The winners of Mountain Hardwear's 2007 Diva & Conquer Contest:Lauren Ledford, Bryson City, North Carolina -- Grand Prize
Nadine Budbill, Nevada City, California -- First Prize
Lisa Brougham, Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada -- First Prize
Mountain Hardwear is a proud sponsor of the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation. Learn more about Hera
Our contest closed on November 5th, 2007. Thank you for all of your wonderful submissions -- you've made Diva & Conquer a wonderful success. We have enjoyed catching a glimpse of your lives.
Don't forget to check back -- and find out who will be Mountain Hardwear's Outdoor Diva!
Outdoor Diva Nadine Budbill
I'd like to introduce you to my daughter, diva-extrodinaire, Nadine Budbill. Founder and director of Dirt Divas, a mountain bike camp for girls in Northern Vermont, Nadine is 5'1" of dedicated dynamite! She has transformed the training, discipline, and athletic grace which she learned as a young girl in ballet classes into an adult life of physical challenge on the mountain bike trail, love and appreciation for the outdoors, and commitment to bringing that love of meeting physical challenges to girls and young women. Nadine has also been a Luna Chix Ambassador, inspiring women to "get outside and play" while raising awareness about the environmental causes of breast cancer. She always makes sure she gets outside for her own daily dose of exercise but it is sharing the empowerment of outdoor adventure that really lights her fire.
Nadine is also assistant director of the NorCal High School Mountain Bike League, where she organizes and directs trainings, camps, and races - all designed to get young people active and outdoors. Simultaneously she is working on her Masters in Education with a focus on outdoor adventure education for girls with special attention to issues of race and class.
It's not unusual to hear from Nadine that she has just been on an epic mountain bike ride in the Sierra Nevada or a 6 day backpacking trip in the wilderness. Her enthusiasm for the challenges, the trail, and the great gear that makes it possible, is always there, bubbling up in conversation. An advocate for leaving the environment better than you find it, Nadine is also an accomplished and powerful poet. Add insight, humor and a gift for friendship to mountain biker, outdoor adventurer, student, writer, and dedicated educator and you get one inspiring dynamo!
Nominated By Lois Eby
Outdoor Diva Tina Sorenson
... is a co-worker, friend, inspiration, and partner in sublime. A year ago she started work at my store: A coast to coast outdoor gear co-op. Location: Berkeley, California. We were opposed from the start. Me: A journeyman, greasy, gear-head, east-coast bike mechanic. Her: An all-enveloping, life-affirming, customer service rep. (by day), Santa Rosa-store transplant. We spoke little. It took time, Tahoe, and two or three passions-in-common to awaken a connection.
As mutually-southbound, weather-irrelevant bike commuters, we began pedaling home together. On these dark, windswept rides I began to appreciate Tina's limitless love of the outdoors, and its never-ending potential for discovery. But, being a mountain biker, I wasn't too interested when Tina organized a store road-ride to circle Lake Tahoe. It was her contagious sense of adventure, that got me out there. In the end, she, I, and several coworkers completed the longest ride most of us had ever done. The longest, until she rallied a group for the Napa century, a few weeks later.
Maybe more than anything, snowboarding with Tina has shown me the truest sense of her spirit and soul in nature. Riding faster than most, she uses the mountain for more than a trip from A to B. We share the sense of infinite possibility on snow, a knowledge that no two runs will ever be the same. At the lift, her face beams a joy that couldn't exist indoors.
During a solo hike of the entire John Muir Trail this summer, Tina's exquisite photography revealed an appreciation for beauty in even nature's smallest details. As a student, she balances work and play. Also finding time to support my hockey and softball teams. Tina Sorenson lives it to love it.
Nominated by Jeffrey Connelly.
Outdoor Diva Elizabeth Ruff
Railroads can be demanding, but Elizabeth is able to mix the childhood wonder of 'All Aboard!' with outdoor fun. The gal works endlessly in the summer, sometimes over 80 hours a week on the railroad alone running the steam engine or as a Conductor on passenger trains. When you include her massage business and the yoga classes she teaches, there is rarely time for sleep! She thrives off of the long Alaskan days and spends her long evenings hiking, running, climbing and berry picking.
But the means does have an end: the winters find her in Mexico, South America or the Southern USA where rock-climbing is abound. In her car she travels, living in her tent and existing in a true nomadic fashion. She often expresses sorrow that the only pair of pants she needs are starting to wear out...of course they are a discontinued Mountain Hardware design. A new one will have to be sought out!
From time to time she is able to live the life of the rich and famous by teaching yoga retreats in warm and exotic places. But her heart remains in Alaska and nothing beats the March and April spring snows for backcountry skiing.
Elizabeth is compassionate, creative, generous, and a bombshell of energy. Her motto: "My life magically expresses playful adventure!"
Outdoor Diva Patti Henderson
I love the outdoors. It grounds me. It offers me the opportunity to get back to reality. Be in the moment. Yes, all very cliche descriptions but isn't that why they are cliche? Because they do just that for so many people.
I am a weekend warrior. I work a 70 hour work week but make time to get out and mountain bike, snow shoe, hike, learn to snowboard, ski, cross country ski, kayak, trail run...
No greater is the Diva in me than when I finish my outside activity--endorphines rushing, feeling fitter, knowing that I have improved my health, will live longer for my family, have a smile to share with those around me and have that special 'jewel' in my consciousness - that the world has shared the beauty it offers... with me.
I love the outdoors because it makes me appreciate the rocks, trees, rain, snow, water, roots, dirt... it also shows me that I am not alone -- I am part of a bigger picture...even when I am standing alone on a mountain top, I am not alone.
It gives me the Vision to See, Faith to Believe and Courage to Door.... the great outdoors!
Outdoor Diva Rebecca Gardner
My first thought when reading Outside Magazine and seeing the Mountain Hardwear Diva contest was: "This contest was created for Rebecca." In 2007 alone, Rebecca was a professor of outdoor education for a distinguished university in Boston and a part time nanny, inspiring two children living in Gloucester Bay to "get out" more by riding their bikes & going for walks in pouring rain. Rebecca still found time to work for an outdoor retailer while in MA -- talk about sweet part time job and discount on the gear (Mountain Hardwear) she loves most! Rebecca would get up in the morning and run the trail behind her house three miles to her favorite coffee shop in town. Rebecca, in the harsh, windy, unforgiving North Atlantic winters would run the perimeter of the bay training for what else but the Boston Marathon!? She raised thousands for a cure to Multiple Sclerosis -- a disease to which she lost her grandmother just two years previous. The marathon was one of the coldest, wettest on record -- winds gusting upwards of 40mph -- into her face. Ever resilient, Rebecca finished with a personal record, and has a goal of running either half or full marathons in every state.
