Tag: Volunteers

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Meet the Mazamas

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. 

Name:  Rick Pope

Pronouns:  He/him

Year Joined Mazamas: 2003

Present-day outdoor activities:  Hiking, bicycling, trail maintainer, occasional caver and photographer

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. 

Name:  Rick Pope

Pronouns:  He/him

Year Joined Mazamas: 2003

Present-day outdoor activities:  Hiking, bicycling, trail maintainer, occasional caver and photographer

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. 

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Meet the Mazamas

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.” 

Name: Emily McEntire

Pronouns: They/Them

Year Joined Mazamas: 2021

Present-day outdoor activities: Canyoneering!!! Mountaineering, Climbing, Hiking, Paddle-boarding, Exploring

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

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Meet the Mazamas

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!

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Meet the Mazamas

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.

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Book Review: Extraordinary Oregon! 125 Fantastic Hikes across the state of Oregon

By Silja Tobin

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!

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Meet the Mazamas

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.

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Meet the Mazamas

Petra was raised in the Middle East and Washington, D.C. and has lived in nearly every region of the U.S. She took our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP) in 2009, which launched a career in the outdoors. She’s a former NOLS instructor, a current instructor of wilderness leadership and experiential education, an on-again/off-again wilderness therapy guide, a paddler, a dedicated long-distance walker, a hiker, and an aspiring mountain biker. She has been in the Mazama Leadership Development Program since May 2019 and a Portland Mountain Rescue member since August 2021.

Name:  Petra LeBaron-Botts

Pronouns:  she/her/hers

Year Joined Mazamas: 2009

 Present-day outdoor activities:  Mountaineering, rock climbing, backpacking, thru-hiking, skiing, mountain biking, paddling my canoe.

What’s your earliest outdoor memory? I spent my formative years in the Middle East and remember a lot of exploring the vast Arabian Desert. A different kind of wilderness, but still wild and awe-inspiring. I also remember trips to the U.S. to visit my extended family and falling in love with the high desert ecosystem of eastern and southern Oregon.

How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? When I moved to Oregon after finishing college in Indiana in 2008, I felt that I had some sort of responsibility to learn how to ski. I enrolled in the Mazama Nordic Ski class. It was in that class that I met now-president Greg Scott! He told me about this thing called BCEP. I almost didn’t register, thinking I had no interest in climbing mountains. How wrong I was! Taking BCEP in 2009 changed the trajectory of my entire life, kicking off my move to an outdoor education career.

As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Take the leap! There are so many reasons we give ourselves for why we can’t. We don’t have the time, don’t have the money, are too out of shape, are too scared. All the best things in the world lie beyond those reasons. There are so many people who want to help you discover the outdoors and so many resources available to help you do it! Just say yes!

What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I became a part of Portland Mountain Rescue in 2021 and have felt continually inspired by the men and women in the unit. They are compassionate, brave, humble, and dedicated, and I hope to be more like them when I grow up. I am also continually inspired by my nearly-77 year old mother who hikes thousands of miles around the world every year. At the age of 75 she did a 26-mile day with me! 

What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? My absolute favorite corner of the internet is @dusttodigital on Instagram. They post video clips of live “music,” in all iterations, from every corner of the globe. I don’t even want to say anything more – just go watch.

What’s on your adventure bucket list? The Arizona Trail, the Oregon Desert Trail, Te Araroa, Patagonia, Antarctica, backpacking the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, seeing a manta ray while diving, diving the Galapagos, bike-touring in eastern Europe, and much more.

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Meet the Mazamas

Katie is a recent East Coast transplant who is excited to explore the Pacific Northwest. She joined the Mazamas last year and just completed our Nordic Ski School. She is helping to bring back the Mazama evening programs and is eager to help advance the Mazama mission to inspire everyone to love and protect the mountains.

Name: Katie Grinnell

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Year Joined Mazamas: Oct 2022

Present-day outdoor activities: hiking, camping, rock climbing, running, kayaking, SUPing, water skiing, downhill skiing, Nordic skiing

Earliest outdoor memory: My earliest outdoor memory might be playing on the playground! I loved the monkey bars and would show off my skills to anyone, or try to beat anyone… I’ve always been competitive. 

How did you hear about Mazamas and what prompted you to engage with the organization? When I moved to Portland from the East Coast I was looking for an org to help me learn to recreate in these mountains safely and to maybe even summit Hood someday! I have lots of experience recreating outside but the peaks of the PNW are different from my lovely Appalachians and safety is of utmost importance! I think I used Google and the Mazamas popped up so I did my research and thought it would be great to be part of such a storied history and also have the ability to take classes to keep learning new skills and meeting people!

