Tejas Trails Adventures Crew

 

Dave Smithey

Hometown: Nashville, TN | Current Home Base: Allen, TX

Passions: Photography, Lacrosse, Trail Adventures

Dave is an accomplished trail runner, mountaineer, and guide whose passion for the outdoors inspires everyone he meets. His journey from corporate leadership to outdoor guiding reflects his adventurous spirit and love for the mountains. When he’s not leading groups on unforgettable adventures, you’ll find him behind the lens of his camera, capturing the beauty of the trails.

Trail Expertise:

Dave has climbed mountains across Peru, Italy, France, Mexico, Nepal, and the United States. His vast experience ranges from conquering high-altitude peaks to ultra-endurance events.

Safety First:

As a trained Wilderness First Responder, Dave is skilled in trail safety and has participated in numerous rescues.

Education & Global Perspective:

With a Master's in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, Dave brings a unique analytical approach to adventure planning. He has built networks across the globe—both in his corporate career and on the trails.

Philosophy:

"The trails and mountains are my happy place. Helping others discover the beauty and inspiration they hold is rewarding, and sharing these experiences with friends makes the adventure even sweeter."

Trail Highlights:

  • Grand Canyon Rim2Rim2Rim: Dave completed this epic 18-hour journey with every emotion and challenge imaginable. Over the years, he’s crossed the canyon eight more times.

  • Manaslu Mountain Trail Race: This 9-day Himalayan stage race pushed Dave to his limits, tackling elevations over 13,000 feet. He earned the title of the first American finisher in the event.

  • Ultra Tour Monta Rosa: Running through the Italian and Swiss Alps, this grueling 3-day stage race brought Dave to the brink of quitting—a testament to his resilience.

  • Colorado’s 14’ers: Bagging three 14,000-foot peaks (Missouri, Belford, and Oxford) in one day alongside his dog and a good friend is a memory he treasures.

  • Panch Pokhari, Nepal: Dave completed this 7,118-foot gain trek to the sacred Five Lakes in under 8 hours, combining spiritual beauty with physical grit.

Whether you're embarking on your first trail adventure or chasing your next big mountain goal, Dave is the guide who will inspire, challenge, and celebrate every step with you. Join him for an unforgettable journey!

Jason Hanley

Hometown: All over East Texas | Current Home Base: Houston, TX

Passions: Trail Running, Backcountry Adventures, Coaching

Jason is a seasoned ultrarunner, adventurer, and guide who thrives on pushing boundaries and helping others achieve their wildest goals. His journey spans epic endurance events and deep backcountry explorations, often shared with his wife, who matches his passion for the outdoors. When Jason isn’t guiding or racing, you’ll find him crewing and pacing others, or developing innovative products for endurance athletes through his business, Wildsense.

What Makes Jason an Incredible Guide?

Trail Expertise:
Jason has completed iconic endurance challenges like the Bigfoot 200 and the Wonderland Trail, a 3-day circumnavigation of Mount Rainier (Tahoma). His resume also includes the Habanero 100, a grueling test of heat and stamina.

Coaching Excellence:
As a UESCA-Certified Ultrarunning Coach for Harloop Endurance, Jason specializes in helping runners tackle bold, transformative goals. His coaching philosophy focuses on pushing athletes beyond their comfort zones in a supportive and motivating way.

Safety and Knowledge:
Jason’s wealth of experience as a trail runner and adventurer ensures that he can expertly navigate both the physical and mental challenges of the outdoors.

Philosophy:
“I absolutely love seeing people accomplish big, new, scary things. I get more out of that than actually completing a race myself. I know what it's like to have an adventure or race change you for the better, and I love helping others receive that gift.”

Trail Highlights

  • Bigfoot 200: Jason completed this 200-mile adventure, known for its rugged terrain and stunning scenery.

  • Wonderland Trail: Circumnavigated Mount Rainier in 3 days, conquering elevation and beauty in equal measure.

  • Habanero 100: Tackled this race in the unforgiving Texas heat, a testament to Jason’s resilience and mental toughness.

  • Backcountry Adventures: Jason and his wife thrive on deep wilderness explorations, where they push their limits and bond through nature’s challenges.

Whether you’re ready to tackle your first big trail challenge or need a guide who can inspire and push you toward new heights, Jason Hanley is the perfect partner for your next adventure. Join him and discover how far you can go!

Ed Getka

Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC | Current Home Base: San Antonio, TX
Passions: Trail Running, Triathlons, Golf Course Architecture

Ed is a passionate endurance athlete, avid learner, and dedicated member of the trail running community. From solo adventures on iconic trails to volunteering at events, Ed’s love for the outdoors and commitment to personal growth inspire everyone around him. When not pursuing his own endurance projects, Ed enjoys traveling, supporting his wife in her career as a chaplain, and engaging with the vibrant running community. His methodical approach to endurance sports focuses on maximizing results with strategic training, hydration, and fueling techniques.

Philosophy:

"I love sharing the lessons I’ve learned through my endurance projects. Whether it’s hydration, fueling, mental training, or preparing for long descents, I enjoy helping others figure out how to achieve their goals and enjoy the process."

