Meet an OGExpert, Pride Edition: Virginia Farley
What’s an OGExpert? They’re the folks that huff and puff alongside you in the skin track, give you a yell from the lift, move that pad for you at the climbing gym, share their granola at the summit, or help you change a flat tire at the bike trail head. They’re us. We’ve done it all, and used pretty much every kind of gear along the way. We live, breathe, and recreate with the community.
NAME:
Virginia Farley
PRONOUNS:
She/Her
AGE:
30
HOMETOWN:
Charlotte, Vermont
WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE TO VERMONT?
Proudly born and bred in these Green Mountains.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE?
End of the summer, it shall be 5 whole years!
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT OGE?
I am one of our Floor Managers at OGE and head up both the footwear and paddling departments.
WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR AREA OF OUTDOOR EXPERTISE?
Canoeing hits my #1 slot, but I also love to hop onto some skis, throw on the running shoes, and use any excuse to cook over a fire and sleep under the stars.
IF YOU ARE PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, ARE THERE PLACES OR ORGANIZATIONS WHERE YOU HAVE FELT SUPPORTED AS A QUEER PERSON AND HAVE EXPERIENCES WHERE YOU WERE ABLE TO BE YOUR TRUE AND FULLEST SELF?
Not to toot our own horn, but much of the community and support I’ve had in my own queer journey has happened alongside my friends and colleagues here at OGE. Working and recreating amongst fellow LGBTQIA+ folks offers such a wonderful foundation while building up your own professional and social circles. I am so grateful for my queer OGErs and what they have and continue to provided me!
DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OTHER FOLKS FROM THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY FOR FINDING COMMUNITY AND A SENSE OF PLACE OR BELONGING IN THE OUTDOORS?
Start with LGBTQIA+ focused events (I feel very lucky to live in Vermont where access to these is plentiful). Pride bike rides, queer climbing nights, and just getting outside with your queer friends. The queer community’s arms reach wide and getting one foot in the door can lead to so many other opportunities, friend groups, and support systems.
TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING GOALS OR TRIPS YOU HAVE.
99.9% of my adventure day dreaming involves me, a canoe, and Canada. The borders being closed this past year (+) have hit hard and I cannot wait to get back to the infinite exploration that Canada’s lakes provide.
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE OR TRIP RECOMMENDATION YOU OFTEN GIVE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE OUTDOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME?
You don’t need to spend your life savings on all the hot new gear. But the gear you do have — keep it organized. Dry bags, stuff sacks, the myriad of pockets your pack offers, a tidy campsite, etc. Knowing where all your gear lives allows you to focus on the fun stuff out there instead of wondering where the heck you put your headlamp.
BIGGEST OUTDOOR PET-PEEVE?
I love music. I really do. But blasting your speakers into the wilderness while you and your neighbors should be enjoying that magical natural soundscape at your fingertips is simply missing the point. If you need a little pick me up from your playlist while prepping your dinner or enjoying a fire — go for it, but keep it quiet enough for just your campsite.
FAVORITE PIECE OF OUTDOOR CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT YOU BRING ON EVERY TRIP?
Oh gosh, I love all my gear, so this is hard to choose. But one of my faves is my hand saw (it’s a Silky Pocketboy, also great name). If I’m spending the night outside, I definitely want a fire to end the day. This small saw makes your wood processing an absolute joy and is easy to pack for any journey.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAIL SNACK AND LOCAL BEVERAGE?
I’m a savory kind o’ gal. So a dry, sugar packed, mush of a bar is my worst nightmare. A meat stick on the other hand? Yes, please. Salty, savory, and protein packed. Add some Vermont cheddar to the mix and you have a backcountry charcuterie board in the makings. And while we’re at it, a cold Zero Gravity Little Wolf or Polar seltzer at the end of a long day of adventuring will quench your thirst like no other.
HOW DOES THE OUTDOORS EMPOWER YOU TO BE YOURSELF?
I grew up in the outdoors — tromping through Vermont hills and on Ontario lakes (you’ll notice VT and our northern neighbor become quite the trend in these questions). Much of my identity is tied to what I have learned, the relationships I have made, and the person I have become while being outside. I find who I am and what I pursue in nature are intrinsically intertwined.
INSTRUMENT OF CHOICE FOR DIGGING A CAT HOLE?
I have a fancy-shmancy ultralight trowel, but any small shovel or sturdy stick will do the trick. Nothing is better than a poo with a view, especially while following those handy dandy Leave No Trace guidelines!
ARE YOU INVOLVED IN ANY LOCAL OUTDOOR COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF THE SHOP? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN.
Nope, just my kickass friends who like to play outside with me. But I do love connecting with a lot of our state’s awesome organizations through OGE’s events, service days, and long standing partnerships. It’s amazing how intertwined OGE is with this entire community after 26 years.
HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO THE OUTDOORS?
Growing up in Vermont made for quite the launching point, but I credit most of my initial connections to the outdoors to my summer camp in Ontario. 12 summers in Algonquin Park made me fall in love with what you can do in a canoe and where your human power can take you. It also showed me how beautiful it is to cultivate and enjoy friendships and a greater community with the outdoors as your platform.
FAVORITE AFTER-WORK SHRED SPOT/OUTDOOR ADVENTURE?
I just moved from Burlington this spring, but while living in the “big city” I’d say a sunset paddle out on Lake Champlain was a summer favorite. I now call northern Monkton my home and romping around on the dirt roads with my bike and my dog is becoming a treasured ritual.
FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE OGE?
This is an easy one — the community. Not only do I get to spend my work days with an awesome collection of humans, but we also genuinely love each other outside of work too. I am so inspired by what talent, passion, and expertise resides within our OGE bubble and it’s a beautiful thing to have access to.
HOW DO YOU SHOW YOUR PRIDE OUTSIDE?
I put my authentic self out there. I don’t worry about other’s expectations of what I can or cannot do as a queer woman in the outdoors. Trusting your strength and resilience while portaging a canoe for 3 miles or getting to the top of that peak will translate to more confidence managing what the day to day can throw at you too.