Advice for people recreating outside: Go with friends, invest in a good pair of waterproof hiking boots, and practice LNT always!

What activities/situations/people most inspire you? I’m inspired by the people I interact with everyday; as a social worker I often interact with people when life isn’t particularly easy and their joy and determination and intelligence inspire me to keep fighting to make the world a better place for everyone and everything. 

What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that I follow and why: I could never pick a favorite book as I am always reading and find new books to love but a great read that every outdoors person should have on their shelf is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 

What is on your adventure bucket list? There are many places I want to go and experiences I want to have but as a new resident to the PNW I would love to go backpacking in the Three Sisters Wilderness this summer! 

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Meet the Mazamas

Forest grew up in Seattle, lived in Bellingham, on Orcas Island, and in Australia. He moved to Portland in 2010, where he teaches high school current events and civics/government for Portland Public Schools. Forest is a registered member by blood of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, he is part Chickasaw and also white. He is working his way through the Mazamas Leadership Development program to become a climb leader and has set a goal of leading all 16 of the NW Peaks.

Name:  Forest Brook Menke-Thielman

Pronouns:  He/Him

Year Joined Mazamas: 2019

Present-day outdoor activities:  Climbing, Hiking, Skiing, Running (road/trail), Cycle Touring (though not in awhile), General Alpinism, New to Ice Climbing, occasional kayak/canoe excursion. 

What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Probably complaining to my parents that I hate the beach… I’ve changed. 

How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? I looked up how to climb Hood online and somehow came to the Advanced Snow and Ice class.  That was what I wanted to take originally, but I realized I had to start at the basics, so I enrolled in BCEP. 

As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Do your research. It’s free to talk to people that have experience with weather conditions and gear, like Rangers, folks at the Mountain Shop, other Mazamas, etc. While remote outdoor activities can be inherently dangerous, many people that get significantly hurt or die just weren’t prepared for the weather, or to get lost, or didn’t know how to use the gear they had or didn’t have.  

What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Pick one. Currently ice climbing.  I didn’t have a chance to get down to Ouray or Hyalite this year like I had originally planned, and I have been supremely jealous of everyone’s photos who did. 

What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? The_Govy500 on Instagram; good reason to take 35 back through Hood River. 

What’s on your adventure bucket list? Mount Kenya (the true summit) for sure.  It just looks so awesome, so remote, and so challenging. It’s like 22 pitches of alpine trad. Better start training!

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Meet the Mazamas

Roberta Zouain on the summit of Mt. Rainier/June 2021

Born in Brazil, Roberta Zouain has called Oregon home since 2015. Ever the outdoors person, she grew up camping, swimming in rivers, snorkeling/sailing in the ocean. After moving to the Pacific Northwest, she fell in love with the mountains and snow.

Name: Roberta Zouain 

Pronouns: she/her

Year Joined Mazamas: 2018

Present-day outdoor activities: Hiking, climbing, all sorts of skiing, and occasionally running and biking

What’s your earliest outdoor memory? Camping with my brother and cousins and swimming in the river

How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage
with the organization? I first heard about the Mazamas from a co-worker, but at the time I never thought I would ever get into mountaineering. Years later, after having climbed Mount St Helens, I was planning on climbing Mount Adams and remembered Mazamas members got rescue insurance, so I signed up before my climb. A few months after that, in 2019, I decided to take BCEP, and since then I’ve been involved taking and instructing different classes.

As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Just get out there, don’t worry too much about whether you have the right gear or if you are not necessarily racking up miles or vertical feet. And finding a community you can connect to can really help, too. The Mazamas offers several programs such as hikes and rambles, as well as affinity groups that can provide a safe space to communities who have historically been excluded from outdoor recreation.

What activities/situations/people most inspire you? Pick one: I really admire people working to make the outdoors more accessible for everyone. Organizing these groups is such a tough job, and I’m incredibly thankful for those dedicated to breaking down the barriers to the sports we love. There are so many organizations in our community and within the Mazamas itself, naming just one would be impossible 🙂

What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow
and why? I love following @pattiegonia on Instagram! The work she does around promoting inclusiveness in the outdoors and environmental activism is incredible. And the memes are always on point.

What’s on your adventure bucket list? I’d love to hike and climb the Dolomites in Italy.