Nova Explorehart

Nova is a 35-year-old seasoned outdoor enthusiast and wilderness researcher with a passion for all things wild and rugged. A self-proclaimed “modern-day adventurer,” Nova has spent over a decade exploring remote backcountry trails, climbing peaks, kayaking untamed rivers and camping under the stars.

She grew up in Squamish, British Columbia—a vibrant mountain town between ocean and alpine, where rain boots and hiking boots were her daily uniform. Childhood afternoons were spent building forts in the forest and scrambling up boulders before she even knew what “bouldering” was. She learned the art of outdoor survival through trial, error and a few bruised shins (each with a story she tells around campfires).

Nova comes from a mixed racial background—her mother is Indian while her father’s roots are mostly Irish. She grew up gardening with her mother and learning animal hunting techniques with her father. She’s now a happily married mom to two energetic kids—ages seven and 10—who can already start a fire with flint, pitch a tent in under ten minutes and have strong opinions about marshmallow roasting techniques.

Balancing motherhood and mountains are no easy feat, but she credits her kids for keeping her grounded and goofy. She also has a rescue cat named Luna, who behaves suspiciously like she’s plotting something at all times.
Professionally, Nova juggles multiple roles: she’s a freelance wilderness researcher, an outdoor survival instructor and a part-time columnist for Explore Magazine. She’s been a park ranger, wildlife tracker and once worked as a snowshoe tour guide in Jasper (she still claims that was the best gig ever).

In her free time, you’ll find her sketching wildflowers in her travel journal, playing the mandolin by the fire, or experimenting with campfire baking—her signature dish is pan-fried Bannock with a wild berry compote. She’s an avid forager, amateur birdwatcher and has an inexplicable interest in cryptozoology.

Nova studied Environmental Science at Simon Fraser University and completed her Master’s in Resource, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Her academic work focused on alpine habitat restoration and human-wildlife interaction.