Meet Ianthe: Outdoor Photographer & Kula Cloth Trail Angel

Every so often we hand the Kula blog over to one of our Trail Angels — the volunteers who head out onto trails to give away Kula Cloths, answer questions, and teach the basics of backcountry hygiene and Leave No Trace. Today, meet Ianthe: an outdoor and adventure photographer building a business called Ventures of Violet, who grew up on Apsáalooke homelands in the Pryor Mountains of Montana and who started taking solo trips when she realized she didn't need to wait for the right circumstances. We asked her fifteen questions. Her answers are printed here in her own words. — Anastasia

Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you live, what do you do, and what does your outdoor life look like?

I'm based in Southern California at the moment, but dreaming of moving to the mountains. I work in the hospitality industry, which has given me the flexibility to take trips during slower times of the year. My outdoor life mostly consists of road-tripping to the mountains, where I love to camp and hike. I'm currently building my backpacking kit and hope to get more into backpacking next year! I plan most of my trips around chasing the best light and finding epic landscapes to photograph.

How did you first fall in love with hiking, backpacking, or spending time outside?

Growing up on Apsáalooke homelands in the Pryor Mountains of Montana, I spent most of my early childhood outside. It was completely normal for me to spend all day outside and come home covered in bruises and ticks. After moving to San Diego, that everyday connection to the outdoors became harder to maintain, and Montana remained the place I most associated with feeling at home outside. I looked forward to returning every summer, and my parents made those trips happen whenever they could.

It wasn't until COVID that I got my camera and started going on solo trips in California. I had such a long list of places I wanted to see, and eventually realized I didn't need to wait for the right circumstances, or the right company, to start exploring them. Going alone gave me the confidence to follow my curiosity and build a relationship with the outdoors on my own terms.

Since then, that momentum has grown into a community and friendships with people who genuinely want to travel and spend time outside together. I don't get as many solo trips these days, but when I do, they still hold something special for me. Sometimes being alone outside is the clearest space I have to feel fully like myself.

What are some of your favorite trails, parks, wilderness areas, or outdoor destinations near where you live?

While I spend a lot of time exploring California, the places I feel most deeply connected to are the landscapes of Montana and Wyoming, where I grew up. Grand Teton National Park, the Pryor Mountains, and Crow Agency are especially meaningful for me because of my childhood and my connection to my Apsáalooke roots. They are places I continue to return to, not only for the beauty of the landscape, but for the sense of connection and belonging I feel there.

What are you currently working on, building, creating, or involved with that you'd love more people to know about?

I'm currently building my photography business, Ventures of Violet, with a focus on outdoor and adventure shoots. I'm interested in collaborating with brands and showcasing gear that makes adventures more enjoyable. I'm still figuring out what I want that work to grow into, whether that means more brand partnerships, destination storytelling, outdoor lifestyle photography, or a combination of all three. Through that process, I'm excited to keep growing Ventures of Violet in a way that feels authentic to me and creating more opportunities to share my experiences with other people.

Is there a business, nonprofit, community, event, project, or other work of yours that you'd like us to share with the Kula community?

I don't currently have a formal nonprofit or community project, but I've been thinking about ways to use my work and relationships in the outdoor space to give back to Indigenous youth. One idea I'd love to develop is partnering with outdoor brands to create gear packages for Indigenous youth and distribute them annually at Crow Fair or other community events.

I want to help make outdoor adventures feel more accessible while encouraging young people to explore, build confidence outside, and see themselves represented in outdoor spaces. The idea is still in its early stages, but it's something I hope to grow thoughtfully over time and in a way that is genuinely useful to the communities it's meant to serve.

What inspired you to start doing this work, and what do you hope it brings to the people you serve or your community?

I think a big part of what inspired me to start doing this work was realizing how many experiences I wanted to have and how often fear or uncertainty kept me from pursuing them. I've struggled with anxiety for a lot of my life, and for a long time it shaped what I thought I was capable of doing on my own.

Over time, I started challenging that fear by taking small steps, traveling solo, and allowing myself to go after the experiences I was curious about even when they felt intimidating. Those experiences taught me so much about self-reliance, confidence, and trusting myself, and they completely changed the way I see what I am capable of.

Through Ventures of Violet, I hope I can encourage other people to take that first step for themselves. I want people to feel empowered to explore without waiting for everything to line up perfectly, and to know that there isn't one right way to be adventurous or belong outdoors. More than anything, I hope my work helps people see that there are many different ways to belong in outdoor spaces and to feel connected to nature.

If someone were visiting your area for the first time, what hike or outdoor adventure would you recommend and why?

My recommendation for an outdoor adventure that really captures what I love about being outside would take you a little farther from where I currently live, to one of my favorite places to explore: Grand Teton National Park.

Camping at Jenny Lake is a must, and it gives you access to so many amazing adventures. Moose Pond is a great place to see wildlife, and taking the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake gives you access to Cascade Canyon. And for me, no trip to the Tetons feels complete without taking a swim in Jenny Lake or one of the surrounding alpine lakes.

Are there any outdoor organizations, conservation efforts, local businesses, or causes that are particularly meaningful to you?

Wildlife conservation is especially meaningful to me, particularly the protection of wolves and bison. Two organizations whose work I really value are American Prairie and Women for Wolves.

I care deeply about protecting wildlife and the wild spaces they depend on, and I love supporting organizations that are working to keep these ecosystems wild and healthy.

I'm also really passionate about wildlife crossings and the role they play in helping animals safely move through fragmented landscapes. I love seeing efforts to make roads and highways safer for wildlife and reconnect the habitats they depend on.

How did you first discover Kula Cloth, and what made you want to become a Kula Trail Angel?

