Story
The story of Wild Iris Mountain Sports birth and life in this sleepy western town, Lander, Wyoming. Todd Skinner, Greg Collins, and friends helped put Lander, Wyoming on the map for climbers all over the world. It was from this development, that Wild Iris Mountain Sports and the International Climbers' Festival came to life here in Lander. For all your backpacking, camping, climbing and hiking supplies, as well as excellent local and regional information, Wild Iris Mountain Sports has what you need.
Story
The story of Wild Iris Mountain Sports birth and life in this sleepy western town, Lander, Wyoming. Todd Skinner, Greg Collins, and friends helped put Lander, Wyoming on the map for climbers all over the world. It was from this development, that Wild Iris Mountain Sports and the International Climbers' Festival came to life here in Lander. For all your backpacking, camping, climbing and hiking supplies, as well as excellent local and regional information, Wild Iris Mountain Sports has what you need.
Wild Iris Mountain Sports History
It all began in a small house on the corner of Third and Lincoln streets in Lander, selling primarily used climbing equipment. In late 1991, the store moved to a Main Street location four times the size of the original house. Over the following years, the store continued to grow forcing an eventual move in 1998 to a second Main Street location at 333 Main Street. In early 2013, Wild Iris Mountain Sports moved the store to a larger space at 166 Main Street, in order to support the community’s growing needs.
Since 1990, Wild Iris Mountain Sports has been proud to provide the best outdoor gear and local recreation information. Initially, the business ran with two major tenets in mind: to employ climbers and to provide a source of equipment for those climbers. While the company’s climbing roots drive their passion, the business has become much, much more. Wild Iris has grown to include a large selection of men’s and women’s apparel, camping equipment, footwear and, of course, climbing equipment.
In more recent years, Wild Iris has reached out to the Lander community in significantly broader ways. Since its inception, Wild Iris has been a major sponsor of the International Climbers Festival, which draws people from all over the world to experience our beautiful climbing and outdoor opportunities. The shop has partnered with non-profits such as Wind River Alliance, Wyoming Outdoor Council, Lander Care & Share Food Bank and Lander Pet Connection to create fundraising opportunities for these key organizations. Designed with the environment in mind, Wild Iris’ Refuse a Bag program donated $750 in 2021 to a variety of local organizations. Wild Iris also aids with the Bolt Anchor Replacement Fund, whose purpose is to maintain safe climbing anchors at our local areas.
Wild Iris is more than just a climbing shop – they believe they can make a positive impact in our community through programs that give back while also supporting our local economy.
People
THE WILD IRIS TEAM!
Wild Iris actively seeks to employ enthusiastic, outdoor individuals because we believe those who play outside lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. This translates to happier WIMS team members, and happier employees make customers happy. Beyond being happy and healthy, WIMS knows those that get outside and play have first-hand knowledge of our great outdoor playground, and we are here to impart some of this knowledge to you!
If you are interested in joining the Wild Iris Team, please send a resume and cover letter to: wildiris@WILDIRISCLIMBING.COM
People
THE WILD IRIS TEAM!
Wild Iris actively seeks to employ enthusiastic, outdoor individuals because we believe those who play outside lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. This translates to happier WIMS team members, and happier employees make customers happy. Beyond being happy and healthy, WIMS knows those that get outside and play have first-hand knowledge of our great outdoor playground, and we are here to impart some of this knowledge to you!
If you are interested in joining the Wild Iris Team, please send a resume and cover letter to: wildiris@WILDIRISCLIMBING.COM
OWNER/MANAGER
I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay's Eastern Shore of Maryland and spent my entire childhood on or in the water. In 2011 I made the decision to move to Wyoming for no other reason than I loved the state. I joined the Wild Iris staff in the summer of 2013 and I am starting to think that I was meant to be more than just seasonal help. When I'm in the shop I can probably be found talking over a map or showing off my favorite pants. When I'm not in the shop, you have a good chance of finding me at home with a cat in my lap or maybe laying in the sun, pretending to fish, hiking, or reading a book somewhere in the Wind River Range. I am so proud to be a member of the Lander community and to be one of the owners of this business.
Jake
OWNER/BUYER
I grew up in Boulder, Colorado, and came to Lander for the first time on a climbing trip in 2013. After receiving a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado, I made the move out here and joined the Wild Iris team in 2017. For me, the best parts of Lander have to be the world class limestone, the amazing community, and the easy access to the Wind River Range. When I am not at the shop, you can find me falling off my project or climbing anti-classics.
Austin
OWNER/BUYER
Born and raised in Texas, I moved to Wyoming in 2011 to escape the crowds, explore the west, and find new places to fish. After bouncing around the state for several years, I ended up returning to school at Central Wyoming College, where I met my wife Joan. While I never envisioned settling down, Lander has been the perfect spot. I felt at home within the community, and had loved the easy access to mountains and rivers. Nowadays when I am not at work there is a good chance that I will be fishing with Joan and our dog Lucy, or working in the garden.
Matt
Matt first came to Lander to climb in Sinks Canyon during his 2011 Spring Break. He topropped the area classic 5.9s like Duck Soup and More Funky Than Gunky, and sent his first sport lead (Go West Young Man, 5.7). Hooked from then on, he immediately moved to Lander upon graduation. In the tradition of many better rock climbers before him, Matt then spent seven years on the road but told anyone who asked that Lander was home. A fourth-generation Wyomingite, Matt was delighted and honored to be able to help maintain the legacy of Lander's famous Wild Iris Mountain Sports.
Liam
I am a nomadic rock climber, originally from Wisconsin, currently in Lander to work on some sport climbing. Since I graduated from UW- Madison (Go Badgers) in 2020 with a degree in Political Science and Sociology, I have been travelling and climbing around the West in some stellar places like Red Rocks NV, the Eastern Sierra, and Washington Cascades. I’ve had an amazing summer 2022 climbing in the Winds, the Tetons, and at Wild Iris. There’s always more to do, and I’m looking forward to doing it!
Sam
I was born and raised in Missoula, Montana. As a young adult, I spent a few years hitchhiking across North America, which eventually led to attempting a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail in 2021. It was on this hike that I first encountered Lander to resupply, and learned about Central Wyoming College's Alpine Science Institute. After finishing the trail, I decided to come back to Lander to go to school there for Outdoor Education and Expedition Science. I enjoy a variety of adventure sports and activities including long hikes, packrafting, bikepacking, orienteering, climbing, and sword-fighting. I have plans for more thru-hikes in the future, would like to become more involved in Adventure Racing, and can't wait for all the backcountry excursions to come.
Anni & Kate
Anni was born and raised in Lander. She will graduate from LVHS in the spring 2024. She hopes to head to California for college to chase the sun. Anni enjoys skiing, running, and adventuring in the mountains. (Fun Fact: Anni summitted Gannett Peak when she was 11 years old.)
Kate: Born and raised in Lander, Wyoming, Kate was a 2022 graduate of Lander Valley High School. She loves backpacking, Nordic skiing, and trail running. Kate is attending Middlebury College where she hopes to study political science and spend lots of time exploring the mountains of Vermont.
Our favorite sisters!
Haley
I grew up in Georgia and have bounced around the country doing all sorts of jobs like raft guiding and ski instructing. I moved to Lander with my husband, Mathias, in the fall of 2023 to attend Central Wyoming College. I am currently pursuing a degree in Outdoor Program Leadership as well as a certification in Trail Building. When I'm not at the shop, you can find me skiing or mountain biking.