You can take the man out of Montana but can you take Montana out of the man? Meet Shoestring Warrior and Engineer Matthew Johnson. New to Los Angeles, Matt is experiencing his first winter as a California resident. He has been skiing for as long as he has been walking and absolutely LOVES the snow but he’s ready for a big city adventure.
Playing in snow is the most fun I’ve ever had.
Learn more about Matt and find out what his advice is for people heading to the snow for the first time!
Shoestring Warrior: Matthew Johnson
Hometown:
Bozeman, MT
Current Location:
Aliso Viejo, CA
Profession:
Engineer
Tell us about yourself!
I just moved to Los Angeles from Montana to be with my girlfriend and work after graduating college in May. I’ve been lucky to have everything the outdoors has to offer right at my doorstep for my entire life.
But now I’m looking for the big city adventure.
What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of work I currently don’t have time to do much else besides eat and sleep! But I try to go climbing regularly and I’ll be joining a hockey league soon. I used to play in an adult league in Bozeman. I’m really passionate about skiing but live a little further from the mountains now.
How would you describe your level of camping experience?
Intermediate+! I’ve done a ton of 2-3 night trips but nothing longer yet!
When did you first discover your love for the outdoors?
I grew up going outside all the time in Montana.
My first love of the outdoors was and will always be skiing.
Winter is the best. I look forward to skiing every year. I learned to ski as soon as I could walk.
Funniest outdoor experience/mishap?
There’s been one mountain my friends and I have been trying to ski for years. The first year, my friend sprained his ankle jumping over a creek and I fell in. The next year, we made it to the bottom of the coulior before the hangover made us turn back. The third year we made it to the ridge line before conditions became unsafe. Now its a running joke in my friend group that we’ll never get to ski it.
There’s also that time we decided to go sledding 5 miles in the backcountry and started an avalanche.
What Shoestring Adventure(s) have you been on and what’s your favorite memory?
I went on the Yosemite Ten Lakes Backpacking trip with my girlfriend and my favorite memory was seeing a black bear cruise by our campsite as we were setting up camp!
What was my favorite part about growing up in Montana?
The best part about growing up in Montana was winter! Playing in snow is the most fun I’ve ever had. I love the cold and wearing lots of layers.
Where’s your next adventure?
Trekking back to Montana for the holidays and taking my girlfriend skiing for the first time!
What advice do you have for people going to the snow for the first time?
Bring some hot chocolate to warm up with after!
The perfect s’more? (if you don’t like s’mores, what’s your favorite campfire dessert?)
I prefer it a la The Sandlot.
Ham Porter in The Sandlot: You’re killing me Smalls! These are s’more’s stuff! Ok, pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the ‘mallow. When the ‘mallows flaming… you stick it on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good! Try some!
