Ralph Keating is an avid hiker and paddler who resides in upstate New York. He has led hundreds of hikes and some multiday backpacking trips for the Adirondack Mountain Club and other organizations in his home state. Most of these hikes and paddle trips were to the pristine areas of the Adirondacks. He enjoys the beauty and solitude of hiking and backpacking in the wilderness of the Southwest, California, and the Rocky Mountains and loves to share his knowledge of the outdoors with others. He takes pleasure in introducing others to beautiful, wild, and pristine places and encourages preservation of these areas for future generations. His adventurous spirit continues calling him to explore new trails and routes throughout the country.