Meet An OGExpert: Abby Szatrowski

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

Abby Szatrowski

AGE

27

HOMETOWN

Southampton, MA

WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE TO VERMONT?

Initially, I moved to Vermont for college. After graduation, I left Burlington, but pretty quickly came to the decision that I eventually wanted to make my way back. It’s really hard to beat the combination of community and accessibility to the mountains and lakes that we have in Vermont.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE?

Close to two years now.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT OGE?

I supervise the Communications department of GearX.com, our website.

WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR AREA OF OUTDOOR EXPERTISE?

A little bit of everything and absolutely nothing. I probably know the most technically about climbing, but recently have been more consumed by mountain biking and skiing.

TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING GOALS OR TRIPS YOU HAVE.

I’d love to do a tour of the West and check out some of the climbing, skiing, and biking meccas in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming. I’ve been quietly dreaming about a several-month road trip and living out of my truck rather than just flying in for a week or two. I think that gives you a better opportunity to get a feel for the place you are visiting, and have the flexibility to prolong your stay in the areas you enjoy.

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE OR TRIP RECOMMENDATION YOU OFTEN GIVE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE OUTDOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. When you do something new for the first time, you’re going to look dumb, no matter what. Embrace it. You’ll have more fun.

FAVORITE PIECE OF OUTDOOR CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT YOU BRING ON EVERY TRIP?

My Smith Lowdown Steel Sunglasses. They go with me everywhere, never slip down my nose, and they have yet to break, despite my dropping them all the time. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to invest in some polarized shades that can take some abuse.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAIL SNACK AND LOCAL BEVERAGE?

Peanut butter cups, ideally the fancy dark chocolate ones, and Little Wolf from local brewery, Zero Gravity.

DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

I can back up a gooseneck trailer better than most. I’m not sure that’s a talent, but it does come in handy at times.

HOW DO YOU KEEP THE STOKE AT 11?

Heavy amounts of sarcasm, and just a little bit of teasing, to keep things interesting.

INSTRUMENT OF CHOICE FOR DIGGING A CAT HOLE?

Pointy rocks are ideal, or a good stick.

ARE YOU INVOLVED IN ANY LOCAL OUTDOOR COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF THE SHOP? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN.

I used to support myself riding, training, and competing horses, before working at OGE. After a couple of good injuries, I decided to let that become a hobby again, instead of a career path. I would eventually like to ride regularly again, but as a fun side gig, without the pressure.

HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO THE OUTDOORS?

My mom. She’s an ass-kicker that got me out hiking, camping and biking at an early age. Outdoor recreation and fitness are integral to her happiness, and she made sure to pass those obsessive tendencies down. She just had her 71st birthday and can still beat me up the mountain if she’s feeling spicy.

FAVORITE AFTER-WORK SHRED SPOT/OUTDOOR ADVENTURE?

I feel like I spent most days after work pedaling around Cochran’s this summer. There’s a lot of fun classic Vermont single track out that way, and you get really good at navigating tight switchbacks, both up and down.

FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE OGE?

The people. When I started at OGE, I was immediately welcomed into this really fantastic community of individuals, that liked to play hard. It was exciting to find people that liked to push limits, and but were also willing to show me the ropes of other activities that I didn’t have any experience with.

BIGGEST OUTDOOR PET-PEEVE?

When people don’t pick up their trash. It’s really disappointing to come to some beautiful area and see it disregarded in such a preventable way.

ARE YOU A FAN OF TYPE 2 FUN?

Probably not as much as some of my other coworkers, but I really enjoy pushing my limits and seeing what I can accomplish. There is no better feeling than doing something that you thought was too hard or super scary. Nothing boosts confidence like progress.

ANY SUFFERFESTS/EPICS YOU’D LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT?

I did a month-long climbing and backpacking trip in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. We had heavy packs loaded at any given time with a couple weeks’ worth of food and full racks and ropes, with some pretty unforgiving mountain passes we had to trudge through. However, as a tradeoff, we had access to pristine alpine areas. It was the first time I got to swim in glacial lakes and see alpine flower fields. The broken toenails, hip belt bruises, and torn up fingertips were completely worth it.