The Diva decided to return as a Sherpa to the Adirondack High Peaks in upstate New York. This past summer, Rebecca lead several educational backpacking adventures; all at least seven days in length, full-packing the likes of Whiteface Mountain -- and guess which pack she relied on? During one of her precious days off, Rebecca and some female friends swam the first leg of the Lake Placid Triathlon course while THE BOYS CANOED alongside! Talk about Diva!
At the end of the day, Rebecca is not just a Mountain Hardwear Diva - Rebecca is a Mountain Hardwear Diva's Diva.
Nominated by Steven Darling.
Outdoor Diva Maureen Laskey
She is always on the go. Setting goals and going for it. She also happens to be my wife of 22 years and mother of two beautiful girls. Each day, responsibilities are "juggled" around her outdoor workout or adventure. It must be outdoors, year around. As a result of her positive influence, her girls have become NOLS grads and ballet dancers. She is a competitive road cyclist and avid rider, averaging three to four thousand miles a year. In competition, often humbling women half her age.
In winter, she cross country ski races and loves to backcountry ski. In college she was an All American who won the women's relay in the NJCAA Nordic National Ski Racing Championships. She hasn't looked back, using her ski racing skills; she floats up and down the backcountry trails. Her true love is still the mountains which she still finds time to climb, deep in the Adirondack Mountains. With her undying passion to be outside she has climbed the Adirondack 46 high peaks in summer and then climbed them all over again in winter, becoming one of the few women to accomplish such a feat. Her passion to go higher has led her to a successful summit of Mt. Rainer. A few years later, she summited Mt. Aconcagua, in Argentina at 22,842 feet. Maureen has accomplished all of this while being a mom, wife and an example. She continues to pursue her outdoor passions while balancing family, job, home and caring for a woman with Lou Gehrig's disease, continuing to give of her self.
Mountain Hardwear would be served well to have such a woman as their Diva. Maureen exemplifies what a love for outdoor adventure and an uncompromising demand for excellence can accomplish. She's already my Outdoor Diva, she could be yours.
Nominated By Timothy Laskey
Outdoor Diva Cedar Bourgeois
Cedar is a single mom of two children 5 and 8. She somehow finds time to make home cooked meals for her kids Zen and Coral, get them to school on time, and be the fastest female mountain runner in Alaska! She has won the last 4 mount marathon races, the hardest mountain running competition in the state. The race involves sprinting from downtown Seward Alaska to the base of the mountain and running to the peak at over 3200' and sprinting back down the steep slopes of at times 60 degrees. Check Seward chamber of commerce and click on mount marathon to see pictures of this beautiful strong woman. How she finds time to train is beyond me, as she also makes handmade cloth shoulder bags for sale to help support her family. She also managed to win the lost lake 16 mile trail run this year, won the bird ridge mountain race for the third time in a row and won the power line pass trail run. She truly is a Mountain Hardwear diva as she wears the finest high tech gear on the market on a daily basis to keep herself alive in all of Alaska's most demanding mountain running competitions. To prepare for these races she has to run almost every day up the mountains surrounding Seward Alaska, she has to avoid foraging bears (which she sees all the time), cross raging rivers and streams, avoid rock fall and avalanches (which are numerous) and somehow not slip off the cliffs she runs across. All to return home and make dinner for Zen and Coral! She has inspired an army of women and men to get in shape and follow their dreams no matter how far away they seem. It is truly awesome what this woman has achieved!! Plus she is wicked sexy and would look way hot in your ads, blond hair blue eyes and totally in shape! All her friends call her Martha Stewart due to her amazing cooking and sewing ability, she is quite a homemaker!
Nominated By Jeff Erickson
Outdoor Diva Kelly Cronin
I am nominating my friend Kelly Cronin. She is a senior at the University of South Carolina, the greatest adventurer I know, and an even better person. She a recruiter, secretary, and event coordinator for the schools mountaineering club. She does what few here are willing to do in that she skips events like football games and instead leads camping and kayaking trips, even if it means going by herself. Kelly's mother lives in Panama, to which she gladly embraces all the country has to offer. She has worked at Chiriqui River Rafting in Panama to which she redesigned their webpage, led trips and also translated between guides and tourists (she is fluent in Spanish also). Even in high school he took part in the club Outward Bound to which she spent two weeks hiking, rafting and exploring Utah and Colorado. She has also backpacked through most of Europe and Southeast Asia. Aside from doing all this and maintaining a great GPA, she finds time to volunteer time in Columbia to which she teaches English to local students. She is also currently applying to the Peace Corps. For all these reasons and many more I beleive Kelly deserves to be Mountain Hardwear Diva. Not many college students are willing to put others first, embrace their love and appreciation for nature, and plan a future that consists of helping others in less fortunate situations.
Nominated By Neal Kolnik
Outdoor Diva Christina Catlett
To me, a Mountain Hardwear Diva embodies the balance between a busy career and passion for the outdoors. My wife Christina works full-time as an Emergency Physician at Johns Hopkins and is the Associate Director of the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response. Nicknamed the "Disaster Diva," her love of the outdoors has become her salvation from the rigors of her career.
In the last four years, Christina has climbed nine mountains between 15,500 and 20,500 feet, including Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. Last year, she took a two and a half month leave of absence from her career to be a doctor at Base Camp at Mt. Everest (where she slept in a Mountain Hardwear Wraith!). This year, she took a month off to be the physician on a ship traveling from Siberia to the Arctic Circle and Alaska.
I am most proud of the fact that she uses her love of the outdoors to help others, leading medical relief missions to disaster and humanitarian zones such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She and her team slept in tents, and Christina prepared them to be self-sufficient by providing them with water purification systems, camp stoves, and dehydrated meals so they would not burden the region's limited resources.
Christina is a gear hound and seems to enjoy shopping at outdoor stores more than in women's clothing stores. In her closet, you will find climbing, backpacking and mountaineering gear squeezing out business suits and scrubs. Unfortunately, she's a closet slob, so some of it is on the floor!
