CART (0)

Your Cart is Empty

You are €99,00 away from free shipping!

Way Out in the Rockies: Brad Karl

BY Buffalo Jackson Journal Ambassadors
BY Xan Hood

Way Out in the Rockies: Brad Karl

An ambassador for Buffalo Jackson Trading Co., Brad Karl was born and raised in the Canadian Rockies. People from all around the world come to spend spring and summer with Karl as he guides them on trips through the Rockies. Recently we interviewed Karl and asked him some questions about his love for adventure, trips, and family. We are excited to share more about Karl with you in hopes that you can connect with his story and how he chooses to honor his wild.

Tell us a little more about what you do?

To start, I’m a husband and a father. We have 1 little guy, Wyatt, and 1 more on the way! My wife Taylor and I met in high school and dated off and on until we realized it was time to tie the knot. About 4 years ago, I had a few friends come up from college and we took them on one of our family mountain trips. Shortly after my family and I decided to work together to create “Karl Outfitters”. We are an outdoor adventure company. We offer hourly trail rides to multi-day trips. On our multi-day trips, we take the guests back into the Canadian Rockies with draft horses and covered wagons and ride into high country lakes to fish and of course swim! In the late fall, I currently help another outfitter as a guide for big game.

What is your personal background? (Family, Outdoors, Academic, Trade, Etc.) 

I grew up south of Calgary, Alberta. My grandparents on my father's side were farmers and worked in the oil industry. On my mother's side, they were a real estate family. Growing up I spent my time between football, ranching and helping in the oil field. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister, which live in Alberta, Utah, and Arizona.

Tell us how you got into being an outdoor guide?

We were actually hunting ourselves and pulling our wagon into the backcountry, and ran into an outfitter with his wagon and began to talk. All of his horses took off back to the trucks overnight so he was chasing them. We ended up lending a hand and traded numbers. A year later I got a call from him asking to guide some hunters from Oregon on horses. The rest is history. We are currently working to buy half his tags for next season, to help expand our company.

What is your favorite part of leading adventures?

The people are ALWAYS the best! Don’t get me wrong, I love the mountains and the views. But sharing those with people from all around the world is AMAZING! Every trip we make lifelong friends.

Where is your favorite place you have ever hiked?

Hah, my horse does most of the hiking, BUT I love Hill of the Flowers. But a close second would have to be Rae Lake. It’s a small high country lake amount one of the highest mountains in the Rockies.

Do you have any other hobbies?

Football, I LOVE football. I’m a diehard Patriots fan. Growing up I played QB & Linebacker and actually received a scholarship to play down in Utah, and ended up playing in California.

What do a few days off work look like for you?

Typically, I ride in the mountains early morning, followed by lunch at the Chuck Wagon Cafe in Turner Valley. Then the rest of the day we spend as a family running around.

What's your favorite Buffalo Jackson bag and why?

I love the look of the Dakota waxed bags. They remind me of the lifestyle we live in the mountains. Canvas like our tents, to the leather we have on everything. LOVE the look!

Dakota Waxed Canvas Weekend Bag | Field Khaki w/ Chestnut Brown Leather

Shop the Dakota Collection here.

Photography by Marisa Anderson

Follow Brad on Instagram


More from Journal
Journal by Buffalo Jackson
Gifts for Women Under $100
Buying great gifts for women can be tough, and finding somethi...
Read More
Journal by Buffalo Jackson
Gifts for Men Under $100
We know buying gifts for men can be a huge challenge and findi...
Read More
Journal by Xan Hood
Stories of Men
It can be hard to find hope these days. The stories we read ab...
Read More