Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures, a Telluride-based tour operator and guide service, has built up a reputation over the years for offering incredible hut trips in both the rugged western landscape near Telluride and the crags of Europe.

But now its status has been solidified.

National Geographic Adventure Magazine named Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures as one of the Top 10 Best Hiking and Trekking Outfitters on the Planet, in its November feature, “Best Outfitters on Earth.”

According to National Geographic Adventure, “Trekking’s most dramatic landscapes — the mountains and desert, are where this company excels.” The article adds, “Clients enjoy cushy accommodations at the beginning and end of each trail. In between, it’s wilderness all the way.”

Ryder-Walker provides inn-to inn hiking tours and treks throughout the mountainous regions of Western Europe. They also provide local backcountry guiding and instruction at their home base in Telluride.

National Geographic surveyed more than 200 outfitters in their feature story, “Best Outfitters on Earth,” and gave them a score from 1 to 100 in each of the following four categories: education, sustainability, quality of service and spirit of adventure.

Researchers then contacted client references for every company surveyed and generated a fifth score, also between 1 and 100. Ryder-Walker scored 91.7 for client satisfaction based on customer feedback.

National Geographic went further and categorized each outfitter based on their specialty. Hiking and trekking was Ryder-Walker’s specialty and their score of almost 90 out of 100 for all of the categories combined, landed them within the top ten best hiking and trekking outfitters on the planet.

“We’re extremely pleased by this designation,” said Peter Walker, CEO and founder of Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures. “Now we just need to take it a step further and strive for the ultimate No. 1 position. In fact, we’ve already improved upon the sustainability category now that we’re purchasing carbon offsets. We’re trying to make every round-trip flight to Europe carbon neutral for 2008.”

National Geographic recently launched an online database of all 160 outfitters that received overall scores of 80 or higher. The database includes the same review information published in the magazine, plus advanced search engine features allowing prospective travelers to plan their trips by activity, destination, price range and more. Visit ngadventure.com/ratings to read Ryder-Walker’s review and view the scores. Just enter the search phrase, “Ryder-Walker,” or pick up a copy of the November 2007 issue.

Please contact Ryder-Walker Alpine adventures for more details. 888.586.8365 or on the web: www.ryderwalker.com