Needle and Thread: Piecing it All Together

My outdoor career began at NOLS back in 1994. Somewhere along the way I noticed that I paid great attention to keeping things in good working order. Repairing things when, or before they needed it.  

When traveling in the backcountry or working as an outdoor educator, guide, etc., you have what you need and, if it breaks, you fix it. You fix it the best you can with what you have. I did just that for many years in different environments, in different conditions, on different continents.    

I quickly learned that one of the most important skills a person can have is how to repair things. Something always needs repair: clothing, tents vehicles etc.  

As I moved into managing programs and equipment, I learned that the sewing machine and the ability to operate a sewing machine was an asset to any program. Twelve years I managed the NOLS whitewater program, located in Vernal, Utah, and during that time did a variety of fabricating and upcycling of what was needed for the program and what made sense not to throw away.   

During the winters I had some down time and was able to take advantage of opportunities.  

In 2006, I got the opportunity to join a group of volunteers heading to Nepal to help train a community of mountain workers. Two years earlier, the Khumbu Climbing Center (KCC) was founded and volunteers were needed each year to run climbing workshops. 

My time volunteering for the KCC program opened the door for my attempt to climb Mount Everest the first time in 2012. 

After 12 years in the whitewater program at NOLS and seven years volunteering at KCC, I spent the next three years managing equipment in Patagonia Chile, where repair skills were a must due to the harsh, southern Patagonia conditions. 

Almost 30 years later, I landed in southern Colorado to work as a repair specialist at Osprey packs. In 2019 I reconnected with the KCC program and Osprey supported my efforts in donating packs from the warranty department, destined for landfill, to the KCC and other places around the world that I may travel to. Through this program, we supported many students that travelled across Nepal to participate and learn at the KCC program, but may not have had a suitable pack. Otherwise-disused, Osprey packs filled the gap.

In 2025, I founded a non-profit called Full Circle Expeditions Inc.(Se abre en una ventana nueva) At the soul of our program is connection with people and nature, both right here in the Four Corners and around the world. Our youth mentorship program connects kids to nature, with a main goal to develop their repair-first mentality, and the skills to go along with it, at a young age. We also help young adults build outdoor leadership skills, work development and experience.  

We received a grant from the LOR Foundation(Se abre en una ventana nueva) to start a rural repair program that is centered around community: Giving community members access to education and resources to repair, first and foremost. We provide a place where people can learn to sew, gain access to sewing machines, and resources to repair textiles of various types. Our relationship with Osprey allows us to retrieve materials from packs that are sent to a recycler in our educational programs.  

Basically, we use waste to teach, instead of purchasing new resources. 

Our sewing program is also a place where we can help community members save money, bring new life to old things, build confidence with repairs, and connect with the community.  

I have lived in the area now for almost 10 years and I feel connected. 

We are proud to have Osprey at our side through building this program and the support for all our other endeavors as an organization. Full Circle comes around once again!