Owen Willis Rachampbell was born and raised at the base of Camel’s Hump in Huntington, Vermont. From a young age, the spirit of the outdoors, its conservation, and the community it brings together have driven his hobbies and passions. His first experience backpacking on the Long Trail was as a young scout on the Laraway Section. This positive and challenging experience subsequently encouraged him to hike the trail end-to-end with his best friend after high school, which he still considers the most formative weeks of his life. This inspiring trek led Owen to an Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2017, which helped him appreciate the GMC’s greater influence over the last century. Since then, he has hiked the Long Trail end-to-end two additional times, completed the Side-to-Side with his wife, volunteered with the Laraway Section, and, more recently, joined the Membership sub-committee.
Outside of his involvement with the GMC and the Long Trail, Owen is dedicated to community building and shared responsibility throughout Vermont. He is active with other nonprofits and community groups, including Camp Exclamation Point, Scouting, Lyric Theater Company, Richmond Trail Runners, and previously as a Cemetery Trustee in Huntington.
Owen works in new product development at Darn Tough Vermont Socks in Northfield and resides with his lovely wife, Anna, in East Montpelier.
Owen is grateful for the opportunity to share his beliefs that the trails of Vermont are for everyone of all backgrounds and abilities, and that every outdoor experience is equally valid, whether it is someone’s first hike or their 10th End-to-End journey. Access to these experiences is a privilege that he aspires to help extend to as many people as possible, while fostering a shared commitment to forest stewardship.