Nick joined the Mazamas this year to take part in our Advanced Rock course, but he’s been an outdoor enthusiast for years and enjoys hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, biking and more. When not in the wild, he runs his own tech support and production company and is a classically trained musician, instrumentalist, singer, composer and former yoga instructor.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Technically accurate, but super throwback…swinging on a swing set in France when I was about 4 or 5 on a sunny day and a girl walked over and kissed me on the cheek.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? My friend Julie told me about the Mazamas when I was climbing with her at Movement. She literally said “You should join the Mazamas and take their Advanced Rock class. I took it last year and it was awesome. You’d love it.”
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? As certain sectors of the world seem to be trending more and more towards chaos, the sanctity of the great outdoors and protected natural spaces has never been more important. As best as you can, try to be considerate of other people’s spiritual experience in these spaces…whether that means adhering to the Leave No Trace principle or leaving your bluetooth speaker and your drone at home (preaching to myself about the drones) or smiling at someone as you pass them on the trail or taking education classes like those offered by the Mazamas to enrich your experience and to propagate best practices that help keep everyone safe, which in turn helps to keep these sacred spaces open and available to all of us. Join a community of like-minded friends and get away from the doom screens as often as you can! I recently deleted Instagram and Facebook on my phone and instead share photos and videos with my friends on a shared Discover Server.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? People climbing hard in beautiful places. People living simply and minimalistically. People going out of their way or sacrificing their own safety or freedom to help or to stand up for those in need.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Pick one. I love the Reel Rock documentaries. They’re produced really well and the stories and cinematography is always top notch.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? I have a number of destinations and crags and alpine peaks on my bucket list, but the one I obsess about the most is a top secret route on the Oregon coast that I’m planning to rebolt and revitalize.
Stacey has been a level A climb leader for a year and is stoked to help and encourage new climbers to accomplish their goals! When not climbing, she works as the director of a public defender office and likes to garden and spoil her dog, Jim.
Name: Stacey Reding
Pronouns: she/her
Year Joined Mazamas: 2013
Present-day outdoor activities: Hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and working on my skiing
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? I grew up in rural Kansas, where outdoor recreation looked a lot different than it does for me and my friends in the Pacific Northwest area today. My family would car camp and my dad would go fishing, and outdoor activities were usually more restful than physically demanding.
We didn’t have any hiking trails in my area, but I loved to go on long walks on gravel roads and through cow pastures and creeks. Once when I was 8 years old, I left home before my parents woke up and went walking for so long that my parents got scared and called the police to report me missing!
The first time I saw mountains was in high school when my youth group drove to Colorado for a spring break ski trip. I was in awe of the Rockies, and I’m so grateful that I live in such a beautiful area today.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? In 2013, I was doing a lot of hiking with various groups through MeetUp, which led me to a Sierra Club member who invited me to join his Mt. Saint Helens climb that August. My initial reaction was: “I can’t climb a mountain!” But he assured me that since he had seen me complete the hike we had just done together (Table Mountain), he knew I was capable.
Our climb was in August and was a long scree hike. As we ascended, I saw a team of Boy Scouts carrying ice axes trying to make use of them on any snow patch they could find. On the summit, I asked our leader about how people use ice axes without impaling themselves, and he told me about the Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP). I had heard of Mazamas but had never seen myself as someone who might be qualified to join. I joined Mazamas that fall and was in BCEP the following spring!
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offerthem? Have fun! There are a lot of different activities available to folks, so if one doesn’t appeal to you, pursue another. And also, you are capable of even more than you think.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I admire anyone who can bring a good attitude and work ethic to face adversity. That applies to mountaineering but also to my profession. I work in public defense. My office represents clients who have faced a lot of challenges – parental neglect, poverty, houselessness, untreated mental illness, and drug addiction – and on our most successful days we get to see folks fight through those challenges and overcome a lot to make their lives better.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow andwhy? Pick one. This last winter I got turned on to Zom100, an anime series. The hero is an overworked man who faces a zombie apocalypse with glee because he’s finally free from his job. He creates a list of 100 things to do before he becomes a zombie. It’s a life-affirming, sweet, smart, funny show that I’d recommend for anyone.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? I desperately want to backpack in the Enchantments (and if this gets published, maybe a lottery winner can bring me along with them!). I’d also love to travel to Japan to climb Mt. Fuji.
