About Us
Creeks to Peaks is locally owned and operated in Durango, CO since 2019.
We are instructors, guides, first responders, whitewater professionals, rescuers, trip leaders, climbers, skiers, boaters, dog petters, flower sniffers and passionate teachers.
About Creeks to Peaks
Creeks to Peaks Rescue Education is an instructor team that offers individuals and organizations Swiftwater Rescue, Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder certifications. Courses are student-centric and designed for every kind of learner. Courses focus on honing skills for the long term- designed to teach you decision making rather than short term memorization with an emphasis on simple, real world solutions to dynamic problems.
Creeks to Peaks instructors are licensed to teach through our partners and are not curriculum developers. Read more about our partners below.
Our Team
Pete Kemery,
Director and Lead Instructor
Pete Kemery is a Durango-based rescue professional, wilderness medicine instructor, and lifelong lover of wild places. With years of experience leading expeditions, teaching wilderness medicine, and working in technical rescue, Pete brings a practical, down-to-earth approach to education that blends real-world experience, a little humor, and a healthy dose of humility. When he's not teaching, you'll likely find him exploring the Southwest with his wife and dog.
Our Partners
Desert Mountain Medicine
Based in Leadville, CO, our wilderness medicine curriculum partner DMM offer high-quality curriculum that is regularly updated and compliant with all Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative standards. This woman-owned organization is the industry leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion operating standards. We are proud to offer their fantastic curriculum and work closely with a company that holds itself to the highest of standards.
Swiftwater Safety Institute
SSI delivers swiftwater, flood, boat and technical rescue training built on decades of operational river experience. Their instructors are guides, rescuers and expedition leaders who teach practical systems designed to work under pressure.
From their river-community origins, SSI has grown into a trusted training partner for professional guides, public-safety agencies, federal organizations, U.S. and allied military teams, and private river runners.