New members can waive setup fees by joining before October 31.
Photo/Pushkar Dixit, The Tooth
For nearly 130 years, the Mazamas have been a cornerstone of outdoor exploration, education, and conservation in the Pacific Northwest. From the creation of the Eagle Creek trail in the Columbia River Gorge and providing critical support for the establishment of Crater Lake as a national park to the prevention of the Willamette National Forest’s over-development and myriad first ascents like Smith Rock’s Monkey Face in 1960–the Mazamas were there spearheading and supporting the efforts.
Being a Mazama means you continue to build on this legacy, advancing our story of adventure, education, and preservation for future generations. There are other advantages to being a Mazama as well, such as:
FREE access to adventures – One of the most exciting perks of being a Mazama is free access to all hikes and most climbs. This exclusive privilege allows you to explore the splendor of the Pacific Northwest without the burden of additional fees.
Unbeatable rates on courses and programs – As a Mazama, you’ll enjoy the very best rates on our diverse range of courses and programs. Whether you’re a seasoned mountaineer or a novice looking to hone your skills, you can save up to 20 percent over non-member prices. Our courses cover a wide spectrum, from wilderness first aid to rock climbing, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in the great outdoors.
Members-only pre-sales and special events – Membership in the Mazamas opens the door to exclusive opportunities. Get a head start on event tickets and enjoy pre-sales, ensuring you never miss out on sought-after adventures. Beyond that, you’ll receive invitations to members-only special events, fostering connections with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.
Complimentary rescue insurance – Safety is paramount when exploring the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. As a member, you’re covered with complimentary rescue insurance – where else can you get that for $88 a year? This added layer of protection provides peace of mind, knowing that you have support in case of emergencies during your adventures.
Discounts at local outdoor retailers and gyms – Your Mazama membership extends beyond our organization. Enjoy special discounts at more than 20 local outdoor retailers and gyms. Whether you need new gear or a place to stay fit and active, these partnerships will help you save while supporting businesses that share our passion for the outdoors.
Conservation and community – By becoming a member, you’re not just investing in your personal outdoor experiences; you’re also contributing to the conservation of our natural treasures. We’re dedicated to preserving the beauty and integrity of the Pacific Northwest’s wilderness. Your membership directly supports our conservation efforts and help us maintain these environments for future generations.
2024 memberships are now on sale –join the Mazamas by October 31 and save yourself the $25 setup fee!
“I became a Mazama because I had hiked to the summit of South Sister with the Mazamas and that experience “hooked” me into wanting to climb. [The] Mazamas then gave me the training I needed to climb safely. I’ve gained new friends and seen firsthand the beauty of the mountains.” —Marty Hanson, member since 1993
I am a Mazama because I have met some of my closest friends and most trusted hiking, climbing, and mountaineering partners through this organization. I’m committed to helping others find and build similar connections, as well as making the outdoors a welcoming and fun space for everyone! —Heather Polonsky & Linus, members since 2018
Lindsey is a queer climber in recovery, and the chair of our Nordic Ski committee. She welcomes any and every chance to get out into the mountains! Summer weekends are for hiking, climbing, backpacking and camping. In winter, she trades in her hiking boots for cross-country skis.
She joined the Mazamas to improve her skills and meet other folks who love the outdoors. BCEP introduced her to the amazing Mazamas community, and she is eager to grow and share her love for the outdoors.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Sledding for sure – snow days are the best! Swimming till my lips were blue in the summer. Camping in state parks with my dad and sisters.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I took BCEP in 2018 after summiting Mt St Helens for the first time – I wanted to learn how to glissade because it looked fun!
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Don’t be completely unprepared – do some research on your own, ask friends for advice or find mentors through the Mazamas or elsewhere. But, don’t get analysis paralysis either. Get out there and learn by doing – we all were beginners once!
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Watching people learn new outdoor skills! It takes courage to be a newbie. But it’s so rewarding when it “clicks,” and you see them light up.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? TV show: The Great British Bake-off. I’m a baking nerd, and they are just so nice to each other, unlike American reality TV. Social media: Jessie Diggins (US women’s Olympic cross country skier, @jessiediggins) – she’s amazing! Trains so, so hard.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? There are a lot of national parks I haven’t visited yet – Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and all the ones in Utah are on the list. I’d also like to do more hiking abroad – the Dolomites and Japan for example. And some more destination cross-country ski trips like Methow Valley or Yellowstone.
