hello everyone thank you so much for coming my name is Becca Skinner and I’m
coming my name is Becca Skinner and I’m
coming my name is Becca Skinner and I’m a National Geographic young Explorer and
a National Geographic young Explorer and
a National Geographic young Explorer and an adventure photographer and before I
an adventure photographer and before I
an adventure photographer and before I get started and tell you why in this
get started and tell you why in this
get started and tell you why in this photo I’m carrying 110 liters of camera
photo I’m carrying 110 liters of camera
photo I’m carrying 110 liters of camera gear across the coast of Canada I just
gear across the coast of Canada I just
gear across the coast of Canada I just wanted to give you a little bit of
wanted to give you a little bit of
wanted to give you a little bit of background so I’m based in Bozeman
background so I’m based in Bozeman
background so I’m based in Bozeman Montana it’s so beautiful and this is a
Montana it’s so beautiful and this is a
Montana it’s so beautiful and this is a little cabin that I that I stay at quite
little cabin that I that I stay at quite
little cabin that I that I stay at quite often but most of the time I’m on the
often but most of the time I’m on the
often but most of the time I’m on the road and I know most of you have houses
road and I know most of you have houses
road and I know most of you have houses or permits and maybe you’re looking out
or permits and maybe you’re looking out
or permits and maybe you’re looking out the door at a front yard or backyard but
the door at a front yard or backyard but
the door at a front yard or backyard but my view often looks like this this is my
my view often looks like this this is my
my view often looks like this this is my front yard or backyard
front yard or backyard
front yard or backyard I’m also based out of my bright yellow
I’m also based out of my bright yellow
I’m also based out of my bright yellow truck named happy and very unselfie that
truck named happy and very unselfie that
truck named happy and very unselfie that National Geographic yellow but this is
National Geographic yellow but this is
National Geographic yellow but this is my view a lot of times when I’m on the
my view a lot of times when I’m on the
my view a lot of times when I’m on the road and I was spending so much time on
road and I was spending so much time on
road and I was spending so much time on the road last year that I actually had a
the road last year that I actually had a
the road last year that I actually had a friend help build me a bed in the back
friend help build me a bed in the back
friend help build me a bed in the back of the truck it’s way more comfortable
of the truck it’s way more comfortable
of the truck it’s way more comfortable that way so you can see the two storage
that way so you can see the two storage
that way so you can see the two storage systems on the side and then I have this
systems on the side and then I have this
systems on the side and then I have this bed in the middle my dog and I fit
bed in the middle my dog and I fit
bed in the middle my dog and I fit perfectly in that little Mick and
perfectly in that little Mick and
perfectly in that little Mick and obviously a coffee device in the corner
obviously a coffee device in the corner
obviously a coffee device in the corner and I would argue that this is actually
and I would argue that this is actually
and I would argue that this is actually more comfortable than my bed at home so
more comfortable than my bed at home so
more comfortable than my bed at home so I know I just said I spend a lot of time
I know I just said I spend a lot of time
I know I just said I spend a lot of time outside or on the road but I just wanted
outside or on the road but I just wanted
outside or on the road but I just wanted to give you some statistics about how
to give you some statistics about how
to give you some statistics about how much time I actually spend outside so
much time I actually spend outside so
much time I actually spend outside so last year I kept track and last year I
last year I kept track and last year I
last year I kept track and last year I flipped outside for 242 Nights which
flipped outside for 242 Nights which
flipped outside for 242 Nights which estimates the roughly eight months of
estimates the roughly eight months of
estimates the roughly eight months of the year that means I was inside about
the year that means I was inside about
the year that means I was inside about 123 nights which also means I only took
123 nights which also means I only took
123 nights which also means I only took about 123 showers last year
about 123 showers last year
about 123 showers last year which is not that much but don’t be
which is not that much but don’t be
which is not that much but don’t be defeated I showered this morning please
defeated I showered this morning please
defeated I showered this morning please still come talk to me after the show but
still come talk to me after the show but
still come talk to me after the show but most my showers looks like this so being
most my showers looks like this so being
most my showers looks like this so being an adventure photographer means I get to
an adventure photographer means I get to
an adventure photographer means I get to see incredible places my day is not ever
see incredible places my day is not ever
see incredible places my day is not ever the same it just keeps me on my toes as
the same it just keeps me on my toes as
the same it just keeps me on my toes as you can see there’s quite a diversity of
you can see there’s quite a diversity of
you can see there’s quite a diversity of images in this picture but um yeah it’s
images in this picture but um yeah it’s
images in this picture but um yeah it’s always different and that’s part of the
always different and that’s part of the
always different and that’s part of the reason I love this job
reason I love this job
reason I love this job the only thing consistent is I drink a
the only thing consistent is I drink a
the only thing consistent is I drink a very very strong coffee good morning but
very very strong coffee good morning but
very very strong coffee good morning but 90% of my job is really fun and right
90% of my job is really fun and right
90% of my job is really fun and right now I’m working for a lot of outdoor
now I’m working for a lot of outdoor
now I’m working for a lot of outdoor companies creating content and a few of
companies creating content and a few of
companies creating content and a few of these photos have not yet been published
these photos have not yet been published
these photos have not yet been published so you get to see them first
so you get to see them first
so you get to see them first and so yes quite diversity 90% of my job
and so yes quite diversity 90% of my job
and so yes quite diversity 90% of my job is really fun and the other 10% is
is really fun and the other 10% is
is really fun and the other 10% is totally miserable well kind of being an
totally miserable well kind of being an
totally miserable well kind of being an adventure photographer also means I’m