Nominated By Gregg Viola
Outdoor Diva Jane McKinnis
Hats, gloves, goggles, skis, boots, poles, pass, lunch, money; families have their mantras. This is ours. It is not the list that really matters. It is the ritual of preparedness. "I am fifty four years old, grandma moved to Idaho in 1960, I have been pushin' it hard in the mountains for forty years. I was around to see the advent of Gortex and Velcro." Her memories before technological upgrades remind me that with or without gear, recreation is just a way of life. It is simple. For my mother time is not a balance of play and work. Play is the only way to get through work, and work is just a means to support the play. Her life is not glamorous. These are her concerns: a hot meal for her kids before school, enough money for a seasons pass, sturdy leather gloves to grip the axe handle, firewood for winter, duct tape to patch the down jacket she has owned since high school.
Recreation is not a trend, not a newfound resolution to fitness, for her playing outside is a reverent act that sustains life. People who experience the power of reverence just don't stop one day because the wind and snow are blinding, they put on a few more layers, head out, and play.
To some the possession of the perfect tool may be an obsession to own new things. For my mother the things she owns are testament to the landscape of her spirituality. Every layer of clothes a ticket to another hour of serenity. "I got my pass and I got my firewood. I know when I am going to work and I know when I am going to ski. That is all I know."
Nominated By Elizabeth Majors
Outdoor Diva Allison Renaud
I'm nominating myself, because I don't want to miss out on the chance to compete, love to compete, for a chance to win some wonderful gear from your company. I use your gear for work as well as my outdoor athletic endeavors. I'm an IL State Trooper and I train for our Crowd Control Team in your fleece wind stopper zip jacket and knit hat. I'm an all weather cyclist and take advantage of the near by state park and my second home up in beautiful Door County WI to hit the trails and/or the road. Your jacket is a must have for when I'm out snow shoeing and cross country skiing either up north or out west in Lake Tahoe. I'm at the stage in my life that I can afford technical gear for my many outdoor interests. I love the quality of your product and this contest is a very cool idea. Kudos and good luck to everyone who took time to enter. I'm excited about my chances. Have to go now, my multi-colored leaves are calling me to rake them up. Happy Fall!!
Outdoor Diva Lisa Brougham
My wife Lisa is a 24/7 Super Diva. We live on a small island 20 min from Vancouver, BC with our 2 daughters and Jack Russell dog. She is known as "Super Woman" to all who know her!
Lisa does anything and everything there is to do outside! When she is not working or sleeping: Lisa can be found kayaking, trail running, swimming, surfing, mountain biking, mountain climbing and camping in the summer and snowshoe running, winter camping and x-country skiing in the winter with friends and her family. She always looks great and has an infectious laugh and sense of humor while she is out to "GIVER!"
Lisa also gives back to her community by volunteering with Lions Bay Search and Rescue and has spent several all-nighters in the mountains with her Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero jacket to keep her warm. (She tells me she loves the jacket and just bought another one... in purple)
Not only does she find time to be a mom, volunteer, and play outside and win trail running, snowshoe running and kayak races, she also has a full time job as a Director and Coach of two gymnastics clubs (Vancouver and Bowen Island) and was recognized as "Recreational Leader of the Year" in British Columbia.
Whether Lisa is doing the "Howe Sound Challenge" of kayaking and summitting three mountains in one day, trail racing, kayaking to work, or climbing up a mountain with our daughters, her sense of humour, boundless energy, love of the outdoors and unfortunately for our bank account: her love of clothes (several of them being Mountain Hardwear jackets and shirts!) make her the perfect candidate for the ultimate Diva and Conquer prize... as I have no doubt that she will be able to spend the $1000 shopping spree money and then be the first to run up the mountain in record time!
Nominated By John Brougham
Outdoor Diva Ali Ralston
My daughter the Diva of Life.
Her picture says it all. Ali is one-of-a-kind. In love with life.
Nominated By Dan Ralston
Outdoor Diva Adrian Gray
My amazing wife Adrian. She is one of the strongest willed people I have ever met. After having our first son Micah in 5/05, she competed in a 12 hour adventure race in July 05. The team name was Team "Got Milk" because at one of the check points during the race she had to get in a jeep and use a breast pump. You would think that this might hurt our overall time for the race... well, we won that race. Unbelievable to most people. It gets better. After having our second son, Logan, in 6/07, she competed in an offroad triathlon on 9/8/07. She would have placed in the top ten if she had not waited for a friend after the Paddle leg. Her friend is 10 years younger, in good shape and did not just have a baby. Adrian ended up a respectable 12th place. Oh yeah. She had to use the breast pump just prior to and after that race. Adrian is an amazing wife and mother. She works full time as an ER nurse and still finds time to be a great mom. I certainly don't have much time to help out. I work 56 hours a week and I am training for an Ironman. She still somehow finds the time to stay in shape and be competitive at her races.
Nominated By Sean Gray
Outdoor Diva Jerri Kirk
I must nominate Jerri Kirk. Come December, she will have been my Lovely Bride for 28 years. She does not slow down.
Her boss knows not to ask her to work late because that cuts into her "play" time. Our kids and friends know not to try to track her down - Leave her a message, and she might take a break soon.
We enjoy many outdoor activities together. A couple of my friends are a bit jealous that we enjoy some much together, and their wives just want to go shop. Can I make a list of the things she enjoys? Running, trail running, hiking, kayaking, skating, mountain biking, road biking, camping, ATVing, snorkeling, boating - she loves it all. Whatever the available time and weather will permit. She won a road race for her age group last year. She is also an inspiration. A couple of years ago I dropped 40 pounds. Since then when someone asked me how I did it - I would just point at her and say "Chasing her". A perfect example recently: She is preparing for a half-marathon. I go along to walk and carry our water. As she passes me, she grabs a drink. This is on a Saturday morning. Most people would think that 12 miles of trail running would be enough for any one day. Not her, as I am getting comfortable to watch a football game... she is loading her mountain bike to go back out for 12 more miles. She did not want to waste the sunshine. Can you believe this Doll is going to be a Grandmother in May? She is already shopping for a running stroller.
On top of all this... She is My Best Friend.
Nominated By Jon Kirk
Outdoor Diva Ximena Ansel
Being a Diva is balancing the mental and physical parts of life. That is what Ximena Ansel does. As an experienced cyclist, backpacker, and day trekker, Ximena has taken on many adventures. She balances her outdoor activities with her career at a university and life at home. At home she enjoys cooking, reading, photography, and playing in the garden. Ximena's 2007 journeys include three 200 mile single day bicycle events, a bicycle trip and cultural experience in Provence France, and two different self contained bicycle tours of central California. Ximena Truly lives a balanced life. Whether she is backpacking in the Grand Teton's, bicycling on the roads of southern California, or reading a current novel, Ximena is Conquering the Diva lifestyle.