Corey joined the Mazamas a year ago, and in that short time has taken part in BCEP, Canyoneering, Nordic Ski School and Wilderness First Aid (WFA). They have been exploring the West Coast for the past decade since moving here from Florida. When they aren’t in the mountains, they are usually near a bike, riding all over the greater Portland area and volunteering with Bike Farm and Pedalpalooza.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Camping with the Boy Scouts in elementary school, watching my parents struggle to put together a tent before we hiked a few miles in a Florida swamp.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? My partner took BCEP and invited me to climb Mt. St. Helens with her, a demanding and awe-inspiring day that made me appreciate how much more I needed to learn about mountaineering. I was attracted to Mazamas because of its focus on instruction and awareness in service to exploring the mountains.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Be patient and gentle with yourself! It is easy to become demanding of ourselves when there is so much to do and see outdoors, but learning to go at the right pace will make it so much more enjoyable.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I’m most inspired in moments when we are required to problem solve and think on our feet in order to move forward with the objective. Flexibility and lateral thinking are great assets when exploring the outdoors!
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Pick one. Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life, the memoir of William Finnegan, is a great read about the life of a surfing obsessive and has a lot to say about our relationship to sport and the outdoor world.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Climbing Prusik Peak and doing a Nordic ski hut-to-hut.
Richard started his journey with the Mazamas in 2016, taking part in our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP) Then he got to thinking how fun it would be to get outdoors and climb with his children. He took Families Mountaineering 101 in 2017 with two of his children, and they’ve all been volunteering for FM101 since. Richard has co-chaired that committee for the past couple of years and is stoked for the FM101 class of 2024-25. Registration for FM101 is open.
Names: Richard Hall (He/Him/They) I have three children, two of whom expressed an interest in climbing. Kaden (He/Him) and Kiran (He/Him) who participated in FM101 in 2017
How did you hear about FM101, and what prompted you to take the course? After completing the Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP) in 2016, I asked about opportunities to involve my children. I wanted to be able to climb with them and hoped they too would develop a love for the outdoors.
How would you describe your family’s outdoor pursuits before taking FM101? We did some camping, hiking and backing. We also enjoyed snowboarding and rafting.
Have things changed since completing it? If yes, describe how? Yes! Since completing FM101 in 2017, my children and I have assisted with the program; helping to teach the skills learned to other families interested in climbing together. I am proud of the way they have been able to assist others demonstrating patience as they help others learn basic rock and snow skills.
My personal journey has led me to become one of the volunteer coordinators for the program last year (2023-2024). I am coordinating it again this year with my good friend.
Please share a few course highlights for us. Did you make good friends? Did you conquer a fear of heights? Did you do things you never dreamed were possible? We have become members of an amazing community. We have cultivated lifelong friendships with people we have met in the FM101 program. Most recently, my sons and I climbed Mt. Ellinor in northern Washington. In addition to summiting and enjoying the incredible views along the way, we discovered Cushman Cliffs. My sons worked together to belay me on a challenging 5.8 slab. All three of us fell in love with the area and enjoyed an incredible weekend together creating lasting memories that I will cherish.
What advice would you give to other families who might be considering FM101 and also those who have already applied? Apply! This is an incredible program. You will learn the basic technical rock and snow skills to participate in some amazing climbs with the Mazamas. More importantly, you and your family members will challenge yourselves and step outside your comfort zones. You will meet some awesome people and create lifelong memories with your children.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? The snow weekend has been one of our family’s favorite weekends. We love spending time at the lodge with people we have met throughout the years as well as new friends we have bonded with during the course. For me it is especially rewarding to watch people overcome fears or challenges and to help instill life lessons and leadership skills that can be learned through mountaineering.
What’s on your family adventure bucket list? I would love to climb Hood for the first time with my boys.
Megan, Arya y Sienna acampaban antes de dejar de usar pañales, y su amor y curiosidad por la vida al aire libre sigue creciendo.
“La Familia MÁS”, como se autodenominan, adora hacer caminatas, irse de mochileros, acampar, escalar en el gimnasio, andar en bicicleta y caminar con raquetas de nieve. Unirse al grupo Mazamas, los ayudó a descubrir la escalada al aire libre, aprender algunas técnicas como el glissading y llevar su aventura a otro nivel.
Nombres: Megan, Arya (10) y Sienna (8) Nace
Pronombres: Ella
¿Cómo se enteró de FM101 y qué la impulsó a tomar el curso?
