Calvin Godbey

Calvin Godbey

Calvin Godbey

Title: Gear Tester

Location: Wenatchee, WA

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Skiing
  • Years of Writing: 1
  • Years of Gear Testing: 1
  • Certifications: OEC (Outdoor Emergency Care)
  • Club or Association Memberships: NPS Member, Mission Ridge Ski Patrol


Why I Chose This Career

I started testing gear for Switchback because I enjoy being outside and know the importance of using the right gear to to be safe and have fun. 


How I Began My Career

I grew up in Arizona hunting, fishing, building questionable forts, and galavanting in the desert of the Navajo reservation. This upbringing planted the seed for me to continue exploring the outdoors in British Columbia as a mountain guide, and ultimately brought me to Wenatchee, Washington, where I work on ski patrol seasonally at Mission Ridge Resort.

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Adam Zukowski

Adam skiing on the Paradise Glacier

Adam Zukowski

Title: Freelance Writer & Gear Tester

Location: Bellingham, WA

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Backcountry skiing, hiking, backpacking, camping, rock climbing, mountaineering
  • Education: B.A in Chemistry from Western Washington University
  • Years of Gear Testing: 3
  • Certifications: AIARE Level 1 and 2, WFR, Petzl PPE Competent Person


Why I Chose This Career

When I am not tied down by work, my time is spent preparing for, daydreaming of, or doing mountain-related activities. I am the textbook definition of a weekend warrior, so having gear that performs well is important to me because I have limited time to do what I am passionate about. I found myself gear testing before I even knew it was a field of expertise: I have a tendency to be really hard on gear in an effort to perfect my kit.


How I Began My Career

As manager of a local gear shop for a guide service, I spent an ample amount of time preparing groups for mountain objectives. By the end of my stint, I was in charge of ordering, organizing, and operating a retail space that specialized in selling and reviewing niche alpine climbing and skiing equipment. Needless to say, I get gear.

 

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Sofie Gard

Sofie Gard

Sofie Gard

Title: Freelance Writer & Gear Tester

Location: Bellingham, WA

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Backcountry skiing, rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, hiking, and backpacking
  • Education: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology - Pre-Healthcare Professions from Western Washington University
  • Years of Gear Testing: 3


Why I Chose This Career

I've always been drawn to the mountains, whether it's skiing, hiking, climbing, or mountaineering. My three years working in an alpine equipment shop deepened my passion for finding the best gear for any situation. I love pushing gear to its limits and seeing what it can truly handle. Combining my love for the outdoors with my expertise in gear, testing outdoor equipment was a perfect fit for me.


How I Began My Career

In 2022, I began working at an alpine equipment shop in Bellingham, Washington, where I developed a keen interest in gear. This led to an invitation to join a backcountry ski gear testing trip with Switchback Travel on Mount Rainier in 2024. That experience sparked my transition into climbing gear testing, blending my outdoor passion with my gear expertise.

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Ben Stalheim

Ben Stalheim

Ben Stalheim

Title: Review Editor

Location: San Diego, CA

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Trail running, road running, hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking, rafting
  • Education: Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Conservation from Humboldt State University
  • Years of Writing: 3
  • Years of Gear Testing: 1
  • Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Marine Boating License
  • Previous Publications: Mount Baker Experience Magazine, Birding Magazine


Why I Chose This Career

I wanted to start testing gear to help inform others and myself about the products available. I particularly need camping and running gear that can handle any terrain to access mountain, desert, wetland, and marine habitats. I am excited to share my experience and learn along the way as I work to help the federally endangered Loggerhead Shrike on San Clemente Island in California. 


How I Began My Career

I grew up running in the Cascade Mountains when I was a teenager. That experience launched me into a state of wonder as a runner and biologist. I have since lived and traveled around the country (and world) camping, running, and birding. 

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Chris Crossen

Chris Crossen

Chris Crossen

Title: Senior Editor

Location: Truckee, CA

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Backcountry skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, climbing, trail running, backpacking, hiking, surfing, mountain biking
  • Education: MFA in Creative Writing, University of Notre Dame; MBA from UC Berkeley
  • Years of Writing: 20+
  • Years of Gear Testing: 20+
  • Certifications: Wilderness EMT, AIARE Level 1&2
  • Club or Association Memberships: Shralpinist's Society
  • Previous Publications: Powder, Outside, Couloir, Backcountry, Telemark, Tahoe Quarterly, Backpacker, Oxygen


Why I Chose This Career

I need to be outside as much as possible.


How I Began My Career

I started writing seriously while working as a backcountry ranger in Canyonlands, National Park. From there, I was able to craft those stories and others about time spent in the mountains, deserts, rivers, and oceans into various articles and publications focused on being outside, why it's important, and how to do it well. 

