John purchased his first canoe, a used Indian River 14 ft. fiberglass model, in 1981 and began incessantly exploring many of Florida’s lakes, rivers and springs. His favorite being the Suwannee River of Stephen Foster fame. Since 1979 he has rafted some of the wildest western rivers including the Green, Colorado, San Juan and the Delores, and enjoys a burger and beer from Ray’s Tavern in Green River, Utah, after every trip if not before.

He founded Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company in 1993 with nothing more than a fist full of confederate money and a dream. Today, Mountainman’s success speaks for itself and whenever possible, John loves to get away and paddle his secret waterways in the Adirondack Park and in Cedar Kay, FL, and yes, Utah.