Our Mission:
Helping You Experience the Outdoors More Deeply
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, self-reliance, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world—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 photography workshops to private off-road instruction, online education, and handcrafted natural products—is built around one purpose:
Helping people develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to experience the outdoors more deeply, safely, and responsibly.
We believe the best outdoor experiences aren't just about where you go. They're about what you learn, what you notice, and what you take home with you.
Our Mission:
Helping You Experience
the Outdoors More Deeply
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, self-reliance, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world—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 photography workshops to private off-road instruction, online education, and handcrafted natural products—is built around one purpose:
Helping people develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to experience the outdoors more deeply, safely, and responsibly.
We believe the best outdoor experiences aren't just about where you go. They're about what you learn, what you notice, and what you take home with you.
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 exploring the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada and beyond, Courtney brings together a unique combination of experience in photography, off-road driving, fungi and mushroom identification, outdoor education, and backcountry travel to create experiences that help people 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 multiple awards, and his work as a photography guide at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite gave him the opportunity to teach and guide photographers in one of the world's most iconic landscapes.
That experience continues to shape the way Courtney teaches photography today. Whether you're picking up a camera for the first time or you're an experienced photographer looking to refine your skills, his approach focuses on seeing the landscape, understanding light, making intentional decisions, and creating photographs that tell a story.
His driving background includes more than 20 years of competitive driving experience, including go-karts, drag racing, and autocross, along with professional performance-driving training through 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.
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 exploring the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada and beyond, Courtney brings together a unique combination of experience in photography, off-road driving, fungi and mushroom identification, outdoor education, and backcountry travel to create experiences that help people 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 multiple awards, and his work as a photography guide at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite gave him the opportunity to teach and guide photographers in one of the world's most iconic landscapes.
That experience continues to shape the way Courtney teaches photography today. Whether you're picking up a camera for the first time or you're an experienced photographer looking to refine your skills, his approach focuses on seeing the landscape, understanding light, making intentional decisions, and creating photographs that tell a story.
His driving background includes more than 20 years of competitive driving experience, including go-karts, drag racing, and autocross, along with professional performance-driving training through 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.
Meet Courtney Risdon
We Seek to Accomplish
This Mission Through
Four Simple Tenets
1. Reconnect People With California
California is home to some of the most diverse forests, mountains, coastlines, and backcountry landscapes in the country. We believe these places are meant to be experienced—not just visited.
Our goal is to help people explore California's natural 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 foray, learning to safely navigate an off-road vehicle, or refining your photography skills, we meet you where you are and teach with patience, professionalism, and respect.
There are no stupid questions, no matter your experience level.
3. Slow Down
In a world that's increasingly fast and digital, we create opportunities to slow down, pay attention, and reconnect with the natural world around us.
To notice the details beneath the forest canopy. To understand the landscape beneath your tires. To see light and composition differently through a camera. To discover the fascinating world of fungi.
And most importantly, to enjoy experiences that can't be replicated on a screen.
4. Quality Over Quantity
We believe meaningful outdoor experiences are better when they're personal, intentional, and thoughtfully crafted.
Small groups for fungi forays and photography workshops.
One-on-one instruction for private off-road training and photo editing.
Personalized experiences built around your interests, goals, and experience level.
Handcrafted products made in small batches with care.
Carefully selected ingredients chosen for quality and purpose.
We don't want to be the biggest. We want to create experiences worth remembering.
Come explore with us. Learn something new. Slow down. And experience the Sierra Nevada in a whole new way.
See you in the woods…
We Seek to Accomplish This Mission
Through Four Simple Tenets
1. Reconnect People With California
California is home to some of the most diverse forests, mountains, coastlines, and backcountry landscapes in the country. We believe these places are meant to be experienced—not just visited.
Our goal is to help people explore California's natural 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 foray, learning to safely navigate an off-road vehicle, or refining your photography skills, we meet you where you are and teach with patience, professionalism, and respect.
There are no stupid questions, no matter your experience level.
3. Slow Down
In a world that's increasingly fast and digital, we create opportunities to slow down, pay attention, and reconnect with the natural world around us.
To notice the details beneath the forest canopy. To understand the landscape beneath your tires. To see light and composition differently through a camera. To discover the fascinating world of fungi.
And most importantly, to enjoy experiences that can't be replicated on a screen.
4. Quality Over Quantity
We believe meaningful outdoor experiences are better when they're personal, intentional, and thoughtfully crafted.
Small groups for fungi forays and photography workshops.
One-on-one instruction for private off-road training and photo editing.
Personalized experiences built around your interests, goals, and experience level.
Handcrafted products made in small batches with care.
Carefully selected ingredients chosen for quality and purpose.
We don't want to be the biggest. We want to create experiences worth remembering.
Come explore with us. Learn something new. Slow down. And experience the Sierra Nevada in a whole new way.
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 ongoing mentorship, encouragement, and friendship, this business simply wouldn't exist.
Dr. Thomas Hofstra
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.
Jeffrey Luhn
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" helped ignite 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.
Laureen Campana
A special thank you to Laureen Campana, an educator in edible and medicinal plants 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 for the beautiful world around us. You're an exceptional person, a top-notch instructor, and an invaluable resource whom 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.
Kathryn Christensen
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 reason we had the opportunity to work as a photography guide at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite, an experience that taught us how to lead meaningful outdoor experiences while continuing to grow as a photographer and artist.
Thank you so much for everything, Kath.
Bob Wohlers
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Bob Wohlers, owner of Off Road Safety Academy and an exceptional off-road driving instructor and educator.
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 Those Who Helped
Us Along the Way
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.
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 ongoing mentorship, encouragement, and friendship, this business simply wouldn't exist.
Dr. Thomas Hofstra
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.
Jeffrey Luhn
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" helped ignite 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.
Laureen Campana
A special thank you to Laureen Campana, an educator in edible and medicinal plants 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 for the beautiful world around us. You're an exceptional person, a top-notch instructor, and an invaluable resource whom 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.
Kathryn Christensen
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 reason we had the opportunity to work as a photography guide at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite, an experience that taught us how to lead meaningful outdoor experiences while continuing to grow as a photographer and artist.
Thank you so much for everything, Kath.
Bob Wohlers
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Bob Wohlers, owner of Off Road Safety Academy and an exceptional off-road driving instructor and educator.
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 Those Who Helped Us Along the Way
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.
See you in the woods…