About
I am the sort of person who very frequently ponders who I am. "What do you like to do?" is a question that asks a usually rather small part of who someone is. But as a doer, I feel that the activities I love are a hugely defining piece of my existence.
I like to connect with people and landscapes. I don't feel happiest in crowds, or alone. I rarely prefer to be inside. I'm most drawn to deserts and mountains. I like to be far from society, and I like to be there for a long time. Multiple days, preferably. I don't like to sit still. I like to move. Movement engages my body, makes me feel healthy and free, and gets me to places few people go.
I don't like to have motors move me, I like to move myself. Movement via my feet and hands is the most obvious and simple method, and I find this infinitely entertaining. Hiking, running, and best of all - scrambling - those are make me feel alive. But I don't like to let it stop there.
Sometimes I use tools to add to the joy and efficiency of movement in certain types of landscapes. Bikes, skis, and packrafts are my choices, and I have been set on those for quite a while now. Skis and packrafts are perhaps my most favorite, and I try to take of advantage of every opportunity to use them because opportunities are rare where I live. Since 2021, bikes have fallen to the backburner because of my focus on backcountry experiences, but are still my favorite way to get outside quickly at home. Ropes have been a big part of my life and got me to some of the most unbelievable places, but they scare me. To be honest, I like to avoid them. I prefer to trust my body, and employ ropes only where necessary.
I most frequently do these things with my awesome wife, Joelle. We have been married since October 2019 and lived in a tiny house in Flagstaff together from before that until June 2023. Outside of adventure sports, we enjoy the pursuit of simple, sustainable living and are endlessly searching for ways to make a positive impact on those around us through meaningful careers, and sharing our passions with others.
Backpacking Guide
Work with a private company showing guests the joys of backcountry foot travel primarily in the Grand Canyon but also in the Central Rockies.
Master of Forestry
-Coursework and project at Northern Arizona University
-Authored a biocrust restoration manual - A step by step guide for land managers to restore biocrusts based on recent research
-Work with Dr. Anita Antoninka and Dr. Matt Bowker