Adventurous Young Mazamas (AYM)

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Departing from ...	Detailed information and maps to meeting locations for Mazama events.
Hiking Tips	How Mazama hikes work & what you should bring.
Album	Check out our online gallery for pictures from some of our recent events!
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Welcome to the pages of the Adventurous Young Mazamas! AYM plans and offers a LOT of fun activities, geared roughly for people in their 20s and 30s.  All AYM activities are open to all Mazama members and non-members, regardless of age.

Our goals are to attract younger folks to the Mazamas, get them to join as full members - and to encourage their continued involvement, participation and leadership within the Mazamas.  In addition to the many hikes, xc-ski and snowshoe trips each year, AYM also occasionally offers a number of other activities like cave exploration, biking (mountain & road), whitewater rafting and sea kayaking which are a bit outside the usual focus of the Mazamas.  Come join us for a trip or lead one of your own!  AYM also highly encourages participants to check out the climb schedule, the Hike to the Summit program and the many great classes offered by the Mazamas.

Current AYM Activities

AYM events are open to all Mazama members and non-members alike.  Advance reservations are not necessary for hikes or other events unless otherwise noted.  Just show up 10-15 minutes before the listed departure time and you’re in!  Please bring rain gear on all hikes and be prepared for cold weather conditions.  Rain can occur at any time of the year and the weather in town can be very different from that in the mountains.  All hikes will go rain or shine unless conditions are truly appalling;  when in doubt contact the event leader.  See our Hiking Tips for full information on how Mazama hikes work and what to bring.  Unless otherwise listed below, events are $2 for Mazama members and $3 for non members.

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Mon, Jan 30 - AYM Committee Meeting
We invite everyone to come join our monthly committee meeting at 6:30pm at the Mazama Mountaineering Center (MMC), last Monday of the month unless noted.  We will review the past month’s activities and plan the future activities. Come find out how you can help with AYM! We love guests at our meetings and we often go out for libations afterwards. 

Sat, Feb 04 - Hike: Salmonberry River
Ready for an adventure? Come hike the abandoned railway along the Salmonberry River, in the Coast Range west of Timber. We’ll start at the upper trailhead and hike down approximately 5-6 miles, crossing trestles and hiking through tunnels. What a blast!  Bring adequate raingear, a camera and a sense of adventure. Hike: 10 miles, 200 feet. Exploratory. Drive: 82 miles. Meet: Sunset Transit Center, 8AM. Leader: Matt Reeder.

Sun, Feb 05 - Snowshoeing: Twin Lakes Loop
This hike starts at the Frog Lake trailhead just off highway 26. We will follow the PCT #2000 trail for the first mile and a half. The hike climbs gently uphill through a variety of forested areas. We will then follow trail #495 downhill to the first of the Twin Lakes. There are several areas around the lake that make great viewing. We will turn back from the first lake and go uphill to the second lake. On the way to the second lake, we may be able to see the peak of Mt. Hood over the trees at the north end of the lake (depending on the condition). After arriving at the second lake in 2.9 miles, we will head up on trail #482 around the East side of Upper Twin Lake. Within half a mile we will notice a viewpoint just a few feet off the trail to the right. We will take a left on the intersection and hike on to the intersection of PCT #2000. At this intersection we will loop back to the trailhead. Hike: ~7.5 miles, 700 feet. Drive: 120 miles. Meet: Gateway Transit Center, 8am. Leader: Madhu Sumkarpalli.

Mon, Feb 06 - Climb Night
Experience rockclimbing all Winter long inside and dry. Climb Night is open to ALL Mazama members and non-members, regardless of age or climbing ability. We’ll have a supportive and beginner-friendly atmosphere to climb in with your friends and an opportunity to make some new ones. Climb Night focuses on technique practice, not instruction. ClubSport Oregon (18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd, Tigard). 7-11pm - first Monday of the month (November - April). $10 Mazama members / $15 non-members (cash/check only please!)  Be sure to bring your membership sticker or you’ll be charged non-member rate. Kids under 18 climb for $10; adults who belay and don’t climb are free. Rentals: $5 harness, $6 rock-shoes - or $9 for both. Contact: Ryan Christie.

