Meet the Madre Adventurers
Meet our team of thrill-seeking, wander-lusting, no-trail-left-untrekked explorers. The folks who always take the road less travelled and never regret it! Luckily for us, this band of adventurers is willing to test our gear in some of the most unforgiving environments- and live to tell the tale. If you would like to join the ranks of fearless SMrAdventurers check out how here!
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Erik Barstow
"Guardian of the Vortex"
Madre Adventurer, hiker, backpacker, Marine Corps Veteran, photographer, survivor
Erik discovered the healing power of hiking the Appalachian Trail after battling a debilitating case of Lyme's Disease, which had left him bedridden and wheelchair-bound. Now, Erik enjoys hiking and photographing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where he works at White Mountains Lodge and Hostel- a sanctuary for through-hikers, located right off the Appalachian Trail.
Check out his Epic Adventures!
Chronically Resilient: Overcoming Lyme's Disease on the Appalachian Trail
Fit for the Rugged Trail: The Nubé Stratos Hammock Shelter on the AT
Chad Haynes
"Octo"
Madre Adventurer, hiker, backpacker, snowboarder, mountain biker, Jeeper and artist- designer, inventor, photographer and woodworker
Not a stranger to the outdoors, Chad was the first person to through-hike the entire Appalachian Trail using SMr hammock-camping equipment and a mean pair of Reebok ATV 19's. You can find him working in his woodshop or designing a new hiking stick @hikingstick2.0 in his neck of the woods-West Virginia.
Check out his Epic Adventures!
SMr Hammock Gear on the Appalachian Trail: Part I
SMr Hammock Gear on the Appalachian Trail: Part II
Soner Kubat
Madre Adventurer, Hair Stylist, hiker, backpacker, outdoor enthusiast, traveller and paintballer
Originally from Turkey, Soner has made Long Island, New York his home. He's been cutting hair since he was 9 and turned this passion into a successful business with his brothers at the Kubat Barber Shop in New York. With his free time, and access to the majestic Northeast, he enjoys everything outdoors from hiking and backpacking to paint-balling.
Check out his Epic Adventure!
Lycian Way: A Tale of Two Brothers Hammock-Camping in Turkey
Tom Evertsson
"Swedish Tom"
Madre Adventurer, Paramedic/Trauma Nurse, hiker, champion mountain-biker, camper, bushcrafter, snowboarder, skier and traveller
Living in Jönköping, Sweden, Tom has access to the incredible beauty of Europe and has visited more continents than most have dreamed (all but Africa and South America)! Combining his love for anything outdoors with an insatiable desire for adventure, Tom's passport has stamps from Australia, New Zealand, Iceland and Kauai!
Check out his Epic Adventure!
Swedes on Kauai: An Epic Day Hammocking in Hawaii!
Ariel Miranda
"Button"
Madre Adventurer, mother, biologist, runner, hiker, backpacker, and trail "doc"
Raised at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia, Ariel spent as much time as possible exploring the woods, streams, lakes and mountains. As a student, she would put these skills to use hiking, backpacking and researching amphibians and reptiles in the rainforests of Borneo.
Check out her Epic Adventure!
Borneo: Rainforest, Ridges and Reptile Research
Don Stephens Jr.
"D.B. Cooper"
Madre Adventurer, Firefighter, backpacker, hiker, hockey player, lover of cold weather, coffee and spending quality time with his family!
Don was born and raised in a small town in NE Pennsylvania, surrounded by the Endless Mountains, literally! After a childhood filled with running through the woods, fishing at his grandfather’s lake house, and mountain biking, he began a family with his high school sweetheart in a house he renovated one room at a time. Four years ago, he began his love affair with hammocking. Since then, he has learned to appreciate the physically-challenging, soul searching adventures that backpacking and hiking brings!
Check out his Epic Adventure!
Connor Patterson
Madre Adventurer, Photographer, hiker, runner, biker, traveller and blogger
Born in the wilderness of Canada, but raised in the Pacific Northwest, Connor is no stranger to the outdoors. He travels as frequently as possible all over the western United States and Canada, searching for the most amazing shots and adventures! When he’s not out in the wilderness, taking pictures, you could find him working as a surgery tech at a hospital or going to school to become a journalist!
Check out his Epic Adventure!