adventure photographer also means I’m
adventure photographer also means I’m dealing with the elements 24 hours a day
dealing with the elements 24 hours a day
dealing with the elements 24 hours a day 7 days a week when I’m out in the field
7 days a week when I’m out in the field
7 days a week when I’m out in the field not something you’d like typically think
not something you’d like typically think
not something you’d like typically think of when you see beautiful images on
of when you see beautiful images on
of when you see beautiful images on Instagram so like this day we were up at
Instagram so like this day we were up at
Instagram so like this day we were up at about 8,000 feet and the winds were
about 8,000 feet and the winds were
about 8,000 feet and the winds were about 30 miles per hour and it got to
about 30 miles per hour and it got to
about 30 miles per hour and it got to the point where it was such a terrible
the point where it was such a terrible
the point where it was such a terrible blizzard outside that I could no longer
blizzard outside that I could no longer
blizzard outside that I could no longer see the people I was taking photos of so
see the people I was taking photos of so
see the people I was taking photos of so I hunkered down for about 10 minutes
I hunkered down for about 10 minutes
I hunkered down for about 10 minutes till the whiteout passed and then we
till the whiteout passed and then we
till the whiteout passed and then we decided it was probably okay we could go
decided it was probably okay we could go
decided it was probably okay we could go home or those days like that where the
home or those days like that where the
home or those days like that where the elements turns me into a beautiful lady
elements turns me into a beautiful lady
elements turns me into a beautiful lady Gandalf
Gandalf
Gandalf with a nice beard on this morning it is
with a nice beard on this morning it is
with a nice beard on this morning it is negative 20 degrees I am wearing five
negative 20 degrees I am wearing five
negative 20 degrees I am wearing five jackets in this picture and the
jackets in this picture and the
jackets in this picture and the condensation from my breath and because
condensation from my breath and because
condensation from my breath and because it’s so cold outside created this
it’s so cold outside created this
it’s so cold outside created this awesome ice
awesome ice
awesome ice my hair and I couldn’t pull it apart
my hair and I couldn’t pull it apart
my hair and I couldn’t pull it apart until it melted which was one until
until it melted which was one until
until it melted which was one until about 11:00 in the morning and at these
about 11:00 in the morning and at these
about 11:00 in the morning and at these temperatures are all so I’ve been very
temperatures are all so I’ve been very
temperatures are all so I’ve been very aware of frostbite and one of the people
aware of frostbite and one of the people
aware of frostbite and one of the people I was with started to get frostbite on
I was with started to get frostbite on
I was with started to get frostbite on her toes
her toes
her toes so again turned around and went back
so again turned around and went back
so again turned around and went back because also part of this job is knowing
because also part of this job is knowing
because also part of this job is knowing when to call it or there are days like
when to call it or there are days like
when to call it or there are days like this it poured rains last year I was on
this it poured rains last year I was on
this it poured rains last year I was on an expedition with this guy Verde
an expedition with this guy Verde
an expedition with this guy Verde Gregory and we were filming for birdies
Gregory and we were filming for birdies
Gregory and we were filming for birdies digital series for Nat Geo Wild it’s
digital series for Nat Geo Wild it’s
digital series for Nat Geo Wild it’s called wild life and it just finished
called wild life and it just finished
called wild life and it just finished its last episode so you can still watch
its last episode so you can still watch
its last episode so you can still watch it check it out but in this photo we’re
it check it out but in this photo we’re
it check it out but in this photo we’re about 75 miles off the coast of
about 75 miles off the coast of
about 75 miles off the coast of Vancouver Island we’re the only people
Vancouver Island we’re the only people
Vancouver Island we’re the only people on the island and we wave that our float
on the island and we wave that our float
on the island and we wave that our float plan is they dropped us off hoping that
plan is they dropped us off hoping that
plan is they dropped us off hoping that we had enough food and gear and that our
we had enough food and gear and that our
we had enough food and gear and that our Sat phone was working and birdie is
Sat phone was working and birdie is
Sat phone was working and birdie is building a wildlife hide which is
building a wildlife hide which is
building a wildlife hide which is basically a wildlife blind and it breaks
basically a wildlife blind and it breaks
basically a wildlife blind and it breaks up your shape because we were on the
up your shape because we were on the
up your shape because we were on the coast and we wanted to try and find
coast and we wanted to try and find
coast and we wanted to try and find coastal wolves for this expedition we
coastal wolves for this expedition we
coastal wolves for this expedition we needed a way to break up the shape so we
needed a way to break up the shape so we
needed a way to break up the shape so we would sit in the side and this actually
would sit in the side and this actually
would sit in the side and this actually contributed to about one month of my not
contributed to about one month of my not
contributed to about one month of my not showering because you can’t alter your
showering because you can’t alter your
showering because you can’t alter your scent and wolves will smell you or
scent and wolves will smell you or
scent and wolves will smell you or wildlife has pretty great sense of smell
wildlife has pretty great sense of smell
wildlife has pretty great sense of smell so and no showering was a strict rule
so and no showering was a strict rule
so and no showering was a strict rule for this trip and I feel bad for a float
for this trip and I feel bad for a float
for this trip and I feel bad for a float plane pilot that had to take us home
plane pilot that had to take us home
plane pilot that had to take us home but in situations like this where it’s
but in situations like this where it’s
but in situations like this where it’s pouring rain you’re starting to be kind
pouring rain you’re starting to be kind
pouring rain you’re starting to be kind of concerned about your gear and that’s
of concerned about your gear and that’s
of concerned about your gear and that’s a question that I get a lot is how are
a question that I get a lot is how are
a question that I get a lot is how are you dealing with your gear when you’re
you dealing with your gear when you’re
you dealing with your gear when you’re out in the field and the elements for
