TEAM FBC ATHLETE INTERVIEWS.
EPISODE 7, KARINA GOULD
With dirt trails replacing stomped snow and camping season just around the corner, we caught up with Team FBC athlete, Karina Gould, to get the scoop on all the summer adventures she’s looking forward to this summer – and to say she has a few backcountry hiking days planned would be the understatement of the century…
Lover of a crisp Project 9 Pils after a big day trailblazing in the mountains, Karina joined #TeamFBC last Spring, helping us launch our first ever low ABV beer, Finish Line Hazy Pale with Lime.
Born in England, Karina has been calling the Okanagan her stomping ground since she was only 7 years old. Fast forward 20 years, and she continues to live and play around the mountains she grew up in.
When not out bagging peaks, you can find Karina working at the Sir Winston’s Pub in Vernon, where she enjoyed her very first pint of FBC beer, and has been hooked ever since.
So head on over to the fridge, grab yourself a cold one, and settle in for our seventh and final Team FBC interview…
FBC: Looking back on this past winter season, how did you keep busy?
Karina: Despite living by multiple ski mountains, I have never gotten much into winter sports. I do enjoy getting out snowshoeing on local trails though! Winter is also a time for me where I focus on my running to keep in shape for spring races and summer backpacking. No matter the conditions, I love to be out there all week getting my kilometres in!
FBC: With summer officially just on the horizon now, what are some of the adventures you’re looking forward to?
Karina: Being a trail runner, summer is usually a time for trail races – but whether or not those will be happening with the pandemic is unknown. I’ll still be out on the trails though! I’ve grown my love of hiking further by exploring backpacking trails throughout BC and hope to spend many nights sleeping in the mountains this year.
FBC: Being the hiking-extraordinaire that you are, do you have any big hikes planned?
Karina: Too many to list! But some worth mentioning include Mt. Robson, where I have a few nights booked to do the Berg Lake and Snowbirds Pass. The 55 kilometre Rockwall Trail in the Kootenays, as well as hitting up ones close by me in the Monashees and Roger’s Pass. As long as restrictions permit, I always head out to Canmore and Kananaskis for a few days to do some beautiful day hikes and then head out for some well-earned pints of local craft beer!
FBC: Sounds like a wicked itinerary! When you’re not out on the trails, where can we find you?
Karina: I enjoy heading to the beautiful rivers and lakes around here to go fishing and kayaking!
FBC: I’m sure your passion for the outdoors has helped you keep your head held high throughout these crazy times, hasn’t it?
Karina: Yeah, I’ve done well through the pandemic. For me, (besides the obvious changes in masks etc.), my life hasn’t had to change much. I’ve always kept a small circle and most of my free time is spent outdoors, which has always been the one thing we didn’t have to worry about throughout the pandemic!
And that wraps up our seventh and final athlete interview – big shout out to Karina for spreading all that #FernieStoke!
To stay up to date with the latest of Karina’s wanderings, follow her Instagram @gouldkarina.
