Mike Summers is an avid hiker, cyclist, climber, and outdoor enthusiast. While exploring America’s best outdoor spaces, Mike has developed an intimate relationship with his gear systems, allowing him to stay safe and comfortable in an otherwise forbidding environment. When he’s not exploring, you can find him sharing insights and chronicling his journeys at improbablebutpossible.com.
Seth Portner has been riding and racing mountain bikes since the late 1990s, specializing in XC, marathon and ultra-marathon events. He also enjoys regular multi-day road tours, and is an accomplished ultrarunner and XC skier. Seth, his wife and their daughter all split their time between Lyons and Winter Park.
Seiji specializes in climbing, but his interests have spanned a wide array of outdoor pursuits. Based in Wimberley, TX, Seiji has worked in several aspects of outdoor sports, including coaching, training, guiding, gear design, and writing. Find out more about Seiji at seijisays.com.
Skier, runner, and author Ben Conners has been exploring the Rockies since he was a kid. Growing up in the Vail Valley, Ben spent his winters carving turns and summers backpacking in the Holy Cross Wilderness. Ben authored a guidebook on ski mountaineering Colorado’s high peaks and lives with his wife in south-Denver.
A competitive road cyclist in his younger years and lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Jacob discovered his love for long distance trail running as an adult. He lives in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Santa Fe. Follow him at Google+.
Brett Prettyman has been an outdoor writer at the Salt Lake Tribune since 1990 and also freelances for a number of outdoor-related publications. He tests fly fishing boots and waders for the Gear Institute.
Tom tests road running shoes for the Gear Institute—specifically, the thick, comfort-oriented trainers that constitute the majority of running shoe sales.
Veteran runner, triathlete, and coach Carol Davenport tests lightweight road running shoes.
Santa Fe ski patroller and guide Jack Dant tests altimeter watches and headlamps for the Gear Institute.
An avid backpacker, Lawrence Landauer leads hikes, snowshoe trips, and backpacks for the Seattle and Foothills Mountaineers, and conducts outdoor leadership, backpacking, and hiking classes near his hometown of Seattle.
Mike King spends 200 days each year in the Cascades, Alaska, Argentina and Tanzania guiding for Rainier Mountaineering Inc. He tests mountaineering boots for the Gear Institute.
Erica provides news and reviews for Gear Institute, with an Industry Insider's eye on the business of climbing.