My Story
I learned how to sew almost 20 years ago, while working as a prosthetist and orthotist (a person who makes artificial limbs). This was my profession until 2022, when I quit my job to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail. That turned out to be, a turning point in my life. For many of you who have done a major thru-hike, you know it changes your values tremendously. You spend 5 months living in the dirt with very few positions, which is supposed to suck. But somehow it ends up being the best time in your life. Pretty tough to go back once that sinks in. Everything we've been told is a lie.
Not wanting to return to corporate life, I started to tinker with making my own gear. Within about a year it was a full-blown livelihood. A livelihood where I get to make super interesting products all day, on my own schedule and terms, and not ever feel trapped or in conflict with my ethics.
I believe the success of my little company is a reflection of the frustration hikers have with the outdoor industry. Making often impractical gear in foreign sweatshops with no labor or environmental protection, they are run by venture capitol. They lack any kind of soul. That isn't really who we are as a community. For a while, we didn't have much of a choice. Thankfully, lately there have been a lot more options available for gear tailored to our small, niche market that is made here in the USA.
Giving Back
Trail Angeling and giving back
I am a Pacific Crest Trail angel. I am fortunate enough to live in a trail town, and get to host hikers in my home, was well as deliver trail magic straight to the trail. I am also a member of the PCTA, Oregon Natural Desert Association, and Tahoe Rim Trail Association. I donate photos to the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the Oregon Natural Desert Association. I am a photo contest judge for Oregon Wild. I volunteer to select photos for the WILD DESERT calendar. I am in training to be a Sawyer for maintaining trails.
I do these things because I want to do them and that's where my values lie. I do not donate a percentage of my profits to support the groups building and maintaining trails because, I do not want to take YOUR money and and use it for the causes I decide on. You keep your money and support what you believe in. I will support directly, the causes I believe in regardless of whether you buy something from me.
1% for the planet is, firstly, not enough. Secondly, basically saying I'm only going to do something good for the planet if I can make you pay for it, and by pledging it, it increases my sales enough to offset the one percent. Garbage. That isn't ethics that's just more corporate game playing and greenwashing.
By buying gear from me, you are supporting stewardship of our trails simply by keeping me going and able to do what I do. So for that, I very much thank you and appreciate you.