out in the field and the elements for
out in the field and the elements for the whole time and the truth is it gets
the whole time and the truth is it gets
the whole time and the truth is it gets first priority in your head
first priority in your head
first priority in your head you must have a good tent you need to
you must have a good tent you need to
you must have a good tent you need to really trust your equipment but there
really trust your equipment but there
really trust your equipment but there this is about a quarter of our gear
this is about a quarter of our gear
this is about a quarter of our gear actually I’m holding line camera there’s
actually I’m holding line camera there’s
actually I’m holding line camera there’s a few more behind me that you can’t see
a few more behind me that you can’t see
a few more behind me that you can’t see this is a four person tent and in the
this is a four person tent and in the
this is a four person tent and in the space is where two other people would
space is where two other people would
space is where two other people would typically lie was all of our camera gear
typically lie was all of our camera gear
typically lie was all of our camera gear when you want stretch out you can’t
when you want stretch out you can’t
when you want stretch out you can’t because there’s batteries behind you
because there’s batteries behind you
because there’s batteries behind you back side you and we had to start
back side you and we had to start
back side you and we had to start sleeping with batteries in our sleeping
sleeping with batteries in our sleeping
sleeping with batteries in our sleeping bag and it’s not because I have a weird
bag and it’s not because I have a weird
bag and it’s not because I have a weird thing with batteries and it actually
thing with batteries and it actually
thing with batteries and it actually helps prolong the life of them so if
helps prolong the life of them so if
helps prolong the life of them so if they’re not or may not been cooling and
they’re not or may not been cooling and
they’re not or may not been cooling and warming up and cooling you can just
warming up and cooling you can just
warming up and cooling you can just stick them in your sleeping bag and your
stick them in your sleeping bag and your
stick them in your sleeping bag and your body heat helps keep them warm and they
body heat helps keep them warm and they
body heat helps keep them warm and they last longer but I haven’t always been an
last longer but I haven’t always been an
last longer but I haven’t always been an adventure photographer I haven’t always
adventure photographer I haven’t always
adventure photographer I haven’t always been on Instagram which I will tell you
been on Instagram which I will tell you
been on Instagram which I will tell you about but I started Instagram in 2012
about but I started Instagram in 2012
about but I started Instagram in 2012 and at the time and it was just being
and at the time and it was just being
and at the time and it was just being used as a really casual way to share
used as a really casual way to share
used as a really casual way to share parts of your life and no one was really
parts of your life and no one was really
parts of your life and no one was really using it for business or for promotion
using it for business or for promotion
using it for business or for promotion and so part of a really fun part of
and so part of a really fun part of
and so part of a really fun part of pulling together this presentation is I
pulling together this presentation is I
pulling together this presentation is I dug through my images and found my very
dug through my images and found my very
dug through my images and found my very first Instagram photo which I am so
first Instagram photo which I am so
first Instagram photo which I am so excited to show you it’s really
excited to show you it’s really
excited to show you it’s really compelling my dog this is my dog vida
compelling my dog this is my dog vida
compelling my dog this is my dog vida boo and I this was her sunbathing
boo and I this was her sunbathing
boo and I this was her sunbathing position and I saw her draped over this
position and I saw her draped over this
position and I saw her draped over this garden hose in the backyard I thought it
garden hose in the backyard I thought it
garden hose in the backyard I thought it was funny because she pulls her legs up
was funny because she pulls her legs up
was funny because she pulls her legs up like a t-rex when she’s like that and
like a t-rex when she’s like that and
like a t-rex when she’s like that and obviously pretty comedic so on my iPhone
obviously pretty comedic so on my iPhone
obviously pretty comedic so on my iPhone thought it was funny snapped a photo put
thought it was funny snapped a photo put
thought it was funny snapped a photo put like four filters on it because that’s
like four filters on it because that’s
like four filters on it because that’s what you did and then post it at
what you did and then post it at
what you did and then post it at Instagram so not a lot of forethought
Instagram so not a lot of forethought
Instagram so not a lot of forethought also my favorite section at the
also my favorite section at the
also my favorite section at the bookstore
bookstore
bookstore and again thought it was funny took
and again thought it was funny took
and again thought it was funny took photo with my iPhone posted immediately
photo with my iPhone posted immediately
photo with my iPhone posted immediately not a lot of force left so I had
not a lot of force left so I had
not a lot of force left so I had Instagram as an app and I was also
Instagram as an app and I was also
Instagram as an app and I was also storytelling on the side but it never
storytelling on the side but it never
storytelling on the side but it never really occurred to me that I could do
really occurred to me that I could do
really occurred to me that I could do both that I could combine that effort
both that I could combine that effort
both that I could combine that effort because no one was really using it like
because no one was really using it like
because no one was really using it like that so in 2010 I had won a grant from
that so in 2010 I had won a grant from
that so in 2010 I had won a grant from the University of Wyoming to go document
the University of Wyoming to go document
the University of Wyoming to go document post-hurricane Katrina New Orleans and
post-hurricane Katrina New Orleans and
post-hurricane Katrina New Orleans and how they were covering and so this was
how they were covering and so this was
how they were covering and so this was kind of my first experience in the field
kind of my first experience in the field
kind of my first experience in the field and that project led to a National
and that project led to a National
and that project led to a National Geographic young explorers grant
Geographic young explorers grant
Geographic young explorers grant document post tsunami Banda Aceh Sumatra
document post tsunami Banda Aceh Sumatra
document post tsunami Banda Aceh Sumatra that was pretty decimated by the tsunami