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Brooke Maushund

Brooke Maushund

Brooke Maushund

Title: Contributing Editor

Location: Stanley, ID

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Avalanches & backcountry skiing, climbing (big wall, trad, sport, alpine), trail running
  • Education: Bachelor of Science in Resource Sciences, UC Berkeley
  • Years of Writing: 8+
  • Years of Gear Testing: 4+
  • Certifications: Avalanche PRO 2, EMT, WFR, Psychological First Aid (J. Hopkins), Technical Rope Rescue & Search and Rescue Squad Leader (TRT1 & SRT1 from NPS), AMGA Apprentice Ski & Rock Guide
  • Club or Association Memberships: American Avalanche Association Pro Member, Access Fund, American Alpine Club
  • Previous Publications: The Avalanche Review, Sawtooth Avalanche Center forecasts, Mt. Rainier Climbing Ranger Blog, multiple scientific publications


Why I Chose This Career

Through years of work in SAR and the avalanche industry, I have grown to love using my experiences in the mountains to provide folks with well-written information to make better choices. Getting to work at Switchback Travel allows me to continue down this path by helping folks choose the right gear for their unique adventures outside. 


How I Began My Career

My first professional writing experiences were as an off-grid energy researcher and a contracted author for international energy conferences. After getting to write route descriptions, conditions blogs, observations, and avalanche forecasts during my time as a climbing ranger and avalanche forecaster, I am now convinced that writing about the mountains is what I look forward to doing in some capacity for the rest of my career. 

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Brian McCurdy

Brian McCurdy

Brian McCurdy

Title: Photographer & Gear Tester

Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Biking, backcountry skiing, backpacking, hiking, bikepacking
  • Years of Writing: 8+
  • Years of Gear Testing: 8+
  • Previous Publications: Several photos in Trail Runner Magazine and Canadian Running Magazine


Why I Chose This Career

My wife Sasha and I love to spend time in the mountains, and I love to document our activities and the beauty of our surroundings. I also have a bit of a gear addiction, to testing new equipment and apparel is pretty ideal.


How I Began My Career

I started documenting our adventures locally and abroad before working as a trail running race photographer. I loved taking action photos that highlighted the personal effort as well as the amazing locations. This, combined with my aforementioned gear addiction, made the transition to testing and photographing outdoor gear an obvious path.

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Eric De Paoli

Eric De Paoli

Eric De Paoli

Title: Freelance Writer & Gear Tester

Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Backcountry skiing, trail running, ultralight hiking & backpacking, camping, outdoor apparel
  • Education: Bachelor of Arts and Science with a focus in conservation sciences
  • Years of Writing: 5+
  • Years of Gear Testing: 2+
  • Certifications: Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1, Avalanche Skills Training Level 2, Remote First Aid
  • Club or Association Memberships: The Alpine Club of Canada, BC Mountaineering Club
  • Previous Publications: Wildland Trekking


Why I Chose This Career

Growing up in the Canadian Rockies, Eric had skis strapped to his feet as soon as he could walk. While skiing still occupies much of his attention, he loves getting outside to explore new areas—whether on skis, bike, or foot—and sharing them with others. Testing and reviewing gear allows him to do just that.
 

How I Began My Career

Eric has worked extensively in the outdoors as a photographer, writer, park ranger, and ski guide—all gear-intensive activities that make it easy to geek out on the latest and greatest tech. Currently based in North Vancouver, he's spoiled by endless trail networks and remote backcountry spaces, which certainly makes it easier to get out and play.

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Sasha Brown

Sasha Brown

Sasha Brown

Title: Writer & Gear Tester

Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Trail running, backpacking, bikepacking, hiking, mountain biking
  • Years of Writing: 12+
  • Years of Gear Testing: 12+


Why I Chose This Career

I've spent my life playing in the mountains, and my husband Brian and I have chose to spend our lives exploring as much as possible. Our adventures require gear, and we are often in harsh—though beautiful—locations, so gear testing felt like a natural fit.


How I Began My Career

In 2012, I was selected as a Trail Ambassador for The North Face in Canada. In that role, I tested TNF trail running gear and wrote about it for Canadian Trail Running. My relationship with Switchback Travel started a few years later, after I discovered their great beta on trails on Norway’s Lofoten Islands. My husband and I started testing gear for Switchback shortly after that, and the rest is history.

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Chris Carter

Chris Carter

Chris Carter

Title: Senior Editor

Location: Chattanooga, TN

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Rock climbing, mountaineering, thru-hiking, backpacking and hiking, trail running, travel
  • Education: Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies and Community Development, Covenant College
  • Years of Writing: 6+
  • Years of Gear Testing: 9
  • Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, CPR, PADI Open Water Diver
  • Club or Association Memberships: SCC
  • Previous Publications: Wayfinder Magazine, GearJunkie


Why I Chose This Career

We all want our stories to be heard, and we rack up some darn good ones when romping around the world. So, I suppose that’s how I started. Whether it’s writing, painting, or filming, getting to tell my tales with either a lens or pen—nestled within the outdoor community—has been an incredible ride.


How I Began My Career

Weaving an increasingly complicated web of freelance video gigs, copyediting, and journalism in the outdoor industry, the past several years found me doing whatever I could to wrangle enough funds for my adventures. It was fun but not the most consistent existence. Eventually, the creative energy I got from writing about my exploits and the gear that got me through them won out. I’ve been clacking away at the keyboard ever since… and living a slightly more settled life. 

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