If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep Lasting Adventures running smoothly before, during, and after a single boot hits the trail, look no further than William Heaps—the behind-the-scenes force who turns big ideas into functional realities. As Operations Director, Will is the one making sure the gears turn quietly and effectively, so guests and guides can focus on what really matters: the experience.
Will’s story doesn’t begin on a famous summit or a picture-perfect backpacking trip. Instead, it starts closer to home, in his childhood backyard. His backyard wasn’t just grass and a fence—it was a sprawling oak and maple forest with a swamp tucked in the middle. That wild space became his escape from suburban life and his first classroom for curiosity, independence, and comfort outdoors.
His first real backpacking trip came later, during college, and it wasn’t exactly graceful. Borrowing a pile of old 80s and 90s gear from a friend’s dad, Will packed everything he could think of and headed out. “I proceeded to torture myself for an entire day,” he laughs. “I was so exhausted I had to quit the next morning.” Like many backpackers, the struggle only deepened his interest.
From Therapy to the Trail (and Everything Behind It)
Will originally planned to become a physical therapist, hoping to use the outdoors as a method of healing. That path eventually led him into mental health work, but six months into his first job as a therapist, something wasn’t clicking.
“I realized I was being held back by bureaucratic nonsense,” he says. “So I decided to just move into the outdoor industry completely.”
With a degree in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership, and a background in therapeutic recreation, Will expected to do seasonal summer camp work. Instead, he found himself increasingly drawn to how organizations operate behind the scenes—and how thoughtful systems can support powerful, life-changing experiences for guests.
What an Operations Director Really Does
As Operations Director at Lasting Adventures, Will’s job looks very different depending on the season.
In the winter, his work is mostly behind a computer: paperwork, hiring, supporting sales, updating the website, and preparing for the coming season. When he’s outside, it’s usually a day hike or working on the company property—quiet, necessary work that sets the stage for summer.
Summer, however, is a different story.
“I’m organizing transportation logistics, coordinating with guides, printing rosters, helping with gear—it’s pretty go-go-go,” Will says. “I just take it as it comes.”
One thing that often surprises people? Will doesn’t spend much time guiding in the field. “Most people assume that everyone in this industry is outside all the time,” he explains. Instead, his role keeps him indoors more often than not—a tradeoff he’s made intentionally.
“It means I get to be around to watch my kids grow,” he says. “It’s a compromise I chose and love.”
Making It Happen for Guests
When asked what he enjoys most about working at Lasting Adventures, Will doesn’t talk about spreadsheets or systems—he talks about people.
“I enjoy that I am making it happen for the guests,” he says. “They feel they need a guide, and I become that guide. I’m the friend on the trail, the storyteller, the jokester, the listener.”
Even from behind the scenes, Will sees himself as part of the guest experience—helping create moments that are formative, challenging, and deeply memorable.
And when it comes to accomplishments he’s most proud of?
“The entire freaking prep room.”
Sometimes the most impactful work isn’t glamorous—it’s functional, thoughtful, and essential.
The Fun Stuff: Will’s Outdoor Vibes
If Will could be any animal, he’d choose a bear. “They get to just meander through the forest,” he explains—and live in places he actually wants to be full-time.
Outside of work, Will’s passions include mountain biking, bikepacking, rock climbing, and canyoneering. Somewhere in the background of it all, The Circle of Life is perpetually stuck in his head.
Trail snacks rotate yearly. In 2024, it was fried onions (yes, the green bean casserole kind). In 2025, peanuts and sliced almonds took the crown.
His favorite Yosemite views? Anywhere along Highway 120 in Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass—but Matterhorn Canyon and Slide Canyon hold a special place.
Why His Work Matters
Will sees the impact of Lasting Adventures clearly, and differently, depending on the guest.
For youth, backpacking is often an introduction to a lifelong skill set. “It teaches resilience, but it also teaches you how to survive with less,” he says. Power outages, minimal gear, travel with just a backpack—those lessons extend far beyond the trail.
For adult guests, it’s about access and support. “Bucket list trips like Half Dome are hard,” Will explains. “We help people check those items off without all the pain and heartache of trying to do it alone.”
Advice from the Prep Room
Most important gear to bring?
Please, please, please bring your own underwear.
What to leave behind?
Chemicals. No wipes, no makeup, no deodorant. “You don’t need it. No one cares.”
And for first-time backpackers, Will’s advice is simple and grounding:
“Love yourself. Listen to your body.”
We’re incredibly grateful for the work Will does behind the scenes at Lasting Adventures. His steady presence, thoughtful systems, and deep belief in the power of backpacking help make every trip possible—long before the first mile and long after the last one ends.
If you’ve ever had a smooth trip, a well-packed gear room, or a logistics puzzle solved before you even noticed it… chances are, Will had a hand in it.
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