Blogger Profile: Zach Carbo

By zachcarbo on June 26, 2023
6 min read

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Zach Carbo is an avid outdoor enthusiast, family man and eager people meeter. The only thing he enjoys more than an outdoor adventure is an outdoor adventure with friends. Originally from the bayous of Southeast Louisiana where the highest point is sea level, he decided to take advantage of an opportunity to move to the Bay Area of California where he finished his high school years. While there, Zach took a road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway through the giant redwoods of Northern California, the Oregon coast and the Puget Sound of Washington. It was during this trip that he fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and his passion for travel, adventure and the mountains was solidified. Several years later he enlisted in the military and was given the opportunity to choose his duty station. Choosing Washington State was not a difficult decision. He is proud to call the great state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest his base camp.

Zach lives the high life
Zach lives the high life

If it involves being outside, Zach enjoys it. Most particularly skydiving, BASE jumping, speedflying, skiing, mountaineering, trail running, SUP and spending time with his wife, son and Rhodesian Ridgebacks: Vegas and Denali. Zach is driven by experiencing new places, new people and new things. He loves sharing high fives, smiles and stoke with everyone he meets. Here are his answers to some of the questions we had for him. Zach, how old are you and what's your favorite thing to do when you're not playing outside? -I'm 37 and I’ve begun to enjoy writing lately. Although, I’m no Bill Shakespeare. I also like to fly through the air (at indoor wind tunnels). Most memorable adventure? -My first Mt. Hood summit. It was with some of the raddest, most inspiring and competent individuals I know. I remembering watching the mountain shadow extend over the landscape as we made our way up the last pitch. I felt so small and lucky to be there. If you could adventure anywhere in the world for a week or two, where would you go? -Norway, It provides the ultimate quad-fecta. Mountaineering, skiing, speed flying and BASE jumping. Who inspires you? -Laird Hamilton and Shane McConkey. They both charge(d) at everything they do/did and are/were amazing ambassadors of their sports. Not to mention they are/were all around good dudes.

Jump!
Jump!

Worst habit? -If you ask my wife, biting my fingernails. If you ask my son, blaming my farts on the dogs. What is one adventurer stereotype that you embody? -Being humble, because there’s always someone better than you and respecting Mother Nature because she is one tough mother. That you stray far from? -One uppers. Hey, how much do you squat? Favorite gear innovation you have seen? -The wingsuit. Can’t thank all of the early (Patrick de Gayardon) and recent (Matt Gerdes) pioneers of this amazing sport. Now humans can FLY!

Flying his wingsuit, what a happy guy
Flying his wingsuit, what a happy guy

Favorite piece of gear? -Helmet. Never leave home without it. Biggest peeve about gear? -I only like to carry gear that serves more than one function. I don’t like to be weighed down. And it costs too much! What law(s) have you broken that resulted in a good story? -I may or may not have been on top of a few structures that I may or may not have had permission to be on. What’s the story? -I like to jump off of tall things. Sometimes people don’t want me to jump off of their tall things, but I do it anyway. It makes me and my friends happy! What's your biggest insight about life to the general population? -My biggest insight to society is to let go of the things that really don’t matter. Focus on being a productive human being and treating and respecting others they way you want to be treated. And be sure to smile and give out high fives…. (they’re FREE!!!) Song that makes you most stoked to play hard? -Mountain Song - Jane’s Addiction Favorite food and drink post epic adventure? -Double-Double Animal Style from In n Out or the Brats from outside the butcher shop in Lauterbrunnen, -Switzerland and coconut water If your life was turned into a movie, what actor would play your role? -Man, that’s tough. A young Harrison Ford maybe. Genie gives you three wishes and you have five minutes to decide all three. What are they? -A helicopter with unlimited fuel and a pilot (is that three?) -Endless bluebird pow days -Orange mocha frappuccinos for life

Speedflying in the winter combines parachutes, skis, and mountaineering skills all in one day.
Speedflying in the winter combines parachutes, skis, and mountaineering skills all in one day.

Best way to end a first date? -By showing her how cool I am and skiing the K12…. Most visited website? -Currently it’s my university’s Blackboard. What's hot? -Down Jackets What’s not? -Banana Hammocks What would you do if it was the end of the world tomorrow? -Spend time with my family and friends in the mountains, on the water and in the air. Would you rather fail or never try? -Fail. (as long as I don’t end up on those “Epic Fail” compilations… that’s just embarrassing.) If you could spend a year doing something that you have never, ever done, what would it be? -Flying airplanes and helicopters all over the world. Do you have any pets? Do you ride with them? -Two Rhodesian Ridgebacks. They come to the mountain (and everywhere else) with us. Worst injury sustained from adventuring and how did you recover? -Right calcaneus (heel) break and a trimalleolar (3-way) fracture of my right tibia and fibula. I treated my recovery for both very seriously. I ate well and focused on getting strong again. A good support group, focus and determination made it all possible. What the fastest speed you've ever gone under your own power, assisted by gravity? -On my own power, about 20 mph maybe. But only when I have to pee really bad. Gravity assisted, 120+ mph. What's your favorite thing about KÜHL? -Their style, function and durability suits my lifestyle. What's your favorite piece of KÜHL clothing? What do you use it for? -Far and above, my favorite piece of Kühl clothing are my Rydr's. I've had one set for what must be 4+ years and they are still going strong. From hiking in the Washington Cascades and Olympics as well as foot-launcing my speedwing and flying my wingsuit to lounging by the fire with a beer après ski, my Rydr's are as durable as they are comfortable. If your best friend already had your favorite piece of KÜHL gear, what would you recommend to him/ her that functions just as well playing outside as it does in the bar at the end of the day? -I am a HUGE fan of men's wool and fleece. Which us one of the reason Kühl and I get along so well! They make the most functional, stylish and comfortable pullovers and zip ups around. When the temperatures drop here in the Pacific Northwest, I go straight for my Kühl Europa 1/4 zip. It might help that it has custom embroidery of my home mountain on it!

Zach always has a smile on his face
Zach always has a smile on his face
zachcarbo
zachcarbo

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