Note from Zephyr: We are excited to welcome Katie to our guide ranks! Since she is into wine, food, beer and all things active (including inline skating), you might meet her on any of our trips! We asked Katie to write her own introduction (see below).
I am a born and raised Montana girl. Growing up, the Beartooth Mountains served as a playground for adventures with my parents and younger brother. Many memories were made backpacking, skiing, mountain biking, and fly-fishing as a family. As I got older, my passion for outdoor pursuits only grew, and after high school I moved to Oregon for new adventures and an education. During that time, I learned about wine and earned a degree from the University of Oregon in Archaeology and Spanish.
My interim period between college and “the real world” allowed me to save money and travel. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to live abroad and visit most of Central and South America, as well as parts of Asia. I can say that I am no stranger to the adventures of international travel!
In 2009, I moved to Whitefish, Montana, and helped open and manage a new wine and martini bar. This served as a great opportunity to expand my wine knowledge; I was even lucky enough to earn my 1st Level Certification from The Court of Master Sommeliers. Although I’m no longer involved in the business, food and wine continue to be passions of mine.
My fiancé Cory and I operate our own business – Fly Out Media. Our bread and butter is marketing, creative, and communications related to the fly-fishing industry. In addition, we operate AlaskaFlyOut.com and produce short adventure and conservation based films. While this keeps me busy, I still find time to volunteer with the Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol, a winter search and rescue organization. When I have free time, you will most likely find me in the mountains or on the river.
With that, I am so thrilled to be joining the ranks of such an amazing group of people at Zephyr. Here’s to prioritizing adventure!