As leader of our Trail Trips committee, Scott gets folks connected and moving with the Mazamas via hikes, rambles and most recently, trail tending. He also spearheaded last year’s Used Equipment Sale, raising a record amount of funds for the Mazamas via that event.
When not hiking or climbing with the Mazamas, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, two of whom graduated high school this past spring.
Name: Scott Stevenson
Pronouns: He/him
Year Joined Mazamas: 2010
Present-day outdoor activities: Hiking/backpacking, rock climbing, biking and bikepacking
What’s your earliest outdoor memory: Fishing at Lake Lumina, Ontario, age 5?
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I was researching outdoor options before I moved to Portland in 2009, and I came across the organization. I took BCEP in 2010, mainly to find outdoor partners.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Not every outdoor adventure has to involve the highest/fastest/longest/most scenic. Smell the flowers. Swim in the lake. Take an extra 15 minutes to research the less-traveled spots, and enjoy the quiet and lack of crowds.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Long-time Mazamas climb and hike leaders inspire me, because they share their love of the outdoors with so many others.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? I’m reaching way back into childhood here, and it’s a cliche, but The Hobbit and Lord of the RIngs trilogy were touchstones for me, and I think they planted the idea in my head that just walking out your door and through forests and over mountains were the grandest adventure one could have….”The road goes ever on…”
What’s on your adventure bucket list? A bunch of alpine rock climbs in wilderness settings, Cathedral Peak and Mt. Conness in the Sierras, Prussik Peak in the Enchantments, Pingora and Wolfs Head in the Wind River Range. Also backpacking in the Wallowas and Sawtooths, I could go on forever…
Ray Sheldon leading his last climb for the the Mazamas in 2018 of Plummer Peak.
Raised in Portland, Ray attempted his first climb, Mt. Jefferson, in 1954. He joined the Mazamas in 1960 and has been active and involved ever since. He started leading climbs in 1964 and has taken the Mazamas to the summits of the Cascades, Tetons and Switzerland.
These days, Ray, 90, still spends time outdoors, mostly hiking and trail tending. Married nearly 70 years to his wife, Betty, they have 3 children, 7 grandkids and by his last count, 8 or more great-grandchildren.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory: I remember living on the Willamette River in a houseboat and fishing for catfish, bass and other warm-water fish at night. There were so many happy times outdoors when I was a kid.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I started work with the Oregon Fish Commission in 1953 and within a month was transferred to the fish hatchery at Marion Forks. Mt. Jefferson was right next door, and I had the urge to climb that mountain. The Mazamas seemed like the organization to help me accomplish that.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Definitely get involved with the Mazamas.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Old-time climb leaders who were my mentors definitely were the reason that I led like I did, climbed like I did. Oliver Fursman was one. And later in life, there was a neighbor and Mazama climb leader back in the 50s and 60s, Rony Inderbinen. He was my age, but he was a 4th generation Matterhorn/Swiss Mountain guide. We just hit it off really good, and I used him as a source for other climbs when we’d take Mazama outings to the Alps.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? I dare you to read it. The Ascent of Rum Doodle by W.E. Bowman. It’s down in the Mazama Library,
What’s on your adventure bucket list? There are things I sometimes dream about, but they aren’t important to me anymore. I think everything I really thought I’d like to do I’ve had a chance to do
Teresa has mountaineering in her blood. Both her parents were active Mazamas who instilled in her a healthy respect for the outdoors. She was just 6 when she first summited Mt. Hood, motivated by the prospect of keeping the small ice axe her dad had rented.
School and life led her away from the Northwest for many years, returning in 2016. That year, she and her husband enrolled in our Basic Mountaineering Education Program to refresh their skills, reacquaint themselves with the splendor of the PNW and make climber friends.
She graduated from ICS in 2019, enrolled in the Mazama Leadership Development Program, began volunteering for Portland Mountain Rescue and led a BCEP team last year. When not climbing, and even when she is, Teresa loves to take photos and share her love for adventure with as many people as possible.
Name: Teresa Dalsager
Pronouns: She/Her
Year Joined Mazamas: I was lucky to get to check out some Mazamas activities as a kid with my Dad, but officially joined in 2016, when I moved back to Oregon.
