After spending his youth on a family dairy farm, Christian Schauf wanted more of a challenge than bailing hay. He began touring with a band around the world and trying every experience he could, and eventually founded the emergency preparedness brand Uncharted Supply Company. 

“I’m a hobby collector. I get into something and go very deep and push as far as I can. Once I’m competent, I look for the next challenge.”

This approach to adventure makes Schauf uniquely qualified to help keep others safe in the outdoors. From growing up on the farm to bowhunting, he had always surrounded himself with problem solvers but began to see the problem solvers relying on technology to solve more and more problems. He wanted to make a system that can keep anyone who goes into the outdoors safe for 72 hours and improve their chance for survival and rescue. “Mother Nature can be pretty unforgiving. It only takes a split second for an enjoyable camping experience to turn into a life or death situation”

Kinute asked Schauf 10 questions about his outdoor influences, why his company is so important in keeping people safe and even about his dog Barron’s role as ambassador. 

Entrepreneur and adventurer Christian Schauf. Photo provided by Uncharted Supply Company

1. Where did your love of the outdoors and adventure come from? Were you always an active and outdoors kid growing up?

My earliest memories of craving the outdoors revolve around snowmobiles and dirt bikes. It was such a sense of freedom for a kid who lived outside of town and was still too young to drive a car — suddenly I could get to my friends houses or just go explore. But beyond that, the truth was I was just outside out of necessity. I grew up on a large dairy farm and no matter the season, we were out in the fields working. I wasn’t allowed to play little league because we had to bale hay all summer. It wasn’t until later in life, as I was living in more urban environments through college and my first jobs, that I craved space and nature. It’s just been a crescendo ever since.

2. As you grew up you were in a band and traveled quite a bit. Where were some of the most exotic or exciting places that you traveled and did you always try to find a way to incorporate an outdoor adventure into the trips?

When touring in the states, it was unfortunately a lot of driving to the show, playing and then driving to the next spot. I saw a lot through the windshield of our van but never really got a day to go explore. As we grew as a band, the opportunities started flowing in and we played in some wild places. We performed in Cabo Wabo in Cabo San Lucas, the House of Blues in Chicago, Chilkoot Charlie’s in Anchorage, AK and places in El Salvador, Hondurus, Iraq, Dubai and more. Hands down, playing 150 shows in Iraq for the troops was a time in my life filled with incredible experiences, including flying to gigs in blackhawk helicopters and spending my 30th birthday in Sadaam’s former home.

Schauf on one of many outdoor adventures. Photo provided by Uncharted Supply Company

3. You have started a couple of different companies but it isn't all work and no play. You enjoy the play part. You said that you have recorded music with Prince and scuba dived with Richard Branson. What are some of your favorite hobbies or passions and can you tell some of those stories?

I’m a hobby collector. I get into something and go very deep and push as far as I can. Once I’m competent, I look for the next challenge. I’ve gone from recording music to racing snowmobiles, to triathlons to bowhunting. I think this constant curiosity has profoundly helped me professionally whether it was connecting with people or simply understanding different groups of people and finding commonalities.

Christian Schauf bowhunting, one of the hobbies he has collected. Photo provided by Uncharted Supply Company

4. What was the inspiration in founding Uncharted Supply Company?

From farmers to military members, I’d spent my life around problem-solvers. People that lived and worked in the elements and were truly the last line of defense, which helped me develop a problem solving mentality. I eventually moved to Southern California where I was met by a culture that was quite different and depended on technology to call someone else to help. The problem I saw was that the ‘helpers’ were simply overwhelmed and there was a need for people to take back their ability to self-rescue. I set out to create a solution.

5. What are the main goals in providing such a robust line of outdoor survival gear?

Our goal is to turn a possible deadly situation into a minor inconvenience. By providing organized kits with step-by-step instructions for usage, we hope to make people the hero of their own story. We offer everything they’d need in case of an emergency — from a small-scale first aid kit you can throw in your car to a 72-hour survival kit designed to keep you alive in the most dangerous situations. Our products also step outside of emergency preparedness to provide outdoor adventurers with gear that delivers the protection they need, without interfering with the pure experience of their adventure. The Park Pack, for example, is a waterproof, lightweight hip pack designed for biking, hiking, fishing, trail running etc. The pack itself is narrow and the wide hip straps provide lower back support with very little ‘flop.' So not only do we aim to give people the supplies they need in large-scale emergency situations, but we hope to design gear that enhances their adventures and solves the familiar problems associated with outdoor equipment.