that was pretty decimated by the tsunami
that was pretty decimated by the tsunami and if anyone in the crowd is between
and if anyone in the crowd is between
and if anyone in the crowd is between the ages of 18 to 25 or if you know
the ages of 18 to 25 or if you know
the ages of 18 to 25 or if you know someone in that age that you think might
someone in that age that you think might
someone in that age that you think might be interested in the young explorers
be interested in the young explorers
be interested in the young explorers grants they’re such an awesome
grants they’re such an awesome
grants they’re such an awesome opportunity and please come talk to me
opportunity and please come talk to me
opportunity and please come talk to me afterwards because it got my foot in the
afterwards because it got my foot in the
afterwards because it got my foot in the door with National Geographic and it
door with National Geographic and it
door with National Geographic and it funded my first big field project was
funded my first big field project was
funded my first big field project was documenting in the tsunami and I had a
documenting in the tsunami and I had a
documenting in the tsunami and I had a kind of a similar idea for my young
kind of a similar idea for my young
kind of a similar idea for my young explorers grant on how Banda Aceh was
explorers grant on how Banda Aceh was
explorers grant on how Banda Aceh was recovering and I feel like this photo
recovering and I feel like this photo
recovering and I feel like this photo really sums it up in my entire project
really sums it up in my entire project
really sums it up in my entire project into this image and I like to play a
into this image and I like to play a
into this image and I like to play a game with this photo called I’m the boat
game with this photo called I’m the boat
game with this photo called I’m the boat yeah sort of in the middle this barge
yeah sort of in the middle this barge
yeah sort of in the middle this barge had floated inland and you can see the
had floated inland and you can see the
had floated inland and you can see the coastline in this photo so a couple
coastline in this photo so a couple
coastline in this photo so a couple miles it floated in and it settled there
miles it floated in and it settled there
miles it floated in and it settled there and instead of tear it apart
and instead of tear it apart
and instead of tear it apart thinned onions decided let’s build
thinned onions decided let’s build
thinned onions decided let’s build around it so you can pay a penny and you
around it so you can pay a penny and you
around it so you can pay a penny and you can walk up onto the barge and look out
can walk up onto the barge and look out
can walk up onto the barge and look out over the city of Banda Aceh Sumatra but
over the city of Banda Aceh Sumatra but
over the city of Banda Aceh Sumatra but really really interesting so I came back
really really interesting so I came back
really really interesting so I came back from my young explorers project so
from my young explorers project so
from my young explorers project so Oh jazzed about photography like this is
Oh jazzed about photography like this is
Oh jazzed about photography like this is what I wanted to do I was living my
what I wanted to do I was living my
what I wanted to do I was living my dream but there was this big jump in my
dream but there was this big jump in my
dream but there was this big jump in my head between what I just got to do as a
head between what I just got to do as a
head between what I just got to do as a grantee and and being a full-time
grantee and and being a full-time
grantee and and being a full-time photographer and I didn’t really know
photographer and I didn’t really know
photographer and I didn’t really know how to make that jump
how to make that jump
how to make that jump so I was working for the state of
so I was working for the state of
so I was working for the state of Wyoming as a grant writer and I decided
Wyoming as a grant writer and I decided
Wyoming as a grant writer and I decided to save up a bunch of money and that I
to save up a bunch of money and that I
to save up a bunch of money and that I would go travel so I ended up taking
would go travel so I ended up taking
would go travel so I ended up taking time off of that job and traveling to
time off of that job and traveling to
time off of that job and traveling to just shoot photos because that’s the
just shoot photos because that’s the
just shoot photos because that’s the only thing I knew how to do and the only
only thing I knew how to do and the only
only thing I knew how to do and the only thing I really wanted to do so this road
thing I really wanted to do so this road
thing I really wanted to do so this road trip ended up being about 32,000 miles
trip ended up being about 32,000 miles
trip ended up being about 32,000 miles around the American West and just with
around the American West and just with
around the American West and just with my dog and I this is on a small break a
my dog and I this is on a small break a
my dog and I this is on a small break a a mouse had climbed into my engine
a mouse had climbed into my engine
a mouse had climbed into my engine compartment and at the time I was
compartment and at the time I was
compartment and at the time I was sleeping in this vehicle like like I was
sleeping in this vehicle like like I was
sleeping in this vehicle like like I was sleeping in the truck and then the
sleeping in the truck and then the
sleeping in the truck and then the entire night I could hear it run across
entire night I could hear it run across
entire night I could hear it run across the dashboard and then kept me up all
the dashboard and then kept me up all
the dashboard and then kept me up all night there’s like 5 a.m. in the morning
night there’s like 5 a.m. in the morning
night there’s like 5 a.m. in the morning and a little bit I know my traveling
and a little bit I know my traveling
and a little bit I know my traveling around the west and creating these
around the west and creating these
around the west and creating these images just because I wanted to and
images just because I wanted to and
images just because I wanted to and because I loved it it was creating this
because I loved it it was creating this
because I loved it it was creating this kind of visual diary on Instagram I made
kind of visual diary on Instagram I made
kind of visual diary on Instagram I made the switch I stopped taking pictures
the switch I stopped taking pictures
the switch I stopped taking pictures with my iPhone and posting them taking
with my iPhone and posting them taking
with my iPhone and posting them taking photos with my camera and posting them
photos with my camera and posting them
photos with my camera and posting them there and I had no idea that people were
there and I had no idea that people were
there and I had no idea that people were paying attention until I started to
paying attention until I started to
paying attention until I started to gather this audience and when I hit
gather this audience and when I hit
