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…
Rick has spearheaded our trail tending efforts for many years and first started maintaining trails with the Mazamas in 1990. He leads hikes and is U.S. Forest Service-certified in the crosscut saw, a handy skill.
His efforts to give back to the land and instill that ethos into our organization continues, as he gathers work parties in mid-July (20, 21, 22) to work on our namesake trail on Mt. Hood. See our calendar for details and to sign up.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Being dragged to Mt Rainier as a child, not realizing it would start a lifelong passion for wild areas.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? My father was aware of the Mazamas a long time ago and signed both of us up for what is now called BCEP. 1969 I think.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Recreate responsibly, tread lightly. Many places are overrun nowadays, so be kind and seek the paths less traveled.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? People that change careers to take on a lifelong crusade for conservation (like Doug Tompkins, established North Face and then left to create conservation areas in Patagonia)
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? I’ll admit to posting on Facebook but I don’t Instagram, Tweet, Tik or Tok. Generally prefer a good book ranging from CIA fiction to true life adventures.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Switzerland this fall, Africa and Antarctica would give me 7 continents so they’re pretty high up.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Being dragged to Mt Rainier as a child, not realizing it would start a lifelong passion for wild areas.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? My father was aware of the Mazamas a long time ago and signed both of us up for what is now called BCEP. 1969 I think.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Recreate responsibly, tread lightly. Many places are overrun nowadays, so be kind and seek the paths less traveled.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? People that change careers to take on a lifelong crusade for conservation (like Doug Tompkins, established North Face and then left to create conservation areas in Patagonia)
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? I’ll admit to posting on Facebook but I don’t Instagram, Tweet, Tik or Tok. Generally prefer a good book ranging from CIA fiction to true life adventures.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Switzerland this fall, Africa and Antarctica would give me 7 continents so they’re pretty high up.
Emily is a self-described thrill-seeker who loves to explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. They’re fairly new to mountaineering, but summited Mt. Shasta in 2022 and are looking to add more peaks to their resume post-BCEP, which they credit with “absolutely changing my life.”
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Running around in the miles of forest behind the townhomes I lived in. I’m an only child, and I’d spend hours by myself exploring every little corner of that place just zen-ing with the wind and the trees. There was a frog pond nearby as well, and I’d go sit and listen to the sounds of all the creatures that lived there.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I was looking for community when I moved back to the West, and a hiking friend mentioned BCEP. I had also been researching Zion National Park where I learned about Canyoneering, and after I saw the Mazamas offered that as well, it was a done deal. Haha
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Live and explore!!! I’ve heard so many people say “I wish I could.” You can!! It’s yours for the taking!! Just, approach it with respect, and of course safety in mind.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? People with a thirst for life charge my batteries. People who live life with enthusiasm and compassion, and I’ve found more than many of those people within the Mazamas. There’s so much experience, and ambition, and miles underfoot, it’s a blessing to be surrounded by, and get to adventure with so many of my own personal heroes!!
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Lately I’ve been reading “The Rock Warrior’s Way.” I try not to spend too much time on social media, but I do love seeing everyone’s adventures on Insta and Facebook. I’m always tickled to see everyone’s summer smiles!!
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Oh there’s so many!!! I grew up in the Tacoma area, so Mt. Rainier is at the top of my mountaineering dream list, and I’m slowly planning a canyoneering trip to Zion next year. The crystal caves down in Mexico caught my eye as well. Really I just want to rappel the world!! Haha
Joshua moved to the Pacific Northwest about 10 years ago, and in the past few years he’s done a lot of climbing with the Mazamas through our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP) and Intermediate Climbing School (ICS) programs. When not out in the wild, he works to create more equitable, prosperous and resilient communities.
Joshua also has been instrumental in creating the Queerzamas, an affinity group within the Mazamas for queer and/or trans folks and was part of our first-ever queer BCEP team.
