Adventurer
JJ at Whitney
Over the course of the last eight years, JJ has traveled to locations all around California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Idaho, Nevada, Alaska, and stretching as far as the remote islands of South Thailand. From these backpacking outings, JJ has lead over 600 people into various wilderness areas. In addition to leading backpacking trips, JJ has facilitated numerous student outdoor retreats and wilderness workshops tailored at educating people about backpacking ethics.
How It Started
JJ’s outdoor leadership kicked off after the UCSB Adventure Programs “Outdoor Leadership” course in 2002. Through this course, JJ first recognized his outdoor leadership prowess. Empowered by this experience, he established the Excursion Club, a student operated organization, to encourage other students to experience their surroundings.
It didn’t take long until fifty plus students engaged in weekly, student lead, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, sky diving, rock climbing, snow boarding, and backpacking adventures with the Excursion Club. The club continues on to this day. Check out www.excursionclubucsb.org for more information.
Recent Expeditions
In summer 2007, JJ traveled on a two month expedition to Alaska, as part of the “North American Sustainable Journey.” This expedition was designed to integrate sustainability into every aspect of their travel. The expedition took them on treks in Glacier National Park, Banff and Jasper, British Columbia, and Mount Mckinley. The trip itself, brought huge noteriety with people along the journey, and it inspired the TV web series, “Flat Broke and Green.”
Even today, JJ encourages his friends and colleagues to participate in as many outdoor activities as possible. JJ believes strongly in the philosophy that people must actively experience nature to want to protect it.