Yukon Charlies

Hey there! Name is Nick, but my trail name friends call me Lumberjack Nick! I’m born and raised out here in beautiful sunny Southern California. I work part time as a firefighter and emt in the local mountain communities, and am pursuing my education in Fire Science as well as Environmental Science. Most people don’t think of snow or mountains or even wilderness when they hear California, but that’s just not the case. Our area has one of the most biodiverse and extensive geographical layouts anywhere on earth, and I’m blessed to call it my backyard. Even John Muir climbed our mountains, considering them comparable, if not tougher than the Sierra. Ranging from the beach to the desert to snowy mountain peaks, I spend my time exploring all that most “dudes” don’t realize exists out here.

I prefer exploring the lesser known areas around me, and experience the “West” as it once was away from cultivation. The seasons here a generally warmer, however there is still plenty of winter (my favorite) to enjoy. Whether I’m snow shoeing in Yosemite or up local 11,500’ summit San Gorgonio in winter, hiking, fishing and camping in the sunshine of spring and fall, hammocking under an oak tree or surfing in summer, or you name it, my time spent out doors is passionate for me. I take my time absorbing and photographing the places I visit to share what I learn with people who have never been before. It’s unfortunate that all this beauty lies relatively unknown just beyond eyesight of most SoCal city residents, but hopefully with my help they can better experience and care for these natural wonders.

I hope that everyone is inspired to get outdoors, especially in the beautiful months of winter when the world is freshly powdered and air is crisp. Make sure to have a “totally rad time dudes!” Stay safe, have fun, and explore on!

Tara grew up in a nature-loving family and has passed that along to her own family. She and her husband, Jon, and their 16-year old daughter,  Emmaline, live in Northeast Wisconsin. Their favorite season is winter, and on most weekends, they can be found snowshoeing, cross-country
skiing, or ice skating on the lake at the family cottage. Some of their favorite places to snowshoe include Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in
Michigan, any Wisconsin State Park, and the 1,200 mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which they are tackling one segment at a time. 

When not out having adventures, Tara teaches English and theology at St. Mary Catholic High School in Neenah, WI, where she is also the liturgical choir director/accompanist and co-advisor of the Earth Club.  

My name is Tatiana, and I live in Denver, Colorado. I can be found in my backyard of the Rocky Mountains as often as possible. I wake up earlier on the weekends than on the weekdays and am always ready to tackle something fun with my gear, camera and snacks (of course). If you ever want to join in the fun of climbing peaks, snowshoeing to cool huts, sledding down the hills or going out to find some cool spots to photograph - message me on Instagram and we'll go on an adventure! (@tatiana.alexandra) 

The Rasmussens are a Globetrotting Family of 6 Adventure Enthusiasts! They simply want to encourage other families to get out there and explore with their kids- across the globe and in their own backyard. On most weekends you can find them out in the mountains hiking and exploring different parts of Colorado with their four kids Liam (6), Eli (4), Finley (2) and Zeke (4 months). Hiking and being outdoors allows for them to slow down, explore and spend time as a family without any distractions.

Ashley, a native Washingtonian, moved to Reno, Nevada about a year ago and quickly fell in love with the Sierra Nevada Mountains and all they have to offer!  She is an avid hiker and this summer she challenged herself to take her hobby to the next level and successfully hiked to the summit of Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous United States. She is grateful to be a part of a wonderful community of hikers and for the friendships, she has made on the trails. Now that winter is just around the corner she is excited to join the Yukon Sports Family and embrace a new hobby of snowshoeing!

Dustin and Vy are a married adventure/travel blogging team from Southern California. They began their journey together in 2012 and there hasn’t been a dull moment since! It may not snow a lot where they live, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t travel to be in it as much as possible. Besides spending time in the snow, they enjoy kayaking, photography, mountain biking and traveling as much as possible. They feel most alive when they are on the edge, whether that may be hiking Angel’s landing, bungee jumping or leaping out from a perfectly good airplane. They are always looking for the next big challenge! Adventure is not a hobby, it's their lifestyle. They live their lives to the fullest in the hopes of inspiring others to do the same!

Megan Posein can usually be found in the middle of nowhere with a camera in one hand and a fishing rod in the other. As a professional photographer with a passion for the outdoors, she is always planning her next big adventure and the next captivating photograph. Her mission is to help inspire people to go outside and make incredible adventures of their own. Megan's home is in Alberta, Canada and is close to some of the most stunning natural areas that are on so many tourist's bucket lists. This winter she plans to hike into areas that would be near impossible to access without snowshoes... and photograph everything along the way!

Running is my passion, so when we moved to Springfield, IL it was clear my outdoor running season would be cut short due to the brutal winters. Being an active person and having to stay inside? Not good. So a few years back I put running snowshoes on my Christmas list and it opened up a whole new winter world for me! Instant addiction! I am also a new ultra runner and had hoped to tackle another last year. However my goals were thwarted when I broke my foot during a half marathon. So I have been rehabbing as of late, running again finally, and easing back into my favorite activities. Itching for the snow to drop and snowshoe running to begin. I love my Yukon running snowshoes and really hope to take them on a racing adventure in the future. I am also a PT by trade so I love to help others with prehab and rehab so they can enjoy their favorite hobbies as well! Looking forward to all the possibilities the new year will bring!

Alexandra and her travel partner Winston are both photographers by trade, currently in Utah in a custom-built 9′ x 5′ teardrop camper trailer with Alex’s former foster pup, Rocko.

From a breakdown to a break-in, life on the road hasn’t been free of challenges. Alex’s story reminds us that it’s okay to change plans and roll with the punches.

Learn more about Alexandra in this great interview with She Explores: https://she-explores.com/women-on-the-road/alexandra-keeling/

John Steinbeck famously wrote, “I am in love with Montana,” and I am too.  I am in love with the landscape, the wilderness, and the solitude. My outdoor recreation is pretty simple - primitive and quiet.  I’m a hiker, a snowshoer, a canoer. I recently took up fly-fishing. It’s easy to get outside here, and that’s where you can find me year-round.  Several times a year I’m lucky enough to take trips to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. Next to getting outside, photographing the outdoors is my favorite hobby.  

I use my Yukon Charlies Women's 821 Advanced Series to get out on trails as soon as the snow is deep enough!

Kaitlyn endlessly seeks dirt trails, powder bowls, crimpy boulders, alpine sunrises, and the occasional nap. Armed with her snowshoes and a 4-legged fur ball Aussie named Ember, she recently moved to Boise, Idaho from Colorado. In addition to exploring the Sawtooths and Hyde Park coffee shops, Kaitlyn works during the week in orthopeadic research. When she’s not deciding what trip to make next, she’s climbing, watching ski films, or failing miserably at an “experimental” chili recipe. A member of her local Citizens’ Climate Lobby group, Kaitlyn advocates for a cleaner world and using less plastic (Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!). Her goal this winter is to encourage the community to get outside and soak up some vitamin D! While the darkness and coldness of these months carries a stigma, she finds the snow to be peaceful, calming, and recuperating. Her trusty pair of snowshoes grants her the opportunity to stay active and in shape during this season. She never imagined the mountains she would climb! And she’s here to let you know that you can, too. See you on the trail!