*Indian Creek, Bears Ears National Monument, Utah*

Owner, founder: Hannah Trullaz

Chicago-born, I first saw mountains on a family trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone at 14. My dad describes seeing my face pressed up against the window glass and thinking to himself, ‘I’ve lost my daughter forever’. He was right.

*Somewhere off a dirt road near Mount St. Helens.*

*Rappelling on the Mayflower Traverse, Tenmile Range, CO.*

I’ve been tremendously privileged to call myself an artist, outdoor educator, instructor, and mountain guide. Since graduating from Colorado College, I’ve worked weeks (sometimes months) at a time instructing and guiding in the mountains of Colorado, the canyons and cliffs in Utah, glaciers in Alaska, and other beautiful, inspiring venues in Wyoming, California, Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile. The time spent away from technological connection has taught me how important it is to connect to all of the little details in the world around me. And the natural consequences I’ve experienced outside have taught me perspective; happiness, safety and equity are far more important to me than emails or social media.

What’s with the name? : Sew alpine

The phrase “so alpine” is often used by climbers and skiers to describe intense winter conditions like cold, blowing snow, rime ice, and spindrift. I’ve heard many folks use it like a badge of honor or justification for suffering through miserable conditions. On the flip side, the term also denotes great style. Something that’s light, fast, and flashy (or that promotes you to be so) is super alpine. Take for example, your average toothbrush—not very alpine. But if you break off the handle to save an ounce in your overnight pack, suddenly your dental hygiene routine just became real “alpine”!

Sew Alpine is of course a pun (I sew) and I also want it to be a reminder to poke a little fun and not take ourselves (or our pursuits) too seriously. I love recreating outside and I love making stuff, but I love my closest connections more. I take days off every week to rest, connect, and get outside. And I want you to too. And I also want you to have the tools you need to go outside and connect with the people and places that are meaningful to you.

On top of the Middle Teton with Izzy Lazarus of Sun Dog Sewn Goods — *On top of the Middle Teton with Izzy Lazarus of* *Sun Dog Sewn Goods*

I’m not here to judge anyone’s adventure or insist that you need some really fancy piece of equipment to fit in. I’ve had my fair share of feeling excluded from outdoor spaces and I hope that I can add a little bit of humility and compassion to the sphere, while challenging the status quo with a bit of irreverence.

Do what fills you up and what challenges you to grow. And lift up your community while you’re doing it. That’s what Sew Alpine is here to support. Learn more about our practices here.

Porg

Porg is in charge of quality control, playtime, naps, and life/work balance at Sew Alpine. He helps out a lot with R&D and checks for durability. He’s a 3-yr old presumably border collie/heeler/aussie/kelpie mix that my husband and I rescued in Montana.

ARTOO

Artoo is our newest recruit. She’s in charge of singing, snacks, snuggles, and chaos at Sew Alpine. She is also very helpful at testing for durability. She’s a 1.5-year old aussie/heeler/shepherd/pyrenees/bulldog(?)/border collie mix from the Aztec, NM shelter, where she was picked up as a stray. We’re shocked she spent 3 months at the shelter, but we’re so happy she found us!

If you’re looking for an awesome animal companion in Durango, be sure to check out the La Plata County Humane Society, Aztec Animal Shelter, Durango Animal Connection, Parker's Animal Rescue, Rez Dog Rescue, Annie’s Orphans, Turquoise Paw Rescue, Underdog, and many other shelters in the Four Corners region.