Meet An OGExpert: Joshua "Grizz" Stephen

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

Joshua “Grizz” Stephen

AGE

52

HOMETOWN

Lynnfield, MA

WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE TO VERMONT?

I came to Vermont a bunch as a kid to stay with family friends who had a farm in Brookfield, Vermont, and loved it up here. We also camped a bunch in that same area and rented a house for vacation nearby some summers. Since I couldn’t convince my parents to leave their jobs in the Boston area and move to Vermont, I decided when it was time to go to college I knew I had to go in Vermont. I have been here ever since.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE?

22 years.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT OGE?

Senior Hard Goods Buyer.

WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR AREA OF OUTDOOR EXPERTISE?

Hiking, camping, skiing. General knowledge of the Northeast outdoors.

TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING GOALS OR TRIPS YOU HAVE.

Continuing to get my 2 kids to learn to love the outdoors without pushing too hard and turning them off. Currently, my son is loving mountain biking and hiking the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, so we have been introducing him to new places to do both. He fell in love with skiing last year and we are looking forward to nurturing that love with a ski vacation this winter in addition to weekends at Sugarbush.

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

Learn about the place you are going and have the map and guidebook. Also, start small, don’t go right to Mount Mansfield, start with Mount Philo.

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

It may not go on every trip, but I am using my Deuter Speed Lite 20 pack a ton. It is my mountain bike pack, loaded and ready to go. It is also a great day hiking pack, and we have used it for my son to carry a few items on a couple of backpacking trips. I also use it as a summit pack after we set up camp. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and has enough features to organize all your gear.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAIL SNACK AND LOCAL BEVERAGE?

On backpacking trips, I have been taking a stick of Vermont Smoke and Cure pepperoni and cutting off slabs during breaks. It has everything you need: fat, protein, salt, and it tastes delicious. The flavor even sticks with you for a while after you eat it. Added bonus: combine with a stick of Cabot Seriously sharp cheddar cheese. A marriage made in heaven. My favorite adult local beverage is the Citizen Cider Dirty Mayor. Tasty during any season with its hint of ginger.

DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

I am a world-class air drummer and guitarist—put on Rush Moving Pictures and watch out.

HOW DO YOU KEEP THE STOKE AT 11?

Two ways. I have always loved going to new places locally. There is so much to do around New England and the ADK and I love to check out new places all the time. The other is getting my kids to have fun in the outdoors. Not too hard for my oldest, still a work in progress for the younger.

INSTRUMENT OF CHOICE FOR DIGGING A CAT HOLE?

I recently used a sharp rock in NH out of necessity but my preference is the folding SS version of cathole digger.

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

I am a member of several local organizations but currently not taking any active roles beyond financial involvement.

HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO THE OUTDOORS?

My parents took my sister and me camping a bunch as kids and then I went to a camp in the Adirondacks that really got me into hiking.

FAVORITE AFTER-WORK SHRED SPOT/OUTDOOR ADVENTURE?

This summer I have been enjoying the trails at Sleepy Hollow a lot, as it is 5 minutes from my house.

FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE OGE?

The amazing group of people who work at, or have worked at the store over the years. Lots of great people with interests both diverse and shared.

BIGGEST OUTDOOR PET-PEEVE?

People who trash the outdoors, whether it be leaving trash at a campsite or along the trail. Go get a reusable water bottle, pack out your trash, and if you poop on the trail, bury or carry out the paper.

ARE YOU A FAN OF TYPE 2 FUN?

Not much, though I like the feeling of being tired at the end of a good workout as long as I don’t wake up too stiff the next day.

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

I did a senior high school trip with 3 friends/acquaintances to the Adirondacks as I wanted to share my love of the place with someone. It ended up being an epic from one end of the trip to the other. Car overheating on the 6 hour trip from the Boston area. Bushwacking thru Krumholz and downclimbing a cliff as the sun was setting, and we had no lights. Then the next day having a boulder fall down a steep section of “trail” as we ascended one of the trail-less peaks. The rock skipped across one guy’s foot leaving him unable to walk. He had to be rescued in a litter with 4 rangers carrying him from 8 miles into the mountains, in a thunderstorm! Finally, we drove to my friends in Vermont, soaked and exhausted, through foggy mountain passes, arriving at 2AM at their house.