Our Instructor

As a registered instructor with internationally renowned first aid and rescue organizations, Chandra Ale (I.O.’s founder) is intent on bringing these skills to Nepal on a larger scale. Our courses are for participants from all backgrounds, from school groups to interested individuals to experienced river and mountain guides.

Chelsilyn Ball

Chelsilyn was raised in the mountains of Colorado and developed a love for the outdoors as a young girl. She often went hunting and fishing with her family and was raised under starry skies with campfires to keep warm.

At the age of 13 she was accepted into Colorado Mountain College's First Ascent Youth Leadership Program, which changed her life. The program allowedChelsilyn to go rafting, rock climbing, and mountain climbing for the first time while instilling in her a passion for experiential education and youth development. Since the first program in 2004 Chelsilyn has moved her way from student to instructor and program manager. The completion of her degree in Outdoor Education helped direct her passion for outdoor leadership development.

When not at work or outside, she can be found at home, nose stuck in fantasy novels.

In 2012 after completing her degree she moved to Nepal to work with Initiative Outdoor. Here she fell in love with the outdoor industry and the Nepali people. She works as an instructor for all kinds of courses, but is most passionate about helping youth find professions. Chelsilyn is excited to be the coordinator for courses and interns coming to work with Initiative Outdoor. She sees good in everyone and above all believes that all people deserve the opportunity to learn about themselves and their passions.

Chandra Ale

Chandra has been living and working outdoors sports since the late‭ ‘‬80s.‭ ‬He has trekked extensively throughout Nepal in the Annapurna,‭ ‬the Khumbu,‭ the ‬Ganesh Himal and Langtang regions.‭ ‬He started working as a river guide in‭ ‬1992‭ ‬and has progressed through a series of roles such as trip leader,‭ ‬senior guide,‭ ‬operations manager including ‭ ‬ completing the first Nepali descent of the Maha Kali and Upper Seti rivers ‭(‬1999‭)‬,‭ both of which are solid Class V whitewater.Chandra has both worked professionally and explored personal goals outside of Nepal,‭ ‬on rivers and in mountains,‭ ‬in fields such as ice-climbing in Norway,‭ ‬rafting in Japan‭ ‬and Canada and climbing and trekking in the USA

Much of Chandra’s expertise comes from the National Outdoor Leadership School‭ (NOLS‭) in Wyoming, USA.‭ ‬ He is a registered instructor with Rescue3‭ ‬International and SOLO School of Wilderness Medicine ‬based in‭ ‬USA. He works as the lead instructor in‭ ‬Wilderness First Aid,‭ ‬Swiftwater and Whitewater Rescue.

Having seen the emphasis placed on outdoor education, rescue, first aid and professionalism in other countries, Chandra is determined to bring the same personal development skills to Nepal’s youth and tourism industry to ensure they are not denied the same well-rounded education as being offered overseas.

Tapan Gurung

Tapan is seniour raft guide and trip leader.