Name: Joshua Baker
Pronouns: he, him, his
Year Joined Mazamas: 2022
Present-day outdoor activities: Mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking, backpacking
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Growing up on a dairy farm in northern New York – cows out to pasture are an early outdoor memory. In terms of outdoor recreation, ice skating on a frozen pond at my grandparents farm with my sisters and cousins is an early memory I have.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I first learned about the Mazamas about a decade ago when I worked for the nonprofit, Focus the Nation. Each summer we held an annual climate focus retreat at the Lodge and went on Mazama-led hikes up to Elliot Glacier area. It wasn’t until I had a couple friends who did BCEP in 2019 that I decided I wanted to get involved in the Mazamas though.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Find what brings your joy in the outdoor community.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Historically I’ve been a solitary creature – particularly when it comes to outdoor activities. More and more I have found inspiration, comfort, and enjoyment in the community building aspects of my outdoor pursuits. That’s why I’m particularly excited to be part of the new Queerzamas affinity space. Queerzamas will also be marching in the Pride Parade on July 16 – hope to see you there!
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? For folx who’ve spent a good amount of time around me the past few years, they know I’m a bit obsessed with beavers and their importance to ecosystems in the West (and that they are adorable). A lot of my passion stems from reading Ben Goldfarb’s “Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter.”
What’s on your adventure bucket list? In addition to the mountains, I love the Oregon High Desert. I’m slowly chipping away at visiting, hiking, and volunteering on environmental stewardship trips to sites along the Oregon Desert Trail and across High Desert. I’m hoping to get out to the Owyhee Canyonlands for an adventure soon!
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.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Md., Koko moved to Portland in 2013. She loves to hike and climb and considers the outdoors a meaningful, meditative space. To her, mountaineering is less about climbing the next big thing and more about showing up to be in supportive community, with curiosity, to have fun, be safe, and find joy in every tiny victory within. She is very passionate about and committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the outdoors. Inspired by her time in nature, Koko also is an artist who creates many mountain-themed pieces.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Biking along the NCR trail from Maryland to the PA border with my uncle during the summer
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? My bestie and I got early season permits to the Enchantments in 2016 and didn’t feel equipped to climb Assgard Pass in the snow but seeing everyone attempt it made me want to learn skills to go higher and see more! I found mountaineering during a really hard transitional time in my life and it really helped remind me of my own strength again and find some great community.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? You belong here just as you are. The outdoors are such a healing space and I want everyone who wants to be a part of that to feel like they belong, because you do. Period.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? My friends inspire me a lot and many are doing super badass things in the community. Random acts of kindness and wildflower hikes fill up my serotonin stores.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Ted Lasso- my dad is a soccer coach and it is both hilarious and wholesome and the character development makes my heart swell. Team Roy+Jamie besties forever.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Trekking inPeru, Tatras in Poland, Mount Athabasca and pretty much anything in Canada, climbing in the Tetons, Patagonia
Hailing from the high scablands of eastern Washington Joe has bounced around the Pacific Northwest his entire life. As a creative director/designer Joe creates websites, motion graphics, brand identities and advertising for clients big and small. These days, his work primarily helps Native American tribes and their various entities. When not pushing pixels, Joe is an accomplished musician. He spent most of his life playing drums in all kinds of bands, touring the country until chronic illness put an end to that.
Joe’s foray into the outdoors and mountaineering began as a way for him to deal with a chronic condition called Fibromyalgia. He’s an open-book about his experiences with the medical system, trauma and dealing with “invisible” conditions that affect him daily. He took BCEP in 2019 (Levis/Bodien Mountain Bluebirds!), ICS in 2021 (Dwelle) and is currently a provisional climb leader. He’s a dog lover with an affinity for Brachycephalic breeds.
Name: Joe Preston
Pronouns: He/Him
Year Joined Mazamas: 2019
Present-day outdoor activities: Climbing, hiking, camping, etc.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? I was an “indoor” kid—playing video games/Legos, etc. So the earliest memory I’ve got in the outdoors must have been when I was in first or second grade. I was dragged to the soggy Washington coast to “hunt” geoducks. Of course this meant I had to bring my brand spankin’ new Batman slip-ons—the left one was promptly stuck in the mud. My mom made me leave it and carried me away crying.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? From my mid-20s to my mid-30s I was on a medical rollercoaster of misdiagnosis regarding some chronic conditions I deal with—May is national Fibromyalgia awareness month. My wife wrote a moving piece about that period. During which I stumbled onto some mountaineering books and documentaries and felt a calling. Later a coworker mentioned that their partner was taking this class called BCEP.
