Mazamas

The Mazamas were established July 19, 1894 on the summit of Mt. Hood.  We have a proud tradition of leadership, safety, conservation, and climbing education in the Northwest for well over a century.  Our mission is simply to . . . “Provide a comprehensive climbing program with allied activities that enhance and protect the participants and the environment.”

To support this mission, we offer over 350 climbs and 700 hikes annually, and sponsor conservation and research to protect and better understand the alpine environment.  Our activities depend almost entirely on the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, who contribute over 38,000 hours of time annually to support Mazamas programs.

(a very brief) History

Responding to an advertisement run in the Morning Oregonian of June 12, 1894:  “To Mountain Climbers and Lovers of Nature . . . It has been decided to meet on the summit of Mt. Hood on the 19th of next month ...” more than 300 people encamped on the flanks of Mt. Hood on July 18. By 8:00 am the next day, the first climbing party reached the 11,239’ summit, followed by the rest of the 193 men and women who were to reach the summit that day. One hundred and five climbers became charter members.  More on the history of the Mazamas

Name, Slogan and Logo

What does “Mazamas” actually mean?  From the unabridged Webster’s dictionary:

From mazame (see mazama) from Nahuatl “mazatl” (deer) “ A name applied by early writers to various American ruminants supposed to be the Rocky Mountain Goat.”
The Mazamas founders thought that the strongest climber in the mountains (the goat) was an appropriate symbol.  The southern Oregon mountain that collapsed and became Crater Lake (Mt. Mazama) was named for our organization.

The Mazamas’ slogan, “Nesika Klatawa Sahale” is Chinook Indian jargon, freely translated as “We Climb High.” It has been used since the organization was formed in 1894.

The Mazamas logo depicts a mountain goat, or “mazama,” atop a triangle with a dot in the center - the surveying symbol for a benchmark, often found on mountaintops.

Membership

To join Mazamas, you need to have climbed to the summit of a mountain peak on which there is at least one glacier.  There are about 3,000 members.  More on Mazamas membership

Mazama Mountaineering Center

The Mazama Mountaineering Center is located at SE 43rd and Stark, (Click here for a Map to the MMC). At the MMC, our facilities include 5 meeting rooms, a 175 seat auditorium, a library, administrative ofices, and the museum/archives.  Office and library hours are Mon-Thurs, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Friday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Library

Housed in the Mazamas Mountaineering Center, our library contains an extensive collection of mountaineering books, periodicals and videos. The collection also includes biographies, trail and field guides, conservation and natural resource texts, books on travel and exploration, and videos on climbing expeditions and technique. Books may be borrowed by members for a maximum of four weeks, videos for 1 week.  Non-members are welcome to use the library during regular office hours, but may not check out materials.  Library hours are the same as the office: Mon-Thurs, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Friday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  More on Mazamas library

Mazama Lodge

The Mazamas own and maintain a mountain lodge located near Government Camp on Mt. Hood, 50 miles east of Portland. The lodge is open year-round, with a manager in residence. Meals and bunkhouse lodging, and a few private room accommodations are available for members and their guests.  More on the Mazama Lodge

Publications

We publish a monthly bulletin, membership roster and annual journal, all distributed to members as part of their membership. Non-members may also subscribe to the bulletin for a fee. The bulletin contains news of our day-to-day activities, activities schedules, and reports on actions taken by the Executive Council and standing committees. The Mazama Annual features articles, reports and photographs of significant events and activities of the previous year.  More info on Mazamas publications

Organizational Structure

The Mazamas are governed by the Executive Council, consisting of nine members who conduct the work of the Mazamas subject to the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. The Council is selected by the members at an annual election, for terms of three years. Bylaws cannot be changed except by a two-thirds majority vote of the membership. The Executive Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The annual meeting of Mazamas is held on the first Monday in October. Members are welcome to attend all meetings. More on the Executive Council

Committees

The primary work of the Mazamas is carried out in committees. Many hours of volunteer effort within these committees go into conducting the our programs and projects. More help is always welcome!  If you’d like to help on any of them, contact us at the Mazama Mountaineering Center and we’ll get you started.  More on Mazamas committees