Nominated By Kevin Ansel
Outdoor Diva Elaine Forsman
We roped up as if to cross a glacier. Australia hasn't seen glaciers in tens of thousands of years, but we roped up anyway. Earlier, while sitting back from the cliff edge in a shallow cave, we watched lightning dance across the sky and strike the valley floor not 200 metres from us. Counting the seconds between the strikes and accompanying thunder we monitored progression and passing of this flash storm that was close enough, and the fear of attracting lightning strike real enough, that we removed all climbing iron-mongery and placed it a good distance away.
I struggled to remember the final tie-off for the Kiwi-coil; a method of rope management for glacier crossing. Elaine knew: An extra bight of rope, an extra hitch, clip it, let's go!
The electrical part of the storm has passed, now the rains come. We are still on the half-way ledge of a 400 metre cliff in the Blue Mountains, 200 kilometres west of Sydney, Australia. This particular ledge is accessible from the top via a very steep and loose scramble, dodging stunted trees and negotiating dirt and mud, which is fine on the descent if you are careful. The slightest slip reversing it could have us airborne, hence the roping up. It didn't need to be said: "If I fall you jump around the other side of a tree."
The next day we romped down a luscious slot canyon for which the Blue Mountains are famous amongst outdoors people the world over. A couple of days later Elaine took me sailing. Skiing and snowboarding is done with style; mountaineering is a cinch; canoeing, C1-ing, surfing, too many to list. Name an outdoor adventure sport and Elaine takes to it with zeal and finesse. She is and always will be a diva.
Nominated by Iain Finlay
Outdoor Diva Mary Bo
Mary Bo is my role model, best friend, and fellow outdoors Diva. The six words below describe her perfectly.
M: Mother -- She is the mother of four active teenage girls, each involved in multiple sports. To illustrate her love, she supports us at our events, no matter the weather. Through the Michigan heat, cold, sleet, and snow, my mom enthusiastically encourages us to perform at our best.
A: Appreciative -- Nature amazes my mom. Because of her, I appreciate the great outdoors for its beauty and splendor. Every time she returns from an adventure, she vividly describes what she experienced. I know no one else who appreciates nature more than she does.
R: Rider -- Bike riding is my mom's passion, and she pedals thousands of miles each year. Although biking is her favorite pastime, she enjoys swimming, skiing, and hiking. She has trekked to the peak of Mt. Tallac, to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and along the picturesque trails lining Michigan's coastline.
Y: Youthful -- Laughing and fun fill my mother's days. She energetically creates family games, plans outdoor adventures, and organizes social events.
B: Busy -- My mom owns a part-time cleaning and cooking business. She is involved in our church, and she keeps up with the busy schedules my sisters and I maintain. However, she still exercises two times a day.
O: Outfitter -- Mountain Hardware Gear is my mother's favorite brand of clothing because she has a sporty, outdoorsy style. Her reason for wearing great gear is simple; they are quality clothes that provide ample protection and comfort for outdoor exercise.
Next year I am attending my dream college in Tennessee. As a farewell gift to my mom, I am nominating her as the Mountain Hardware Diva. She would be blessed to receive such a title!
Nominated by Lindsay Bo
Outdoor Diva Mary Pat Jones
Mary Pat Jones, 21, of Atlanta, GA takes her beloved Mountain Hardwear gloves, hats, and shirts to places that most will never go. She once said, "Mountain Hardwear makes the best shirts for training. I wish I could afford more of them." An avid vertical caver, cyclist, and triathlete, Mary Pat has accomplished more in the past six years of her life than most accomplish in a lifetime. Mary Pat holds two age group world speed records in women's 30-meter sit-stand, a discipline of vertical caving. Her caving career, which began in early childhood, has also led her to many interesting places. Using a frog system, she rappelled and climbed Sotano de las Golondrinas, an 1,100 ft pit in Mexico (best known as a popular BASE jumping venue) at the tender age of 17, rappelled and climbed a 1,500 ft. section of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado last year at the age of 20, and is a four-time Bridge Day participant, where she has rappelled and climbed the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia (876 ft). Just this past weekend, she was given the honor of climbing with the West Virginia flag in the opening ceremonies at Bridge Day. Next on her list are a third world speed record and El Capitan.
Mary Pat also has some impressive triathlon and cycling results under her belt. At a recent sprint triathlon in Georgia, she was the fastest female on the bike, placed 1st in her age group, and was 5th overall female. In the eight triathlons she has raced, she has never placed lower than 4th in her age group. Recently, she placed 2nd in the women's category 4 at the Georgia Cup-State Time Trial (her first time trial). Mary Pat is a dean's list student at Sweet Briar College.
Nominated by Anne Jones
Outdoor Diva Leah Harmon
My diva's outdoor history is rooted in her childhood: skiing, riding horses, and white-water rafting from her backdoor in Colorado. Seeking new adventures, Leah joined the Coast Guard and set sail across the North Atlantic on the 3-masted ship USCGC Eagle when she was just 18. Now she also excels at activities such as surfing, kayaking, free-diving, sailing, and triathlon. Despite her land-locked upbringing, her intrigue of the world’s oceans led to a degree in Marine Biology and a commission in the NOAA Corps. In service to the country and global marine-conservation issues, she's spent years at-sea as a commercial fishing vessel Observer and as Navigation Officer of a research vessel. How many Outdoor Divas do you know that can drive a 200 ft ship or derive nautical routes across the ocean? With over 600 SCUBA dives to her credit, she's also clocked considerable time beneath the water. In her current assignment, she conducts Reef-Fish Census and Habitat Assessment dives throughout the Florida Keys and Caribbean, contributing to our understanding of these fragile marine environments. Additionally, she serves her community as a Dive Medical Technician and instructor of CPR and First Aid. She is an accomplished world-traveler, having visited 48 states, 10 countries, and some of the most remote islands. Central to her travels, she strives to share her compassion for marine ecosystems so that others may be inspired to explore and protect them.
Her favorite gear is her trusty Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag, which kept her toasty during 3 months trekking around New Zealand. She owns no furniture, only a sailboat that doubles as home, 4 bikes, and lots of outdoor toys/gear. Embodying a passion for all facets of Mother Nature, this Mountain-Diva-Jack-Cousteau lives to scan distant horizons where mountains meet the sea.
Nominated by Gus Coll
Outdoor Diva Henrietta Parsons
Henrietta has boundless energy and a contagious high spirit! Her frequent trips to the gym make her physically fit, she bikes, hikes, kayaks, snowshoes and x-c skis.
