Stu grew up in the shadow of Tahoma (Mt. Rainier) in Seattle until he moved to Italy for four years as an adolescent. He happily found his way back to Washington and began to intimately explore the mountains he was raised in. Stu climbed his first glaciated peak at the age of 15 and has eagerly pursued mountaineering ever since. Since then, he has developed his rock climbing in California, skiing in Washington and Colorado, and ice climbing in Colorado to round out his alpine skillset. Stu believes that the mountains aren’t something we conquer; rather, we go to the mountains to overcome obstacles within ourselves. He sees the outdoors as our greatest teacher and loves to help people remember how to hear the lessons. When he isn't in the mountains Stu enjoys writing music while sipping some of his home-brewed Kombucha.