And we love sharing this passion with young people. We believe that adventuring outdoors should be safe, fun and challenging, no matter one’s experience or ability. That is why we founded Lynn Canal Running Camp in 2011. After nearly a decade conducting our annual week-long high school summer running camp, we morphed into our own nonprofit in 2020: Lynn Canal Adventures. We now offer year-round, holistic opportunities to run and snowshoe on Juneau’s world-class trail system.
Who We Are
(And what we probably look like to a fish.)
Tristan Knutson-Lombardo has no middle name. Raised in Juneau, he finished his undergraduate studies in 2009 at Willamette University where he ran for four years. Juneau’s mountains lured him back home and, two years later, co-founded Lynn Canal Running Camp alongside Merry. Tristan has made his career in the nonprofit sector and has been coaching cross country running and skiing, snowshoeing, and track and field since returning home. Tristan’s wife, two (very young) sons, and aging black lab remind him that his love for his family has grown inversely to the amount of sleep he now gets.
Kaleb Korta didn’t always have a mustache. Originally from Galena, Kaleb joined our coordinating team in the fall of 2021 after spending the last five years as a Lynn Canal camp counselor. After graduating from high school, Kaleb has continued his education and running career at the University of Alaska Anchorage and now Western Washington University where he is pursuing a business degree. Kaleb’s strong background in distance running, and general love for the outdoors, suit LCA well as he shares his love for all the healthy opportunities Alaska has to offer.
Merry Ellefson has a middle name (Cecile), and lacks a mustache, but as her name implies she does have a lot to be happy about: trails, trees, mountains, fire pits, snow, lefse-making tools, and the super special team that collaborates to create LCA’s programs! Merry is a high school xc running, skiing and snowshoe coach (with Tristan) because she’s a lifelong addict of these sports and loves the laughter of teens. Because she co-founded Lynn Canal Running Camp with Tristan, Merry’s son Arne has been attending since age 10, and he seems to have turned out OK (in large part because Merry’s husband rocks). When she’s not outside, Merry is a playwright, committed to sharing the stories of folks less-often heard.
Our Programs
Lynn Canal High School Running Camp Alaska’s premier youth running camp! Two, week-long overnight sessions of the renowned camp that started it all for high school athletes of all abilities with an interest in furthering their ability as an athlete in a supportive (and fun!) community.
Lynn Canal Middle School Running Camp Modeled after our wildly successful high school camp, this day camp brings all the thrills and experiences of its older sibling, but you get to sleep in your own bed each night.
Snowshoe Running Team Building strength and endurance while exploring Juneau’s backyard in the winter! Includes preparation and support for Arctic Winter Games qualifiers.
Collaborations and Partnerships Have an idea? Let’s partner! We love hearing from others and collaborating with diverse groups throughout our region to foster a love for endurance sports and an appreciation for place, with the goal of making our communities places we can all call home.