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 because she was tired of waiting for company. We asked her fifteen questions. Her answers are printed here exactly as she wrote them. — 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. My relationship with the outdoors became more distant after moving to California. I would beg my parents to take me back to Montana every summer, and they would make it happen when 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 was tired of waiting for someone to join me, so I started going alone. Now that I've built so much momentum, I rarely have a chance to go on solo trips because I've built a community and friendships with people who want to travel together. Sometimes, though, solo trips are the only time I feel like I can truly be myself.

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

I don't feel particularly connected to the area where I currently live, so most of the places I feel drawn to are ones I travel to. I feel most connected to the landscapes of Montana and Wyoming, where I grew up, especially Grand Teton National Park and the Pryor Mountains and Crow Agency. These places hold a deeper meaning for me because of my childhood and my connection to my Apsáalooke roots.

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 all of that will look like, but I'm excited to keep growing Ventures of Violet and creating more ways 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 wanting to create something that gives back to Indigenous youth. One idea I've been thinking about is working with outdoor brands to put together gear packages for Indigenous youth and distribute them annually at Crow Fair or other community events. I'd love to help make outdoor adventures feel more accessible and encourage young people to explore the outdoors and see themselves represented in outdoor spaces. It's still just an idea right now, but it's something I'd really like to build in the future.

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 much I wanted to experience and how often I was holding myself back because I didn't have anyone to do those things with. I've struggled with anxiety for a lot of my life, and for a long time I let fear keep me from going places and having the adventures I wanted. Eventually, I decided I was going to start going anyway, even if I had to go alone. Those experiences taught me so much about self-reliance and confidence, and they completely changed the way I see myself.

Through Ventures of Violet, I hope I can inspire other people to take that first step too. I want people to see that they don't have to wait for the perfect person, the perfect circumstances, or someone else's permission to experience the outdoors. I also want my work to show 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?

I'm not particularly connected to the area where I currently live, so I'd rather highlight 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. Swimming in Jenny Lake and the surrounding lakes is also a necessary part of any trip to the Tetons.

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 discovered Kula Cloth through social media, and I knew it was time for my sister and me to get one for our month-long road trip through Wyoming and Montana. I fell in love with Kula after using it on an all-day hike through Cascade Canyon. I also really feel that Kula as a brand aligns with my values, so I jumped at the opportunity as soon as I saw the ambassadorship open up. After I was accepted, I applied to the first round of Trail Angels and was accepted.

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

I first ask 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, and it dries quickly. 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 to use the bathroom at my campground 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. My sister and I then drove to the trailhead and ate breakfast. We had a late start, but toward the beginning of the trail, I saw the same woman from the bathroom at camp and immediately recognized her. 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?

How harmful these things can be to animals and ecosystems. Fruit peels don't belong in nature, and running into toilet paper all over the place can really ruin the experience for others. It doesn't take much effort to pack it out.

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. I find time outside to be so much more enjoyable when I have everything I need with me. Bring lots of snacks and 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 teepee at Crow Fair Powwow. I attended every year as a child, but returning as an adult and having that experience was really special. Unlike a tent, you sleep with an open bottom, which felt really grounded and connected to the earth. The temperature regulation is also much better than a normal tent. It made me feel so connected to my roots, and hearing the drummers drum into the night made it the best sleep 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 brushing your teeth in a campground bathroom before sunrise, and run into the same person hours later at the bottom of a canyon. 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.