Hi!

Our names are Gabe Wechter and Melissa Prechtl. We are an adventurous couple from Alaska looking to branch out and explore some new areas. For the past 4 years, we have lived in Juneau, Alaska. In addition to finishing higher education degrees, we have nutured a love for the outdoors and enjoy skiing, hiking, and climbing.

Melissa finished a Master's degree in Fisheries Science from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (Juneau, AK based), in December 2014. Since then, she has worked as substitute teacher for the Juneau School District, a fisheries biologist technician for Alaska's Department of Fish and Game, and waitress.

Gabe graduated from the University of Southeast Alaska (UAS) with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics in 2012. Since August 2012, he has been working as a Math Specialist and Testing Superivisor for UAS.

On September 4th, 2015, we began a road trip that will lead us through the northern Yukon territory of Canada, the interior of Alaska, south through the Canadian Rockies, and the western part of the United States. During this time, we hope to hike, ski, and climb our way through the seasons. To learn more about our recent adventures, please visit our blog: https://alpinemonkeys.wordpress.com

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

While we are mostly camping and spending our time playing in the mountains, we would appreciate a warm place to stay and a hot shower every now and then. That is why we are creating this account!

Additionally, no one can give you the inside scoop on a new area like a local, so we would like to take advantage of your generosity to learn more about your local area.

Interests

We are interested in anything having to do with the outdoors. In particular, we really enjoy climbing! Rock climbing, ice climbing, and general mountaineering our are hobbies. We also love to ski and backpack.

But, we also like to meet new people and have new experiences.

• fish
• arts
• education
• traveling
• blogging
• outdoor activities
• fishing
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• mountaineering
• skiing
• rock climbing
• biology
• teaching
• mathematics
• science
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Between the two of us, we like a plethora of music genres, including metal, techno, indie, and classic rock. Some of Gabe's favorite bands include, Dornenreich, Tristania, Nightwish, Infected Mushroom, and Smoov-E. Some of Melissa's favorite bands include, Tool, Modest Mouse, Ani Difranco, and CCR.

Some of our favorite movies/shows: We LOVE LOVE LOVE Stargate, and anything Stargate, Full metal alchemist, Princess Mononoke, Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black, Star Wars, Princess Bride…. Cosmos

Some of our favorite books: The Alchemist, Journey to Ixtlan, Rock Warriors Way, Eiger Dreams…..I am a Strange Loop….

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

We love to travel together. One of the more amazing things we have done together is climb Aconcagua in Argentina, the largest mountain in the western hemisphere. But, we think this road trip is probably the most amazing thing we've done so far.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach, learn, share…. Is basically what life is about, right?

We would love to teach you some the skills we know. If you are student, Gabe has experience as a math professor and tutor. Melissa can help out with your biology studies. We would also love to help you learn new or improve climbing skills or other outdoor activities.

We also love learning new things! We have a baritone ukelele, a mandolin, and a didgeridoo. Gabe is pretty good on the didge, but we are both trying to learn new skills on all the instruments. Melissa is also teaching herself spanish and the art of macrame!

Finally, we would love to share our adventures with you!

What I Can Share with Hosts

We have lots to share with you! Tips on adventuring in the outdoors, helping you study, or just swapping stories and laughter.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Canada, Guatemala, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States