Meet Sheri & Randy

Sheri and Randy Propster exemplify all things BACKPACKER. Whether they are celebrating college graduation by embarking on a 2,000 mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, celebrating their marriage with a 4,200 mile honeymoon thru-hike of the American Discovery Trail, or simply celebrating life with backpacking adventures in each of the lower 48 continental United States, Sheri and Randy are constantly celebrating backpacking.

Over the past seven years, Sheri and Randy have lived a very unique backpacking lifestyle. As Ambassadors for BACKPACKER they have spent nine months of each year exploring the peaks, valleys, campsites, and footpaths that can be found on public lands all across the United States.

When Sheri and Randy are not out “walking the walk”, they are living another of their passions as they “talk the talk” by sharing their outdoor knowledge and experience with thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year as hosts of clinics and events for BACKPACKER.

In 2013, Sheri and Randy are traveling the United States with a BACKPACKER call to action. As BACKPACKER celebrates its 40th Anniversary, Sheri and Randy are celebrating BACKPACKER’s “Year of the Reader” by bringing BACKPACKER’s pages to life, providing the information and inspiration Reader’s need to take on their “First Night Out” and preparing Reader’s for BACKPACKER’s “Million Mile Month”. Along the way Sheri and Randy will provide the outdoor enthusiasts who attend their events with an action plan that will not only prepare them for the challenge of backpacking, but will provide them with insights that will allow them to refine their backpacking system, hone their outdoor skills and upgrade their gear and equipment choices.

If you want to improve your backpacking experience, Sheri and Randy have the information, inspiration and motivation you need. Be sure to check their TOUR SCHEDULE for an event near you!

Sheri Propster

Sheri was born in South New Jersey and was raised in a very athletic family. She excelled in several sports growing up and was named both Female Athlete of the Year in her senior year of high school, and awarded the honor of South New Jersey’s Player of the Year for girl’s Field Hockey.

Sheri relocated to Norfolk, Virginia in 1993 upon accepting an athletic scholarship to Old Dominion University to play Women’s Field Hockey where she graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on education. Sheri has put her teaching and coaching skills to use teaching young girls the game of field hockey and leading many outdoor expeditions where she organized and instructed backpacking and kayaking trips.

Sheri enjoys spending her free time being active and can often be found trail running, hiking, biking, rock climbing, kayaking, snowboarding, golfing or wakeboarding. Questions and Answers with Sheri!

Randy Propster

Randy was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He grew up in a very active family whose lives revolved around camping, sailing, days at the beach and a commitment to athletics.

In his youth, Randy played soccer for the Virginia Olympic Development Program and was named to the All-State team in high school. He was awarded a scholarship to Old Dominion University where he studied Journalism and Environmental Protection.

Randy spent many years coaching youth soccer where his passion for teaching led him to work as an instructor of backpacking, kayaking and surfing techniques. He was also a snowboard instructor at Wintergreen Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains where he taught an Introduction to Snowboarding class to students from the University of Virginia.

Randy spends every available moment outdoors where he can be found hiking, trail running, biking, rock climbing, golfing, kayaking, wakeboarding, surfing or snowboarding. Questions and Answers with Randy!