Megan estaba investigando sobre actividades divertidas para hacer con sus hijas y se topó con el sitio Families Mountaineering 101 (FM101) y le pareció perfecto para ellas. Después de asegurarse que el padre de las niñas estaba de acuerdo, presentó una solicitud y cruzó los dedos.
¿Cómo describirías las actividades al aire libre de tu familia antes de tomar FM101?
Megan había comenzado recientemente a escalar montañas como Adams y Hood. Además, las excursiones con mochila por solo una noche, las raquetas de nieve y la escalada de South Sister formaban parte del repertorio familiar.
¿Han cambiado las cosas desde que lo completaron? Si es así, describe cómo.
Claro que si. Los niños sueñan en grande y están empezando a hacer excursiones con mochila de varias noches. Su confianza en ellos mismos ha aumentado, y ahora también conocen mejor sus habilidades y límites.
Megan ha empezado a practicar barranquismo, sigue entrenando para hacer Mount Rainier y espera aprender a hacer anclajes sencillos para que los niños puedan seguir practicando sus habilidades de escalada fuera del entorno del gimnasio.
Comparte algunos puntos destacados del curso para nosotros. ¿Hiciste buenos amigos? ¿Superaste el miedo a las alturas? ¿Hiciste cosas que nunca soñaste que fueran posibles?
Arya: Nunca imaginé que podía hacer rapel, pero lo hice con la ayuda de Rich. En Horsethief Butte, Xena me mostró un lugar donde podíamos pasar el rato al sol y eso me encantó. ¡También pudimos ver el eclipse con gafas solares!
Sienna: Hice muchos amigos. Tenía mucho miedo a las alturas, pero cuando conocí a los Mazamas, me enseñaron a mantener la calma en las alturas. Superé mi miedo a hacer rapel nuevamente después de haber tenido un incidente en Horsethief Butte. Me gustó conocer a Evelyn porque me ayudó con muchas cosas y nos hicimos muy buenas amigas.
Megan: Comencé el curso asumiendo que estaría exclusivamente apoyando el aprendizaje de mis hijos como madre soltera de dos hijos. Estoy encantada de terminar este programa con niños valientes y con nuestras destrezas, haber mejorado mis propias habilidades y haber creado una nueva comunidad de amigos.
¿Qué consejo le darías a otras familias que podrían estar considerando FM101 y también a aquellas que ya se han postulado?
Sienna: Confía en ti misma.
Arya: Confía en el sistema. Se que será difícil al principio, pero una vez que sigas practicando, se volverá cada vez más fácil.
Megan: ¡Hazlo! Tenía muy poca experiencia fuera de las habilidades en la nieve cuando empecé la clase, y la oportunidad de aprender y vencer los miedos junto con mis hijos ha sido la experiencia más increíble que he tenido como madre hasta ahora.
La oportunidad de que mis hijos me entrenaran y trabajar juntos para superar las cosas difíciles, creó una unión familiar como ninguna otra. No te dejes intimidar si sientes que no tienes suficiente (¡o nada!) de conocimiento o cumbres. Son un grupo acogedor y estamos ansiosos por brindar apoyo.
¿Qué actividades/situaciones/personas te inspiran más?
Sienna: Rich me ayudó a escalar y bajar cuando creía que no podía hacerlo y me inspiró a pensar que puedo hacer cosas difíciles. Quiero seguir escalando cuando sea mayor. Evelyn me enseñó a hacer viajes en línea fija y estaré disponible para ayudar a los estudiantes el año que viene.
Arya: Me inspiró la travesía tirolesa en Horsethief. Fue una actividad divertida y debe haber sido muy difícil organizarla. Lo hice 17 veces. Una situación que me inspiró fue cuando Sienna se volcó al suelo mientras hacía rapel. Agradezco que Jeff haya bajado y la haya ayudado a bajar de forma segura. Aprendí mucho sobre la seguridad y sobre los sistemas y equipos.
Megan: Personas que se arriesgan y aportan su yo auténtico al servicio de los demás o del planeta, con una mente aguda en pos de la equidad. Mi colega, Olga Acuña, se destaca como alguien que humildemente superó muchos desafíos, ha servido a nuestra comunidad de Hillsboro de muchas maneras, tiene un don para conectar a las personas adecuadas y ha abierto oportunidades para innumerables personas.
