Meet An OGExpert: Lucas Erler
Lindsey Garland
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 trailhead. 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
Lucas Erler - he/him
AGE
37
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Spokane, WA
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE?
10 months
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT OGE?
Supervisor
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO VERMONT?
My partner, Meghan, and I met in Phoenix, Arizona, but we both wanted to leave the desert for somewhere with water, mountains, and trees. I wanted to move back to the Pacific Northwest, and she wanted to move back to New England. After visiting several cities on opposite ends of the country, Vermont checked the most boxes for both of us. Like many West Coasters, I had written off the "mountains" of the Northeast from afar. However, after running up Mansfield and Marcy during my first visit to the city, I grasped the massive potential for exploration in the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks, and the White Mountains. Winter 25' sealed the deal. I was riding powder in November while my friends in the PNW were still months away from great snow.
WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR AREA OF OUTDOOR EXPERTISE?
Snowboarding/Split-boarding, Backpacking, Trail-running, Peakbagging
FAVORITE PIECE OF GEAR?
Probably my Osprey Exos 48 backpack. It's a super light pack that doesn't sacrifice on functionality. The frame fits me perfectly, and it has been with me on many great adventures around the world. Whenever I'm loading it, I know something exciting is coming up soon. Honorary mention to my newest toy: the Weston Backwoods Carbon Splitboard. I've only had it for half of a season, but I feel spoiled every time I ride it.
TELL US A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF!
I lived in China for 4.5 years. I was in Shanghai for one year, and in Chengdu for 3.5 years. During that time, I explored most of China's Western provinces, and did several treks in the massive mountain ranges of Western Sichuan and Northern Yunnan. I also hiked/climbed four of China's five "sacred mountains", played guitar and toured around in a "white monkey" cover band, and rode a garbage knock-off Harley-Davidson around the countryside.