Present-day outdoor activities: Mountain climbing, hiking, kayaking, biking, backpacking, rock climbing, skiing and swimming.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory: Creeping into the forest (it was actually the woods) with my siblings and cousins behind my grandparents house in Stevenson, Wash.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? As I’ve already mentioned, my Dad was a member when I was a kid in the 1970’s. I moved away after high school and upon returning to Portland in 2016 my husband Fred and I joined almost immediately to meet people who climbed. It was the best decision. We joined BCEP, made a bunch of friends, started climbing regularly and got more involved by volunteering and taking courses. My relationship with the Mazamas was a springboard for joining Portland Mountain Rescue.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Learn mountaineering fundamentals and accident prevention through a trusted organization like the Mazamas. Resist the temptation to learn these skills on the fly through a meet up group or anyone who can’t readily provide their experience and qualifications.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? People inspire me. We all have different strengths and skillsets. It’s fulfilling to witness people overcome obstacles and reach their personal goals through determination, commitment, and sometimes sheer grit.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Book: A Prayer for Owen Meany, written by John Irving. The main message of the story is “not to judge a book by it’s cover.” This is a metaphor for not judging people based on the way they look. Check out the book or see the movie based on the book called Simon Birch. You’ll be inspired too.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? . Patagonia, Nepal (Spring 2024), Kilimanjaro, & Via Ferrata adventures in Europe.
Milton enrolled in our Intermediate Climbing School in 2016. He had previous mountaineering experiences climbing in Colombia and Peru, and some rock climbing in Georgia and North Carolina.
He is part of our Leadership Development team and has helped out with our Basic Climbing Education Program, ICS and crevasse rescue skill builders. When not outdoors, he works as a bilingual information systems specialist.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Climbing with my dad in Colombia when I was 12. We climbed Nevado El Ruiz, which is 5,389 meters with his group of friends. After that, I got hooked climbing snow peaks in the Sierrra Nevada El Cocuy.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I was looking for a mountaineering club when I moved to Portland in 2015. I could not enroll in BCEP because I missed the registration date, but I signed up for ICS and then got hooked climbing the volcanoes in Washington and Oregon. After ICS I took the Backcountry Ski class with the Mazamas and started doing more backcountry tours in the North Cascades, Mt. Saint Helens and Mt Hood.Last year I did the Steep Snow and Ice class, and I’ve been climbing more technical routes, also doing some ice climbing in Hyalite Canyon and started leading my own climbs like El Dorado.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Take a mountaineering class like BCEP that teaches you the basics like self arrest, climbing techniques, rappelling, and knots, and then take ICS if you want to be on more challenging climbs and start leading your own climbs with friends.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I got inspired when I read climbing reports on Facebook and the Mazama Bulletin. I like to see people going outside and challenging themselves doing what they love.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? My favorite book is Touching the Void by Joe Simpson. It is a true inspiration for all, what he did to survive after falling in a crevasse, even crawling on a glacier alone!
What’s on your adventure bucket list? All the peaks in the North Cascades. So far I have climbed Mt Shuksan, El Dorado, Ruth Mountain and some failed attempts to Sahale but there are some many beautiful mountains out there that I want to climb. I also want to climb the North Ridge of Mt Baker and the Kautz route in Mt Rainier.
Lisa has been climbing mountains since she was little kid. She has served our organization in many capacities, volunteer climb leader, BCEP leader, canyoneering leader/instructor, teaching: ICS, AR, MFA, Crevasse Rescue, Rock Rescue, Skill Builders, FM101, CPR & First Aid and an organizer for our Used Gear Sale.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory: Catching frogs while camping with my family
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? Mazamas had a reputation in Portland as the best of the best. Very safety conscious, and a group that was serious about mountain climbing. I had already climbed a number of mountains including Mt Hood years before I joined Mazamas, then I decided I should take BCEP to learn more and to meet more climbers.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Get some good training so you can enjoy the outdoors safely and more confidently.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Pick one. The BCEP students who are non-traditional. Who have not grown up hiking and spending time outdoors, and who might start out less physically fit.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Deep Survival (Laurence Gonzales) – Led me to consider why we do what we do, and how each of us deals with challenges when they occur.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Kilimanjaro, Borneo, Antarctica, more Pacific NW climbing
Jeremy grew up on a lake in Minnesota, fishing and camping with his family. He spent three years in Bozeman, MT in college before permanently moving to the West Coast. He met a great group of friends through the Mazamas and our Basic Climbing Education Program, and now he spends most of his free time rock climbing or mountaineering with them.
