Jaralei grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She loves getting to know a place, and feeling part of it, by interacting with nature via various activities - mountain biking, climbing, ice climbing, caving, hiking, camping, kayaking. Each presents unique challenges and has taken her to places she wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. Her favorite quote by Edward Abbey explains: “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view”. The destination keeps you going, but it’s the journey that cultivates strength and character and is its own reward.

Getting to know a place involves understanding its history, as well as its landscape. As a young person, Jaralei attended local history classes and then took to the hills to find the remnants of treasures she’d learned about. Connecting with the story of a place and then becoming part of it is one of her greatest thrills.

Jaralei spent three years in Europe and three years on the east coast, but has come to realize that for her, west is best. She is in awe of the pristine and rugged mountains of the Sierra Nevadas and is excited to adventure with you in Yosemite.