gather this audience and when I hit 20,000 followers my mom wanted to get me
20,000 followers my mom wanted to get me
20,000 followers my mom wanted to get me a cake and I was like none
a cake and I was like none
a cake and I was like none no no no people don’t do that thank you
no no no people don’t do that thank you
no no no people don’t do that thank you all right very good
all right very good
all right very good but um I didn’t really realize that
but um I didn’t really realize that
but um I didn’t really realize that people wanted to see what I was shooting
people wanted to see what I was shooting
people wanted to see what I was shooting until I started to gather this audience
until I started to gather this audience
until I started to gather this audience so it’s the very end of 2014 I decided I
so it’s the very end of 2014 I decided I
so it’s the very end of 2014 I decided I would make the jump into full-time
would make the jump into full-time
would make the jump into full-time freelance hood and it was like the major
freelance hood and it was like the major
freelance hood and it was like the major major leap of faith for me and so as
major leap of faith for me and so as
major leap of faith for me and so as soon as I publicly announced that I was
soon as I publicly announced that I was
soon as I publicly announced that I was going into full-time photography I
going into full-time photography I
going into full-time photography I immediately panicked it’s like oh no
immediately panicked it’s like oh no
immediately panicked it’s like oh no maybe this isn’t right and so when I
maybe this isn’t right and so when I
maybe this isn’t right and so when I panic I go fly-fishing so I left for a
panic I go fly-fishing so I left for a
panic I go fly-fishing so I left for a week on a fly-fishing trip in the
week on a fly-fishing trip in the
week on a fly-fishing trip in the backcountry of Montana and when I came
backcountry of Montana and when I came
backcountry of Montana and when I came out of the backcountry I had an email
out of the backcountry I had an email
out of the backcountry I had an email from someone I thought it was spam it
from someone I thought it was spam it
from someone I thought it was spam it wasn’t spam and it was from a
wasn’t spam and it was from a
wasn’t spam and it was from a fly-fishing company that wanted me to
fly-fishing company that wanted me to
fly-fishing company that wanted me to shoot their entire campaign for that
shoot their entire campaign for that
shoot their entire campaign for that year and when I finally spoke on the
year and when I finally spoke on the
year and when I finally spoke on the phone to them and asked them
phone to them and asked them
phone to them and asked them how on earth they had found me they said
how on earth they had found me they said
how on earth they had found me they said through Instagram and that was my first
through Instagram and that was my first
through Instagram and that was my first freelance job was they found me there so
freelance job was they found me there so
freelance job was they found me there so for most of the half of 2015 the first
for most of the half of 2015 the first
for most of the half of 2015 the first half this is last year and I got that
half this is last year and I got that
half this is last year and I got that fly-fishing job in 2014 and then I
fly-fishing job in 2014 and then I
fly-fishing job in 2014 and then I didn’t get another email for month again
didn’t get another email for month again
didn’t get another email for month again panic so I decided okay I would go on
panic so I decided okay I would go on
panic so I decided okay I would go on more trips because I knew that and it
more trips because I knew that and it
more trips because I knew that and it was a gamble but it was an investment in
was a gamble but it was an investment in
was a gamble but it was an investment in making more images things that were
making more images things that were
making more images things that were compelling and things that I wanted to
compelling and things that I wanted to
compelling and things that I wanted to see and I think it shines through when
see and I think it shines through when
see and I think it shines through when you’re doing something that you really
you’re doing something that you really
you’re doing something that you really love and so I started creating things
love and so I started creating things
love and so I started creating things like this just totally diverse and then
like this just totally diverse and then
like this just totally diverse and then it stressed me partly through 2015
it stressed me partly through 2015
it stressed me partly through 2015 tonight
tonight
tonight kind of start leverage the audience that
kind of start leverage the audience that
kind of start leverage the audience that I had built on Instagram two companies
I had built on Instagram two companies
I had built on Instagram two companies or four projects that I wanted to do I
or four projects that I wanted to do I
or four projects that I wanted to do I wanted to travel and so I would send out
wanted to travel and so I would send out
wanted to travel and so I would send out most companies and say are you
most companies and say are you
most companies and say are you interested in this expedition and that’s
interested in this expedition and that’s
interested in this expedition and that’s how the expedition to Panama was born
how the expedition to Panama was born
how the expedition to Panama was born this is my friend Clare Fiedler who’s a
this is my friend Clare Fiedler who’s a
this is my friend Clare Fiedler who’s a fellow young Explorer grantee and my
fellow young Explorer grantee and my
fellow young Explorer grantee and my favorite expedition partner and we had
favorite expedition partner and we had
favorite expedition partner and we had been in contact with this company called
been in contact with this company called
been in contact with this company called Oro kayak and we had proposed it was
Oro kayak and we had proposed it was
Oro kayak and we had proposed it was Claire’s idea to circumnavigate this
Claire’s idea to circumnavigate this
Claire’s idea to circumnavigate this island outside of Panama is called
island outside of Panama is called
island outside of Panama is called bastimentos and you can see it up there
bastimentos and you can see it up there
bastimentos and you can see it up there with a little pin it doesn’t look that
with a little pin it doesn’t look that
with a little pin it doesn’t look that big but um it was a four-day trip and we
big but um it was a four-day trip and we
big but um it was a four-day trip and we had two objectives for the trip one view
had two objectives for the trip one view
had two objectives for the trip one view a social media story for or kayak and
a social media story for or kayak and
a social media story for or kayak and then two to write a blog post for
then two to write a blog post for
then two to write a blog post for National Geographic adventure and there
National Geographic adventure and there
National Geographic adventure and there were only some problems to begin with
were only some problems to begin with
