I started camping with my parents before I can remember. The first time I slept in a tent I was six weeks old, so I guess you could say my passion for the outdoors started early. I attended a YMCA camp from age 8 until 14 when I was selected for their leadership training program. After three summers of training, I spent the next two summers leading backpacking, rock climbing and whitewater canoeing trips for the same YMCA camp. By this time, I was enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying geology and geophysics. While there, and to support my outdoor gear addiction, I began working part-time at a small outdoor specialty retail shop. While there, I was trained as a ski tech, in addition to all the other gear I couldn’t stop geeking out about. After graduating, I attended a semester course in Patagonia, Chile with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and moved to Ashland, Oregon, six months later to work at a specialty outdoor retailer as a buyer and sales associate. During my 14 years there I ultimately wore every hat (Sales Associate, Ski Tech, Shipping/Receiving, Hardgoods Buyer and Store Manager). When my attempted purchase of that business fell through, I started Mountain Provisions. My outdoor passions and pursuits include hiking, backpacking, kayaking, rafting, fly-fishing, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing and backcountry skiing. My indoor passions and pursuits include: cooking, good beer, great tequila and awesome live music.