Meet An OGExpert: Jericha Harriman

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

Jericha Harriman

AGE

25

HOMETOWN

Londonderry, Vermont

WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE TO VERMONT?

My family moved to Vermont when I was about 3, the rest is history!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE?

2.5 Years.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT OGE?

Inventory Control Team Member.

WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR AREA OF OUTDOOR EXPERTISE?

Skiing and picnicking.

TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING GOALS OR TRIPS YOU HAVE.

I’m hoping to take some trips up to Canada next summer.

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

Experiencing the outdoors doesn’t need to be extreme; you can start in your local parks or even your backyard. Take the time to really observe the way other creatures interact with nature: look for squirrel tracks, or maybe learn more about that tree you’ve walked past 10,000 times.

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

I always bring my Leatherman, I’ve used it for everything from prepping a campfire dinner to making jewelry.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAIL SNACK AND LOCAL BEVERAGE?

I love a good PB&J. The secret of the trail PB&J is to put a coat of peanut butter on both pieces of bread with jelly in the middle so it doesn’t get soggy by the time you’re ready to eat it! My favorite local beverage would have to be Shelburne Orchards ’ apple cider, it’s best heated up and enjoyed on a cold rainy day.

DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

I am a fire spinner.

HOW DO YOU KEEP THE STOKE AT 11?

I try to take in as much of my surroundings as possible—it’s easy to miss the small things along the way when you’re too focused on the end goal.

INSTRUMENT OF CHOICE FOR DIGGING A CAT HOLE?

The Tentlab Ultralight trowel.

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

I’m currently taking some environmental courses at CCV, it’s been a lot of fun to examine nature with a scientific eye.

HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO THE OUTDOORS?

I started skiing at the age of 3, and spent a lot of my childhood exploring the woods by my house, making fairy houses and pretending to be on grand expeditions.

FAVORITE AFTER-WORK SHRED SPOT/OUTDOOR ADVENTURE?

I love taking a walk down to the Salmon Hole to read and watch the sunset over the Winooski River.

FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE OGE?

The community is amazing, also being able to listen to audiobooks most of the day is a great bonus for the Inventory Control Team.

BIGGEST OUTDOOR PET-PEEVE?

People who hike with loud speakers—it can be really fun to listen to music out on the trails, but please be respectful of people who may just be looking for some peace and quiet.

ARE YOU A FAN OF TYPE 2 FUN?

I’m a bigger fan of enjoying the trip rather than the outcome.

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

When I was 18, I bought a plane ticket to Washington State and ended up working at Crystal Mountain. I learned pretty quickly that I was not as great of a skier as I thought I was—I was hauling down a blue trail and, to my surprise, got launched off a small cliff. That same day, I also learned that I had been skiing my entire life in boots that were 2 sizes too big, and that my bindings were very broken —allowing me to pop out of them any time I stepped too hard. I came out of the experience with some new gear and, after a lot more practice, a new-found confidence in my abilities as a skier!