were only some problems to begin with and problem number one or complication
and problem number one or complication
and problem number one or complication number one Claire and I had never worked
number one Claire and I had never worked
number one Claire and I had never worked together and this may not seem like a
together and this may not seem like a
together and this may not seem like a big deal but sometimes your expedition
big deal but sometimes your expedition
big deal but sometimes your expedition partners and or sometimes your friends
partners and or sometimes your friends
partners and or sometimes your friends don’t make the best expedition partners
don’t make the best expedition partners
don’t make the best expedition partners so we had been talking about a much
so we had been talking about a much
so we had been talking about a much larger circumnavigation we decided we
larger circumnavigation we decided we
larger circumnavigation we decided we should probably make sure we lie to each
should probably make sure we lie to each
should probably make sure we lie to each other
other
other Before we jump into a multi month trip
Before we jump into a multi month trip
Before we jump into a multi month trip so we started having these Skype phone
so we started having these Skype phone
so we started having these Skype phone calls and we’re at this time in two
calls and we’re at this time in two
calls and we’re at this time in two different countries and both of us are
different countries and both of us are
different countries and both of us are traveling really frequently so this
traveling really frequently so this
traveling really frequently so this guy’s conversation was the last one
guy’s conversation was the last one
guy’s conversation was the last one before I went to Panama and I’m
before I went to Panama and I’m
before I went to Panama and I’m obviously have a headlamp on and I’m
obviously have a headlamp on and I’m
obviously have a headlamp on and I’m like standing on my tippy-toes at the
like standing on my tippy-toes at the
like standing on my tippy-toes at the top of a peak because that’s where I can
top of a peak because that’s where I can
top of a peak because that’s where I can get cell phone service and Claire is in
get cell phone service and Claire is in
get cell phone service and Claire is in her room and
her room and
her room and and she doesn’t get cell phone service
and she doesn’t get cell phone service
and she doesn’t get cell phone service on the island either so were like try
on the island either so were like try
on the island either so were like try and piece together these Skype meetings
and piece together these Skype meetings
and piece together these Skype meetings ha problem number two complication
ha problem number two complication
ha problem number two complication number two we had never used the kayaks
number two we had never used the kayaks
number two we had never used the kayaks before keep that one in mind
before keep that one in mind
before keep that one in mind complication number three we had no idea
complication number three we had no idea
complication number three we had no idea how much carrying capacity they had
how much carrying capacity they had
how much carrying capacity they had which might not be that big of a deal
which might not be that big of a deal
which might not be that big of a deal thinking about it fit when you start
thinking about it fit when you start
thinking about it fit when you start adding things up like our self supported
adding things up like our self supported
adding things up like our self supported gear and tent sleeping pad at food water
gear and tent sleeping pad at food water
gear and tent sleeping pad at food water and then camera gear and I don’t know
and then camera gear and I don’t know
and then camera gear and I don’t know how many of you have a camera body with
how many of you have a camera body with
how many of you have a camera body with its various heavy heavy appendages but
its various heavy heavy appendages but
its various heavy heavy appendages but there it starts to add up so we had no
there it starts to add up so we had no
there it starts to add up so we had no idea how much would actually fit into
idea how much would actually fit into
idea how much would actually fit into the kayaks and just a little bit of
the kayaks and just a little bit of
the kayaks and just a little bit of background on the kayak very start as a
background on the kayak very start as a
background on the kayak very start as a two by three Fox and they unfurl
two by three Fox and they unfurl
two by three Fox and they unfurl into this large lake I actually saw
into this large lake I actually saw
into this large lake I actually saw Claire nice standing in front of roughly
Claire nice standing in front of roughly
Claire nice standing in front of roughly about sixteen feet and they are really
about sixteen feet and they are really
about sixteen feet and they are really well the website and directions said
well the website and directions said
well the website and directions said give yourself fifteen to twenty minutes
give yourself fifteen to twenty minutes
give yourself fifteen to twenty minutes to put them together and so Claire and I
to put them together and so Claire and I
to put them together and so Claire and I are like cotton that’s great we can do
are like cotton that’s great we can do
are like cotton that’s great we can do that so we put it off until the last
that so we put it off until the last
that so we put it off until the last thing we did it took us a little bit
thing we did it took us a little bit
thing we did it took us a little bit longer than 15 minutes it took us about
longer than 15 minutes it took us about
longer than 15 minutes it took us about two and a half three and a half hours
they are a little bit more complicated
they are a little bit more complicated than we initially thought
so you can see a getting darker and
so you can see a getting darker and darker the other thing that we kind of
darker the other thing that we kind of
darker the other thing that we kind of put off because we didn’t know the
put off because we didn’t know the
put off because we didn’t know the carrying capacity was the grocery list
carrying capacity was the grocery list
carrying capacity was the grocery list and knowing that we were going to be
and knowing that we were going to be
and knowing that we were going to be kayaking in multiple miles a day and I
kayaking in multiple miles a day and I
kayaking in multiple miles a day and I put together a last minute but very
put together a last minute but very
put together a last minute but very calorie efficient grocery list and with
calorie efficient grocery list and with
calorie efficient grocery list and with what was available at the Panamanian
what was available at the Panamanian
what was available at the Panamanian grocery store on island of del Toro
grocery store on island of del Toro
grocery store on island of del Toro cheese peanut butter apples water rum
cheese peanut butter apples water rum
cheese peanut butter apples water rum calorie efficient so Instagram became
