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Sandy & Suzie
Sandy and I moved to Traverse City in June of 2001 and purchased Backcountry Outfitters. We had dreamed of living "up north" for many years - so we made the move when the opportunity came along. I get to do the behind the scene jobs at Backcountry; pay the bills, pay the employees, sometimes soft good buyer, and shipping and receiving.
Before moving to TC I was a Medical Technologist at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, MI for 20 years.
My favorite activities are kayaking, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, and knitting. My favorite places to kayak are along the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, Benjamin Islands in the North Channel, Parry Sound, Ontario and the intercoastal waterways in Florida. I love to snowshoe on the dunes around TC. My favorite ski area is Alta. I love to hit yarn shops anywhere I travel. Innish Knits in Cedar is a favorite local shop.
My favorite gear is my titanium Atlas snowshoes, my Westen Mountaineering down sleeping bag, all my Arcteryx clothing, and my Patagonia down sweater. I have to confess to a love/hate relationship with my Wilderness Systems Artic Hawk kayak. I also enjoy our Valley Aleut 2 tandem kayak.
My favorite trail food is any mix of nuts, dried fruit, and choclate. I also like to chew on a bit of beef jerkey for protein.
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Lindsey
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Eric
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Tarah
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Ruth
position: resident BFA
I grew up in northern Michigan. I am a reluctant artist with a four year degree. I ride horses whenever I can. I cannot decide if I like paddling or horses more. I love nature and anything that gets me out there.
favorite activities: I enjoy running, paddling, horseback riding, ultimate frisbee, soccer and good books.
favorite places: Zion Canyon was short and amazing. Also Gatlinburg & the Smokey Mountains, Canada, the Great Lakes, around a campfire, on the water, in the woods.
favorite gear: My Chacos, my Sigg, the Tempest, and other stuff...
favorite trail food: dried fruit, fresh berries
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George
Position: Standing in corner, head bowed, waiting to be hollered at! (i.e. "husband")
Hired at Backcountry July 2006
Born in Traverse City; Graduated high school in Gwinn in the UP; Attended Northern and Central Michigan Universities. Taught/Librarian for 30 years. Married to Donna, daughter Sarah.
Favorite activities are traveling, paddling, hiking, beachcombing, and snorkeling.
Favorite places are Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska, Colorado, and Pictures Rocks Lakeshore.
Favorite Trail Food: Flour tortillas, PB & J, Cache Lake Scones and fried breads.
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Alison
Position: Sales Associate since July 2006
I am 22 years old, born and raised in Traverse City, MI. I attended public schools here in town and graduated in 2003 from West Senior High. I went to Northern Michigan College and received an Associates Degree in Arts and Science in 2006. Currently, I am working on a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration through Ferris. I am not sure what I will do after this, but I would like to do some traveling and somehow incorporate this degree into a job with an environmental emphasis.
I have too many favorite activities. Photography, pottery, climbing (rock and ice), skiing (cross skiing and downhill), snowshoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking, gardening and collecting beach glass and stones from areas I travel to.
My favorite places include Ontario Canada, along the Lake Superior shoreline, the Adirondacks, Red River Gorge in Kentucky, The City of Rocks in Idaho, and Rocky Mountain National Park - in the areas with the least amount of tourists!
My favorite gear includes: MSR Hubba Hubba Tent, Arcteryx Gamma MX Hoody, my trusty Chacos, Patagonia Down Sweater, Black Diamond Sphynx Pack, ENOS Doublenest Hammock, Black Diamond Spot Headlamp, Jetboil, Native "Ripp" sunglasses, Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15 women's sleeping bag, and so much more!
My favorite trail food is anything that doesn't resemble an energy bar - I always pack them, but get so sick of them by the end of my trip! I enjoy cashews, dried fruits, and an organic chocolate bar as a special treat!
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Zach K.
position: 44° 50' 00" N, 85° 55' 00" W
I am from Traverse City Michigan and I'm going to Northwestern Michigan College. I received my certification as a Wildland firefighter. I have been flyfishing for the past eight years and am an avid fisherman. In the fall I bow hunt.
favorite activities: Bowhunting and flyfishing, by far. Also mountainbiking, rock climbing, snowshoeing.
favorite places: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Cedar Michigan, Glen Arbor Michigan, Marquette Michigan.
favorite gear: Arcteryx, Eagle Nest Outfitters, G Loomis, Jet-Boil, Keen, La Sortiva, Mountain Hardwear, Mountain Khakis, C.P. Oneida, Patagonia
favorite trail food: f Java Juice, Clif Bars (especially Black Cherry almond), scrounging off the land (wild fruit)
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Zach D.
position: Future Triple Crown Trekker & Outfitter
I'm 18 and I've been backpacking ever since I can remember. I love it and I go every chance I get. I recently got a dog and he goes everywhere with me. Frisbee is probably what I do most and is a great activity with friends, most of the time we play at the open space and slackline. This March my friend Dan and I are planning to start hiking the triple crown to raise money for cancer research.
favorite activities: Backpacking, photography, showshoeing, ultimate frisbee, slacklining, kayaking and snowboarding.
favorite places: Glacier National Park (the western side), Adirondack Mountains. I love these places because of the heavily wooded areas, mountains, and cold, crystal-clear lakes and streams.
favorite gear: Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15° sleeping bag, Asolo boots (Flame GTX), Osprey Packs (Crescent Series), Patagonia R1 Flash pullover, MSR hubba hubba.
favorite trail food: venison jerky, Camelback Elixir, Clif bars.
