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Explorer Spotlight: Bo Baumgartner

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Name: Bo Baumgartner | Age: 41 | Location: Bend, OR

What’s your day job?
Photographer

What are your favorite things to do outside?
Climb, Hike, Bike, Ski, and Camp

What first drew you to the outdoors?
I grew up in remote areas of eastern Arizona and spent all of my free time exploring my surroundings outdoors. My dad also took me backpacking/camping in the Grand Canyon when I was 11, and it left a big impression on me.

What’s your favorite hometown adventure? ...and, almost as important, where’s your favorite spot to get a beer after?
Climbing at Smith Rock…hard to go wrong with beer in Bend, but I’ll say Deschutes Brewery.

What’s your essential gear that never gets left at home?
Depends on the season and the activity, but I seem to take my Patagonia Hoodini with me just about everywhere.

What’s your favorite trail snack?
If I’m close to home then it’s a breakfast burrito…we ate a lot of jerky, trail mix, and snickers on the JMT recently…

Any go-to soundtracks when you’re hitting the road?
Martin Sexton

What’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened while you were adventuring? And/or, the funniest?
I came across an Indian military camp while hiking near the India/Tibet border…pretty scary to have guns pointed at my face (long story)…

Who’s your number one adventure partner-in-crime? Who inspires you?
My wife (IG: @shinyd)…we met in Antarctica after all (another long story). I’m inspired by those who care about protecting the Earth and those who treat others with kindness.

What are your top destinations for adventure travel?
We are lucky to live the in the beautiful Pacific Northwest…overseas, it is hard to go wrong with New Zealand (but watch out for sandflies!).

What’s on the top of your must-do adventure list right now?
Africa. Mongolia.

Show us your most memorable photo, and tell us about it!
I don’t have a most memorable photo, but this one (see above) represents a lot of the things I love: camping with my wife in our van under the stars, with a campfire and friends…

And last but not least…What’s your personal motto?
Home is where we park it.

Check out more of Bo's adventures here.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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