Clyde Soles

Clyde Soles started in the outdoor industry in 1972 when his Dad and uncle founded the second whitewater raft company in West Virginia. In 1980, he began as a part-time sales clerk for Hudson Bay Outfitters and soon worked up to store manager of their highest-volume store. Moving back to Boulder (where he attended college) in 1984, Clyde worked for Neptune Mountaineering for nearly a decade as a salesperson, promotions manager, and buyer. In 1994, he became the gear editor for Rock & Ice Magazine where Clyde was a full-time product tester for seven years--this culminated with his first book, Rock & Ice Gear. He was also the founder of Trail Runner magazine. Clyde departed the magazine world in 2001 to concentrate on his freelance writing and photography.