Henrietta raised two children to love and respect the outdoors. For 11 years she acted as Alpine Club adviser for the high school Alpine Club. She was a guide for The Mountain Workshop, taking young people to wild destinations for 12 years. She has guided a women's group on several trips to the remote canyons of the Southwest. Backpacking the John Muir Trail, Mount Rainier, the A.T. and trails in Switzerland is what excites her.
Henrietta's proudest moment is when she viewed Mt. Everest from the surrounding peaks on a month long trip to the Everest valleys. Now she has added sea kayaking to her loves.
For 23 years she has worked for our local school system always getting the kids out for recess and educating kids and staff on how to dress to be warm and comfortable, she travels with extra fleece, polypro and hats just in case someone needs something.
In all of the above she has always stressed the need for proper clothing. Her motto was "change your clothes, not your plans," don't bring a lot of clothes, just the right layers. Henrietta believes in buying the very best because if you don't, you buy twice. She has truly educated people on how to dress. Your logo of the little bolt is part of her trademark!
She will do everything to keep her weekends and anytime off free so she can be outside. She is really adamant about this. I'm sure Mountain Hardware would be very proud to have her as their Diva.
Nominated by Robert Parsons
Outdoor Diva Dr. Leah M. Vucetich, wildlife ecologist
Summer Solstice 2007, we were interrupted in the middle of a cold beer and Prairie Home Companion in the Yurt to fetch a female wolf that had washed up on an outer island of Isle Royale National Park. Three days of flies and maggots later, Leah butchered the wolf so we could keep writing. That morning she baked us a carrot-cake. "Oh my god," I said (mouth agape and pupils dilated), "You are a dream woman aren't you -- carrot-cake in the morning, butcher a wolf in the afternoon?" She just smirked and said that it was hard cutting off the wolf's face. The gulls had removed one eye before we got there, Leah said she wished they had gotten both. Certainly the four days of maggots got to her. She told a story of sitting next to a freshly dead moose in the woods on a still day and hearing a whisper-like noise, suddenly realizing it was the noise of thousands of maggots moving through the grass near the carcass.
On the trail with full pack, this 50-year-old woman can grind 18-year-old interns into dust. She lives and works for 5 months of the year in a designated wilderness area, spends weeks at a time on and off trail living out of her pack, picking up the bones of a wolf-killed moose, radio-collaring wolves, measuring balsam fir, watching and diagramming moose at mud-licks buzzing with mosquitoes and black flies. Yet, at the same time you might hear her refer to moose and mosquitoes as "someone," or she might spend days trying to live trap and release "grey babies" (tiny mice just out of the nest that happened to be in our shed after we evicted their mother). She might also bake you a carrot cake -- or cut your face off.
Nominated by Dr. John Vucetich and Dr. Michael Nelson.
Outdoor Diva Allison Wright
Allison Wright, 48, Athens, Georgia. Wife, Mother of twin 10 yr. old boys, School Board Member, Business owner, backpacker, canoe and kayak and swimmer, and organizing diva. While she makes time for herself, it generally comes only after activities are arranged for those around her. The favorite is a quick run, swim or romp in the woods with the twin one year old Labrador family pets, Ollie and Tella. For this story though, we are backpacking in Colorado, late June, 2007 at the base of Mount Evans (14,264) high country, first of a three day two night hike. This was a tough hike by anyone's standards, beginning at 11,670 ft. with little to no trail and the willows are 5-6 feet tall in spots. Snow fields were in our path and we were making slow progress all the while a thunder storm was looming in the distance certain to overtake our progress. It was clear that Allison was concerned for the twins primarily but she was toughing it through with little to say. As we crossed a snow field, still a few miles away from our final destination, she 'post holed' crotch deep and exhaled a sigh of exasperation and frustration. As I turned to retreat and help she simply said, "I got it, just keep moving." Oh the look was priceless!
Nominated by Gene Wright, Admiring Husband
Outdoor Diva Anne Ralston
Anne is nominated because she is the epitome of the title. She is a fulltime A student at JMU; a junior on the way to a PhD in physical therapy. Works two-jobs (plus) to support her self, volunteers to teach little girls how to play lacrosse every summer, runs cross-country on a school club team and never fails to get in an 8+ mile run every day -- rain or shine. She almost always wins her age group in half-marathons. And that's even before hitting the mountains. Anne has scrambled, climbed, kayaked, run and camped in some of the most beautiful mountains with me on earth.
Anne is one of the most passionate outdoor people I know and she doesn't even realize that she inspires and spreads her passion of sports and the outdoors upon others everyday.
When she finally meets that perfect 'Southern Boy' and starts a family every one of her kids will have shoes full of mud and leaves just like she did. She is my daughter and my 'Mountain Hardwear Diva.'
Nominated by Dan Ralston
Outdoor Diva Stacie Blair
This diva has a love for the wilderness and the Earth that first began with a fossil found in a gravel pit in Central Nebraska. She followed this love by camping with her brother and then earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Geology. This diva has hiked over 50 miles with 70 pounds on her back over rugged trails in Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness. Fallen trees nearly as thick as she is tall coupled with feet of fallen snow proved no barrier to her. She kept on trekking through it all. Horse flies that make you bleed and poison ivy have yet to ruin a trip. The long drive from Florida to the Rockies has yet to stop her. During her undergraduate days at Nebraska she explored alpine caves in Wyoming's Big Horn Wilderness and once attempted to summit Cloud Peak. She spent six weeks hiking and mapping rock formations at the base of the Big Horns. Spring break trips to New Mexico's Gila Wilderness proved no match for her; even with snow littering the ground and the trail crossing the river two dozen times. Her most recent outdoor crusade went straight through the thick swamp known as the Bradwell Bay Wilderness in Apalachicola Nation Forest in northern Florida. With all the experiences she has had she still continues to amaze me with her drive and enthusiasm for the outdoors. Weekend trips with the dog are not out of the question. And if all that wasn't enough this diva is currently exploring the vast frozen continent of Antarctica at McMurdo Station while earning her PhD in Geology from Florida State University. Lastly none of this would be possible if it weren't for the loads of gear currently stored in the closet ready and waiting for her next adventure.
Nominated by Eric Schroeder
Outdoor Diva Hannah Stewart
Her beauty, strength, intelligence and adventurous spirit is why I see my dear friend and fellow mermaid Dr. Hannah Stewart as an outdoor diva.
