Josette is a writer, self-proclaimed water woman, and dog mom who hails from New England. She has guided rafting, backpacking, hiking, climbing, and skiing trips in Colorado and Alaska, and served as a search and rescue tech, firefighter, and EMT in Alaska and New England. In between road trips and beer stops over the last decade, she has written about what she does and the gear she uses to do it.
Prior to settling down in New England, Josette guided on rivers, trails, rocks and snowpacks in Colorado, Alaska, and into Canada. Growing up in the high Rockies of Colorado sparked her passion for whitewater rafting and trekking away from the crowds; that zeal eventually lead her to Southeast Alaska, where she set up camp over five years, advancing from guiding to instructing to managing guides in the field and on the administrative end.
New England always held family and a beckoning call, and upon moving from Alaska to the other coast, she fell in love with rugged Maine and a fireman who she eventually married.
When she’s not on the water, she’s road-tripping with her Boxer and firefighter husband to camp in new places, or taking up the rear on the skintrack to find fresh snow. Josette served as an EMT, Search & Rescue tech, and volunteer firefighter in rural Alaska and Maine, combining her love of the outdoors with her passion for emergency response and helping those within her community who need it in their worst moments.
Her gear expertise stems from 10+ years of writing gear reviews professionally, 6 years of guiding, and a plethora of gear-head friends who keep her out and active.
Career Highlights
Skiing Japan, British Columbia, the Yukon, and Alaska.
Rafting the Chilkat, Klehini, Tsirku, Blanchard, Colorado, Poudre, and Arkansas Rivers.
Managing the Skagway division of Alaska Mountain Guides & Chilkat Guides, along with their expedition-based sister company, IWLS.
Supervising REI Experience’s Northeast division just before the closure of the Experiences department in 2025.
Saving a local business from extensive fire alongside her father and brother with their fire department.
In the Toyota Trucks Destination Detour, six adrenaline junkies and three Toyota Trucks take on a 36-hour road trip challenge across rugged terrain and unexpected…
Paka claims blending breathable alpaca fibers with super-wicking Coolplus yarn makes a cool, non-sticky-feeling fabric that’s a perfect spring and summer midlayer.
Grayl’s titanium water filtration bottle levels up with extra durability and easier filtering in this limited-edition collaboration with Montana Knife Co.
Patagonia’s latest Nano-Air Ultralight Hoody and Pullover have just 20 g of insulation. It claims better breathability and comfort for all-day adventures.
