Our Mission:
A few years ago, you could spend an afternoon in the woods without checking your phone. Today, that's become surprisingly rare.
The forests, mountains, and public lands of California still have the power to teach patience, curiosity, and self-reliance—but only if we're willing to slow down and pay attention.
That's why we exist.
Everything we offer—from guided mushroom forays and private off-road instruction to photography workshops, online education, and handcrafted natural products—is built around one purpose:
Helping people develop the knowledge and confidence to experience the outdoors more deeply, safely, and responsibly.
Our Mission:
A few years ago, you could spend an afternoon in the woods without checking your phone. Today, that's become surprisingly rare.
The forests, mountains, and public lands of California still have the power to teach patience, curiosity, and self-reliance—but only if we're willing to slow down and pay attention.
That's why we exist.
Everything we offer—from guided mushroom forays and private off-road instruction to photography workshops, online education, and handcrafted natural products—is built around one purpose:
Helping people develop the knowledge and confidence to experience the outdoors more deeply, safely, and responsibly.
Meet Courtney Risdon
Ikigai Adventure Tours is led by Courtney Risdon, an award-winning photographer, experienced outdoor guide, and lifelong student of the natural world. With more than four decades of backcountry exploration throughout the Sierra Nevada and beyond, Courtney brings together expertise in off-road driving, photography, fungi and mushroom identification, outdoor education, and backcountry travel to create experiences that encourage people to explore with greater knowledge, confidence, curiosity, and respect.
Courtney has led thousands of guided outdoor experiences, from private off-road training and photography workshops to fungi forays and nature-focused adventures. His photography has earned recognition through awards and professional experience, while his extensive knowledge of fungi, forest ecology, and the landscapes of the Sierra Nevada informs the way he teaches and interprets the natural world.
His driving background includes more than 20 years of competitive driving experience, including go-karts, drag racing, and autocross, as well as training through professional performance-driving programs including Porsche and Richard Petty. He is also a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation, with specialized training in communication, education, and creating engaging outdoor learning experiences.
Whether you're learning to safely navigate your AWD or 4WD vehicle, developing your photography skills, discovering the fascinating world of fungi, or simply exploring the Sierra Nevada with a knowledgeable guide, Courtney's goal is the same: to help people experience the outdoors more deeply, safely, and responsibly.
We seek to accomplish this mission with 4 simple tenets:
1. Reconnecting People with California
California is home to some of the most diverse forests, coastlines, and backcountry in the country. Our mission is to help people experience these landscapes safely, responsibly, and with a deeper understanding of the ecosystems that make them unique.
2. Expertise Without Ego
We believe knowledge should be shared, not guarded. Whether you're joining your first mushroom hunt, learning to safely navigate an off-road vehicle, or refining your photography, we meet you where you are and teach with patience, professionalism, and respect.
3. Slow Down
In a world that's increasingly fast and digital, we create opportunities to slow down and truly appreciate the natural world all around you. To notice the details beneath the forest canopy. To learn practical outdoor driving skills. To learn how to create meaningful photographs. To enjoy experiences that can't be replicated on a screen.
4. Quality Over Quantity
Small groups for fungi and photography tours.
One-on-one instruction for off-road training
Personalized experiences.
Handcrafted products.
Carefully sourced ingredients.
Come join us for an unforgettable experience in amazing places!
See you in the woods…
Acknowledgements:
No journey is ever taken alone. We are incredibly fortunate to have learned from people who generously shared their time, knowledge, and passion with us. Without their mentorship, encouragement, and friendship, this business simply wouldn't exist.
First and foremost, thank you to Dr. Thomas Hofstra, professor extraordinaire at Columbia College and our lifelong mentor in all things nature. Thank you for being the original "Adventure Genie" and the inspiration behind building a business centered on ecological education, appreciation, and exploration of our local landscapes. You're one of our favorite people to spend time with in the woods, because every hike, fishing trip, or off-road adventure becomes an opportunity to learn something new about the places we love. We hope you continue inspiring generations of students for many years to come. We owe you more than you'll ever know, buddy.
Thank you to Jeffrey Luhn, world-class photographer and educator, who has truly been there and done that in every facet of the profession. Your support and deep understanding of the art of "drawing with light" ignited a passion that continues to shape everything we do. You helped us develop the technical skills, creative vision, and confidence to take our photography to the next level, and for that we will always be grateful.
A special thank you to Laureen Campana, an edible and medicinal plants educator and one of the most knowledgeable and passionate people we've ever had the privilege of learning from. Every moment together in the woods is filled with fascinating natural and cultural history, practical knowledge, and a deeper appreciation and understanding of the beautiful world around us. You’re an exceptional person, a top-notch instructor, and an invaluable resource that we’ll hold dear in our hearts forever. If we leave this existence having absorbed even 15% of what you know, we'll consider it a remarkable accomplishment.
We're also deeply grateful to Kathryn Christensen, professor of art and design at Columbia College, for the guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback you’ve shared throughout our journey. Your expertise in graphic design, typography, photo editing, and virtually every corner of the visual arts has influenced countless aspects of our work. You were the sole reason we had the opportunity to work at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite as a photography guide, which taught us how to lead meaningful outdoor experiences while continuing to grow as a photographer and artist as a whole. Thank you so much for everything, Kath.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Bob Wohlers, owner of Off Road Safety Academy, unquestionably California's premier off-road driver training school. Thank you for taking the time—while working on one of your rigs—to spend hours sharing your knowledge about building and operating a first-class off-road training program. Your generosity, practical advice, and passion for the profession gave us the confidence to move forward, and we'll always appreciate the role you played in helping us get started.
To each of you: thank you for believing in us, sharing your knowledge so generously, and helping shape both this business and the people behind it. We hope to pass that same spirit of education, curiosity, and stewardship on to everyone we have the privilege of teaching. We appreciate you more than words can say…