Schauf on a swim with a survival pack. Photo provided by Uncharted Supply Company

6. It is one thing to sell a product, but have you ever actually had to use some of the Uncharted Supply Kits?

The supplies in the Uncharted Supply Co. Triage Kit actually saved my dog, Barron’s life. He comes with me on practically every ski trip, trail run, adventure — you name it — and while we were skiing last year he got clipped by another skier and started hemorrhaging blood very fast. Using the zip ties and duct tape in my kit along with a stick, I was able to make a tourniquet and get him to the vet with minutes to spare before he bled out. I keep the First Aid Plus and Zeus portable jump starter in my car at all times and have used the Zeus and Athena a handful of times to jump start my vehicle as well as friends and family’s vehicles. Even if you’re not injured yourself, many emergency situations happen after a breakdown with your gear. Whether that be a ski binding breaking or a mishap with your bike, if you’re not able to fix your gear, that’s when injuries can happen. That’s why the First Aid Plus has an entire section dedicated to gear repair, which includes duct tape, a multitool, safety pins and more.

Schauf and his dog Barron on a cross country skiing trip. Barron’s life was saved after a ski accident. Photo provided by Uncharted Supply Company

7. Why is it so important for people to be prepared when they explore the outdoors and what does Uncharted Supply Company do to help with that preparedness?

If you are not knowledgeable about your surroundings or how to deal with certain situations that often arise in the outdoors, Mother Nature can be pretty unforgiving. It only takes a split second for an enjoyable camping experience to turn into a life or death situation and if you aren’t prepared you simply won’t be able to handle the curve balls of the outdoors. Preparing yourself can also be helpful to those around you. Being able to properly use emergency supplies and knowing what to do in an emergency situation can make the world around you safer as you’re able to help others. Uncharted Supply Co.’s products are not only high quality, but organized and provide expert instruction providing you a trusted voice in the moment of need. They include detailed instructions on everything from how to make fire to CPR instructions so that people of every experience level can use our kits to their fullest potential.

Schauf about to hit the slopes at a ski resort in Pitkin County, Colorado. Photo provided by Uncharted Supply Company

8. The outdoors seem to have exploded in popularity in the last few years. With that increase in traffic there is also an increase of accidents and injuries. Do you think that there is a disconnect with the danger of the outdoors for so many new people that are heading outside?

Yes. Being able to navigate the wild parts of our world takes years of experience. What’s more, we’re constantly watching movies and commercials full of epic ski lines, huge mountain bike jumps and trail runs along mountain spines. What they don’t show is the years of practice it takes to achieve something like this, and I believe that creates a major problem when the inexperienced try to mimic these moments.

Schauf bringing the American Flag to the top of a mountain. Photo provided by Uncharted Supply Company

9. Turning to a bit of a lighter note now, your dog has become a bit of a mascot for Uncharted Supply. Tell me a bit about him and is he your best adventure partner?

After moving to Park City and starting Uncharted, I wanted a big, athletic mountain dog as a sidekick. At the same time, I love capturing great photos and videos and given it’s usually just me and him, he has become the subject matter of most of my pictures. I guess one thing led to another and now he’s likely the most famous dog in town. So many times I’ll be walking down the street and someone I’ve never met will recognize Barron. He plays the role well. He’s a great mascot for the company, eternally goofy but well behaved, and nobody likes a good adventure more. Barron was actually the main inspiration for our newest product coming in Q4, The Wolf Pack. After working with a team of veterinarians to identify the most useful supplies for a dog-specific first aid kit, we developed a durable, lightweight dog collar that contains essential first aid supplies to ensure that your furry friend stays safe during any outdoor adventure. This waterproof pack includes gauze, a mylar emergency blanket, alcohol wipes, a releasable zip tie, nitrile gloves, saline solution, metal tweezers, waste bags, cohesive wrap and a water tight bag for all contents.

Schauf and his dog and company mascot, Barron. Photo provided by Uncharted Supply Company

10. You have had a lot of adventures and done some incredible things when it comes to the outdoors, do you have a mantra or mindset that keeps you motivated to keep trying the next big thing?

Yes, there are two main things here for me:

1. Always live on the edge of your comfort zone. You should be stretching, pushing and

expanding your capabilities every chance you get. It’ll make you happier, healthier, and

safer.

2. Train as if tomorrow you’ll need it. So many times I’ve found myself with an opportunity

or a situation, and if I hadn’t been prepared, I wouldn’t have been able to experience it.

As a friend once said, “You just train for life.” And I think that’s a great mindset.

Schauf reeling in a yellowfin tuna. Photo provided by Uncharted Supply Company

Bonus Question: when people look at the way you live your life, what is the one thing that you hope they think?

I’d hope they see someone living life to the fullest, leading by example and creating a meaningful legacy.