Explorer Spotlight: Dan Mirocha

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

Name: Dan Mirocha | Age: 34 | Location: Minneapolis, MN.

What’s your day job?
Account guy at an advertising agency.

What are your favorite things to do outside?
My yearly trip to the Boundary Waters with a group of buddies.

What first drew you to the outdoors?
Every summer during my childhood, my family would take road trips to national parks across the country.

What’s your favorite hometown adventure? ...and, almost as important, where’s your favorite spot to get a beer after?
There are a lot of great places in Minneapolis to explore the outdoors and get a beer. It doesn't get better than a day hanging out the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, followed by a beer with friends and family at my house on the patio.

What’s your essential gear that never gets left at home?
My GoPro.

What’s your favorite trail snack?
Trader Joe's Omega Trail Mix.

Any go-to soundtracks when you’re hitting the road?
Spoon, Built to Spill.

What’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened while you were adventuring? And/or, the funniest?
Luckily, I haven't had any close calls. I sliced my finger open chopping wood, but that wasn't too bad.

Who’s your number one adventure partner-in-crime? Who inspires you?
My son is 1 year old. Really looking forward to spending a lot of time exploring the outdoors with him in the coming years.

What are your top destinations for adventure travel?
My yearly trip to the Boundary Waters with a group of buddies.

What’s on the top of your must-do adventure list right now?
Looking forward to exploring Big Sur next summer.

Show us your most memorable photo, and tell us about it!
I attached a photo from my July trip to the Boundary Waters. Getting off the grid and spending three days in the woods is the best way to recharge the batteries.

And last but not least…What’s your personal motto?
If you don't shoot, you can't score.

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!

Do you love the outdoors?

Yep, us too. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox.

Related

Overnighter along the Highway 1 coastline near Santa Cruz, California

Christine La

It's been a long time coming... A precise new fit built specifically for women.

Nallely Bean

Overnight Camp trip in Los Angeles' Topanga Canyon

Cindy Villasenor

Overnighter on the Sonoma Coast

Benjamin Canevari