Name: Jeremy Luedtke
Year Joined Mazamas: 2020
Present-day outdoor activities: Alpine and sport climbing. I recently summited Mount Shasta with Gary Bishop and have multiple ascents planned for the remainder of the summer. I have also been doing more outdoor rock climbing with a great group of people I have met through The Mazamas.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory: I grew up in Minneapolis & my mom was from the north woods closer to Canada. Her family still lived in northern Minnesota and almost every weekend in the summer we would go camping near her hometown and hang out with her family. My earliest outdoor memories were learning how to fish from my grandpa during these trips. He was a cranky old Norwegian fellow who was happiest outdoors and loved to fly fish. While he was always gruff (even around his grandson), he showed his affection by always taking the time to take me on adventures in the woods and teach me about it.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? After I moved to Portland, I ended up working with a Mazamas member who was on the Lodge Committee. We would chat at work about getting outside and into the mountains. He told me about the Mazamas, and said I would enjoy it.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Take advantage of the educational opportunities that Mazamas offers, such as the “gym-to-crag” class or the Sunday Skill-Builders, or volunteer to help with BCEP. Most of my friends, and all of my climbing partners are Mazamas that I met through these opportunities.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Honestly, it is the instructors and volunteer assistants at Mazamas classes that I take. Personally, I believe that climbing fun & climbing safely go hand-in-hand. The instructors at Mazamas classes have so much passion about sharing both technical skills and safety best practices, that it inspires me to get outside even more.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Alpine Savvy, @alpinesavvy. It is both a website and an Instagram account. It is an encyclopedia of climbing knowledge. Definitely a resource that all climbers should subscribe to.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Easter Island. I know it sounds funny because I don’t think you can do any climbing there, you just walk around and look at stuff. The fact that the island is so remote (the nearest inhabited land to it is 1,200 miles away), and filled with over 1000 giant stone heads is fascinating. Of course, it is also off the coast of Chile, and I heard there is some halfway decent climbing in Patagonia I could do on my way there…
Meet the Schwabs: They’re a blended family— each with varying degrees of “from-here.” While Meg moved to Oregon from the Midwest as an adult, Michael’s family basically got here with the Pioneers. Tegan and Isaac actually have the deepest roots to the Pacific Northwest though, because they’re members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde through their mom’s side of the family.
Thankfully, they all love being outside equally, and enjoy spending lots of family time exploring the outdoors. They were grateful to discover the Mazamas during COVID, and decided to take the Families Mountaineering 101 class together last year.
Name: Michael (dad), Meg (stepmom), Tegan, 12, and Isaac, 9
Pronouns: He, she, she, he
Year Joined Mazamas: 2022
Present-day outdoor activities: Hiking, camping, backpacking, climbing, and snowshoeing
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? As a fam: the kids have been camping since they were babies, and we’ve been taking them on hikes since before they even liked it.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? Since COVID, we were always on the lookout for activities to do outside, because it really seemed to help the kids get through being stuck with online learning and not being able to see their friends as often. We found Family 101 in 2021 (through a google search, I think?), but the planned dates that season didn’t fit with the 50/50 parenting-time schedule we have. For 2022, the calendar was almost exactly [magically] aligned, so we applied!
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? For families specifically: get started as early as you can! Even when you think it’ll be hard at first (FYI: you are correct), you’ll all get the hang of it eventually. Nothing has brought our family unit closer than the times we’ve been hanging out together outside. Also, if you have the opportunity to go with other families with kids (ex. FM101!): jump on it.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Every time we’ve been at the summit of a crazy-difficult hike and seen a parent walk by with their baby in one of those backpack-carrier things. So metal.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Primitive Technology by John Plant.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Re-doing our favorite trips we did when the kids were too little to take them with us. Banff National Park, Zion, and the Inca Trail stick out as the main ones.
A Philly area native, Heather first moved to Portland in Spring 2017 searching for more opportunities for outdoor fun and adventure. She became a Mazama member and hike leader in 2019, and now serves as a Co-Chair for the Adventurous Young Mazamas (AYM). Heather also completed Advanced Rock in 2022. When she’s not outside hitting up all the trails and climbing some of the mountains, you can find her churning up homemade ice cream, running, and snuggling her doggo Linus.
