Ian is a peak bagger and gearhead who loves sharing his passion for big adventures and playing in the outdoors. His deep connection with nature, attention to detail, and years of experience as a professional researcher are what drive Ian’s thoughtful review process.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, he grew up visiting the Canadian Rockies before his family moved to Colorado Springs in 1998, where he fell in love with the Colorado Rockies. He went to school for Philosophy and English and is thrilled to spend his days thinking deeply and writing about the most exciting outdoor gear for hiking, backpacking, and beyond.

Ian spent 4 years hitchhiking across all 50 states, living and working everywhere from the 200-foot-high canopy of the California Redwood trees to a short commute from the White House. After returning to Colorado, he climbed the state’s 58 14,000-foot peaks and hasn’t stopped chasing summits since. He’s currently on a mission to climb all 768 ranked and unranked 13,000-foot peaks, with about 100 left.

Off the clock, Ian looks forward to rambling around with his best friend Blodgett, a spry blue heeler named after a mountain, obsessing over his next route, or looking for the best cheeseburger in town.