Expertise & Background
- Topics of Expertise: Climbing, backpacking, hiking, camping, backcountry skiing, mountaineering
- Education: MFA in Creative Writing, Western Washington University
- Years of Writing: 8
- Years of Gear Testing: 4+
- Certifications: CPR, AIARE Level 1
- Previous Publications: GearJunkie, Mount Baker Experience Magazine, various creative writing magazines
Why I Chose This Career
Writing for Switchback Travel is the perfect blend of my two favorite things: playing outside and playing with words.
How I Began My Career
My writing experience is rooted in poetry and fiction, and I graduated in 2022 with a Master's Degree in Creative Writing from Western Washington University. Though I was raised camping, 14er-bagging, and horseback riding in Colorado, I quickly fell in love with the rugged North Cascades and dove head-first into rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and the art of PNW bushwhacking—anything that gets me to the top of those peaks.
Recent Articles
Best Hiking Boots of 2025
Last Updated: July 14, 2025
Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots...
How to Layer for Backcountry Skiing
Last Updated: January 7, 2025
Backcountry skiing can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time outdoors—no crowds, untouched snow, and a skin-track workout to compliment your knee-deep powder turns. But the conflicting demands of uphill and downhill travel can make dialing...
Best Winter Gloves of 2025
Last Updated: September 18, 2024
Gloves may not get quite as much attention as your other winter clothing, but they offer invaluable warmth and protection when the temperature drops. Our picks for the best winter gloves of the 2024 season span the spectrum from high-performance models...
Camping Checklist
Last Updated: June 27, 2025
Whether it’s your first time car camping or you’ve been at it for years, it never hurts to have a good checklist. To help you get out of the house with all of the essentials in tow, we’ve outlined everything you need including campsite and sleeping...