calorie efficient so Instagram became
calorie efficient so Instagram became this wave to tell these little vignettes
this wave to tell these little vignettes
this wave to tell these little vignettes these stories and or as I like to call
these stories and or as I like to call
these stories and or as I like to call them learning curves of what was
them learning curves of what was
them learning curves of what was actually happening on that expedition so
learning curve number one Claire and I
learning curve number one Claire and I are in a rush to get out the door start
are in a rush to get out the door start
are in a rush to get out the door start packing we finally figure out that
packing we finally figure out that
packing we finally figure out that everything fits in the both wins both
everything fits in the both wins both
everything fits in the both wins both float whenever cute we finally start
float whenever cute we finally start
float whenever cute we finally start paddling and it’s been a year and a half
paddling and it’s been a year and a half
paddling and it’s been a year and a half since I’ve kayak I was carrying 110
since I’ve kayak I was carrying 110
since I’ve kayak I was carrying 110 liters through the temperate rainforest
liters through the temperate rainforest
liters through the temperate rainforest in Canada I had not been ruined still a
in Canada I had not been ruined still a
in Canada I had not been ruined still a few miles into the trip I am hoping that
few miles into the trip I am hoping that
few miles into the trip I am hoping that my arms fall off to give me an excuse to
my arms fall off to give me an excuse to
my arms fall off to give me an excuse to stop paddling against the current and I
stop paddling against the current and I
stop paddling against the current and I start to kind of panic because the
start to kind of panic because the
start to kind of panic because the current is really really strong on the
current is really really strong on the
current is really really strong on the ocean side and so it’s pulling me one
ocean side and so it’s pulling me one
ocean side and so it’s pulling me one way and I’m just digging with my left
way and I’m just digging with my left
way and I’m just digging with my left hand and I’m starting to panic and
hand and I’m starting to panic and
hand and I’m starting to panic and Claire’s a little bit away from me and
Claire’s a little bit away from me and
Claire’s a little bit away from me and so I paddle in and I yell Claire how
so I paddle in and I yell Claire how
so I paddle in and I yell Claire how much further do we have to go and she’s
much further do we have to go and she’s
much further do we have to go and she’s paddling digging with her left paddle
paddling digging with her left paddle
paddling digging with her left paddle she’s like I don’t know look at the GPS
she’s like I don’t know look at the GPS
she’s like I don’t know look at the GPS I’m paddling and like you have the GPS
I’m paddling and like you have the GPS
I’m paddling and like you have the GPS and we both kind of turn and look at
and we both kind of turn and look at
and we both kind of turn and look at each other and stop paddling and realize
each other and stop paddling and realize
each other and stop paddling and realize that we left the GPS and yes this is a
that we left the GPS and yes this is a
that we left the GPS and yes this is a circumnavigation there’s an island on
circumnavigation there’s an island on
circumnavigation there’s an island on one side there’s an ocean on the other
one side there’s an ocean on the other
one side there’s an ocean on the other it can’t be that hard right well there
it can’t be that hard right well there
it can’t be that hard right well there are these mangrove entrances with GPS
are these mangrove entrances with GPS
are these mangrove entrances with GPS coordinates the mangroves are so thick
coordinates the mangroves are so thick
coordinates the mangroves are so thick from the outside and a lot of places
from the outside and a lot of places
from the outside and a lot of places that we were going to stay we actually
that we were going to stay we actually
that we were going to stay we actually could not locate where the mangrove
could not locate where the mangrove
could not locate where the mangrove entrances were and this is when we
entrances were and this is when we
entrances were and this is when we finally found one on the first night we
finally found one on the first night we
finally found one on the first night we were going to fishing lodge and they
were going to fishing lodge and they
were going to fishing lodge and they just happened to be blowing through
just happened to be blowing through
just happened to be blowing through conch shells and you’re like let’s
conch shells and you’re like let’s
conch shells and you’re like let’s follow the conch shells that sounds
follow the conch shells that sounds
follow the conch shells that sounds promising and we ended up there so good
promising and we ended up there so good
promising and we ended up there so good so this is the Instagram post that we
so this is the Instagram post that we
so this is the Instagram post that we did with this the best and scariest
did with this the best and scariest
did with this the best and scariest parts about expeditions are the unknown
parts about expeditions are the unknown
parts about expeditions are the unknown they were quite a handful on this trip
they were quite a handful on this trip
they were quite a handful on this trip Clare Fiedler tending to the fire after
Clare Fiedler tending to the fire after
Clare Fiedler tending to the fire after a long day of open ocean dealing with my
a long day of open ocean dealing with my
a long day of open ocean dealing with my seasickness and the last GPS learning
seasickness and the last GPS learning
seasickness and the last GPS learning curve number two because we were lost we
curve number two because we were lost we
curve number two because we were lost we were supposed to sleep at an indigenous
were supposed to sleep at an indigenous
were supposed to sleep at an indigenous village and both of us were so excited
village and both of us were so excited
village and both of us were so excited about this because the southern part of
about this because the southern part of
about this because the southern part of the island is not a tourist destination
the island is not a tourist destination
the island is not a tourist destination it does not get visited very often and
it does not get visited very often and
it does not get visited very often and we had the opportunity to camp with the
we had the opportunity to camp with the
we had the opportunity to camp with the indigenous people in their village which
indigenous people in their village which
indigenous people in their village which was so exciting as because we were lost
was so exciting as because we were lost
was so exciting as because we were lost we couldn’t find the mangrove entrance
we couldn’t find the mangrove entrance
we couldn’t find the mangrove entrance we decided to camp on this beach instead
we decided to camp on this beach instead