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Anna
position: Retail Assistant (Super Zen Warrior)
hired: May 2007
Pure Michigander. Raised among a bunch of brothers, I was usually found in the trees or on a baseball diamond. In the spring of '93 I discovered books and was from then on traveling all over the world as anything from a circus performer to a bug on the wall in all the stories I read. I liked sprinting, trampolines, climbing, hackysack, shooting ranges and coffee houses... and then grew up and still like all the above. I've skied or snowboarded since I was 13 and have taught snowboarding for the last five years. In '05 (at age 19) I hiked the Appalacian Trail end to end (2,175 miles, yeah!) In '06 I went back and re-hiked most of it, also hiking the long trail (310 miles). I currently live on a boat, and plan on hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in '08.
favorite activities: I heart music! I like fiddling, banjoing, and LP's. Sailing, cooking, reading and every outdoor sport there is. I also like Monopoly, pirates, Dominos and other similar indoor exertions.
favorite places: Alpine zone. The front of lines. The back of movie theaters. 30 knots. Little Rock Pond, VT. Barnes and Noble. Home.
favorite gear: My fiddle. "Orange Julius" (my 700 fill sleeping bag). My Chaco sandals...and my classic Swiss Army knife "Brat" (who is pink).
favorite trail food: Cheezits! gummy bears, Nutella, thai Lipton noodles. Black beans / rice and Stovetop Stuffing...oh yeah...Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
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Will
Position: Sales Associate and Fearless Leader
Date Hired: May something 2007
I was born March 30 1980 (for those who want to get me a gift) and raised in TC MI. I have an older bro and little sister. I went to High School at Traverse City Senior High (back when there was only one high school). Graduated from NMC with an Associates of Arts, WMU with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in visual communications. After college moved to Chicago to find a “real job.” Turns out college is not considered “experience.” So I thought I would have fun, and took some Improvisation classes through Second City and was even able to shoot a documentary on the Chicago to Mackinaw sail boat race. To support myself I got a job at The North Face on Michigan Ave. I was there about a year when I got promoted to Sales Manager out in Seattle. While there I reached the highest sales level for The North Face and was fortunate enough to outfit some of our athletes and others for some pretty sweet adventures. I also took advantage of where I was by getting involved in hiking, camping, rock and alpine climbing. While there I also did some soul searching and realized what I want to be when I grow up! I decided to move back to TC so I could focus on my studies. I am now attending CMU through the University Center to get my degree in Elementary Education. Not to mention I am at a sweet gear shop with some really great co-workers!
Favorite Activities: Top on my list is being an uncle for my sweet nieces! Next would be being with my family and friends. I also enjoy visiting coffee shops and partaking in a good cup of joe. I enjoy doing anything and everything outdoors. Going on hikes, exploring new areas, camping, Snowshoeing etc. When I’m near rocks and mountains I enjoy rock and alpine climbing as well. I love our water and enjoy playing in it. I also enjoy reading books. I like non-fiction best. I also love the arts. Visiting museums, seeing plays and musicals and I hope to find time to get back involved with the arts.
Favorite Places: Chicago is great; I miss the heck out of Seattle. I feel the Olympic Mountains are some of the most beautiful I have seen. I also love the Cascades, especially Mazama Washington area. My Mom lives and has roots in Iowa. I still have yet to find a sunrise to beat the ones I have seen rise over rolling farmlands of Iowa. I had a blast hiking in Alaska as well. I really enjoy being anywhere with my family. I want to visit Europe especially Norway. I have to go explore where my roots are from and where parts of my family still reside. I have to visit Yosemite sometime as well. I would also love to explore and backpack through the Himalayas and even visit Everest Base Camp sometime. I feel Patagonia would be great and even have an interest in Antarctica.
Favorite Gear: Smartwool Socks. Asolo 520 Boots. Lightning Ascent Snowshoes. The North Face Arnuva 50 Boa shoes. My Patagonia baselayers. North Face Paramount Convertible pants. My TNF Sweet Softshell pants. My VE25 tent. TNF Caber Hybrid
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Cal
I was born in Manistique Michigan and lived there until I was six or seven. Then I moved to Escanaba for a couple of years before moving back down here to Traverse City. I've been here for 10 years now and I love all the open space to explore. No matter how much fun I have had here, I still love the laid-back, simple feeling of the U.P.
favorite activities: I love Football, Hockey, Hunting, Fishing, Camping, and a long pointless walk through the woods is the only thing I'll do for no reason. I know it goes without saying, but my favorite activity is working here at Backcountry.
favorite places: I love the U.P., Escanaba is my favorite place in the world because of all the memories I have there. I also love Breckinridge Colorado. I'm not one for heat, so I love camping in or near Winter.
favorite gear: I like the look and feel of the North Face soft shells as well as the Keen sandals.
favorite trail food: spaghetti, hands down!
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Lizzie
Sales clerk - constantly helping the housewives with clothing.
Started working at Backcountry June 2007.
I am 16 and attend Central High School as a Junior. I moved to Traverse City last fall from East Grand Rapids, and I attended East Grand High School. I have an 11 year old sister and a 9 year old brother. I enjoy being outdoors and losing myself in a good book. I love the Fall and being able to rake leaves. I would like to go to De Paul University when I graduate. I hope to become a teacher for middle school.
My favorite activities are running, reading , and I would like to get in more hiking and relaxing in the summertime, going for walks with no set destination.
My favorite places are Chicago, Door County, WI, getting lost in bookstores, and laying on my front lawn reading.
favorite gear: I love anything Patagonia makes. I feel it is made very well and will last.
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