Always bright eyed and up for anything, Hannah works as a Marine Biologist in beautiful Friday Harbor, WA. She spends most of her days underwater researching marine ecology in beautiful places as varied as the Bahamas, French Polynesia, coastal California and now the seas near British Columbia. Her research was recently covered by National Geographic Kids
Although she claims she "doesn't like gravity," she is also a skilled surfer, a varsity athlete soccer player and avid bike commuter, and still manages to pick up new sports with such ease and funfilled grace. She has most recently mastered telemarking Colorado's peaks and last but not least, kicks butt as captain playing center in a Women's Hockey League, true to her Canadian roots.
She is singlehandedly introducing the Mountain Hardwear brand to the islands of Washington State, by looking ever so fabulous in her Mountain Hardwear gear whether in town or at sea and on the slopes. She is constantly praising the performance of Mountain Hardwear's windstopper soft shell jackets when out to sea, and uses the waterproof gloves for handling dive gear on the boat.
Her Downtown coat is her favorite outdoor piece because it keeps her warm from her head down to her knees. She even boasts of bringing only the jacket on overnights and using it as a sleeping bag. She considers herself a Mountain Hardwear field tester/model. No doubt her lifestyle pushes the gear's performance, while making it look its best.
It's always hard to keep up with her, especially under water. Hannah is the most inspiring mermaid I ever met. In fact the only mermaid I've had the pleasure to know.
Viva Diva!
Nominated by Jessica Riquetti
Outdoor Diva Allyson Franco
Allyson is a 24/7 Diva! She has even found a way to incorporate work into an outdoor Diva's lifestyle. When she is not taking care of our five year old son she works as outdoor fitness instructor as well as indoor cycle instructor. When she is not helping others meet their fitness goals she spends her free time hiking, ridding, paddling, and running in preparation for a full adventure race schedule. This demanding sport requires excellent gear capable of withstanding the most unforgiving conditions for up to 30 hours of constant racing.
Nominated by John Franco
Outdoor Diva Melissa Potter
Not only does she climb 5.9s like a champ, she can hike for miles without one complaint. She's got grit and determination out on the trail. She can hang with any man. I learned how tough she was when one day we did a 21 mile day hike of the Otter Creek Wilderness in West Virginia. We hiked fast. We went at a 4 mile per hour clip the whole time and she didn't complain one bit. She's tough. She recently went to a Sterling ropes weekend called Goddess on the Rock. If she became a Diva it would only be fitting. Choose her. She's the chick you're lookin' for.
Nominated by DJ Shalvey
Outdoor Diva Brittany Lewis
Beeta bug has cold hands and a very warm heart all year round. For a graduate student to be as active as her, would be school/work suicide, not so for the Britster. This Mountain Mama can be found rippin the Wasatch mountains on her AT's pre and post season. Has a V02 max that will kill most dudes and has the guts of a minx. Mountain biking, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Adventure racing, Piste and Off-Piste Skiing, Dancing all night to 80's disco, or just chillin... all with our two huge Alaskan Malamutes. She gracefully exhibits her latest bruises and cuts the size of apple fritters. Truly the sauciest, sweetest, heart-felt person I've ever met. All day long, step by patient step, she helps kids with brain injuries, diseases, and other disorders learn to speak again or for the first time. Top of her class and juggles two demanding jobs on top of school. Oh, and puts up with me along with her highly strung out family that calls her "number one" because she keeps us all sane and happy. Her Mountain Hardwear gear has happily weathered it all.
She is Divalicious!
Nominated by JP Lewis.
Outdoor Diva Laurie Zuehlsdorff
Mention an adventure in the mountains to Laurie. You will see her eyes start to sparkle. You will see her cheeks get flushed. You will see a toothy grin crack across on her face. She already has a bag packed, and before you know it you will be heating up dinner on her cook-stove.
Laurie is a quintessential mountain diva. It doesn't matter what sport it is. It doesn't matter what season it is. If something is going on in the mountains she has either done it, is training for it, or has plans to do it next weekend. In the last year that I have known her, she has re-introduced me to the mountains I live in, but had forgotten about. She has drug me into slot canyons that squeezed, up sheer slopes that terrified, and down chutes that turned stomachs.
She loads up her bicycle and leaves an hour before work so she has time to lift at the gym. At lunch she'll go run for an hour. After work she'll meet up with her women's mountain bike group for a spin in the hills, and then she'll go rock climbing at the gym after it gets dark. And all that is on a Wednesday. On the weekends, you won't be able to find her without a GPS.
Spend a week with Laurie, and if you can still walk afterwards you will understand why she is a Mountain Hardwear Diva.
She is not losing an extra 200 pounds, not recovering from illness, and not juggling five kids and a career. What she is doing, is kicking my butt up and down every mountain in Colorado on foot, bike and board in my Mountain Hardwear jacket.
If she is a winner, maybe I can get it back.
Nominated by Mark Mages
Outdoor Diva Shani Baker
My younger sister really knows how to live. After years in college and internships applying her biology/physiology degree she decided that snowboarding was her love and passion (see her picture)and headed to Mammoth Lakes to snowboard and live her dream. On the way there, during a stop in Colorado, she met her future (now) husband and amazingly once she was established there fell into a job that not only applied her degree - but allowed her to go further than she ever dreamed as a paid surgical tech intern. She currently lives in Mammoth with her husband, two great danes, Rogue and Lucky (really - he's a Hurricane Katrina rescuee), works three lonnnnggg days a week and can snowboard a hundred days a year right out of her back door. My girl is a mountain goddess and living the dream!
Nominated by Brandy Woodall
Outdoor Diva Michelle Walker
My older sister, Michelle, sits at a desk the majority of the week "engineering" buildings. Although she seems to get her work done, I have a theory that she really spends this time planning her next adventure -if not updating her blog so all of us who limit our trips to the outdoors to a couple of times a month can drool over the news of her last excursion.
A true weekend warrior, she tends to go kayaking, rock climbing and/or hiking every Saturday and Sunday. While I am not sure how she finds the time or energy to keep going, I am glad she always has a trusty camera glued to her face so I can at least live the outdoors vicariously.
Nominated by Margaret Homerding
Outdoor Diva Carol Farmer
Diva (noun): A usually glamorous and successful female performer or personality.
They should put a picture of Carol next to that definition in Webster's 5th. Always glamorous and beautiful, especially after 3 straight days of adventure racing, she's as successful in her athletic endeavors as she is in her career and her endless pursuit to help others. Addicted to working out and staying in shape for whatever epic adventure she decides to confront next, she sets the standard for "training for life". Whether it's 5-mile open ocean swims, ultra trail marathons, multi-day adventure races or 50 mile paddles, she approaches everything with a tenacity that makes the rest of us look like slackers. She symbolizes all that is good about endurance sports and outdoor enthusiasts with her dedication to various charities and causes and leading by example with her environmentally-friendly lifestyle. She is my hero and she should be yours as well.
