places on earth under Lexie’s expert guidance.
Gabrielle Gasser
Tour Guide & Type 2 Peak BaggerGabrielle grew up in Big Sky, Montana, where she spent her time skiing and exploring the mountains. After spending four years in St. Louis, Missouri, to earn a BA in Film and Media Studies and English Literature, Gabrielle moved to Jackson, Wyoming, where she worked and played in the Tetons and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Now based out of Bozeman, Montana, Gabrielle enjoys reading, climbing, photography, and the Type 2 Fun that is peak bagging.