Explorer Spotlight: Emily Haggar

Name: Emily Haggar | Age:​ 35​ | Location:​ Whistler, BC Canada

What’s your day job? I'm the creative director for two companies that I own here in Whistler - Anthem Design and Mountain Love Co. ​

What are your favorite things to do outside? My very favorite thing is to stand on a beautiful mountain summit and feel like I am on top of the world. It doesn't matter too much whether I got up there by ski, snowshoe, mountainn bike or on foot, so long as I'm there.

What first drew you to the outdoors? I was raised by two adventurers, so exploring the outdoors has been a key part of my life since day one. I formed a love for wild places as a kid, and now those same feelings of freedom, excitement, and awe are still with me today.

What’s your favorite hometown adventure? ...and, almost as important, where’s your favorite spot to get a beer after? ​I love the Black Tusk. It's such a unique mountain, surrounded on all sides by unbelievable scenery. My favorite way to visit this place is to get up early and hit the summit in one long day, then head to Whistler Village to enjoy a cold one on ​the GLC patio. To me, this is a perfect day.

What’s your essential gear that never gets left at home? ​In summer, I never leave home without my Zamberlan hiking boots. I love them so much I've bought the exact same pair six times. In every season, I have a permanently stocked backpack that just gets fresh water and food, so I'm always ready to run out the door. In here is a headlamp, first aid kit, emergency down jacket, extra layers, hat, sunglasses, lip balm, knife, camera and dog biscuits (plus the day's food and water). ​

Any go-to soundtracks when you’re hitting the road? I have an old truck that only plays cassette tapes. My favorite pre-adventure tape is Def Leppard's Hysteria. Any of AFI's albums would be a close second. ​

Who’s your number one adventure partner-in-crime? Who inspires you? ​My best friend Krista VanEe is my long time adventure sister. We have the same hero, the late Mary Woodward. We met her descending Mt Loki, when she was in her mid 70s. Later that summer, after seeing her out on a whole bunch of other mountain tops with a giant smile on her face, we decided that she was the raddest woman we could think of. Krista and I made a pact that we would climb mountains together into our 70s, just like Mary. If you've seen the ski film All.I.Can, that's her.

Show us your most memorable photo, and tell us about it! I have no idea how to pick the MOST memorable, but this one is pretty great. Two years ago my partner Mike and I did an epic bushwack of 8000ft to the summit of Mt Currie. We did not see any signs of other humans the entire time, not even a footprint. I woke up early on summit day and stepped out of the tent straight into mountain heaven. I sat in the cold air with the dog and watched as the sun hit each of the mountain ranges one by one. There are lots of amazing moments in life, but this one has stayed perfectly crystal clear in my memory and heart. I'd never felt so free or so lucky.

And last but not least…What’s your personal motto? ​Be the adventure. ​

Check out more of Emily's adventures here.