Carpenter W. says Ice maker Rob Poulsen from Leadville, Carbon monoxide, the highest compacted city in the United States, he works there nine months a year – sometimes 80 hours a week – so he can take three more months off travel. Between shifts or during his limited spare time, Poulsen, rocking a mullet and his lost front tooth, goes out into the wilderness at every opportunity he gets.
Poulsen says his nomadic lifestyle dates back to his youth, having grown up in a military family, and it was common for him to move around. He spent the first decade of his life in San Diego. From there he moved to Japan for two years, and for the next ten years lived in upstate New York. His career has led him to that Hood River, Oregon and Leadville.
Work to get into the fresh air
November is the start of the snow season, which means on weekends he prepares the local slopes for opening day in Breckenridge Ski ResortWhere he will work all night. He will then head to his day job as a carpenter at Downstream Construction. He also started his construction business. The stacking work is only temporary – the snow season only lasts two months – but the extra coin he makes goes a long way when it comes to venturing into the wild.
“I work for a company that places a high value on lifestyle, so they are great with me taking a month off or taking a five-day vacation for an expedition kayaking. I’m cutting my salary for that, but it’s worth it so I can do the things I value.” .
Live the outdoor lifestyle
Adventures accumulate, with photos showing him charging the fifth-tier slopes in his cable car, with his head firmly planted forward as he plunges into the waterfalls. Others show a full smile wrapping around his 26-year-old face, shirtless and cold drink in hand, mullet beating in all directions. For Paulsen, it is not enough to repeat the exercise he loves; It’s all about living and breathing the lifestyle.

“Guns are a thing in white water kayaking, and it’s a hallmark. It’s one of those fringe sports where everyone is a little outdoorsy. It’s what it was like to climb 30 years ago,” referring to the hippies who brought drugs and the rock and lifestyle lifestyle Roll to Yosemite during the 1970’s Free Climb Revolution. At the time, militant climbers wore white painters’ trousers, paisley shirts, and headbands, and it was not uncommon for them to take LSD (pictured). Valley uprising). Poulsen says that the same counterculture’s sporting adventurous spirit is still alive today in the kayaking adventure, which is what drew him to the sport.
Name: Rob Poulsen
Address: Professional Fun Hog, Expedition Kayaker, Backcountry Skier
Location: Leadville, Colorado, elevation 10,152 feet

How did you get out of your age?
I pulled it over while riding a mountain bike alone outside of St.George, Utah. My face was covered in blood. I was on my way to meet friends in Vegas to climb up. I crashed before meeting them at the airport.
I got stitches, but the doctor couldn’t save the tooth, and we still go climbing. I climbed long paths while taking painkillers. I had a blast for the rest of the week, even as I lost my tooth. When I extracted my teeth a couple of years ago, I have rocked Joe Dirt’s look ever since.
What is the perfect kayak excursion excursion?
I do things like three-day V-plus river paddle boarding trips in the Grizzly Bear area, where you are far from helping if I do something wrong.
Any tips for readers on living a more fulfilling outdoor lifestyle?
If you are trying to lead a more fulfilling outdoor lifestyle, you need to focus on that. If you live in a big city and work in a high-stress job, you might assess where you live. It doesn’t cost much to live this lifestyle; You need to focus on getting there.
My priority was wanting to do it, and I followed suit. I also learned that you can do construction anywhere. That’s why I left college after three semesters and started construction work for a steady salary. After one year of work, I made my first three-month climbing and kayaking excursion.
I think if you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen. There is always a way to achieve your goals; It is never too late to change a career; It’s just hard work.

How do you fill your days?
When I get off at 3 PM, I fill in – depending on the season and Why do I love Colorado—I’m excited about the kayak season, the mountain biking season and then the ski season. We have a Monday night kayaking group in the summer where we have a kayak. Catch the whirlpool, drink a beer; This is how it works.
I get up before work and go on a ski tour because the mountains are outside where I live.
How do you make it work?
I am a carpenter, I frame, I finish the work, I do the tiles. Whatever the case, I try to be good at it. You can always do more to improve yourself. To gain new skills, I watch videos of professionals in both working, kayaking, and climbing.
I lived in my truck year-round for four years, from mid-2016 to mid-2020. This season I got a place in Leadville to make building plans and start my own business. But I still get in my truck at the weekend and sleep in the back. It’s always ready to go.
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