Outings - Foreign and Domestic Adventure Travel

The Mazamas regularly lead outings, both foreign and domestic. An outing, defined as a trip of 5 days of more, may be sea kayaking in Baja, hiking on the Rogue River trail, or tramping the trails in Italy’s Dolomites. Outings are open to members and non-members.  Outing descriptions are listed below and in the monthly Bulletin.  Contact us at the Mazama Mountaineering Center if you have any further questions.

If you need any forms / paperwork for a Mazamas outing, you can get most of what you’ll need on the Forms and Paperwork pages of the Mazamas website.
If you’re an Outing leader and you need the Outing Leader manual, you can find it on the Member pages.

Leading an Outing

Is there a place, foreign or domestic, you’d like to go? How about leading a Mazamas outing? Imagine hiking around Mount Hood, through the meadows below Mount Adams, or along the Umpqua Trail.  Or how about following llamas from lake to lake in the Wallowas, rafting Hells Canyon, bagging a few peaks in the Olympics - or staying in a luxurious lodge and hiking to new vistas each day?

You can hike, climb, backpack, raft, kayak or do any other “Mazama activity.” You can invite families with small children or you can restrict your group to hardened hikers.

Contact us at the Mazama Mountaineering Center, and we’ll get you started!

Upcoming Outings

Peru Trekking
April 28 – May 25, 2008
We will immerse ourselves in the countryside, people, and history of the Vilcabamba region of Cusco Province, Peru. We will be trekking about 16 days on two treks, one starting where the other leaves off, with some rest days in between. We will acclimatize in Ollantaytambo, Macchu Picchu, Lares and Pisac. The trekking will be from Salkantay to Huancacalle via the Yanama valley and then from Huancacalle to Epiritu Pampa. We will have a few days in Cusco before and after the treks. Trekking will involve 4 to 7 hours of walking each day at elevations from 3,000 to 15,500 feet, with lunch provided on the trail. The pace will be gentle with varied elevation gains and losses. Leader: Ellen Gradison (). Co-assistant leaders are Gloria Fisher and Tim Hale. Cost is $4,400 to $5,300 depending on group size. Includes internal flights, ground transportation, trek costs, entrance fees, lodging and some offtrek meals. International flights not included. A great opportunity for a magic month in Peru experiencing— yet again—the warm hospitality and outdoor expertise of Gloria and her trekking family—sign up soon!

Bolivia, A High Adventure
June 15 – 30, 2008
Our adventure takes us from Lima, Peru, to Lake Titicaca. We spend the next three days exploring the pre-Columbian influences in the area, visiting the floating islands of the Uros people, Isle del Luna and Isle del Sol. Next in La Paz, we will take a city tour that includes the Famous Witches market and several museums covering ancient history. Then, we travel into the beautiful Condoriri Basin where our base camp sits near a glacial lake, at the foot of three peaks. Here we have many options, ranging from day hikes to technical climbs. Also, there is a trekking option of two days to our second base camp at Huayna Potosi. This trek replaces a second climb in the Condoriri basin, which prepares the climbers in our group for the final climb, 19,960 ft Huayna Potosi. After our trek or climb, we return to La Paz for dinner, and the next morning we start our return to Lima. Along the way we stop at Tihuanaco, reportedly the birthplace of the Incan empire. Leader Benjamin Vincent () led a nearly identical trip in 2006. Assistant Eric Hoem () has led treks and climbing expeditions to Peru. Minimum of 5 participants. Costs: between $1,995-$1,667pp, double occupancy. Does not include airfare to Lima or most meals prior to trek or climbing. Includes all guide, cultural and entrance fees. Options for Cuzco and Machhu Pichhu can be arranged at the beginning or end of this outing.

Hiking Glacier National Park
July 13 – 19, 2008
Spend a week hiking the trails in America’s most beautiful national park: Glacier. Established in 1910, this 204-square-mile park in NW Montana offers breath-taking, rugged landscapes that are rich in wildlife and flora. There will be an assortment of A and B level day hiking during the five days. Wildlife sightings, mountain carved by intense glaciation, alpine lakes, wildflowers and rushing streams await you. Attention will be given to the history of Glacier, as well as the park’s topographic features, and the flora and fauna we encounter. The group site will be at KOA in St. Mary’s, and we will carpool to the trailheads. The cost of the trip is $125 for members and $160 for nonmembers. KOA offers tent sites, RV hookup, and three types of cabins.  Campsite/ lodging expenses are not included in the cost. The group size will be limited to 24 people, including the leader, Richard Getgen and the assistant, Ann Brown. Contact Richard () at for an application. There will be a pre-outing meeting in the spring for participants to meet and receive additional information.

