Jess Kowalski

Jess (they/them) is based out of the Mount Washington Valley (MWV) of NH. They practice massage therapy, work at International Mountain Equipment, and sell repurposed climbing gear jewelry.

In 2021, Jess founded All Outdoors Collective, a grassroots movement to build upon and expand the outdoors community in the MWV. In 2023 they co-led the first LGBT+ ice climbing clinic in New Hampshire, and the LGBT+ affinity program has grown ever since. Lastly, in 2024 they worked alongside three New England based community organizers to create the first ‘Building Inclusive Spaces’ workshop for climbing guides in the area.

Jess enjoys swimming, climbing, hiking, writing, reading, making things from things, doodling, dancing, meditating, laughing about and with life, music, being covered in dirt, watching things grow, and going slow. Jess is often found lurking around trees, icicles, mountains, deserts, cliffs, boulders, farm fields, puddles of water of all sizes, small living spaces, and piles of food. They are often teal in color, though increasingly covered in cheetah print.