Ti is a Diné (Navajo) storyteller, photographer, and outdoor advocate. When she’s not wandering around on the trails and skin tracks in the San Juan Mountains, you’ll find her floating through canyons across the West.

Where do you live and what’s your day job?

I’m currently based in Durango, CO, but I consider all of the Southwest my home — Diné Bikéyah, or the traditional homelands of the Navajo, span from southern Colorado to Central New Mexico and Arizona.

I recently left the corporate hustle to start my own hustle: a small marketing agency focused on supporting the outdoor industry and fellow BIPOC innovators.

What are 3 passions you have outside of work?

Photography
Writing
Baking (see next question)

Something not many people know or would expect about you?

Baking is my love language (along with music). I have made cupcakes for several of my friends’ weddings, and would open a bakery if I could bring my dogs to work — but I’m pretty sure that’s a health code violation or something.

Biggest “send it” moment—on the mountain or in life?

On the mountain, bikepacking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal was a true dream come true. Despite breaking my seatpost clamp on Day 1 and dealing with a floppy seat (complete with saddle bag attached), my partner and I decided to push forward and spent 10 days climbing 33,000+ ft to the 17,769ft Thorung La Pass, the highest elevation I’ve been to date, before descending into the Mustang Valley below.

This trip helped me to reset my priorities, and led to the biggest “send it” moment in my life: leaving the security and benefits of a corporate job to start my own business. One year in, and I know I’ve made the right decision.

What do you do when you're not skiing/riding/biking?

I’m an avid trail runner and rafter. Last year, I was awarded a river permit for the Grand Canyon and got to TL an 18-day trip with the most amazing crew. Our stop at Phantom Ranch lined up with my birthday, so I set out to solo run from the river to the North Rim, a goal I fell slightly short of due to time limitations. I still got a solid 25-mile run in to celebrate though before continuing down the canyon by boat for another 11 days.

How do you help build community in the outdoors?

I love making connections and helping others achieve their own goals on the trail or skin track. This past winter, I worked with a local non-profit to launch their inaugural BIPOC avalanche education scholarships here in the San Juan Mountains, and have been trying to identify ways I can create a supportive space for scholarship recipients as they move through unfamiliar territory in the backcountry — both figuratively and literally.

I’m hoping to expand this program in the future by providing additional resources for those looking to get out in the backcountry, including gear access and mentorship.

How do you encourage more women to step into outdoor spaces?

As a Diné (Navajo) woman, I feel that it’s so important to show up as my true self in outdoor spaces while offering support to those who are looking to get into the outdoors themselves — whether that means racing in grassroots bike races on the rez, donating gear for backpacking trips, offering route-planning tips or beta for women’s bikepacking rides, or cheering on my god-daughter at her snowboarding competitions and cultural events.

As a part of the Durango, CO, community, I strive to create space for those wanting to get into trail running, mountain biking, or splitboarding. I’ve hosted several splitboarding meetups for women to meet other rad ladies looking to get out in the backcountry, while also adding in fun activities such as rescue drills or route mapping suggestions for upcoming tours. I also keep an extra bike on hand to ensure that I can take out friends and acquaintances who want to try mountain biking before fully committing to the sport.

Why Wild Rye?

In this day and age, it’s shockingly difficult to find outdoor brands that are willing to be vocal and take a stand for what’s right — from climate activism to women’s rights. I’ve watched Wild Rye step into these spaces loudly and unapologetically, and as an outdoor advocate myself, this is something that I deeply admire because I know how hard it can be. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to align my work and values with those of Wild Rye.