Trail Highlights

  • Western States Trail Solo: Ran the iconic 100-mile course solo in 2023 after three years of preparation.

  • Wonderland Trail Recon: Spent four days in 2023 scouting the 93-mile loop around Mount Rainier, preparing for a 2024 attempt.

  • Ice Age Trail Training: Built endurance during two Wisconsin winters while working as a traveling nurse.

  • Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim Adventure: Training for a Grand Canyon traverse this fall.

  • Bandera 50K: Completed the course on his own after volunteering at the event, using strategic hydration and nutrition placement.

Beyond Guiding

Ed is a dedicated athlete and lifelong learner with a love for traveling, reading, and backpacking. He’s working toward a goal of backpacking on every continent with his son and aims to read 100 books in a year. Between adventures, he supports his wife’s impactful work with veterans as a chaplain, while also contributing his time to races, book sales, and film festivals.

Whether you’re preparing for your first ultramarathon or seeking insight to tackle a big trail challenge, Ed Getka is a thoughtful, knowledgeable guide who’s ready to help you achieve your goals. Let Ed help you unlock your potential!

Joe Schmal

Hometown: Houston, TX | Current Home Base: San Antonio, TX
Passions: Trail Running, Mountain Adventures, Family Time, Encouraging Others
Email: jbschmal@hotmail.com

Joe Schmal is a trail runner whose experiences are as extraordinary as they are entertaining. With a knack for overcoming adversity (and some wild stories to prove it), Joe brings humor, resilience, and deep trail-running knowledge to his role as a guide. Whether he’s sharing his epic tales or helping others navigate their own journeys, Joe is passionate about building a community where runners can learn, grow, and thrive.

Philosophy:

Joe believes his failures are as valuable as his successes. "I’ve failed so much, I’d love to share those failings and learnings with others so they don’t make the same mistakes!" He thrives on helping others overcome challenges, always bringing humor, wisdom, and encouragement to the table.

Trail Highlights:

Joe’s trail resume reads like a collection of tall tales—but they’re all true:

  • Cactus Rose 100: Joe’s first 100-mile race was nothing short of dramatic. A corneal edema struck at mile 80, making it nearly impossible to see, but Joe pushed through and claimed the win by several hours—a wild introduction to 100-milers.

  • Bigfoot 200: Known for its grueling terrain, this 200-miler tested Joe to his limits. Leading most of the race, he lost a shoe at mile 150 and had to complete a 17-mile leg with one shoe, costing him the lead. Determined to catch up, he ran out of food, started hallucinating, picked flowers for his wife, and ate something that made his tongue numb. Despite all that, Joe finished 4th.

  • Desert Solstice 24-Hour Race: Getting an invitation to this elite-level event was a huge honor for Joe. While his performance didn’t match his hopes, sharing the track with world record holders and national champions for 24 hours was an unforgettable experience.

Beyond Guiding:

Joe'’s always available to brainstorm or strategize with anyone who needs a second opinion on their training—for free! He’s a guide with a heart for the community and a passion for supporting others. 😁

Marion Guillemant

Hometown: Bayenghem-les-Seninghem, France | Current Home Base: Austin, TX
Passions: Hiking, backpacking, Yoga, Animal welfare
Email: marionguillemant@yahoo.com

Marion is an experienced ultrarunner and outdoor enthusiast based in Austin, Texas. With a deep passion for adventure and a wealth of challenging trail experiences, Marion brings her love for the outdoors to every guiding opportunity. From conquering ultra-distance races to leading local running groups, she is dedicated to inspiring others to push their limits and explore the beauty of the natural world.

Philosophy:

"I love encouraging new runners and those tackling new challenges, whether it’s their first marathon, switching from road to trail, or completing their first ultra. I’m always open about my own mistakes and failures and believe in sharing these experiences to help others grow. I value building community, connecting with fellow runners, and hearing their stories."

Trail Highlights

  • Completed Grand Canyon R2R2R as a solo training run for Tahoe 200

  • Finished Tahoe 200 in 82 hours

  • Rocky Raccoon 100 miles, sub 24 hours

  • Dinosaur Valley 100 miles, 24:05 (finished 2nd place female after breaking a metatarsal in my foot at mile 25)

  • Bandera 100k: First attempt - 17:00:04 (5 seconds too slow to get a WS lottery ticket!); Second attempt - 14:24

  • Mammoth Trailfest Triple (no record, but a humbling experience running in the California mountains while training in Texas)

  • Hardest challenge: Climbing to the top of Cerro Toco in Chile, over 18,000 feet in altitude

Beyond Guiding

  • Hiking, thru-hiking, and backpacking: Favorite places include the Grand Canyon, Arizona, Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave Desert, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Big Bend National Park, and the Texas Hill Country. Dream: to complete the triple crown of hiking.

  • Practicing yoga for almost 11 years, 2-3 times per week.

  • Animal lover: Enjoys fostering and dog-sitting. Owns two rescue dogs, Mimosa (shepherd mix) and Mambo (rottie mix).