The Story of a Mediocre Scientist

My name is Chris, and I’m a doctor—just not the kind that makes much money or helps much when you’re sick. I have a PhD, which means I do strange science-y things and write papers where the words resemble English, but the sentences don’t always cooperate and the math involves an unreasonable number of symbols.

I also work part-time as a mountain guide in Montana and spend as much time outside as possible. I care deeply about education, risk, and preserving the environments that make outdoor work—and play—possible in the first place.

My work happens to involve helicopters in Antarctica. It also involves a lot of time outdoors in bad weather, in places that are spectacular enough to make the discomfort worthwhile. This combination tends to produce equal parts insight, humility, and accidental comedy.

Friends, family, and many of my clients have encouraged me to share these experiences. This site is where I do that—focusing on the human side of science, fieldwork, and outdoor education. I hope it’s useful, interesting, or at least occasionally entertaining.