Explorer Spotlight: Will Cebron

Name: Will Cebron | Age: 34 | Location: Venice, CA.

What’s your day job? 

I'm a software developer and director of operations at Reverb Lessons. We're an online platform designed to make learning to play, sing or create music as easy as possible.

What are your favorite things to do outside?

Snowboarding, surfing and hiking. But honestly after a week sitting in front of a computer, I'm pretty happy doing anything outside. Living in Los Angeles that ranges from a morning surf to a weekend camping in one of California's many parks.

What first drew you to the outdoors?

My dad signed me up for Boy Scouts at an early age and accompanied me on several backpacking trips on my way to Eagle Scout. Those moments spent with him sparked my interest in the outdoors.

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

My favorite hometown adventure is hiking Sandstone Peak via the Backbone Trail. It's the highest peak in the Santa Monica mountains and offers incredible views at sunset. After you finish, definitely grab a well-deserved beer and some fried fish at Neptune's Net. A close second is watching sunset at El Matador beach.

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

My hiking boots, camera and Lowepro Photo Sport backpack.  That backpack is awesome...holds my camera plus an additional lens, has a 2L water reservoir and most importantly, a really reliable waterproof cover. I take it everywhere.

What’s your favorite trail snack?

Cliff bars and RX bars. Does anyone else eat way too many bars when they hike? I do.

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

I've been listening to a lot of Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Boy & Bear and Lord Huron these days.

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

The scariest thing actually happened a few weeks ago in Yosemite. My girlfriend and I hiked out to watch sunset and planned to return in the dark with our headlamps. We had seen two black bears near the trail on our way out, so we were thankful we had packed bear spray. On our hike back, we ran into a family of three, including a six-year-old boy. They were lost and only had an iPhone light to guide them back. We helped them find the trail and used our headlamps to light the path back to their car. Maybe they would have made it back without us, but it probably would have been a long night. It's scary when people treat the National Parks like an amusement park and are woefully unprepared.

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

My girlfriend Taylor is my number one adventure partner-in-crime. I feel really lucky to have found someone who is always down for an adventure and who shares my love of the outdoors. I've woken her up so many times at the crack of dawn for sunrise or in the middle of the night to see stars, and she never complains (she's usually more excited than me). I also love traveling with some of my buddies Alex, Mack and Aaron. I met them during different stages of my life (childhood, school and living in LA) but we try to do a trip together a couple times a year. Our last one was in mid-August where we spent a long weekend exploring the Olympic Peninsula.

What are your top destinations for adventure travel?

Wow that's hard. I mean for pure outdoor adventure, it's pretty hard to beat Norway and New Zealand. Both places require some effort but it's well worth it. I'm hoping to get back to both in the future. For a closer trip, I love Banff and Jasper National Parks. There's so much beauty (and potentially a bear) around every corner up there.

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

Iceland. I was supposed to go last month but had to cancel the trip due to a broken foot. Hoping to head back next summer to make up for it. I also want to explore Peru, Morocco and closer to home Glacier National Park.

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

This photo is from one of my first adventures with my girlfriend. We decided to hike the Narrows in Zion in early December. We woke up at the crack of dawn, so we could spend the day exploring this incredible place in solitude. The water was frigid and we were forced to wear these hilariously ugly dry suits, but it didn't take away from the thrill. This moment reignited a passion for adventure and the outdoors in both of us. I'll always remember it fondly.

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

"No wasted weekends." I'm a big believer in working hard during the week and then getting outdoors all weekend to reset.