Meet David, Kirk Zamkov, Benson | Co-Founders and Co-Owners

We had the good fortune of connecting with David, Kirk Zamkov, Benson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, Kirk, what role has risk played in your life or career?
(David’s Perspective) When I think about risk it is usually through the lens of inherent danger alongside perceived risk for all involved. My risk tolerance is pretty high when it comes to taking a chance when it will only impact me, but if anybody else is on the line I am much more averse to taking chances. This applies both in my personal life and for The Cult. For example, skateboarding is a passion of mine and an individual sport – nobody can get hurt when I ride but me, so I take lots of chances. Counter to that, if I am in the backcountry with friends, I am much more likely to use extreme caution and take less chances as the outcome can negatively affect those whom I care about and am responsible for as well as myself. For The Mountain Cult this is very similar. Our risk is weighed by our financial stability as well as the risks we are willing to take.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
If you’ve ever climbed a mountain, rafted a river, skied or snowboarded a big run, or just enjoyed a hike in the seclusion of nature you are a part of the Cult. The Mountain Cult was borne out of a passion for the mountains and all that they entail – the seasonal differences and the activities that they affect. The wildlife, the wildfires, the intense storms, and the serenity of a clear blue mountain lake (thanks John Denver) are all part of the journey. As Kirk and I really got to know each other and spent a LOT of time together in the mountains we realized that we shared similar values, passions, and a business idea. We wanted to bring to the people what we found atop mountains and amid ridges – mountain life is a cult and those conversations you have among hours and hours of nothing but blue skies below snowy peaks or in front of the fire are what we remember about spending time in the outdoors. The Mountain Cult encompasses all of that.

It has not been easy, but it’s been fun! We are still a very young company deciding which direction we will ultimately take this. As of now, we have clothing and merchandise and are launching a podcast called The Mountain Cult Podcast. We would like to continue to grow our name and brand and get our products into more stores as we launch our own website.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As anybody that has spent time in Colorado (not just Denver) knows, it takes a long time to get anywhere in this state and your window and radio become good friends of yours as you journey throughout. If a friend comes to visit, and they actually want to experience what Colorado has to offer, here is what I would do with them as a taste of Colorado life. It is a lot of window time, but those not from the mountains appreciate the intimacy with our Rocky Mountain giants.

When you arrive in Denver we will go brewery hopping in RiNo. While this is definitely not my cup of tea, it is a great experience for a visitor and the beer in Denver really is top notch. The next day we would head North to take in some of the sites in Rocky, although this is a very short trip to see the basics as I am NOT bringing anybody who is unprepared up the treacherous Longs Peak. The Mountain Cult believes in safety first! We will take a hike to whichever lake they can make it to, then back to Estes Park to ogle the elk and get a beer or two and some grub at Estes Park Brewing Co. We’ll go back to Denver and head to Fat Sully’s for dinner on Broadway. They have giant wonderful slices and a very cool ambiance. The next day it’s time to head west on i70 to Dillon and Breckenridge. If it’s winter we will snowboard. If it’s Summer, we can meander up Quandary Peak as this is truly an easy climb for Colorado. We will cruise over Hoosier Pass en route to Fairplay and then onto 285 heading south with our stopping point in Gunnison. If it’s winter, it’s time to shred some Crested Butte. If it’s summer, we can continue on our tour of the parks by visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We should be able to complete every hike in the park in a day (above the canyon), and this should be a wonderful way to view one of Colorado’s most popular sites. If you want to rough it we can camp in the dispersed sites outside of the park, or there are a bevy of motels, breweries, and restaurants in Montrose. At night we can go back into the park to view the clearest sky you’ve ever seen in your life and experience the park in a whole new light…or lack thereof. After some time down here it’s time to head back to Denver for the guests to fly out. If we have more time we can take the Western route and stop in Grand Junction and go see the Colorado National Monument. En route back we can stop at a hot spring in Glenwood Springs…as long as i70 isn’t covered in mud. You’ve now seen a TINY bit of what this amazing state has to offer. Come back and let’s venture further!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Erin and Katie deserve all the recognition in the world. Our partners have witnessed the craziness of The Mountain Cult over the past year. They’ve sat through meetings, countless design conversations and directional conversations, and have done so with excitement and encouragement. Further, they keep us grounded and allow us to follow through with our vision. Also, the park rangers and volunteers who keep our forests and mountains preserved and cleaned. It was atop Grays Peak where this idea began and those who have paved the way for us to reach it deserve recognition. Finally, the indigenous peoples of Colorado and the Mountain West who were displaced or had their rights and holy lands taken deserve recognition for the unfair treatment and atrocities they have endured.

Instagram: @themountaincult