About Us

We are a husband and wife team based in Estes Park, Colorado, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.  We are passionate about preserving the environment, adventure, and accountability.

“A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.“  - Aldo Leopold

Phil Magistro

Certifications: BA in Political Science with an Asian Studies Certificate; BS in, well, BS; Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning; First Aid / CPR

I am a passionate outdoorsman with strong opinions, wide-ranging experience, and a plethora of interests and hobbies.  During my undergrad at the University of Pittsburgh, I studied Political Science and foreign languages. Very active in the Pitt Outdoors Club, I spent the majority of my free time on belay at Seneca Rocks or backpacking the hills of the East Coast.  I also passed several semesters overseas, studying Chinese politics and language, learning Spanish across South America, and perfecting my expedition behavior with the National Outdoor Leadership School in Patagonia.

After graduation, I moved to Estes Park with my wife to be in the mountains.  Aside from climbing, hiking, and skiing in the backcountry, I work as a sales associate at REI in Boulder and my strong personal interest in finance led me to complete a graduate certificate in Personal Financial Planning.  In 2009, I completed a 1250-mile paddling expedition up the Inside Passage and in July 2010, a 486-mile thru-hike of the Colorado Trail. Future ambitions include: climbing in Nepal, boating into and climbing in the cirque of the Unclimbables, to name a few.

Someday in the distant future, I might settle into a relaxed retirement replete with beekeeping, gardening, and maybe a goat or two.

Apryle Craig

Certifications: BS in Bioengineering with a concentration in Electrical Engineering; First Aid / CPR

Experience:
Study Abroad 2002 University of Queensland, Australia
Youth competition climbing coach, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Marathon; Baltimore Marathon
Summit Mt Shuckson, North Cascades, June 2008
Circumnavigation of Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, July 2008
Mt Rainier summit attempt, Kautz Glacier Route, July 2008
Kent Mountain Adventure Center rock and ropes course instructor
Kirks Mountain Adventures guide (including 2 guided summits of Longs Peak: 14,259′)
May-August 2009: Inside Passage sea kayak expedition from Gig Harbor, WA to Glacier Bay, AK. 1200+ miles, 111-day
July 2010: Colorado Trail Thru-Hike, 486 miles

I love inspiring my expedition partners to be the best they can in mind and body. I love gear that fits and windy days backcountry skiing. I love the companionship of a good dog.