In our first story, Land Tawney seizes the chance for an epic backpacking trip into the Frank Church Wilderness, made even better by the inclusion of his nine-year-old daughter and support llamas. When the intense summer heat and rugged trail push the young girl to the brink of giving up, he must trust her to make the decision to push forward or turn back. Land calls his story “Young Grit”. 

Land Tawney is a 5th generation Montanan prone to wandering & good times. Land earned his Bachelor of Science focused in Wildlife Biology from The University of Montana and has been working his entire adult life to conserve public lands and water and access to them at the local, state, and federal levels. From testifying in front of Congress in Washington DC to organizing grassroots volunteers all across North America, Land walks the walk. He now co-chairs a new non-profit, American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, and works tirelessly to protect our public lands for present and future generations.

Hayley Glassic was driven by a childhood dream of couture and must abandon fashion for a seemingly stable career path, only to have a single brochure unexpectedly reroute her life. A misunderstanding at a job interview for a job in “Cordova, AK” plunges her into the grueling world of salmon hatcheries, where she finds her true calling in the remote wilderness. Hayley calls her story “Origin Story”.

Hayley Glassic migrated from her birthplace in Pennsylvania to Georgia (the state not the country) and eventually to Montana where she has lived for 8 years. Landing in Missoula has been a blessing for friendship, love, heartbreak, growth, and community. After seeing tell us something in 2022, she has been waiting for a prompt that would fit for her to share a story. Hayley was given lots of cheeky feedback from high school friends of how poor of a storyteller she is. By sharing this story, she hopes to break that streak.

Bryan Dalpes hopes to turn his Alaskan summer fling into a real relationship, but ignores food safety for a giant steak, leading to a disastrous morning ritual right outside his would-be love’s A-frame door. When his partner abruptly ends things after returning from a grueling trip, he must navigate gossip and miscommunication to save the relationship. Brian calls his story “The Rile”.

Growing up on the mean streets of suburban Colorado, Bryan found refuge in the punk rock and skateboarding communities. While voyaging on the courageous journey from child to man-child his life course changed when he discovered the moving meditation that is rock climbing. After honing his climbing and alpine skills he spent summers in Alaska guiding ice climbing, glacier exploration, and backcountry trips. Since those years he has continued on to be a guide, instructor, coach, firefighter/EMT, Covid task force specialist, seedling nursery crew lead, mobile beer canner, freelance video editor, graphic artist, handyman, landscaper, ski patroller, house sitter, marketplace hustler…the list goes on. He is the proud dad of a floppy eared, special needs dog named Ron who is regularly recognized on the trail and pined over by complete strangers

Feeling overwhelmed by her spinning “plates” of responsibility, Betsy Funk receives an unexpected invitation to join the Peace Corps in Africa. She risks leaving her daughter and draining her finances to chase a desperate call for help, embarking on a journey that will test her limits and change her perspective on what it means to keep life together. Betsy calls her story “Mother”.

After 40 years of teaching through story, Betsy loves to share stories with folks she encounters. Either listening to or telling them she frames her world around ” what’s your story?” She finds her moments of shared joy and tears continue to make her a better person. She hopes her adventures inspire some wonder and joy in you. The goal is always to make the world a better place.  Be kind…you got this.