While some seek a manicure I’m most happy when I have dirt below my fingernails, when I’ve used my body to get me to spectacular natural places, and when I’m accompanied by good friends. I love all skiing, biking, and running because I get to pursue these endeavors around Gunnison County, which, in my opinion, offers some of the best trails, vistas and protected lands of anywhere I have ever been. I support EMBA’s mission to promote and protect human powered backcountry use because there is space in our backcountry for those silent morning hikes, and trails that only see footprints. I believe there is also space for snowmobilers to access that far off peak, and moto trails for connecting sage brush to high alpine landscapes. But I do, and always will, love hearing nothing but the sounds of my heavy breath as I petal to the top of a long climb. Between wilderness, national forest and other protected lands there is space for all users in our valley. Protecting and preserving land for all usage types is something I have always cared about and currently I work for 1% for Open Space where our mission is to protect and maintain the Gunnison Valley’s open spaces, both public and private.