Outdoorsman - Worldwide Traveler - Expeditioner


Over the course of the last five years, JJ has traveled on more than 80+ backpacking trips 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.excursionclub.org for more information.

Closer Look


JJ's Personal Thoughts
"One my greatest rewards is seeing individuals adopt an environmental career direction after being inspired by the outdoors."

"We get so enudated with our everyday hectic routines that we easily ignore the wild beauty around us. When I am in the wilderness, it practically screams at me, and forces me to stop and take it in."

"I love the sense of freedom and connection the outdoors brings me and everyone else touched by its magnificent beauty."

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 JJ's current TV 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.

Upcoming Bolivia Expedition - NEW

JJ is currently raising funds for his upcoming expedition to Bolivia which is set for departure on May 5, 2009. The expedition titled, "Bolivia's 5 Peak Illimani EcoVenture," is an expedition to climb the Illimani’s five peak traverse, apply sustainability to any challenging feat, and to visit the ancient Amaya culture's sustainable village. The entire expedition film be filmed to educate people at home about sustainable travel and human empowerment.

In doing this climb, they will become the first Americans’ to complete the 5 peak traverse of Illimani. For their ECO-Green challenge, they will be making “affordable” and “green” adjustments to their gear, clothing, food, and traveling logistics to show that even the fiscally challenged can still be green. Along the way to their climb, the team will be visiting the ancient Aymara in Bolivia to experience, firsthand a culture utiizing ancient eco friendly technology to sustain their lives to see another’s culture’s attitude towards green living. To learn more about this trip please, read on...

If you would like to a be a part of helping them succeed their expedition, you can support their venture by clicking here.

Excursion Club Trips

JJ continues to share his passion for the outdoors today by leading trips with his friends and collagues to places all around the world through the Excursion Club.

In addition, JJ coaches rock climbing at Rockreation in Los Angeles, CA.