¿Cuál es tu libro/película/programa de televisión/cuenta de redes sociales favorito que sigues y por qué? Elige uno.
Arya: Me gusta Moana porque va a salir una segunda. Te muestra lo que es posible y es una historia realmente hermosa.
Sienna: Recomiendo Inside Out 2 porque puede muestra sus emociones y es una muy buena historia sobre una niña que crece con sus padres.
¿Qué hay en tu lista de aventuras familiares? Sienna: Quiero escalar Mount Rainier y Mount Hood algún día. Arya: Practicar en Rooster Rock y volver a nadar. También quiero escalar Mount St. Helens en verano y en invierno para poder deslizarme. Megan: He soñado con llevarlos a Mount Thielsen desde el primer día que comenzó FM101. También estamos planeando un viaje a Mailbox Peak y escalar St. Helens este verano.
Megan, Arya and Sienna were all camping before they graduated from diapers, and their love of and curiosity for the outdoors continues to grow. No one is putting bells on their shoelaces any longer though. “La Familia MÁS,” as they self-style, love hiking, backpacking, camping, gym climbing, biking and snowshoeing. Getting involved with the Mazamas has helped unlock outdoor climbing, family glissading and another level of courage.
Names: Megan, Arya (10), & Sienna (8) Nace
Pronouns: she/hers/ella
How did you hear about FM101, and what prompted you to take the course?
Megan was doing research on fun activities to do with her daughters and stumbled across the Families Mountaineering 101 (FM101) site. It felt like a perfect fit. After securing buy-in from the kids’ dad, she put in an application and crossed her fingers.
How would you describe your family’s outdoor pursuits before taking FM101?
Megan had recently started climbing mountains like Adams and Hood, while one-night backpacking, snowshoeing and climbing South Sister were part of the family repertoire.
Arya & Sienna on the rock/ice wall at the Mazama Mountaineering Center
Have things changed since completing it? If yes, describe how.
The kids are dreaming bigger and moving into multi-night backpacking trips. Their youthful confidence has grown, yet they are also more knowledgeable about their skills and limits. Megan has picked up canyoneering, continues to train for Mt. Rainier, and hopes to learn to build simple anchors so she can keep the kids practicing their climbing skills outside of a gym environment.
Please share a few course highlights for us. Did you make good friends? Did you conquer a fear of heights? Did you do things you never dreamed were possible?
Arya: I never dreamed that I could rappel, but I did with the help of Rich. At Horsethief Butte, Xena showed me a place we could hang out in the sun, and I loved that. We also got to watch the eclipse with solar glasses!
Sienna: I did have a lot of friends.I was really scared of heights, but when I met the Mazamas, they taught me to be calm around heights. I conquered my fear of rappelling again after I flipped upside down at Horsethief Butte. I liked meeting Evelyn because she helped me with a lot of things, and we became really good friends.
Megan: I went into the course assuming I’d be exclusively supporting my kids’ learning as a single mother of two. I was absolutely delighted to finish with accomplished children, my own skills, and an accepting community of friends.
Arya & Sienna at the Mazama Lodge for FM101 Snow Weekend
What advice would you give to other families who might be considering FM101 and also those who have already applied?
Sienna: Trust in yourself.
Arya: Trust in the system and know that it will be hard at first, but once you keep practicing it will become easier and easier.
Megan: Do it! I had very little experience outside of snow skills coming into the class, and the opportunity to genuinely learn and conquer fears alongside my kids has been the most incredible parenting experience I’ve had so far. The opportunity for my kids to coach me and to work through hard things together was family bonding like none other. Don’t be intimidated if you feel like you don’t have enough (or any!) knowledge or summits. We’re a welcoming group and eager to support.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you?
Sienna: Rich helped me climb and lower when I believed I couldn’t do it and inspired me that I can do hard things. I want to keep climbing when I’m older. I don’t know how he does it. Evelyn taught me how to do fixed line travel and I’ll be available to help students next year.
Arya: I was inspired by the Tyrolean Traverse at Horsethief. It was a fun activity, and it must have been really hard to set it up. I went 17 times. A situation that inspired me was when Sienna got turned upside down on a rappel. I appreciate that Jeff came down and helped her get down safely. I learned a lot about how safe all of the systems and equipment are.
