Interview

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Interview: Karen Skurka

By Andrew Skurka / December 18, 2011 /

At the end of the Great Western Loop, November 2007 Those who have seen one of my presentations or who have read trip reports know that I depend heavily on my parents—especially my mother, Karen—for logistical and emotional support. This interview was an opportunity for her to better share her thoughts and feelings. Andrew. Please…

Interview: Bob Skurka

By Andrew Skurka / January 14, 2012 /

Those who have seen one of my presentations or who have read trip reports know that I depend heavily on my parents for logistical and emotional support. They might also be my two biggest fans. This interview was an opportunity for my dad to better share his thoughts and feelings. Also, read the interview with…

Buzz Burrell: on running, work, aging, and life

By Andrew Skurka / February 7, 2012 /

Buzz Burrell is a legend within trail running, climbing, canyoneering, and fastpacking circles, known for his creative outdoor endeavors that require equal parts endurance, speed, technical skills, and mental investment. Case in point: his Zion Trifecta, during which he and partner Jared Campbell completed the three biggest, deepest, baddest canyons in Zion National Park (Imlay,…

“So, are you the girlfriend?”

By Andrew Skurka / April 22, 2012 /

Based on my relationship history and my past comments about relationships, it may be surprising—though not really a secret—that for the last 18 months I’ve been “the luckiest man on the planet” (her words, but I wisely won’t disagree). In presentations, online posts, and media interviews I have made numerous references to my girlfriend, Amanda, which always…

GoLite’s Demetri Coupounas talks company strategy, product design, and the Beatles

By Andrew Skurka / May 10, 2012 /

My relationship with GoLite — and specifically with its founders and owners, Kim and Demetri Coupounas (“Coup”) — goes back nine years, to the summer of 2003 when GoLite welcomed me to Boulder, Colo. as a summer intern. We have both grown a lot since then. During my speaking and book tour earlier this Spring…

Novel idea: Ultimate Direction co-develops products with some of the world’s best ultra-runners

By Andrew Skurka / November 28, 2012 /

The story of Ultimate Direction‘s recent and anticipated success, centered mostly around its Signature Series running vests, interests me on a number of levels. It’s good for runners, of which I’m one; and it’s good, too, for UD’s brand manager Buzz Burrell, a longtime friend and mentor, as well as the runners involved in the…

Imagine if REI & Priceline merged: start-up BUYSTAND lets consumers set their price for outdoor gear & apparel

By Andrew Skurka / December 17, 2012 /

A few weeks ago I was made aware of BUYSTAND, a start-up with a unique outdoor retail model: it lets consumers offer a price for gear and apparel that they want to buy, instead of the customary take-it-or-leave-it price system. This could be a win-win-win for consumers, manufacturers, and brick-and-mortar retailers, and I’m interested to…

Matt Moniz interview: 14-year-old mountaineer, freestyle skier, and Eagle Scout

By Andrew Skurka / January 14, 2013 /

Matt will be speaking at the Boulder REI this Wednesday, January 16th at 6:30pm, about his trek last Spring with five other Boulder teenagers from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. For more information, and to register for the event, go here. Pushing Above the Highpoint from Ben Thomas on Vimeo. Q. Can you please list…

Coolest thru-hike of the year? Interview with Colorado 14’ers thru-hikers, Junaid & Luke

By Andrew Skurka / October 8, 2013 /

Last week, Junaid Duwad and Luke DeMuth completed a 1300+ mile thru-hike that entailed summits of all of the Colorado 14’ers. In a stroke of serendipity, Andrew and I ran into Junaid and Luke on Guanella Pass, just after they had bagged Evans and Bierstadt, and Andrew saw them again on his way into Rocky…

The future of CalTopo || Interview with founder Matt Jacobs

By Andrew Skurka / November 1, 2015 /

For several years my go-to platform for topographical maps and imagery has been CalTopo. It has fully replaced — and far surpassed — National Geographic’s TOPO! desktop software, which was discontinued in 2012 and is no longer supported by NG; and, overall, its trip-planning features are unmatched by other online platforms and apps. I use CalTopo most often…