Sheri Tingey on Packrafting and Trailblazing as a Female Innovator in the Outdoor Industry

Today on the show I have Sheri Tingey, founder and lead designer of Alpacka Packrafts. Sheri is a true outdoor industry pioneer. In 1968, as a ski bum in Jackson, WY and Alta, UT - Sheri started a company designing custom ski clothing. She revolutionized the industry by innovating new more functional designs and spiced things up by adding some colorful style to the otherwise drab ski clothes of the time. After nearly 15 years hustling and designing ski clothing for some of the top ski resorts and shops in the country, Sheri suddenly developed a serious case of chronic fatigue syndrome. The disease took her to her knees and after 17 years of struggling in its grips, Sheri finally found a Dr that saved her life. She learned how to manage her innate drive. She had to learn how to go from being a passionate, workaholic entrepreneur to a zen, calm and balanced designer. Shortly after she found that doctor and started to feel better, Sheri’s son Thor (who is now the CEO at Alpacka) had just completed a 600-mile packrafting traverse of Alaska’s Brooks Range. Thor was frustrated with the performance of the boat he had been using on his trips, which didn’t hold air and required hours of patch working after each day on the river. He brought the boat to his mom and asked if she could make it better. Sheri’s eyes lit up, she accepted the challenge, and the rest is history. Sheri’s story is one of grit and determination. A tale of a true female innovator in a heavily male dominated industry. The outdoor industry history buffs out there will appreciate this one too, that’s a guarantee. Per usual, lots of great nuggets to pull out of this one… so grab a cup of coffee, tea, or kombucha and enjoy.

Show resources:

Thor and Sarah Tingey

Jackson Hole

Alta - the rustler lodge

Designed by Sheri (1968-1981)

Tom Froth

Yvon Chouinard

Doug Tompkins

John Simms

Alaska Wilderness Classic

Roman Dial