Kieran Corrigan has been passionate about adventure since childhood and has successfully turned it into his profession. Based in Utah, he is a rock climber and geologist who knows the state's vast and dramatic landscapes like the back of his hand. His love for the outdoors has become his solace, and he now works as a desert guide for Dreamland Safari Tours. In this interview, he talks about his personal journey and experiences as well as the beautiful destinations he takes people to.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on a horse ranch. I went to school in Durango to study geology, but I realized that it wasn't the right place for me because most available jobs are in the oil and gas industry. Despite working in various labor-oriented jobs, I found that I wasn't feeling fulfilled in life.
How did you fall in love with the outdoors?
When I was young, my dad, a rock climber in Yosemite, took me climbing. Although it is less common nowadays, he would take me in a backpack while climbing a 1000-foot big wall. I fell in love with everything about it. My family used to take us backcountry skiing, but we were not very well off, so we had to use old wooden skis and gear that had been handed down. Because of this, I learned how to be self-sufficient with very little, especially in outdoor scenarios.
How did you get to Kanab?
I have a sister who works as a wilderness therapist. Her job involves leading programs where people, both children and adults, learn how to live in the wilderness for 90 days to help them deal with their issues. This experience is very healing. I also worked in the therapeutic industry for about three years in Kanab, Utah, where I helped adolescents and adults who were struggling with life. Although I felt like I was giving a lot of myself emotionally, I wanted to develop a deeper love for the wilderness. So, I decided to become a guide at Dreamland Safari Tours. This job allows me to pursue my adventurous nature without getting worn out.
How’s the experience staying in a small town like Kanab?
I have been living in Kanab for six years, and I absolutely love it here. Although I have tried living in big cities like Denver and Seattle, I realized that the fast-paced and competitive lifestyle was not for me. In a small town like Kanab, people are more accepting and community-oriented, which is why I prefer living here. Everything moves at a much slower pace, and that's something I appreciate.
Would you ever want to move back to a bigger city?
No, I wouldn't want to leave this place. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by millions of acres of open space with few people. There are so many mysteries waiting to be explored here, whether it is the Native American culture or the geology of this place. This is one of the few places in the world where everything hasn't been discovered yet.
Do you think the full potential of Utah is being utilized and explored properly in terms of what people have access to in tourism and travel?
I believe that people can enjoy these places, but only if we take care of them and follow the principles of leaving no trace and respect for the land. If we don't, we risk losing the beauty of Utah. As a guide working for a commercial company, I have to balance the visitors' enjoyment with the environment's fragility. I have to think about how many people can visit these places without causing any harm to the land. We must protect these places so that they can last for generations to come. So, yes, there are many places that visitors can enjoy, but we must protect them properly.
At the famous sandstone rock formation, The Wave, they have restricted the number of visitors per day because of its popularity. Do you think that’s a good thing that should be done in other places if it's getting too overcrowded?
If you don't plan ahead, it can be challenging to explore certain areas. In my opinion, there should be some restrictions in place. The sense of wonder and serenity that comes with experiencing the beauty of nature can be diminished if too many people are present. For instance, if there are 20 people waiting to take a photo, and you have to wait for 15 minutes, it can be challenging to enjoy everything you want to see. Therefore, it's essential to strike a balance, and authorities are working towards it.
If someone is coming to Utah for the first time what should the typical itinerary look like?
I only scratched the surface on my first trip to Utah by visiting the five national parks. I knew there was much more to experience. If I were to visit again, I would definitely book a tour with a reputable company. In the past, I used to explore these places on my own, but now I prefer to hire a tour guide to learn as much as possible about the area.
Are you a professional photographer or is it just a hobby?
My partner, Melanie, is also a guide, and she had an old camera that she wasn't using. I began to take it out and view things from a different perspective. I am fortunate to be surrounded by photographers such as Sunny, the owner of Dreamland, and Cody York, a professional photographer with whom we do photo tours. As time passed, my photography skills have improved significantly, to the point where I believe my photos are now marketable.
Do you think Utah stands out as a destination among the other North American destinations in terms of what it offers, whether it's national parks, slot canyons or state parks.
Utah is a unique state for many reasons. One of the most notable is that over 90 per cent of the land in the state is public land. This is what sets it apart from other states. In just one county alone, there are over 1000 slot canyons and 40 counties in total, making the possibilities for exploration endless. Even if you were to live for 200 years, you wouldn't be able to see every canyon.