Topics of Expertise: Hiking, yoga, snowboarding, riversports, paddling, dog dadding, scuba/snorkeling, trail running, cooking, backpacking, camping, gear
Years in This Expertise: 20+
Number Of Products & Number Of Hours Expert Has Tested: 500+ products, 8,000+ hours
Experience
Sam Morse fell in love with the outdoors while spending his young summers at Camp Thunderbird in Bemidji, Minnesota. During those early adventures, he learned to backpack, paddle, swim, and hike under the guidance of many a grizzled mentor. A son of the western United States, he continued his love affair with the outdoors while earning his undergrad degree in English at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. The San Juan Mountains beckoned, and he fell deeply in love with snowboarding during this period of his life. During the summers, he turned to river guiding to make a (meager) living and build community. His love of running rivers and snowboarding powder continues to this day.
After teaching English in Ningbo, China, for a year post-grad, Morse moved to the Tetons to guide whitewater on the Snake River and complete his first editorial internship at Teton Gravity Research. He found deep, meaningful collaborations at TGR, starting both the “Ski Town Caricatures” and “The Bumion” satire columns, plus many serious-minded stories and pieces of branded content. After hitting the housing ceiling in Jackson Hole, Morse moved to Salt Lake City to find balance between outdoor adventure and continuing his upward career trajectory. He’s worked for many nationally recognized outdoor brands, including Backcountry, ExpertVoice, REI Co-op, Oceanic, and now — AllGear Digital. Currently, he’s raising his golden retriever pup, Blue, and hawking his children’s picture book (for adults), The Ski Town Fairytale, on the side while doing as much yoga as possible.
Career Highlights
Read The Hobbit at age 11 — haven’t been the same since
Started river guiding and snowboarding in college
Started scuba diving in Southeast Asia
Moved to China for a year to teach English
Rafted (and rowed) the Grand Canyon
Moved to Jackson Hole — started editorial career at TGR
Published my coffee table picture book, The Ski Town Fairytale
Adopted my WFH office assistant/golden retriever, Blue
Education & Certifications
Education: B.A. Fort Lewis College
Years of Writing: 25+
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, PADI Advanced Open Water
Awards or Recognitions: 2022 Green River Butt Quarters Champion
I’ve spent my life chasing adventures in the outdoors, and it’s been a privilege to combine my passion for creative expression with these wild pursuits. I love hiking/backpacking, snowboarding, riverplay, yoga, diving, dog dadding, and much more. My writing and editing are born out of lived experience. I began my career haphazardly as a ski bum and river guide, only later leveraging these experiences as valuable background knowledge for a career in the outdoor industry. As a writer and editor, I strive to infuse my work with the human spirit, creating narratives that delight, entertain, and hopefully make you feel something at the personal level. My north star? Building warm, rewarding relationships with my colleagues and readers built on optimism and sincere gratitude. In my free time, you can find me hiking my dog in the SLC foothills or sweating in the nearest hot yoga studio.
Founded in 2001. 15,000 products reviewed. Live the outdoors.Founded in 2001. 15,000 products reviewed. Live the outdoors.Founded in 2001. 15,000 products reviewed. Live the outdoors.Founded in 2001. 15,000 products reviewed. Live the outdoors.