I first discovered Kula Cloth through social media, and before a month-long road trip through Wyoming and Montana, I decided it was finally time to get one for both my sister and me. I fell in love with Kula after using mine on an all-day hike through Cascade Canyon, where having something so simple, practical, and reusable made a huge difference on the trail.

Beyond the product itself, I felt a strong connection to Kula as a brand and the values behind it. When I saw the opportunity to become an ambassador, I was excited to apply, and becoming a Trail Angel felt like a natural next step. I loved the idea of being part of a community that encourages people to spend time outside in a way that feels welcoming, practical, and a little more joyful.

When you give someone a Kula on the trail, how do you explain what it is and how to use it?

I usually start by asking if they've ever heard of Kula Cloth, and then I explain it as a reusable pee cloth with an antimicrobial finish that keeps the fabric fresher between washes, for anyone who squats when they pee. You use it to pat dry after peeing, then attach it to the outside of your pack where it can dry quickly between uses. It's also a great way to reduce the amount of toilet paper left behind on beautiful trails.

What's the funniest, sweetest, or most memorable interaction you've had while giving out Kulas?

I woke up before sunrise at Jenny Lake campground in the Grand Tetons to use the bathroom and get ready for my hike, and I saw a beautiful redheaded woman in the bathroom who was also preparing for her day of adventure.

Later that morning, my sister and I then drove to the trailhead and ate breakfast. Not far into the hike, I saw the same woman from the bathroom at camp and immediately recognized her. It felt like such a funny little full-circle moment, and she was the first person I gifted a Kula to that day.

What do you wish more people knew about outdoor bathroom hygiene, toilet paper litter, or Leave No Trace?

I wish more people understood how much of an impact even small things can have on wildlife, ecosystems, and other people's experience outdoors. Fruit peels and other food scraps may seem harmless, but they don't belong on the trail, and toilet paper litter can quickly take away from the beauty of a place. Packing out what you bring in is such a simple way to care for the land and for the people who come after you.

What advice would you give someone who is brand new to hiking or feels intimidated about getting outside?

Try your best to find a buddy and build community. Start locally, whether it's a walk or a short and easy hiking trail. Learn about basic safety and preparedness. There are so many resources online to help you prepare and feel more confident before you head out.

For me, being prepared makes spending time outside so much more enjoyable. Bring what you need to feel comfortable, pack plenty of snacks, and always leave some extra space on your camera roll!

Tell us about one outdoor adventure or experience that has really stuck with you. What made it special?

My first time sleeping in a tipi at Crow Fair was incredibly special. I attended Crow Fair every year as a child, but returning as an adult and getting to experience it this way gave me an entirely new sense of connection.

Unlike sleeping in a tent, the tipi has an open bottom, so you're sleeping directly over the earth. There was something so grounding about that, and I was surprised by how comfortable and naturally temperature-regulated it felt compared to a typical tent.

More than anything, the experience made me feel deeply connected to my roots. Falling asleep to the sound of the drummers carrying into the night, surrounded by a place that holds so many memories for me, was genuinely one of the best sleeps of my life.

Where can people find you, follow you, or connect with what you're doing?

You can find me on Instagram and TikTok at Ventures of Violet.

What Is the Kula Cloth Trail Angel Program?

If you've never crossed paths with one of our Trail Angels, here's the short story: Trail Angels are volunteer Kula Cloth ambassadors who we send out onto the trails to give away Kula Cloths and teach folks about outdoor hygiene and Leave No Trace.

You might meet one at a trailhead handing a free Kula Cloth to a curious hiker. You might catch one mid-hike, cheerfully explaining what a pee cloth is. Or you might be a redheaded woman getting ready in a campground bathroom before sunrise, and run into the same person on the trail a few hours later. Wherever they show up, the mission is the same: meet people where they are, make outdoor hygiene feel normal and approachable, and help protect the places we all love — one conversation at a time.

There's no gatekeeping and no script. We ask our Trail Angels to be authentically themselves, because the person who teaches you something new on the trail should feel like a friend, not a billboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Kula Cloth Trail Angel do?

Trail Angels head out onto trails to give away Kula Cloth® pee cloths and teach fellow hikers about outdoor hygiene and Leave No Trace principles — all in their own authentic voice, in their own communities.

Is Kula Cloth accepting new Trail Angels?

Not at the moment — the Trail Angel program isn't currently accepting new applications. Follow the Kula blog and our social channels for any future program updates.

What is a Kula Cloth?

A Kula Cloth® is a reusable pee cloth for anyone who squats when they pee. The fabric has an antimicrobial finish that helps keep it fresher between washes. You pat dry, snap it closed, and clip it to your pack — no toilet paper left in the wild, no drip-drying. New to the idea? Read how to use a pee cloth and how to clean a pee cloth.

What should a first-time visitor do in Grand Teton National Park?

Ianthe's picks: camp at Jenny Lake, watch for wildlife at Moose Pond, take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake to reach Cascade Canyon, and swim in Jenny Lake and the lakes around it.

Where can I follow Ianthe?

You can find Ianthe on Instagram and TikTok as Ventures of Violet, where she shares outdoor and adventure photography from Montana, Wyoming, and California.

About the Author

Ianthe

Ianthe is an outdoor and adventure photographer and a Kula Cloth® Trail Angel. She grew up on Apsáalooke homelands in the Pryor Mountains of Montana, is based in Southern California, and is building a photography business called Ventures of Violet. She plans her trips around chasing good light, cares deeply about wolves, bison, and wildlife crossings, and hopes to one day put together outdoor gear packages for Indigenous youth. Find her on Instagram and TikTok.