Trailheads

Have you ever felt like you were in the just right place, doing exactly the right thing, and were thoroughly convinced you could feel that good forever? I did. Once. I was laying on the top of a five stack of rafts on a trailer hurtling along the Klamath River Highway after my third day of raft guiding when I was 15. I couldn’t believe people would pay me to do something that brought me such joy. I was sure I had found some cheat code for a perfect life.

It was unfortunately fleeting, and while I didn’t reach enlightenment on that sketchy shuttle ride, I have been chasing that feeling for the 28-years I have remained in the outdoor industry. After guiding, I’ve made a career in media working for titles like Paddler Magazine (RIP), Canoe & Kayak, and Outside. Each of these jobs brought great adventure, joy, an opportunity to hone my skills as a writer, and deep friendships in the outdoor industry.

I remained with Outside, as an assistant editor, managing editor, and columnist for a little over a decade. During that time, I spent over 90 days of my life inside the halls of tradeshow floors speed-learning about new gear in 15-minute meetings under fluorescent lights. While product talk was what paid my mortgage, the community I felt at those shows fed my long term desire to stick around. I came home from every single show on fire about the work my fellow outdoor industry professionals were doing, feeling like I was a part of something bigger and more important than the gear reviews I was putting into the world.

When I would whine about my job, say I should get into an industry that pays more, or threaten to go to law school—my wise wife would tell me to wait until the next outdoor industry tradeshow to make any decisions. I always came back resolute to stick with this community. While the outdoor industry is still an industry, and generally speaking is in service of playing, there can be profundity in sharing a deep love of space and play with others. It is tough to feel that deep connection outside of shared spaces. I forgive myself for forgetting that when I didn’t spend time together in our community. 

I am full of gratitude that I get to work as an editor of Trailheads and use my media background to help tell the stories that matter to this community that I love deeply. I am also happy and proud to be working to support a gathering place where we can feel connected and remember why we are all working in this industry together. I promise to hold the time you choose to spend reading what I write with great respect and won’t lose sight of why it’s important that we are in this together. If you see me looking overcaffeinated, wild eyed, and grinning while hustling through the halls of the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio next week, please stop me and say hi. I won’t mind the intrusion. We will be in the just right place. Together.