Megan: People who take chances and bring their authentic selves in service to others or the planet, with a keen mind for equity. My colleague, Olga Acuña, stands out as someone who humbly overcame many challenges, has served our Hillsboro community in a myriad of ways, has a gift for connecting the right people and has opened up opportunities for countless individuals.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow andwhy? Pick one.
Arya: I like Moana because a second one is coming out. It shows you what is possible, and it’s just a really lovely story.
Sienna: I recommend Inside Out 2 because it can show emotions, and it’s a really good story of a girl growing up with her parents.
Megan: A book that really helped me to know better and work to do better was White Fragility. Human beings are nothing if not learners, and this book was huge in helping me grow beyond simply having good intentions. It’s a great read for white people.
What’s on your family adventure bucket list?
Sienna: I want to climb Mt. Rainier and Mt. Hood someday.
Arya: Practice at Rooster Rock and swim again. I also want to climb Mt. St. Helens in the summer and the winter so I can glissade.
Megan: I’ve literally dreamed of taking them up Mt. Thielsen since the first day of FM101. We’re planning a trip up Mailbox Peak and to climb St. Helens this summer.
Julie moved to Portland from the Washington, D.C. area in 2019 and discovered the Mazamas shortly after arriving. She’s quickly plugged in and has volunteered for the Intermediate Climbing School (ICS) program for the past two years. ICS which will begin accepting applicants for the class of 2024-25 on July 10. When not climbing, Julie also enjoys biking and splitboarding.
Name: Julie Tembunkiart
Pronouns: she / her
Year Joined Mazamas: 2022
Present-day outdoor activities: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, Biking, Splitboarding
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? In elementary school, I was at an outdoor summer camp that offered electives. I wanted to take horseback riding, but didn’t bring the right shoes. So, I was sent to the rock climbing wall instead. Although I didn’t continue to climb consistently, I was hooked instantly. Even after years of not climbing, I always found it something I’d seek to return to.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? My husband and I moved to Portland in 2019 and with the pandemic starting shortly after, I’d had trouble meeting friends and creating an outdoor community. I was looking for a way to find outdoor friends and came across the Mazamas website.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offerthem? Ask for help and be open to learning. I’m always looking to learn more about how to engage in outdoor recreation more safely.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I’m always inspired by the successes of women in outdoor spaces.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow andwhy? Pick one. The 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice with Kiera Knightly. It’s just a classic.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? My brother and I have pushed each other in outdoor climbing activities even climbing Hood together for both of our first times. We have a running list including rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, and bouldering in Thailand.
Julia is a recent graduate of our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP) who loves to eat fun snacks on big mountains! Her day job is a hydrologist at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center. Ask her about rocks!
Name: Julia Grabowski
Pronouns: she/her
Year Joined Mazamas: 2023
Present-day outdoor activities: rock skipping, hiking, running, climbing, Nordic skiing
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? My parents are very outdoorsy North Carolinians, and I have a lot of great, early outdoor memories. They have a picture holding me on top of Hanging Rock as a 2-week-old-infant. My best memories are from when I got to play with nature — licking icicles like popsicles on Roan Mountain, making “rock music” with my friend by throwing rocks in the water and finding salamanders in creeks with my sister.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I moved to Portland two years ago and seemed to hear about the Mazamas from everyone. I had been looking for an outdoor community and more knowledge of mountaineering and Mazamas hit!
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offerthem? Remember that our fun hobby is a hobby, and it’s supposed to be for fun! I get annoyed seeing people taking themselves and their activity too seriously. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I feel really inspired by the intergenerational aspect of the Mazama community. It feels really good for my soul to be always engaged in teaching and learning at the same time, and being surrounded by people of different ages facilitates those interactions. I love learning from my elders, and teaching is also really fulfilling.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow andwhy? Pick one. The “SE Taylor Street Cat News.” Someone posts a monthly page on a street corner in SE Portland describing the recent goings-on with the neighborhood cats. I’m very interested in community organization that isn’t routed through Mark Zuckerburg’s pocket and always looking for inspiration!
What’s on your adventure bucket list? I would love to go canoe/raft camping in the Northwest. That is something I used to do in the Southeast, but the Northwest rivers are more serious, and I have not felt comfortable jumping in without a supportive group with me.
Kellie’s always had a deep connection with nature. It’s sparked a love for adventure, which has led her to beautiful rivers and up and around mountains.