Rustic Canadian Rockies
July 19 – 25, 2008
Spend six glorious days hiking in the Canadian Rockies! We will stay four nights in the beautiful and well-preserved Paradise Bungalows, within walking distance of Lake Louise, and three nights at the more rustic Pine Bungalows along the Athabasca River in Jasper (elk included). Beautiful drive up to Jasper on the Ice-fields Parkway. We will offer daily “B” level hikes. Animal migration and topography will be discussed. “Let’s get acquainted” barbeque dinner the first night at Paradise, and one dinner in Jasper included. Most units have kitchens for meal preparation, or restaurants abound. Pre-outing (spring ‘O8) and post-outing (fall ‘08) event dates to be announced later. Trip cost is $1,100 for Mazama members and $1,145 for nonmembers, with a $350 deposit to be paid
by Jan. 31, 2008. Trip cost excludes travel expenses to and from the trip starting point. Leader, Ginger Remy (), assistant leader, Marty Hanson ().

North Santiam
July 27 – August 2, 2008
This seven-day outing will be held on the banks of the North Santiam River at Riverside Campground. The campground is located 14 miles east in Detroit on Hwy 22. There are 37 tent, RV, or trailer sites on a first served, no reservation, system. We can probably double up in some sites. The facilities include vault toilets, drinking water, and garbage service. The single campsite fee is $8 per night and $5 for each additional vehicle. There is a store and restaurants in Detroit. There are miles of trails in the area that offer easy, moderate or difficult hiking possibilities. We plan to schedule at least two hikes, one easy and one harder, each day. Depending on the number of participants, the outing fee will run between $48 and $65. You will also be responsible for paying your campsite fees. You will need food and equipment for car camping for seven days and six nights. A $25, nonrefundable, deposit is required at time of sign-up. For more information contact: Ray Sheldon () or Stan Enevoldsen ()

Swiss Alps Outing
July 29 – August 17, 2008
After a five year break, it is time to continue a popular Mazamas’ tradition. We will return to hike and climb among the world’s most beautiful mountains—The Eiger, Jungfrau, Monch, Matterhorn, Mt. Blanc all await us. Spend four nights in Kleine Schidegg, in the shadow of the famous North Wall of the Eiger. We then move down the meadows for five nights in Grindelwald. From these locations, unlimited hikes and climbs in the Jungfrau area are available. Five nights in famous Zermatt opens the Matterhorn area for our exploration. The tour climaxes at the base of Western Europe’s highest point, Mt Blanc. The daily schedule of events always depends on the desires and experience of the group and, of course, the weather. Maximum flexibility is stressed to be sure everyone has the best experience possible. The estimated maximum cost of the trip will be about $3900, depending on the number of participants. This includes all lodging in three star hotels, breakfasts, train transportation, six dinners, luggage shipments, insurance, and Outing fees, but excludes airfare. Limits will be 14 people minimum and 20 people maximum. A deposit of $500 will be required at the time of sign-up. Registration deadline will be February 1, 2008. For more information, or to sign up, contact Leader, Gary Beck (), or Assistant Leader, Gerry Itkin (). informational meeting 7-8:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 10 at the MMC.

Ramblewood Olympic Outing
(Near Sequim, WA)
August 15-22, 2008
We didn’t get it all done last year, so we are going back to Ramblewood for another week to hike, climb, sightsee, soak in hot tubs at Sol Duc, visit the Makah Native American museum, then take a free bus to visit the beautiful and farthest point in the Northwest: Cape Flattery. You can spend a day in Victoria BC or visit Port Angeles and/or Port Townsend. We will have evening meetings with a campfire and a surprise snack. We will hear about the events of your day and the planning for the next day’s adventures. If time allows, we will have live entertainment. The lodge has a fully equipped kitchen with adjacent meeting and dining area, outside modern bathhouse and your choice of sleeping facilities if you sign up early. Bring your RV; we have room for five small RVs. Tents are OK too.  After sleeping in either a cabin bunk or single bed in the lodge or a tent outside, freshly made coffee or tea awaits you in the lodge each morning. Fee: $135 is for 7 days. Participants: minimum 20 and maximum 40. Outing fee for non members is $5 extra each day. Sign up early for your choice of lodging. You can download the forms from the Mazama Web site (bottom of the page ‘forms and paperwork’): Outing application, liability, and medical form, or we will mail the forms to you. Complete the forms with check for $135, make the check out to ‘Mazamas’ and include a note telling us which type of sleeping accommodations you want at Ramblewood (cabin, lodge, tent or RV). Please mail all completed forms (3) and check to Mazamas Attn: Joan Mosser, 527 SE 43rd Ave., Portland, OR 97215. Leader: Billie Goodwin () Asst. Leader: Joan Mosser ()

Annapurna Circuit Trek
Oct. 13 – Nov. 10, 2008
The “Classic” Annapurna trek. Traditional Nepali culture and the Himalayan environment. Itinerary: Kathmandu, Busisahar, Bahundanda, Chyamje, Danagyu, Bhratang, Pisang, Ngawal, Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi, Muktinath, Marpha, Lete Khola, Tatopani, Ghorapani, Ghandrung, Thulo Kharka, Pokhara, Kathmandu. Hotels (5 nights), lodges (6 nights), camping ( 14 nights). Leader: Bob Breivogel (), Assistant: Jim Ronning (). Costs: $4,400 to $4,500, 8 to 12 persons. Includes: Airfare from Portland, lodging, trekking meals, guides, cooks, porters, internal flights.