Trip for 2 includes $500 towards airfare, lodging, guided backpacking or volcano mountaineering, and a Sierra Designs Equipment and Apparel Prize Package
We are proud to announce the first winner of our YEAR of ADVENTURE sweepstakes: Ryan Schanno of Portland won the trip to Ecuador. We are excited for him and wanted to ask Ryan a few questions about himself and how he feels about being the lucky winner. Enjoy!
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where do you live? What do you do for work?
I grew up in Montana, but came to Oregon for college and have been in Portland now for 3 years; Montana definitely gave me an appreciation for nature and exploring. I freelance as a graphic designer, and it's irregular scheduling gives me opportunities to get out often.
2. You sent us a picture from the summit of Mt. Adams. Very cool. Obviously, you’re an outdoors guy. What are some of your favorite outdoor activities?
I do really enjoy being active and an 'outdoors' guy. I need the city to support myself, but being immersed in nature and its wonders leaves me in awe every time. Backpacking, hiking, and rafting are my favorites, although I've never been too good at skiing which has gotten me a lot of grief, especially being from Montana.
3. Any crazy stories or close calls?
Actually, on my recent trip to Mt. Adams on our decent, I was glissading down, and after descending about 1500 feet I arrested myself to take a quick break, and without warning a gentleman slammed into me. He had lost his ice axe, and for the next several hundred feet we tumbled together down the mountain. I eventually got control of my ice ax that was leashed to my wrist, and dug it hard into the snow with him holding my ankle until, finally, we came to a stop. I was borrowing a friends gear that day, he was happy to hear it had saved a few lives.
4. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. What are you doing during each season and where?
Like I said, I'm not much of a skier/snowboarder so wintertime I enjoy snowshoeing and making snow shelters to camp in. Spring and summer are spent hiking and backpacking as often as I can, rafting when I can afford it. And fall sees the last of my summiting trips. I am trying to get better at rock climbing, and fortunately, I can do that all year at a local gym.
5. How did you find out about Sierra Designs ‘Year of Adventure’ Sweepstakes? When did you enter and did you ever think you would win?
I have this Kelty backpack, that I got kinda by accident, but it has held up so well and proved itself on so many occasions that I got some other Kelty gear online and registered for their email subscription. That ultimately lead to learning of the Alaska Mountain Guides which lead to me getting an email about the sweepstakes. I don't even remember when I entered, I honestly forgot about it, so to say I was shocked when I found out I won was an understatement.
6. You’re going to Ecuador to climb big volcanoes with Alaska Mountain Guides. How does that feel?
I am totally thrilled to be going to ecuador to hike volcanoes, the opportunity to see a new part of the world that I might have never had the chance to see.
7. Who was the first person you told you won?
I actually didn't tell anyone for quite some time, the first email I got was a bit vague and I was hesitant to get my hopes up. I ultimately told my friend, who is coming with me, for his birthday which happened to be about a week after I found out.
8. Not only are you bagging an awesome trip for free but you’re also getting a sweet gear hook up. Which piece of Sierra Designs gear are you most excited about using?
The gear is absolutely amazing, but I am most excited for the 4 season tent, no more digging a snow cave for me!
9. What are some of the factors that influence the type of gear you use/purchase? (price, brand, color, etc...)
I have worked in the apparel business before, even outerwear, and I can recognize quality and durable construction. So seeing that will ultimately make up my mind, especially when purchasing such functional and dependable products like outdoor apparel.
10. Was Ecuador on your bucket list? What’s next on your bucket list, underwater basket weaving, tight rope walking…?
Honestly, Ecuador was not on my bucket list, only because I was ignorant to the scenery and availability of such great hikes and peaks. As far as what's next, Exploring parts of the Chilean Patagonia are pretty high up there, who knows how soon that will be though.
Ryan's Sierra Designs Equipment and Apparel Prize Package Included:
You missed out on the Ecuador and Everest trips, but you can still win a trip to Alaska!