Nominated by Jim Farmer
Outdoor Diva Sheldon Plentovich
I am nominating one of my closest friends and favorite climbing partners ever, Sheldon Plentovich. When we met she was playing on a professional beach volleyball circuit, and leading hard trad routes on the sandstone of Chattanooga. She was completing a master's degree in wildlife science and afterwards began working on a doctorate in conservation biology in Hawaii. It was in 1999 that she started to kiteboard while studying on the island and less than two years later she was on her way to being the best female kiteboarder in the world. Winning first and second in all of the comps she soon became an icon in the sport (much like Lynn Hill). She not only inspired other women, but men as well and became a favorite amongst her peers due to her positive attitude, and incredible desire to try anything. Although she was flying high from her wins and successes in her life, she began to feel tired and ill and sadly was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
She was given a 12% chance to survive in three years. With a bone marrow transplant from her brother and an inner tenacity to prove everyone wrong, she went into remission. In March of 2006, she was diagnosed again and had to start it all over with intense chemo therapy and an awful knowledge of what was to come. But she didn't let it get her down. Instead she focused on healing with yoga, healthy eating and a mental positive attitude. Soon after she came out of the hospital she came to visit me. She wanted to teach me some yoga poses while she told me about her saga and what she went through in the hospital: the chemotherapy, the shingles, and the pain. While explaining to me the bone marrow transplant and how awful she felt, she quietly and easily went into a yoga scorpion pose that to this day I cannot repeat. She is still rock climbing, kiteboarding, surfing and doing yoga, as well as assisting the birds on the island of Hawaii with her amazing research and work. Sheldon is truly the epitome of a Mountain Hardwear Diva to me - a true inspiration in my life and to anyone who has met her.
Nominated By Michelle Smith
Outdoor Diva Alyse Kelly-Jones
Alyse is a busy OB/GYN doctor that's passionate about women's health and triathlons. About a year ago she got the idea to motivate other ladies to compete in their first triathlon. On Oct 7, 2007, over 100 women competed in their frist triathlon because of Alyse. Alyse herself has competed in numerous triathlons. How awesome is that?
Nominated By Melissa Carrara
Outdoor Diva Kristina Folcik
I believe I am a Mountain Hardwear Diva because I strive to be an inspiration to women of all ages. Up until the age of 18 I used to sit on the couch and eat donuts. A friend suggested we try mountain biking and it forever changed my life.
I soon began racing my mountain bike and met many wonderful friends. Along the way I picked up a variety of interests and injuries. The worst injuries were a broken back, concussions, and a dislocated shoulder. When my doctor told me I would never run again I took up running 2 years after the injury to prove him wrong. Last year I ran my first 50 mile ultra marathon and this year summitted Gannett Peak! The mind is more powerful than we think.
Here I am ten years later and I now participate in many sports! I mountain bike (I jumped over a 16 foot road gap last year and lived to tell about it!), road bike, trail run, white water kayak, rock and ice climb, dirt bike, snowboard, snowshoe, do mountaineering (I am working up to doing Denali unguided), and what ever else excites me! I am always encouraging women to become more active and take them out to learn new sports, besides I need more girls to play with!
The outdoors have given me confidence, happiness, amazing friends, and an awesome boyfriend. I find peace when I am outside playing. During the week I am a dental hygienist but after work and on the weekends I am an athlete. It doesn't matter what the weather is, I am outside every chance I get.
Outdoor Diva Alexandra Croft
Alex is an inspiration to everyone around her. Her love for the outdoors is infectious. From rock climbing to surfing to mountain biking to triathlons she does it all. Not only does she do all these sports herself, but reaches out to others to help them find their own love for the outdoors. Her outgoing spirit is enough for someone to want to go outside and experience life and the amazing things than one can enjoy. This past summer she single handedly planned a large outing to a local surf spot to teach friends how to surf in the bitter cold pacific ocean. For three days she was out in the water helping people stand up on their very first wave (always the most memorable!) Everyone who went on that trip walked away ready for their next surf safari. I feel that Alex deserves a recognition for all that she does for people and inspiring them to head for the great outdoors!!!
Nominated By Alexander Jones
Outdoor Diva Amy Hendricks
My mother loves the outdoors! She lives first for our family, but then to exercise outside. She loves the different smells during different times of the year. The spring lilacs, the burning leaves, the cold, crispy snow. She also loves to get dressed! Since she spends so much time working out, she spends a lot of time having just the right outfit for each climate and activity. She loves matching shoes, matching outfits, and of course, the newest colors and materials.
My mother's most important job is to be our mom. We spend a lot of time together because she takes her job very seriously. She is trying to create good and healthy citizens. Exercising is a family activity and each of us understands the importance of having a healthy mind and body.
When my mother is not with us and not working out, she volunteers throughout the community. She gives her heart to saving and improving our community for future generations.
My sister Elle and I think she is a real diva - and a great role model for all mothers and all women.
Nominated by Annie and Elle Hendricks
Outdoor Diva Jennifer Manner
Unlike so many other outdoor divas, my wife transformed much later in life on a trip to Lake Tahoe and the Grand Canyon where her love the outside blossomed. Over 15 years later, Jennifer an attorney and senior executive at a major telecommunications company, an adjunct professor of law at two national law schools, a published author with two books and numerous scholarly articles, a woman who holds numerous board positions on educational and other institutions, still cherishes her time outdoors above all her other pursuits.
Unlike other women in Washington, D.C., Jennifer takes advantage more than just the political climate; to the contrary, she spends a substantial part of every day biking, swimming, trail running, kayaking and rowing, among other outdoor activities. Non-work days often include rock climbing, surfing, skiing or any other activity we can find to do. In all of these activities, Mountain Hardwear gear is an integral part of her dress and our overall gear (including our tent, which Jennifer raves about every night we spend in it!)
Further, Jennifer also serves as an inspiration to others. Whether it is creating running clubs for others whom she works with to inspire runners of all speeds, forming racing teams with her colleagues, or cleaning area parks to ensure others can also enjoy them, Jennifer's enthusiasm shines through and her love for Mountain Hardwear Gear which she urges others to also use as a quality product, which also makes Jennifer feel more like the outdoor diva she is.
