March 2017
After just a few days in Ashland you learn that our weather is as quirky, unpredictable —and delightful—as our residents. A winter day that begins with the bone-chilling phenomenon of “freezing fog” can wind up with blue skies, sunshine and temperatures in the 60s. Summer can take you from sleeveless and shorts to “Where’s my jacket?” in no time.
Knowing what to wear in the outdoors here is best not left to amateurs. That’s where Bryant Helgeland comes in. Bryant and his staff at Mountain Provisions, which recently opened on the Plaza at 27 N. Main, are your go-to experts on what to wear outdoors, whether you’re strolling the streets of town or hiking the backcountry.
Mountain Provisions offers what Bryant calls a “mindfully curated” selection of clothing and equipment that have stood the test of actual wear and use in our region’s varied terrain and changeable weather.
“Our goal at Mountain Provisions is to provide the highest quality advice, apparel, footwear, and equipment at the best value to residents and travelers of the Rogue Valley,” he said.
The staff are experts on gear for hiking, backpacking, light and ultralight thru-hiking, plus local water and back country snow sports. Mountain Provisions also rents backcountry skis and snowshoes.
Bryant’s knowledge of and love for the outdoors started early. “I slept in a tent for the first time at six weeks old,” he says. He spent many summers in YMCA camps, first as a camper, then a counselor. While at the University of Wisconsin, he worked a retail job with an outdoor company. In 2001, he took a semester course in Patagonia with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) program. After school in October 2001, Bryant moved to Ashland to further his career in the outdoor industry. He became a buyer for an outdoor company in town.
“I worked for almost 15 years learning the ins and outs of the outdoor retail business,” he says. “I worked on the sales floor, made purchasing decisions, managed staff and inventory, mounted, repaired and waxed skis.”
In May 2016, Bryant ventured out on his own to open Mountain Provisions. It was the natural next step for his “goals, passion and direction.” He loves making sure his customers get the most from their outdoor experiences. Many of them, he says, have run into him while he’s out field-testing the latest items with his best hiking buddy.
“Lots of people recognize me, but more recognize my dog, Nanook,” he said. “It happens at work, in the woods, and on the snow all the time.”
For more info, call 541-708-6350 or website: ashlandmountain-provisions.com. You can also like them on Facebook.
