Scarpa

Q & A

How did you get involved with your respective sport? : My parents bred the ski gene in me, traveling all over the world to do so - from Alta to Austria - there was no turning back.
Who were your influences early in life?: My parents. They embraced the ski bum life. They drove around in a car with no floor on the passenger side and ate HoHo’s and Saltine crackers so they could afford to ski . They always told me to make sure you love what you do, because you have to work hard to play hard.
What draws you to the outdoors? : The outdoors sets you straight. It makes you remember who we are in this world - we are small fish in a big sea. It was here before us and it will remain after. And we need to respect it. We need to appreciate it for the humbling effect it brings upon us.
What do you like about SCARPA as a brand?: In my eyes, Scarpa has always remained true to the sports it facilitates. I like that it is a family-owned company. I like that it supports athletes who are really doing it out there. They are not just focused on the ‘media-athletes,’ but the real folks out there getting it done.
Why do you like/trust SCARPA products (in general, not product specific)?: I can’t have equipment failures when I am out in the field guiding, so I only use the most trusted products. I use Scarpa when I am guiding clients, when I am skimo racing in comps, and in my personal endeavors. I use them when equipment failure is not an option - which is always.
What gets you out of bed on big days? : s? 4 snooze alarms. And then dreaming of a hot cup of coffee and toast. I love toast.
What is your best excuse for skipping training?: It depends on what I am skipping training for. If I have the time and I’m just being lazy, no excuse is good enough. If it’s to meet up with friends for a glass of wine or work-related, then that is justified. Because what is life if you don’t get to enjoy it?! I just have to remind myself that even a little bit of training will make that much of a difference when I’m out on that big climb or skin track.
Favorite recovery/apres beverage?: Wine. Always. It unfortunately comes before water, and after coffee. Although, I will admit that lately I’ve been into these green+protein packets of goodness shaken up in a Nalgene with vanilla coconut/almond milk - (but don’t spread the word on that… people might think I’m more disciplined/healthy than I am).
If you had a baseball walkup song, what would it be?: Tough question… I’ll think about it in the next skin track.
What’s the last movie that made you cry? : Oh gosh, what is the last movie that made me cry?... I don’t even remember the last movie that I watched! - Well, Spaceballs.. but that doesn’t count. I don’t watch much tv at all.
What’s your dream trip or expedition? : There are two, one being the near-future reality and the other being the more big picture sufferfest one. First is a climbing trip to Greece. Climbing hard on the beach in an exotic culture sounds dreamy. The other being a trip to the Himalayas to ski an 8,000m peak.
What makes a good skiing/climbing/running/hiking partner?: Reliability. Same amount of drive. Willingness to suffer/push through pain. But it’s really about the ‘spirit.’ You either got it or you don’t.
Two truths and a lie: I will go a week or more without washing my hair, no problem. I am afraid of mice more than anything on this planet. I really love pickled herring.

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