Arc Wood & Timbers was founded by Aaron Martin. In founding Arc, Aaron discovered a way to combine his greatest passions in life. Aaron's greatest love was for the mountains. He was a deeply respected mountaineer with many first alpine ski descents to his credit. Aaron was also a dedicated carpenter and had a background in architecture--inspiring his passion for the beauty of wood and its infinite uses. Thus, while traveling around the globe with his mountaineering expeditions, Aaron took the opportunity to seek out sources of fine wood.

He at last found the high-quality wood he was searching for while working as a guide for Points North Heli Service in Alaska. During one of his breaks from guiding, Aaron and some friends flew by helicopter to a remote beach in Southeast Alaska. There they discovered a vast coastline that was covered with thousands of gigantic trees that had washed ashore. This was the beginning of an idea which eventually formed Arc Wood & Timbers.

On Monday April 8, 2002, Aaron Martin died on Mount St. Elias in Alaska. Aaron's goal was not just to summit Elias, but to ski the 18,008 foot mountain all the way down to the ocean. He had already skied the crux pitch the year before and was looking to complete the project that year in 2002. Aaron had reached the summit in the evening of the 8th, and was descending when he fell 2000 feet.

Aaron lived with a deep and passionate love for the mountains, and it was this love that made him one of the most accomplished skiers and mountaineers in the world. His travels landed him on peaks all over Europe, Alaska, Canada, Asia, and South America, awarding him with numerous first descents. Top professional photographers and filmmakers accompanied him on his expeditions, capturing his Goliath-like, 6' 5" stance, his glowing grin, and that sparkle in his eye as he eased down the towering white face of one of his beloved mountains.

Aaron's passion not only lived in his skiing and mountaineering, but also in his writing. His work was featured in many popular international publications such as Powder, National Geographic Adventure, EXPN, and Couloir. Aaron's humorous, wise perspective and original writing style inspired thousands of readers from around the globe.

We all miss Aaron greatly and are thankful for having the opportunity to have been a part of his life.

(courtesy of Mountain Hardware)