She enjoys fly fishing with her partner on Central Oregon rivers and climbing mountains with the Mazamas. She also has hiked the Timberline Trail, which she’lll be doing again this year, along with the Wonderland Trail, and the Tour Du Mont Blanc at the end of August.
Her passion for mountaineering is growing, and she’s summited Mt. St. Helens, South Sister and Mt. Adams with the Mazamas so far. She says there is nothing like working with an amazing team on a climb, standing on the summit, taking in the views and feeling accomplished. But she also is also drawn to the solitude of a quiet forest, where she can breathe, meditate and enjoy the smells and sounds. Kellie says she is constantly seeking new adventures, challenges and ways to connect with the natural world.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Growing up, my mom would take my two sisters and I hiking on our local hiking trails in Corvallis, Ore. We always had a great time. But, to get us to hike a bit further, mom would always say “the waterfall is just around the corner,” and we’d happily continue down the trail. Spoiler: usually there was no waterfall on the hike!
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I discovered the Mazamas in 2022, when I was advancing in my hikes. I wanted to hike longer, hike harder and find even better views. When those lead me to mountains, I realized I’d like to continue this activity for a long time, so I might as well learn more skills and learn how to hike mountains safely. With some simple online searching, I found the Mazamas.I started to get excited about my growth in the adventure world when I discovered all the classes offered and the opportunities the Mazamas provided. Shortly after, I participated in the Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), and it had such a positive impact on my life! I do want to give a shout out to Justin Colquhoun and Joe Preston for leading an amazing BCEP class and teaching us skills to climb safely and efficiently!
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Don’t be afraid to try new things. Find an outdoor community. You’ll make like-minded friends, adventure buddies, learn new ways of doing things you already love and find a supportive community.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I’m inspired by people who are dedicated to overcoming challenges. I love nothing more than learning a lesson nature intended to give me and then going back to accomplish my task. Whether climbing a mountain, running a certain distance, or trying something new for the first time. I’m inspired by those who push themselves out of their comfort zone to discover their limits and enjoy life while doing so.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Into the Wild by John Krakauer. Chris McCandless, whom the book was written about, is truly the inspiration. Not only do I think the book was captivating, but it also reminded me that you can be whoever you want in this world. It reminds me to be comfortable in my own skin and to not feel like I have to live by societal pressures. I can follow my passions.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? My goal since joining the Mazamas is to climb the 16 peaks. I’d love to end up a climb leader, if that’s my intended path. I also plan to adventure to other countries with my significant other to enjoy different cultures and explore the world.
Joe, who will turn 80 in July, has been active with the Mazamas since the late 70’s. He still leads at least one or two climbs each year and is set to refresh his Mountaineering First Aid skills with the Mazamas in the fall. Below he shares his history with the organization:
Growing up in Portland, views of Mt Hood and Mount St. Helens were a constant and instilled a latent desire to climb those puppies. However, my parents were from East Texas and didn’t have much of an outdoor, much less, climbing tradition. I spent many hours on our farm in Sunnyside wandering through the forest and spent the summer after my senior year in high school on a forest fire crew, but my outdoor skill set was not very developed.
In 1977, when I ended a 10-year active-duty stint with the US Navy and moved back to Portland, I was focused on signing-up for the Mazama Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), which I completed in 1978. That spring I climbed Mt. Hood and became a Mazama member. That summer I also climbed Mount St. Helens, and Middle and South Sister. (My second Hood climb with the Mazamas was on May 18, 1980, and we were able to observe the eruption of Mount St. Helens from the summit.)
The next 10 years were mostly filled with family responsibilities: US Navy Reserve weekends, work as a marketing manager at Tektronix, and a slow slog to complete a computer engineering degree at the University of Portland. I was able to get in two to four climbs a year and received the Guardian Peaks Award in 1982. For a couple of years, I had a three-week teaching gig at the US Navy Intelligence School in Denver, CO and was able to hook-up with the Colorado Mountaineering Club to do some climbs with them.
In December 1988, I attended my last Navy Reserve drill weekend and finished my engineering degree in April 1989. I immediately signed up for Intermediate Climbing School (ICS). I started going on more climbs, received the Oregon Cascades Award in 1989, started helping with Basic Climbing School, was selected as a climb leader in 1991, and received the 16 NW peaks award in 1992. This was also about the time I became infected with the State Highpointing bug.