I took BCEP in 2019 (Levis/Bodien) and the experience was so transformative for me physically, mentally and emotionally that I’ve been volunteering, climbing and taking classes with the organization every year since—this year being my first as the BCEP Committee Chair and co-leading a BCEP team. I love this organization, the people involved and the mission.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Take BCEP and join the Mazamas!
I’m a firm believer that the mountains and wilderness are spiritual and healing places, not sports arenas. Don’t be so eager to check the boxes on your list or reach the summit that you miss the experiences.
I also believe that the mountains are for everyone, so be supportive and encouraging to everyone you pass on the trail. You’d be amazed how much impact a little positivity can have on someone.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I’m inspired by artists, musicians, people who overcome adversity, people who are kind and the crazy notion that we are flying through space on a beautifully amazing and mysterious rock. Stay gold!
I’m constantly inspired by our Mazama climb leaders and other volunteers who give their time to help others.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Books: Man without a country-Vonnegut, Savage Arena-Tasker, Art of Freedom-McDonald, When the Moon Turns to Blood-Sottile
Movies: The Last Starfighter, Life Aquatic, Metanoia, way too many to list ha.
TV Shows: Twin Peaks, The Office, Trailer Park Boys, The Woodwright’s Shop
Social media: Dogs!
What’s on your adventure bucket list? I was recently promoted to a provisional climb leader. I’m working my way through our leadership development program with the aim of helping other folks get into the outdoors that suffer from chronic illness, trauma, etc. Beyond that just having adventures with my friends, my partner and my dogs. Spending as many days as possible in the mountains.
The first time I entered the MMC was only 3 months after I moved to Portland. Eager to learn more about hikes in the area and meet people to adventure with, I attended an event hosted by the Adventurous Young Mazamas where member Matt Reeder spoke about his new book, PDX Hiking 365.
Fast forward 5 years and PDX Hiking 365 is a staple in my hike planning, rarely making its way back onto the bookshelf, and Matt Reeder is now a close friend. I anxiously awaited the release of Matt’s newest book: Extraordinary Oregon! 125 Fantastic Hikes across the state of Oregon.
Matt started writing this book during the early days of the pandemic, and over the last 2 years, he drove over 20,000 miles to come up with this comprehensive list of the best, most extraordinary hikes in our beautiful state. He hiked over 1500 miles in Oregon alone. To be included, all hikes must be easy to access and navigate, and also must be doable in one day.
I am a big fan of the way Extraordinary Oregon! is organized. There are numerous ways to dive in when trip planning, either by starting with the map of the entire state; starting with the region you’re interested in and narrowing it down using the charts at the beginning of each chapter that note the distance/elevation gain of each hike; or using the detailed index.
Each hike starts with a helpful quick reference guide — distance, elevation gain, trailhead elevation, trail high point, season (that the trail is accessible), best time of year, and what pass (if any) is needed. One notable addition to this book is a land acknowledgment for each hike, letting the reader know whose traditional lands the hikes take place on. This is followed by driving directions to the trailhead, along with drive time from the closest town.
From there, Matt describes what to expect. He walks you through the hike, describing each section and offering fun facts or tidbits along the way. He may tell you what flowers and trees you’ll find (like the fascinating Brewer’s spruce on Kerby Peak), or an interesting historical fact about the trail or area. He’ll often offer suggestions for ways to continue the hike if you’re up for a longer adventure, or offshoots to explore. He makes sure you’re aware of any notable risks, such as exposed sections you may want to closely watch a child (or someone with a fear of heights!) near, a difficult creek crossing, or the presence of ticks. Although not a guide for backpacking, the guide does note where you may find a good camp spot on some of these routes.
Each hike also includes a CalTopo map of the trail, as well as a QR code that allows you to open the map from your phone or download and print a copy. Other things to note, is that any hike that is not dog-friendly will include an icon at the top of the page, so you know to leave your furry friends at home.
The photography throughout the book is beautiful — I only wish printing costs made it feasible for them to be in color! The marketer in me cannot resist pointing you to Matt’s Instagram account (@offthebeatentrailpdx), where you can find these photos and so many more.
Overall, Extraordinary Oregon! is an excellent guide to hiking in our state and I cannot wait to dive into these hikes in the coming months and years. I’ve always thought it would be fun to make my way through one of Matt’s books until I’ve completed each and every one — I think this may be the one to do it with!
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.