Linus was rescued from the streets of Southern California and transported up to Portland, OR where he found a loving home with Heather in the Fall of 2018. Although not much is known about Linus prior to his arrival in Portland, Linus has fully embraced his PNW home and can often be found hiking with Heather throughout Oregon and Washington (either on foot or in a pack!).
Name: Heather Polonsky and Linus Polonsky
Pronouns: she/her/hers; he/him/his
Year Joined Mazamas: 2019
Present-day outdoor activities: Heather: Hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing (downhill/XC), and running.
Linus: Hiking, sniffing, bouldering, and eating grass. Retired backpacker.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Heather: My earliest outdoor memory was playing capture the flag in my neighbors’ backyard. My family also used to take annual trips down the shore (yep, there’s the Jersey in me coming out) and I remember running along the beach and splashing in the ocean. Interestingly, I’m much more of a forest-gal now than a beach-bum.
Linus: My human (Heather) took me on a hike-walk through Forest Park a week or two after I moved in. I guess she really wanted me to be an adventure pup.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? Heather: After listening to me bemoan my lack of hiking friends, my friend (who was one of my few hiking friends at the time and therefore was probably annoyed I kept saying I didn’t have any hiking friends) dragged to me an AYM Pub Night. There, I met a bunch of like-minded outdoor folks and I knew I wanted to get more involved! I quickly learned the Mazamas did not regularly offer dog friendly hikes and as a new dog owner, I did not want to leave my furry friend behind. Rather than wait for an existing hike leader to start hosting dog friendly hikes, I took matters into my own hands and became a hike leader. Over the past four to five years, I have met so many lifelong friends through the Mazamas and have gained so many skills and knowledge. I am so thankful for the Mazamas and will continue to be involved in this organization for years to come!
Linus: I pawticipated in my human’s first ever AYM hike to Pup Creek Falls back in 2019 and haven’t looked back! Heather brings me on all of her Mazamas hikes and encourages others to bring along their furry friends. I’ve made a lot of pals (both human and dog) through the Mazamas and love when folks sneak me little treats.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Heather: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! I had been on plenty of hikes and a few camping trips here and there back East, but when I first moved to Portland I had no experience backpacking, mountaineering, or skiing, and I had just barely learned to rock climb. Although I was intimidated at first, I quickly learned there are so many people eager to teach you new skills and provide you with recommendations and tips on how to get outside! It can be scary (and downright embarrassing) to learn a new hobby as an adult, but it is also super rewarding and a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Linus: Bring your furry friend! Assuming the trail is pup friendly, we would love to be included in your adventures. That being said, please practice “leave no trace”, I get very upset when people leave dog poo on the trail (I always go in for a sniff and am disappointed when it’s not a treat).
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Heather: I’m inspired by all the animals I see in the wild. These creatures have found a way to adapt and survive in harsh environments and continue to persevere despite human interference. Some truly inspirational species include beavers (nature’s engineers!), marmots (guardians of the mountains), pikas (those little fellas survive in yearlong sub-zero temps), and mountain goats (have you seen what those bad boys can climb?!).
Linus: Woof, that’s a toughie. I’m a simple pup. I don’t focus on inspiration. I just want treatos, snuggles, outdoor sniffs, and time with my human.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Heather: The Washington Department of Natural Resources (@washdnr) and National Park Service (@nationalparkservice) social media accounts may be the funniest things I have ever read. Both accounts find a way to make facts and tips about outdoor recreation informative yet hilarious. Also, the Oregon Zoo (@oregonzoo); I’m very invested in the daily activities of branch managers Filbert and Maple (beavers), as well as Moshu the red panda.
Linus: Not to betray my heritage, but I got to say, @GreatGramsofGary is high quality stuff! I’m normally ambivalent towards my feline compatriots, but that kitty Gary is quite the adventurer.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Heather: The list is long, but my top 5 would have to be Machu Pichu, a Banff-Glacier-Tetons-Yellowstone-Wind River Range hiking/backpacking road trip, Patagonia, New Zealand, and Lofoten Islands in Norway (crossing this one off this summer!).
Linus: I only know what my human tells me about. I can tell you that my favorite nearby hike is Dog Mountain.