Classes and Education

Each year we teach a variety of courses in mountaineering related fields for students of all levels.  For most classes, you do not need to be a member, and most classes have lectures open to those who are not in the class.  We offer classes in Basic and Intermediate Mountaineering, Advanced Rock Climbing, Advanced Snow and Ice Climbing, Rock Review, Ski Mountaineering, First Aid, Expedition training, and Nordic Skiing.  More on Mazamas classes

Mountaineering and Climbing

Mountaineering is the primary activity enjoyed by our members. The climb schedule, consisting of approximately 350 different climbs, is published in the April issue of the monthly bulletin. Climbs are open to anyone, members and non-members, who meet the qualifications set by individual leaders.  There is a fee charged for each climb through purchase of a “climb card” from the Mazama Mountaineering Center (Click here for a Map to the MMC). We also have programs in winter climbing and ski mountaineering.  More on Mazamas climbing

Trail Trips (Hiking)

Hiking is one of the most popular activities of our members, with more than 700 hikes organized each year. These include moderate hikes, strenuous conditioning hikes, trail tending (work trips), backpacks, snow bivouacs, snowshoes, street rambles and short, family-oriented walks around Portland. Most of the hikes are within easy driving distance of Portland, with several offered each weekend, as well as weekday and evening hikes. A description of each hike with the name and phone number of the leader can be found in the monthly Mazama bulletin. Advance signup is usually not required, although hikers are encouraged to call the leader with questions. Most hikes meet in Portland where carpools are arranged for the drive to the trailhead. A nominal fee is charged and carpooling is encouraged. As with most Mazamas activities, the hikes are open to the general public as well as to members.  More on Mazamas hiking

Trail Tending

The Mazamas actively promote the establishment and maintenance of hiking trails through its trail tending work. Trails such as Trapper Creek, Chetwoot Loop, and Mazama Trail were created by and are regularly maintained by the Mazamas. Mazamas Trail Tenders were instrumental in re-opening many trails in the Columbia Gorge which had been hit hard by the devastating storms of early 1996. Monthly Trail Tending parties are listed in the hike schedule with the letter “T” preceding the date and meeting place. No fees are charged and participation is open.  More on Mazamas trail tending

Outings

Annual outings range in duration from five days to three weeks. They vary in scope and number from year to year, depending on the volunteer leadership. Most of the outings involve climbing or hiking but also may be geological trips, whitewater river rafting, canoe trips or ski trips. Although most outings are held in the Western United States, many travel to foreign destinations. A listing of the annual outings appears in the March issue of the monthly bulletin.  More on Mazamas outings

Conservation

Beyond the recreational activities of the Mazamas, conservation is the most central to the Mazamas’ mission. Since inception, the Mazamas have played a significant role in preserving existing wilderness areas for posterity. Historically we have played a role in establishing Crater Lake and Mt. Rainier as national parks, in the preservation of the Oregon Caves as a national monument, and in setting aside the original 4,000 acres in the city of Portland as Forest Park. The committee endeavors to maintain a close liaison with officials in all land managing public agencies, to insure that the viewpoint of those who access and enjoy outdoor areas is clearly understood by authorities. We offer conservation grants, generally to northwest non-profit organizations.  The committee keeps members informed of issues pending before local, state and federal governments concerning wilderness, wildlife, natural beauty and recreational resources. As a tax exempt, nonprofit organization, the Mazamas may not devote more than a small part of its activities to influencing legislation.  More on Mazamas conservation

Evening Programs

Informative and entertaining programs are held at the Mazama Mountaineering Center each Wednesday evening, October through May. The outdoor oriented programs are free and open to the public, and range from movies and slide shows to lectures and demonstrations. The program schedule appears in the monthly bulletin.  More on Mazamas evening programs

Annual Banquet

A banquet is held at the conclusion of the summer activities each year, usually during the first half of November. This is a social gathering of members for dinner, awards presentations and a guest speaker. The general public is welcome to attend.  More on the Annual banquet

Used Gear Sale

A used equipment sale, sponsored by the Trail Trips Committee, is held annually in early November. This is a great opportunity to find bargains in gear for hiking, camping, climbing and skiing - and a great way to sell surplus outdoor clothing and equipment and support the Mazamas at the same time. Details are published in the October bulletin.  More on the Used Equipment Sale