Our Story
We do things a little different at Timpanogos. Our most popular product is free (summit badges). Our team is small, human, and local. And our mission is to inspire people to escape the noise, challenge themselves, and reconnect with what matters.
Welcome to Timpanogos Hiking Co.!
This business launched in 2022 in the wake of the Covid Pandemic with a pretty simple realization (maybe reminder is a better word):
We had to go back.
Not to some imaginary Golden Era.
To the things that actually make us human. Over the past decade a lot of people have struggled with mental health (myself included). Life in the digital era has rewired our brains. We often feel stressed, distracted, overwhelmed, addicted to algorithms and alerts and cheap dopamine.
Hiking is a remarkably great antidote to all of this. Almost like a detox. It allows you to slow down. Pay attention. Feel things. The movement also helps. Sweating. Getting the blood pumping. Pushing your body to do something invigorating and challenging.
That was the seed for the business.I wanted to create an outdoor brand centered on the connection between hiking and mental health.
Since then we have grown from a small, DIY, out-of-the-basement operation to a full-fledged outdoor brand with over 50,000 loyal customers from all 50 states.
Some people know us for our bestselling graphic tees and hoodies.
Others for our popular lightweight backpacks.
Others for our free hiking badges.
But the bigger purpose of Timpanogos remains the same. Mental health. Connection. Community.
Our slogan: escape the noise.
It's simple, but sometimes we need a reminder. Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to do something society doesn't always understand. And let's be honest, people don't always understand why you'd want to summit a mountain or wander through a National Park "for fun."
So here's your permission.Get outside. Hit the trails. Reconnect with what matters.
That’s what Timpanogos Hiking Co. is about. We're grateful to have you be a part of what we're building here.
Sincerely,
Joe Vogel
Founder, Timpanogos Hiking Co.
The Timpanogos Team
Joseph Vogel
Joe is a bestselling author, professor, and entrepreneur.
He earned a PhD from the University of Rochester, and taught in higher education for several years, earning tenure in 2021, before launching Timpanogos Hiking Co. in 2022.
He has published multiple critically-acclaimed books and been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Forbes, The Guardian, Slate, and the Boston Review, among other publications.
Hunter Sykes
Hunter joined the team in the summer of 2024. He is a junior at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he is working toward a degree in Strategic Management in the Marriott School of Business.
Whitney Keller
Whitney joined the team in the winter of 2024 and has become an integral part of our customer experience team. She is a student at Brigham Young University (BYU), where she is majoring in Public Health.
Bryce Welker
Bryce joined the team in early 2025 and his all-in enthusiasm made him the perfect fit for Timpanogos. When he's not helping customers at the store or getting your packages off, he is pursuing a degree at Utah Valley University.
Mackenzie Wing
Mack officially joined the team in the summer of 2024. She is an avid hiker and digital creator and leads regular ambassador hikes. You can follow her adventures on Instagram at @exploreandhike. If you're interested in becoming an ambassador, reach out to Mack or fill out an application here.
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