Explorer Spotlight: Edward Day

Name: Edward Day | Age: 19 | Location: Tuscaloosa, AL.

What’s your day job? 

Full time student at the University of Alabama. 

What are your favorite things to do outside?

I love rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and taking photos.

What first drew you to the outdoors? 

Well I've always enjoyed the outdoors, but I would say that a trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone really got me hooked. I had just gotten my first DSLR camera, so I really enjoyed hiking and capturing pictures of the places I've been. 

What’s your favorite hometown adventure? ...and, almost as important, where’s your favorite spot to get a beer after? 

My hometown is actually in Birmingham, Alabama, so I really love to go bouldering at the local crag, and also mountain bike at the nearby state park. Not much of a beer drinker considering my age, but my favorite place to grab a bite to eat in Birmingham has to be Melt in downtown Birmingham. 

What’s your essential gear that never gets left at home?

I would definitely say my camera, but I always never leave anywhere without my Nalgene water bottle. That thing has been on some serious adventuring. 

What’s your favorite trail snack?

I love a good trail mix. Except no raisins. Yuck.

Any go-to soundtracks when you’re hitting the road?

I would say Needtobreathe is probably the first thing I usually turn on. But Lord Huron also has some sweet tunes. 

What’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened while you were adventuring? And/ or funniest? 

I fortunately have had pretty good luck and haven't had anything crazy happen to me yet. It's only a matter of time. But living in Alabama we don't experience bears. Anyways, while hiking out in the Tetons we heard some twigs snapping near us. And of course, to our delight, up in a tree 50 feet away was a nice sized bear coming down. So we did exactly what you're not supposed to do in that situation. We ran. Our human instinct ignored the "don't run from the bear" advice. Oh well. 

Who’s your number one adventure partner-in-crime? Who inspires you?

Who’s your number one adventure partner-in-crime? Who inspires you? Typically my number one adventure partner is whoever is down for being outside that particular time. But I can say my most consistent adventure partners are my very own sister and my roommate from college. Regarding who inspires me, I take a lot of inspiration from many people, but the person that really inspires me is National Geographic photographer, Jimmy Chin. 

What are your top destinations for adventure travel?

Well I would love to someday visit Yosemite National Park. And I also love Zion National Park, and Grand Teton National Park. 

What's on the top of your must-do adventure list right now?

Wow, tough question. The list is never ending. Definitely wanna go to Havasupai and swim in that clear blue water. Also definitely want to hike to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite. 

Show us your most memorable photo, and tell us about it!

This definitely had to be my favorite photo I've ever taken. I think this photo is memorable for me because I think it really shows off some of the beauty of the state of Alabama. A lot of times people will get down on Alabama because they don't think there's much to do here. But I think there's a lot more here to see and experience than people give it credit. I mean of course it's not some exotic place, but it definitely has incredible adventures that are itching to be explored. This photo shows one huge secret hidden in Alabama. 

And last but not least…What’s your personal motto? 

"I will make a way in the wilderness. I will make rivers in the dry wasteland" ~Isaiah 43:19