Five Miles Further emerged from backpacking trips during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lifelong outdoor enthusiasts with years of experience leading outdoors, we found ourselves navigating overcrowded campgrounds and a surge in disrespectful wilderness use. Frustrated by the crowds, we resolved to explore beyond the usual thresholds, venturing “five miles further” to get past the crowds and discover quieter, more rewarding adventures.

This pursuit led us to deep into gear, best practices, community building, personal fitness, skill development, and certification. With our young son joining us, risk management became a crucial element. From the outset, our journeys—both energizing and challenging—gave us bond-building memories and valuable lessons.

More than a personal motto, “Five Miles Further” is now a collaborative project dedicated to teaching, leadership, resilience building, community fostering, and creating unforgettable experiences.



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Gigi

Certified Personal Trainer, NASM
Certified Nutrition Coach, NASM
Physical Education, UCSB
Ready Renew You, Owner

I’ve been helping others improve their physical and mental wellness for more than twenty years. At college in Santa Barbara, I spent weekends climbing and hiking in the Los Padres National Forest. My personal and professional life collided when I joined a team using recreation to physically rehabilitate stroke, spinal cord, and brain injury patients. Now as a personal trainer and business owner, I help middle-aged professionals and retirees improve strength, endurance, mobility, and quality of life.

Lee

Wilderness First Responder (WFR), NOLS
Outdoor Recreation Instructor, SCCCD
Sociocultural Anthropologist

I grew up in Canada and spent enough time outside that it didn’t really feel like “being outside.” A good chunk of my childhood was camping out of the back of Mom’s blue Aerostar. I went on my first backpacking trip in Manitoba’s porcupine hills around age thirteen and I got the travel bug when I was nineteen. I’ve lived and worked in four countries. I’m a father, climber, adventure motorcyclist, and sociocultural anthropologist. I didn’t know I’d end up living in California when I got on the plane to Jakarta.