Chris was born in Denver, CO and spent his childhood in Corrales, NM, where he enjoyed spending time outdoors and playing music. After a pivotal experience as an Outward Bound student, he attended Western State Colorado University, and studied geology. After graduating, he moved up-valley to Crested Butte and focused on guiding, skiing, and snow science. While living in Crested Butte, he got his EMT certification, worked part time for the ski patrol, taught avalanche courses, was an assistant avalanche forecaster, and guided for a cat-ski operation. He also worked for Outward Bound (15 years in total) and eventually became the Southwest Program Director of the Colorado Outward Bound School. During this time, he guided all over the country, including in Washington State, Denali, and the San Juan Mountains. He then pursued a graduate degree at Northern Arizona University in Geology, focusing on modern and past climate change in the Alaskan Arctic by reconstructing glacier activity through lake sediments and moraines. He now works part time for the USGS in Moab, UT focusing on soil-geomorphology.