Fresh out of college, Mason Stansfield already had a pretty good idea of what he wanted to do next in life.

He met up with San Juan Mountain Guides co-owner Nate Disser for breakfast a few years ago and lobbed a host of questions at him about being a guide. Disser hired Stansfield and was immediately impressed with the mature young man who was professional and easy to get along with. He progressed quickly in his skill set. He even put down roots in the San Juans, buying a cabin on Hastings Mesa b...