C’mon, Mountain Xpress, what kind of journalism is this? Someone obviously didn’t do his homework.
The outdoor department manager at Mast General Store that you pictured and interviewed [in “Streamlined Cuisine: Backcountry Cooking Can Spice Up Outdoor Experiences,” Sept. 30, Xpress] does not backpack nor backcountry cook. Did you even ask him?
Disappointed in you.
— Tamera Trexler
Asheville
Editor’s note: In the part of the article in question, writer Liisa Andreassen interviewed Dan Phillips, the outdoors department manager at Mast General Store in Asheville, about backpacking stoves. Andreassen says Phillips was knowledgeable about the topic and mentioned that he does cook outdoors. When contacted, Mast General Store General Manager Carmen Y. Cabrera responded: “… Mast General Store prides itself in having knowledgeable staff on our team, and Dan Phillips is no exception to that. He has been employed with us in the outdoor department for more than five years and has been the area manager for almost two of those years. He has lived in Western North Carolina for 20 years and enjoys hiking and camping in his spare time. Dan is very well-versed in the outdoor industry, and therefore, gave an informative interview.”