we decided to camp on this beach instead at last photo that you saw that’s where
at last photo that you saw that’s where
at last photo that you saw that’s where we camped and we decided the next
we camped and we decided the next
we camped and we decided the next morning that’s okay we will find this
morning that’s okay we will find this
morning that’s okay we will find this village we will portage which when full
village we will portage which when full
village we will portage which when full of possessions the kayaks so when we
of possessions the kayaks so when we
of possessions the kayaks so when we lifted them up Sportage
lifted them up Sportage
lifted them up Sportage started to bow the other way under the
started to bow the other way under the
started to bow the other way under the weight which is not something you want
weight which is not something you want
weight which is not something you want from your foldable kayak so scratch that
from your foldable kayak so scratch that
from your foldable kayak so scratch that plan dump out all of our possessions
plan dump out all of our possessions
plan dump out all of our possessions refold the boats start portaging the
refold the boats start portaging the
refold the boats start portaging the boats with our camera gear on our backs
boats with our camera gear on our backs
boats with our camera gear on our backs and we start to go down this trail which
and we start to go down this trail which
and we start to go down this trail which it starts on this bridge and then the
it starts on this bridge and then the
it starts on this bridge and then the trail is off to my right and we start to
trail is off to my right and we start to
trail is off to my right and we start to go down this bridge and we run into a
go down this bridge and we run into a
go down this bridge and we run into a local so exciting and the local gives us
local so exciting and the local gives us
local so exciting and the local gives us some very very key information Clara
some very very key information Clara
some very very key information Clara Fiedler in the short portage originally
Fiedler in the short portage originally
Fiedler in the short portage originally Clare and I were going to portage our
Clare and I were going to portage our
Clare and I were going to portage our gear for a mile to an indigenous village
gear for a mile to an indigenous village
gear for a mile to an indigenous village ready for packing up start hiking we
ready for packing up start hiking we
ready for packing up start hiking we were told that the dense jungle path we
were told that the dense jungle path we
were told that the dense jungle path we were going to use was actually a
were going to use was actually a
were going to use was actually a crocodile trail narrowly avoided that
crocodile trail narrowly avoided that
crocodile trail narrowly avoided that one so Clara and I had come up with a
one so Clara and I had come up with a
one so Clara and I had come up with a hashtag paddling Panama kind of see it
hashtag paddling Panama kind of see it
hashtag paddling Panama kind of see it down there on the left and and we use
down there on the left and and we use
down there on the left and and we use that to curate these images together to
that to curate these images together to
that to curate these images together to do this eventual blog post – here on my
do this eventual blog post – here on my
do this eventual blog post – here on my left and Claire’s house circumnavigated
left and Claire’s house circumnavigated
left and Claire’s house circumnavigated an island by kayak is like speed dating
an island by kayak is like speed dating
an island by kayak is like speed dating and we we were laughing and joking while
and we we were laughing and joking while
and we we were laughing and joking while we were paddling that expeditions are
we were paddling that expeditions are
we were paddling that expeditions are like Explorer
like Explorer
like Explorer matcom because you’re trying to put out
matcom because you’re trying to put out
matcom because you’re trying to put out these small little fires when you’re
these small little fires when you’re
these small little fires when you’re panicking and you’re like how do you
panicking and you’re like how do you
panicking and you’re like how do you deal with it like that means you okay
deal with it like that means you okay
deal with it like that means you okay we’re good we can go into the field
we’re good we can go into the field
we’re good we can go into the field together or match so Instagram has been
together or match so Instagram has been
together or match so Instagram has been so much for my life and it’s really
so much for my life and it’s really
so much for my life and it’s really broadened my world it’s allowed me to
broadened my world it’s allowed me to
broadened my world it’s allowed me to connect with people that I that I never
connect with people that I that I never
connect with people that I that I never dreamed of connecting with and share my
dreamed of connecting with and share my
dreamed of connecting with and share my images just outside of my community and
images just outside of my community and
images just outside of my community and I will continue to share it’s also
I will continue to share it’s also
I will continue to share it’s also introduced me to some of my best trim my
introduced me to some of my best trim my
introduced me to some of my best trim my best friend Heidi and these are seven
best friend Heidi and these are seven
best friend Heidi and these are seven year old chickens sitting on our heads
year old chickens sitting on our heads
year old chickens sitting on our heads it’s introduced me to some wonderful
it’s introduced me to some wonderful
it’s introduced me to some wonderful people and it’s not as it’s broad in my
people and it’s not as it’s broad in my
people and it’s not as it’s broad in my world it’s really it’s really shrunk it
world it’s really it’s really shrunk it
world it’s really it’s really shrunk it to I use it to check conditions of
to I use it to check conditions of
to I use it to check conditions of places if if I’m going somewhere and
places if if I’m going somewhere and
places if if I’m going somewhere and need to look up the weather then I will
need to look up the weather then I will
need to look up the weather then I will look up the location and and see what
look up the location and and see what
look up the location and and see what has briefly been posted I obviously use
has briefly been posted I obviously use
has briefly been posted I obviously use it for business and but yeah also shrunk
it for business and but yeah also shrunk
it for business and but yeah also shrunk my world and introduced me to some
my world and introduced me to some
my world and introduced me to some really wonderful people it’s such a
really wonderful people it’s such a
really wonderful people it’s such a great tool for connecting so I hope you
great tool for connecting so I hope you
great tool for connecting so I hope you will connect me there too
will connect me there too
will connect me there too [Applause]
”
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