As the year’s epic snowpack recedes from Inland Northwest mountain peaks, it’s time for summer adventures. A new Sandpoint-based outdoor gear rental business wants to make enjoying the outdoors easier by limiting some of the barriers that keep many people from doing the trips they’ve always wanted to do. Wanderlust Outfitters offers a solution to anyone who wants to go camping, backpacking or hiking but doesn’t have all the gear: the ability to rent single gear items or full packages that include the things you need enjoy the region’s trails and campsites safely and in comfort.
Owner Jen Fehlman points out that good gear can be really expensive, and that many people who want to get outside more don’t want to pay for outdoor equipment they may only use once or twice a year. At Wanderlust Outfitters, you can rent a two-person weekend backpacking kit including a tent, packs, sleeping pads and bags, cookset and more for $150 for the first night, and the company will even deliver gear to your house, workplace, or camping spot to get you out there quicker.
Fehlman fell in love with the outdoors after spending a couple of summers living and working in Grand Teton National Park. In 2011 she moved to Sandpoint, and knew she wanted a job involving outdoor recreation. Lack of professional experience in the outdoor recreation industry prevented her from getting a job, but instead of giving up, she decided to launch her own business. “My main goal is to inspire people to get outside and experience the restorative nature of nature,” Fehlman says. “I know first-hand how therapeutic camping, backpacking, and hiking adventures can be.” Wanderlust-outfitters.com. //
