Our Story

 

When I was a child my parents would take my sisters and me skiing each winter and hiking each summer.  Our ski trips varied from place to place, but both Vermont and New Hampshire were well represented in the mix.  

I remember the cold weather (especially my frozen feet), the bitter winds -- but more importantly how much fun it was.  We (my two sisters and I) were up early -- wanted to catch the first chair (to get in some runs before ski school) and skied until the lifts closed.

My summer memories of the White and Green Mountains are similar.  I went on many hikes with my family (Mansfield, Mt. Washington, Spruce) when I was a young child.  As I got older and was at Camp Lanakila, backpacking trips to Crawford Notch, the Kinsmans, The Pemi Wilderness and Great Gulf followed.  The days were filled with outdoor adventures and fun.

My memories are fairly bucolic, with lots of hot chocolate, fun family times, swimming, eating out (very exciting as a child) and gorgeous scenery.  To a child of 8 or 9, the world looked perfect - family, fun, white snow, cool swimming holes and lots of fun things to do in the great outdoors.

When I was a child, I thought the mountains and their communities were heaven on earth.

When I returned to the mountains as a young adult in my 20s, I learned that my view from the ski resorts, mountain summits and lakes was far from the whole picture.

Living in the mountains is difficult.  Long winters. Tourists who come and go.  Steady, well paying work can be hard to find.  As the saying goes, “lots of jobs, but not many careers”.  My idyllic vision of the mountains changed.

I did, however,  learn a great deal about the resilience of these communities.  Their amazing work ethic, their independence, their preparation for winter, their love of place, family and country.

Why found Burgeon Outdoor?

We believe the economic benefits which come from these beautiful and spiritual places should go back to these communities to the largest extent possible.

We believe outdoor apparel and equipment should be made in the communities which inspire their use.  

We believe the people who live in these communities should (if they choose) have year round jobs that allow them and their families to better their lives. 

We believe it is our duty as lovers of the great outdoors to protect and steward the environment, especially our wilderness.

We believe a small group of committed people can change the outdoor apparel industry in ways that empower and protect mountain communities.

We have a dream that one day Burgeon Outdoor will grow from one location in Lincoln, NH to dozens of manufacturing and retail locations throughout the Appalachians, Rockies, Cascades, Sierra Nevadas and yes, even the Alps.

Our mission is to create a better tomorrow for mountain communities, such as Lincoln, NH where we are based.  We preserve and enhance the enjoyment of the outdoors by investing in the people, economy, environment and social fabric of outdoor communities.

Please join our mission.  With your help and support we can achieve incredible things.

Thank you.

Rudy Glocker
Founder

 “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!” -- Dr. Seuss