I led probably 15 BCEP sessions and was on the Climbing Committee in 1994 and 1995. I was the assistant ICS coordinator in 1994 and lead in 1995. I also wrote and distributed, by mail, the Climb Leader Newsletter and was the Climb schedule coordinator. One of my strong inputs on CC was the creation of a Climb Leader Development Program to ensure that Mazama climb leaders had a full set of verified skills to enhance climb safety. In May 1994, I and two other Mazamas made it up to 16,000 feet on Denali but had to back off due to one of the party members being unable to continue. Being my first high-altitude climb, this was a massive learning experience. In 1995, I started assisting Doug Wilson in joint climbs with the Toyama Mountaineering Club in Japan. They climbed with us several times, and we were able to go to Japan and climb with them. A very special experience!
The Mazamas were slow, even resistant to transition to the digital age—no email or webpage. In the mid-90’s, I lobbied for a FAX machine, and it was reluctantly finally approved. Now we could FAX stuff to the office and not have to drive down or mail it. I grew increasingly frustrated with how hard it was to schedule climbs, file climb reports, and generally communicate anything with the Mazama office. I became chair of the Financial Affairs Committee in 1998 and focused on ways to be more efficient in tracking finances. We had one staff member, the Secretary, who finally got a computer running MS-DOS, and was entering all the financial information into Lotus 123.
In 1998, I was nominated and elected to the Executive Council through 2001, and served as Membership Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice-President. While many people were involved and worked hard to implement the following initiatives, I provided strong input and worked on implementation:
Establish the position of Executive Director, in addition to Board Secretary.
Hire an individual with strong computer and web development skills to fill the Board Secretary position. I interviewed John Godino and recommended he be hired.
Build a Mazama website and email newsletters
Conduct a member survey to better determine demographics and obtain input for the future direction of the organization.
As Treasurer, I implemented an actual budgeting process and pushed a dues increase to offset ongoing deficits.
Helped smooth over relations between the Lodge managers and the Lodge Committee, as well as help develop a positions and responsibilities document for the Lodge Committee.
Worked with Peter Green and Ian Wade to write an accident report, analyze Mazama activities, and develop risk management procedures.
Established that we needed to move from our leased space on NW 19th.
In 1998, I retired from Tektronix and built an outdoor adventure company, Oregon Peak Adventures. We climbed, led hikes and multiday backpacks, and taught outdoor skills classes through PCC and the metro Park & Recs and did a couple of international trips a year. I was unable to lead BCEP classes or many Mazama climbs and run my business, but still stayed involved with the organization. In 2013, I did my last company trip. In 2000, I led an outing to Kilimanjaro and in 2013 led a trip, assisted by Eugene Lewins, to China and Tibet.
I still led a few climbs each year and was awarded the #16 Leuthold Award in 2004 and the #5 Terry Becker Award in 2009. I continued to lead snowshoe, XC skiing, and hikes as well.
Over the years, I led Outings to complete the Oregon Coast Trail, backpack the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail, led climbs to summit all 31 of the Oregon peaks over 9,000 feet, and all the Oregon County Highpoints. In 2008, I summitted Mt. Marcy in New York for my 49th state highpoint. I was Chair of the Outings Committee for three years.
I have slowed down in my dotage (I turn 80 in July), but I am still a qualified e-level climb leader (at least when I complete the MFA session in November). My current project is to climb the 100 highest peaks in Oregon (I am up to 80) and I try to lead a couple of climbs a year on the remaining peaks.
The Mazamas have been a constant focus of my life since 1978, and I have made many friends and have many memorable experiences because of my association with the organization. I look forward to maintaining my membership and engaging in further adventures.
Name: Joe Whittington
Pronouns: He/Him
Year Joined Mazamas: 1978
Present-day outdoor activities: Slow – climbing, hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Wandering around the forest on our farm and adjacent property.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I believe I heard about the Mazamas during my senior year at Portland State in 1966 just prior to going on active duty with the Navy.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offerthem? Find joy in having a well-conditioned body and find mentors who are willing and pleased to teach you the skills you need to enjoy the activities.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I read the book, Annapurna, by Maurice Herzog and it blew my mind. I had many Mazama members who mentored and trained me, and I have met many world-class climbers who have inspired me as well.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow andwhy? Pick one. I read a lot, but am a huge fan of Craig Johnson and his Longmire series.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Climbing as many of the 100 highest peaks in Oregon while I still am able.
