Landon S.

After spending his childhood exploring the deserts near Phoenix, Landon moved to Flagstaff, AZ to pursue a degree in Forestry from NAU. He naturally drifted more towards the ecology side of the degree, and stayed for a Master of Forestry degree where he focused on biological soil crusts (AKA cryptobiotic soil, or “crypto”). At the core of Landon’s passion for learning about ecosystems is a deep personal relationship with them forged through years of outdoor recreation. Backpacking is the simplest representation of what Landon enjoys about the outdoors, but he also tries to weave the wilderness and multi-day aspects of backpacking into his other hobbies of mountain biking, backcountry skiing, packrafting, canyoneering, and climbing. Landon has always called the Southwest home but has expanded his definition of home to include Colorado, Utah, and California. He has a particular affinity for the Grand Canyon, San Juan Mountains, Utah deserts, and Sierra Nevada but has experience throughout the West and is excited to deepen that. Landon strives to share his knowledge about outdoor recreation and ecology with others, hoping to foster in them a love and care for the protection of these places.