Russel "Holly" Hollenbeck

Owner, aka "Boss"

Lisa Hollenbeck

Owner, aka "Boss Lady"

Holly and Lisa pilot this good ship Alpine, but they know that the wind in her sails comes from the hard work of their outfitters and their support staff.  Take a moment to get to know your local outfitters and sneak a peak past the "Employees Only" door to meet the buyers, marketers and other behind the scenes characters.  Choose a category below:

Shelby Cook

Store Manager 

Alpiner since: 2020

What's Your Passion? I love to hike, backpack, kayak but, most importantly, surf! I have been surfing for almost 15 years now. Being in Missouri, I have picked up kayaking and stand up paddle boarding as a replacement for surfing until I can get back to the ocean.

Dream Adventure: My dream adventure would be to recreate the trip from the movie endless summer.
 

Favorite Book: Anything Stephen King 

Favorite Gear: Olukai

Emily Wool 

Assistant Store Manager 

Alpiner since: 2016

What's Your Passion? My zeal for the outdoors started when I was a wee thing, camping with my family. But the grand adventure I'm on now began with a fateful orienteering excursion where I learned I could teach others about the wild wonders of nature. Since that day I have been an environmental educator, naturalist, kayak instructor and trip leader, gear outfitter, and certified interpretive guide.

Where is your favorite place to "Get Outside Yourself"?: I love paddling small and windy rivers, like the Current and the Big River. My favorite river is actually up in Minnesota, the Root River, so windy with giant bluffs and eagles on both sides. My favorite hiking spots are Guilda Young and LaBarque Creek Conservation areas.

Favorite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, if I had to choose one book. Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs if I could choose more.

Favorite Gear: Black Diamond trekking poles are this girl's best friend. 96% certain I will buy only Dovetail Workwear as my jeans ever again. Werner Paddle's Shuna bent shaft...yaaas.

Tim Sanders

Columbia Events Coordinator - Kayak Instructor

Alpiner since: 2011

Bonus: 

• Eagle Scout
• ACA Certified Kayak Instructor

What's Your Passion? Whitewater Kayaking, woodworking making paddles (kayak, canoe, Greenland, oars, SUP) Backpacking. I got started by my family and boy scouts

Dream Adventure: Rafting the entire Colorado River through the Grand Canyon

Local Outdoor Group? Missouri Whitewater Association, American Whitewater, Missouri River Relief

Favorite Book: "The Last River"  by Todd Balf. A non-fiction Book about the first decent of an epic river in the Himalayan Mountains and I know one of the people in the story through a rafting trip.

Personal Website: tspaddles.com - Handmade kayak, canoe, Greenland, oars and SUP paddles. 

Favorite Gear: Jackson Kayaks

Callie McCarthy

Keyholder / Outfitter

Alpiner since: 2019

Favorite Place to "Get Outside Yourself": My favorite place to get outside myself is anywhere in my kayak, doesn't matter the temperature, as long as I'm on the water I'm happy. The only thing that would make it better is if my kayak had an extra seat for my dog.

Hometown: I am from Ballwin, Missouri in St. Louis. My favorite things to do in town is taking my dogs hiking in Castlewood and going to the St. Louis Art Museum and looking at the contemporary art.

Favorite Book: My favorite book is called "Furiously Happy" by Jenny Lawson

Other Interests: I enjoy ceramic art, either making or simply enjoying the piece. I mainly like to make large, organically textured pieces resembling trees.

Favorite Gear: My favorite product is my Osprey Nova Backpack, it fits everything I need and more.