In the summer, Kelso blows up rafts (and then rows them down the river as a licensed guide in Idaho and Utah). In the winter, she blows up mountains (and then skis down them as a certified patroller at Solitude Mountain Resort). That wasn’t always the plan. After earning a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, her anticipated path from childhood ranch in the Rocky Mountains to sustainable farmer in Hawaii was diverted by a fortuitous, (but maybe not lucky), victory in the private Grand Canyon permit lottery. 30 days in the bottom of the life-changing Big Ditch; 29 nights next to the dream-altering Colorado; a month of life on the river and, well, organic macadamia nuts will have to wait. Let’s blow things up!