Born in Bellingham, Wash., Daniel moved to Portland in 1993 to attend college. Since joining the Mazamas, he has participated in our Basic Climbing Education, Nordic and First Aid courses. When not out in the wild, Daniel teaches yoga and mindfulness, serves as a cross-country coach and works as a care manager, shaman and Reiki master.
Name: Daniel J Hemmen
Pronouns: He/ Him
Present-day Outdoor Activities: Nordic and Alpine skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, biking, mountaineering, SUP, backpacking, yoga and trail-running.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? As a child, I remember accompanying my parents on excursions to rural parts of our county to pick blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. The best part was making homemade jams and pies to eat and share with our neighbors.
How did you hear about Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I first learned about Mazamas from friends who were climbing with the organization. I decided that I wanted to challenge myself and learn new skills so that I can climb safely and responsibly, plus make new friends who enjoy the outdoors as much as I do.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? I would say that in light of our environmental crisis, it is critically important to be conscious of the environmental impact you have when you recreate outdoors. In addition, ask yourself if the outdoor activity you are engaged in is inclusive to all people or not?
What activities/ situations/people most inspire you? I am inspired by people who dare to dream what others may consider impossible actually possible and then make it happen! I am inspired when ordinary people come together and achieve extraordinary things, no matter how small or large.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Pick one. I just finished watching Netflix docuseries, 100-Foot Wave with my partner and loved it because the main characters dared to dream of surfing big waves that had never been surfed before and made it happen in Nazare, Portugal. Most importantly,100-Foot Wave is fundamentally about partnership as the story’s main focus is on a family growing in love through life’s challenges and triumphs.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Annapurna Circuit Trek, Nazare, Portugal, Angkor Wat , Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Kyoto, Japan. Norway, and Bhutan.