Kristie grew up staring at Mt. Saint Helens from her living room window and has been living around the Northwest long enough to remember its eruption in May 1980. Since then, she has skied and climbed several of the Northwest volcanoes and loves to suffer by running ultramarathons around mountains.
When Kristie is not outside, she can be found working as a Nurse Practitioner in a small clinic in Hood River, practicing the piano, or having fun in the bouldering gym. She recently became an empty nester after sending two kids off to college, and is enjoying having more time on her hands to pursue more wilderness medicine teaching and adventure, including, Intermediate Climbing School (ICS, which she is currently taking) and volunteering for the Mazama first aid committee and the Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP).
Name: Kristie Mitchell
Pronouns: She/her
Year Joined Mazamas: 2018
Present-day outdoor activities: I spend most of my spring/summers trail runni
ng, mountaineering or mountain biking. My winters I spend Nordic and backcountry skiing with some downhill skiing thrown in. I hope to incorporate some rock climbing post-Intermediate Climbing School (ICS) once the weather improves!
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? I remember my first day skiing like it was yesterday. I was 6 years old and enrolled in Powder Hounds ski school at Timberline. It was cold, and I fell a lot. I remember being very frustrated until after lunch and hot chocolate. Then parts of it became more fun. It obviously stuck!
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I first heard of the Mazamas through a friend. I was looking to climb Mountain Hood again (initially I climbed it with Timberline Mountain Guides) and wanted to connect with more people to climb with.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Enjoy the outdoors, but be prepared to be humbled. There is a lot that can go wrong, and being prepared (and in good fitness) is the key to enjoyment.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I love long days on the trails or climbing routes, particularly when it involves mountains and views and multiple terrains. I especially love being in the present moment and in awe of nature. That to me is the most inspiring. I am inspired by people who are passionate about the outdoors and generous with sharing.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Pick one. It’s hard for me to pick just one. I guess I really like the Sharp End podcast because of the interviewing style, and I learn a lot.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? So many things. Definitely exploring Patagonia. There’s a race down there called the Patagonia Expedition Race where a team of four covers over 500 km by mountaineering, kayaking, trekking, trail running and mountain biking, all without electronic navigation on a course that is revealed 24 hours before the start time. That to me would be the ultimate adventure. If anyone wants to form a team with me let me know 🙂