A Look Back

Vast, quiet, safe, hospitable, and nomadic. These are just a few words to describe my time in Mongolia this past summer. It has been a dream of mine to travel to Mongolia to discover the similarities and connections of my Diné culture and traditions to Mongolia traditions and culture, but I wanted to do so with more intention rather than traveling around as a typical tourist. So, I found this opportunity to teach English in the small community of Sagsai in western Mongolia. And for four weeks, I along with partner Kai were immersed into the daily lives of the Kazakh culture, language, food, and semi-nomadic lifestyle of our students and their families. For an additional two weeks, we immersed ourselves in the Altai mountains, rivers, and the longest bus ride we I have ever experienced. 

-Colleen Cooley, Ambassador(Se abre en una nueva ventana)

It has always been my passion to explore and ski aesthetic routes with challenging access in remote areas. And then to share this knowledge through guiding others in remarkable terrain is a gift. It is a magical formula for me to balance these times by building progression in safe and fun mountain travel with my 9 year old daughter and her friends. This past April, I made my 4th trip to guide in Svalbard with Ice Axe Expeditions. Svalbard was cold with clear skies — and so favorable for travel by boat to the far north for a pristine skiing experience. We skied long, light powder runs down to the water’s edge and then moved on to the next fjord. Flipping to the fall season, September is my favorite time to hike with the kids. We visited a beautiful alpine lake in the Tetons and polar plunged after our picnic. We then later scaled an 11,000ft peak in the Gros Ventre range of WY. These are the days ...shared time and experience in the wilderness, on our public lands, leaving no trace, and making more memories while we grow together. 

-Kim (Se abre en una nueva ventana)Havell, Athlete (Se abre en una nueva ventana)

 My highlight was the opportunity to act as the program director for a women's photography mentorship program aimed at breaking down barriers that prevent women from working in the action sports space. It happened this past week/weekend in conjunction with Roam Fest in Fruita. I was a mentor for the program last year, so I was aware of how impactful it could be to be surrounded by other femme creatives working to elevate each other, but this year the caliber of mentors and mentees really just took it to the next level.   

-Anne Keller, Ambassador (Se abre en una nueva ventana)

This year, I ran the Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp(Se abre en una nueva ventana) for the third time—a project that remains deeply close to my heart. Co-founded with a local community member, Bakhitgul Altay, in Mongolia’s Sagsai region, the camp brings together nomadic families and international volunteers to exchange language, culture, and stories. Each year, I witness the incredible growth of both students and teachers as they connect across worlds with genuine curiosity and respect. In an adventure travel industry often focused on destinations, Khusvegi reminds me that the true journey lies in human connection—building bridges that honor tradition while empowering the next generation. 

-Marinel de Jesus, Ambassador (Se abre en una nueva ventana)

A major highlight of my year was an Osprey sponsored event, and it happened in a canyon in the Four Corners an hour's drive from headquarters. I got together with 81-year-old blues master Charlie Musselwhite from Clarksdale, Mississippi, and a guitar troubadour from near Bozeman named Russ Chapman. We put on an outdoor event in the desert with a stage and a sound and lights crew, weaving spoken storytelling with straight blues. An audience of 250 were in attendance. It was a powerful show, started at sunset and ended in full stars. Charlie's wife, Henri, I should add, saw my Osprey pack and gave me a nod. I'm not shitting you, this is not cheap propaganda. She said they use Osprey, and they spend more than half their time on the road all over the world, their need for good travel luggage crucial. She had no idea you were in Cortez. Before that, she and Charlie didn't know where Cortez was. Between Mississippi delta country and the wild, dry Four Corners, we had a sweet convergence. 

-Craig Childs, Ambassador(Se abre en una nueva ventana)