Hi there! I’m Ben and my trail name is Squanto. I got my trail name when I took a trip with a good group of friends and quickly found out I was much better at directions than they were… They started calling me “Squanto” because I “led the way by the stars” and showed them how to survive in the backcountry. The name stuck and even new people I travel with affectionately call me Squanto.

I’m currently at my final year at the University of Cincinnati finishing up my Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Engineering. In my spare time I’m President of the UC Mountaineering Club. Our goal is to get college students into the outdoors hiking, climbing, kayaking, rafting, and more by making the gear they need for these trips more accessible to them.

I travel A LOT and I love to talk to people about trips and planning their next adventure. So, if you’re ever in the shop and have a question, feel free to strike  up a conversation.

DREAM-PLAN-LIVE

What trips are you currently day dreaming about?

Backpacking in the Sawtooth Wilderness at the end of the summer, visiting Yosemite, hiking the Napali Coast, hiking the Lagavaguer Trail, backing in Nepal, and more.

Is there a trip that you are planning to do next?

At the end of the summer I plan to backpack in the Sawtooth Wilderness and summit Borah Peak in Idaho, as well as visit some other places during the journey.

What was the last trip you took?

This past month I… backpacked in the Red River Gorge, KY, whitewater rafted class 5 rapids in Ohiopyle, PA. kayaked on the Whitewater River, traveled around Europe for a week, and backpacked in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, MI.