The Lamplighters Adventuring Society -

Ajay

Jesse was an amazing guide! It was my first time camping and doing this difficult hike in Yosemite so was definitely a bit nervous - Jesse really put me at ease and was very supportive and encouraging through the entire trip with his guidance, knowledge, and patience. He was flexible in my request to shorten the trip by the day given we ended up going by ourselves. He is very happy to answer questions, cooked us both delicious meals and provided great snacks, had all the needed gear for us, is an expert on safety, and has a keen eye for great photos! Super interesting background and experiences too made for great conversation over long downhill trudges, campfires, sunsets, and attempting to take my first astral photographs (so many stars!) Feel like the wilderness is now opened to me and I look forward to taking another trip with Lamplighters soon!

Tom Evans

Jesse is the best guide I've ever had, and the Lamplighters Adventuring Society is a top-tier touring company that delivers an unforgettable experience. Here’s why:

Expertly Planned But Flexible: The routes were really well thought out, but what impressed me most was how adaptable they were. Our group decided last minute to go for a sunrise summit of Half Dome, and Jesse didn’t miss a beat. He got up at 3 a.m.—an hour before us—to make sure we had hot coffee, tea, and breakfast. That kind of dedication really stood out.

Gourmet Meals in the Wild: The food was delicious and perfectly timed for every part of our journey. Jesse even hauled lunch up to the top of Half Dome and prepared it for us right there at the summit. I even had seconds! Some of the dishes that stood out were Curry Cashew Couscous, Polenta, Burritos, and the Churro Chocodillas—yes, you read that correctly. Amazing. 🙂

Secret Spots Along the Way: Even though trails like the Mist Trail are pretty popular, Jesse knew all the hidden gems. He took us to the best spots for photos, cool shady areas, and prime camping spots by the water—away from the crowds. It made the trip feel so much more special.

Patient, Focused, and Encouraging: Lamplighter hikes are tailored to individual abilities, and Jesse was great at making sure everyone felt comfortable and supported, no matter their skill level.

If you're looking for an adventure that combines expert planning with personal attention and a touch of wilderness luxury, look no further than Lamplighters Adventuring Society.

Kelsey S

Jesse guided us through an adventure of a lifetime through the Alaskan wilderness! He was so knowledgeable about the surrounding area and provided all the gear I needed for the trip! Will definitely be booking another trip with him soon!

Matthew

I want start of by saying this was my very first backpacking trip and I am so glad and Happy to have found Jesse Dunlap!! Jesse took care of everything that made this trip possible. I didn't have to worry about much at all, except the essentials. Jesse was our guide for Yosemite half dome!! This was something that in the beginning, I was pretty nervous about, but after speaking with jessie on the phone for a little while. He really took the stress and nervousness out of it all . It was amazing the communication he provided for this whole trip. Even when i was out there climbing up half dome, Jesse made sure i made it up and down safely. All while still communicating and walking me through the climb. I couldn't of asked for a better guide he was perfect for this and I look forward to booking more trips with him in the future!! This whole trip was way out of my comfort zone and I don't think I could of done this at all without Jesse's knowledge and skills out there in the wilderness!! i had so many questions and worries in the beginning, he took care of all the worry and answered any and all questions I had leading up to the day I flew out !! Amazing cook and you will not go hungry on any of his trips! You cant go wrong booking with Jesse Dunlap and who I now consider a good friend of mine! Thank you so much for the great memories!!

Kirsta Holman

You are in good hands with Jesse as your guide. He was amazing on our half dome trip. The food was amazing. I now have new light weight backpacking recipes! I was actually overfull. Jesse is also a magician. For the first time ever I was not sore from a backpacking trip. He take breaks and photo stops and shows you cool things you would have walked right by. He was prepared and even managed to meet the highly variable needs of all 7 of his clients on the trip. He managed different time lines when 3 folks wanted to hike o e less day but still summit. He managed my slow pace. He managed an illness. We never felt rushed. He is calm and confident. It was nice to ait back and relax and not stress over anything. Bravo Jesse

Michele Pronley

I had the most amazing experience with Jesse in Yosemite. I did this adventure with two of my daughters. It is a trip we will never forget. Jesse is the most awesome human. He is kind, thoughtful, funny and a fantastic guide. All of the meals were prepared for us and were delicious. We had so much fun with you and the others in our group. We are thankful we got to experience the beauty of Yosemite with a confident and experienced leader. We would definitely like to schedule another adventure in the future and highly recommend scheduling an expedition with Lamplighters.

Allen Apgar

My experience with Jesse and Lamplighters in Yosemite in July '23 was EPIC. Jesse goes above and beyond to insure his guests have an excellent experience. The meals were delicious and balanced. The equipment was excellent. Jesse made sure to have preparations for all extenuating circumstances to make our trip outstanding, even though the road was not open to go on the original itinerary for our trip. The trip was EPIC!

Julie Koski

Jesse Dunlap was our guide for the Yosemite Half Dome backpacking and hiking trip we took in June of 2024. There were a total of 8 adventurers (including Jesse). Jesse was an amazing guide! He was provided a training plan to get us in shape, answered our many pre-trip questions - and greeted us at Curry Village to start our trip. Jesse was safety focused and took us through how to respond to some of the challenges we might encounter on the trip (bear/snakes). Jesse provided all the food/snacks we needed and cooked all three meals for us (even did the dishes). He helped with tent setup where needed. Jesse was very calm, but excited for us - so it set the stage for us to relax and enjoy the trip. He was very patient and met each person where they were. He was very knowledgeable about the area - and led us on a perfect trip! I would HIGHLY recommend Jesse as a guide! He is a great cook too!
Julie