Nominated By Eric Glasgow
Outdoor Diva Mary Vrana
Mary loves the outdoors... When not at work she is up for any adventure. Whether it is biking 100 miles or hiking the Blue Hills, no challenge is too large for her to finish.
Nominated By Brad Nihtila
Outdoor Diva Brianna Stuhr
My nominee for Mountain Hardwear Diva is my best friend Brianna Stuhr. I believe she deserves this nomination because she not only loves the outdoors and is passionate about what she does, but also because of the other obstacles in her life she has to deal with, all the while finding time to get out there for herself and have fun. She doesn't make a lot of money and I think this would be a dream come true for her.
She's a fishing guide with me here in Alaska, she has a fire for what she does as well as having an interest in getting others out there and teaching them and showing them the ropes as far as fly fishing in Alaska goes. She spares no expense on her clients when it comes to putting them on the fish. And most of all, she does it all professionally and with a grace that only a female outdoorswoman can achieve. I think she would be a true Mountain Hardwear Diva well deserving of the title.
Nominated By Jerry Herrod
Outdoor Diva Sara Ceglia
This is me and my wife, Sara last year in the Canadian Rockies. She is a bad ass at everything she does and a gear snob too. Her and I both love Mountain Hardwear gear. But anyway, she has a true passion for the outdoors. She was a stay-at-home mom for the first 2 years with our first son, and believe me, any opportunity she had to take him hiking, biking, kayaking, you name it she did it! I've never known anyone so hardcore with the outdoors and could pull it off looking hot too! After we returned home from our Rockies ski trip we found out we were expecting our second baby boy. He is going on a year old now, and she is still as active as she has ever been!
Nominated By Andrew Ceglia
Outdoor Diva Lauren Ledford
Lauren Ledford in my opinion is the essence of a Mountain Hardwear outdoor diva. Her passion for adventure and discovery is never satisfied through experiences she adamantly pursues. Whether it is daring to kayak down raging rivers, traversing through wildernesses with the simplicity of a backpack, exploring the dark and uncharted passages of caves not yet named, scaling rock faces, snowboarding down icy slopes, or paddling mysterious swamps in a canoe.
Lauren took the "outside" to another level not braved by many by making the outdoors not only her playtime, but also her career. Lauren and several others have begun a non-profit wilderness adventure camp in North Carolina. Through this Lauren unselfishly gives youth the opportunity to discover their own passion for the outdoors by teaching them how to kayak, leading them down the exciting passages of the underground, guiding them over mountains so beautiful they take your breath away, and by instilling in them the amazing gift of appreciating the amazing world that we live in. I know this first hand because I was one of the youths that she invested her time in. Because of her, I have a passion to explore the marvelous pursuits that nature offers. Lauren inspired me so much that I am currently studying Outdoor Education as an undergraduate degree.
Lauren not only enjoys her adventures but she shares them with others, and that in my opinion is the mark of a true outdoor enthusiast.
Nominated by Sophie Allen
Outdoor Divas Amy Lawton, Gina Wither, and Cristen Malia
This may be against the rules, but in a town ubiquitous with Mountain Hardwear Divas, I find it next to impossible to nominate only one phenomenal, outdoors-woman. Steamboat Springs, a mere dot on the map in NW Colorado, is home to a disproportionate number of women hovering at or surpassing Diva status, but there are three women that are especially worthy of nomination: Amy Lawton, Gina Wither and Cristen Malia.
What unites these women beyond their friendship, their passion for sport and their energy for all things mountain, is the fact that they all had their first-borns within one six-week period. Just like that, 3 brand-new moms and 3 brand-new boys. Abrupt changes in lifestyle have taken place. These ladies aren't currently training for (and crushing) the Iron Man Triathlon or cranking out century rides on the average Saturday, like Amy has been known to do. Gina is finding less time to skip away for a weekend to bike the Monarch Crest Trail just before leading high school students from CO to Moab along the Kokopelli Trail. And Cristen's days of competing in the Xterra Championships and the Vail 100 appear to be temporarily on hold. Let's face it...time is limited when you have another being dependent upon the timely functioning your mammary glands.
While they were most certainly Divas prior to the birth of their children, I believe that they are now even more deserving of the title. With the support of their equally studly husbands, these women continue to work and make time for themselves (and their babies) to get out and enjoy the outdoors daily. The ladies race to get in a sick MTB ride in a two-hour breastfeeding window. On these days, interval training takes on a whole new meaning. With the little ones in tow, day hikes and backpack trips require just a bit more foresight and an extra Viperine 3 serving as the infant sunshade/playpen.
While each woman is unique in their own right, with her own strengths and skills, these three divas deserve some combined recognition even if only to draw attention to the many women out there who have shown them how it can be done. It seems to me that today's woman really can have it all: a great career, a wonderful family and a healthy and active lifestyle. It just takes some passion and a little extra planning.
Nominated by Erin Brosterhous
Outdoor Diva Becky Trafecanty
Becky is one busy Diva. Between juggling her full-time job as a Family Specialist II for EMQ (a family and children's mental health company), taking a full load of pre-requisite courses and applying to UCSF's nursing school, training and traveling regularly as a boulderer, she still manages to find time to trail run in the hills of Los Gatos and escape for the occasional backcountry Eastern Sierra lark. She recently returned from Huaraz, Peru, where she volunteered at the regional hospital serving the indigent population and explored the vast potential of bouldering around Hatun Machay and the Cordillera Blanca. Becky loves putting her Mountain Hardwear gear to the test in her favorite destinations: Squamish, Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, Joshua Tree, and her backyard playground, Castle Rock. She plays as hard as she works; and if you've ever had the pleasure of bouldering or running with her, you'd know that this Diva means business!
Nominated by Al Liu
Outdoor Diva Tori Clements
Tori is an outdoor diva extraordinaire. She has worked at a camp during summers since 2004, and now is a year-round intern. She is a full-time college student with several scholarships, but still finds time to sneak off into the wilderness with a pack of friends. The attached pictures are from a recent spelunking expedition (red bandana). She neglected study this weekend to go jeep-riding up a mountain so she could hike to the fire tower with some other friends. She'll go with anyone who is looking for someone to hike, raft, climb, or explore a cave with. She loves to take the camera along to capture the event for posterity and art. Given the choice of exploring the mall for the latest fashions or wandering through the local mountain outfitters store, she'll take the latter every time.
It sounds like this is all Tori would have time for, but she also is active in church, has three brothers to contend with, is a budding photographer, and has two jobs, all while keeping her grades up and paying her bills early. I think she's a strong candidate for Mountain Hardwear Diva.