Sat, Feb 11- Hike: Neahkahnie Mtn and Nehalem Spit
Craving the beach?  Here’s a double dose!  First we’ll hike the easy way to the top of Neahkahnie Mtn, take in a view of the ocean and beach that can’t be beat, then return to the cars for a very short drive to check out Nehalem Spit.  We’ll hike the length of the three mile long spit, hoping to see harbor seals and perhaps find the pirate treasure that was buried here in the 1600’s!  On the return drive, we’ll stop for a moment at Devil’s Cauldron, then have dinner at Camp 18.  Hikes (total) 8.5 miles, 900’.  Drive 180. Exploratory. Meet: Sunset Transit Center, 9am.  Leader: Karl Langenwalter.

Sat-Sun, Feb 18-19 - Snowshoe: Mazama Lodge to Timberline Lodge (overnight, or day)
It’s not in most guidebooks but this trip is right out Mazama’s backdoor. Built in 1936, the West Leg Road was the original road to Timberline Lodge. Displaced by what is now Timberline Road, it is closed in Winter making a wide, even, gentle trail for snowshoeing and skiing. Our trail follows West Leg Road then winds through the trees on a marked snowshoe trail to Timberline.

This is planned as an overnight stay at Mazama Lodge (but can be done as a day trip). Come up at your leisure on Saturday to enjoy Mazamas Lodge/Mt. Hood activities of your choice. A real treat if you haven’t been to Mazamas Lodge before! After sleeping-in Sunday, we will leave from the Mazamas Lodge backdoor at 9:30am (those joining for day trip please meet us at lodge by 915am). We will spend 1-1.5 hours at Timberline for their fabulous Sunday lunch buffet ($18.95), or you can relax as you wish. We will then descend back to Mazamas lodge. Participants can then lodge-loaf, stay another night (Monday is President’s Day holiday), or depart.

Overnight at Mazamas Lodge is $17mem/$22non-mem. Make reservations online *As of 02/01 there are 23 dorm spaces still available.*. Day use of Mazama lodge is $5 for non-members, free for Mazama members. Meals are available at signup; the lodge also has microwave and toaster if you bring your own food, but no kitchen use. Please come prepared for overnight stay (sleeping bag, toiletries, earplugs(!!), slippers, games, books, etc.) and snowshoe (showshoes, waterproof footwear, appropriate synthetic clothes (including shell), gloves, hat, sunglasses/goggles, water, snack, etc.)

10.2 miles, 1750 feet, Dr-49. Depart 9:30am from Mazama Lodge. No rental stop. *Please contact leader willing or needing to carpool, either day.* Email any questions you might have. Leader: Daniel Mick. Tel 503-954-6699

Thu, Feb 23 - Pub Night: La Merde Lounge’s Trivia Night! - SE PDX
This month we’re going to do something a bit different, lets try our luck playing trivia at LaMerde Lounge at 301 SE Morrison Street. Game starts at 9pm, but I’ll be there around 8:30pm to reserve a table. I’ve got the science and geography covered, but really need help on the pop culture and sports. Don’t let me down! How will you find us?  Look for the ice axe! Contact: Sarah Miller.

Mon, Feb 27 - AYM Committee Meeting
We invite everyone to come join our monthly committee meeting at 6:30pm at the Mazama Mountaineering Center (MMC), last Monday of the month unless noted.  We will review the past month’s activities and plan the future activities. Come find out how you can help with AYM! We love guests at our meetings and we often go out for libations afterwards.

Sat, Mar 03 - Hike: Netarts Spit
A winter classic! Join AYM as we hike out this long, isolated, beautiful stretch of beach southwest of Tillamook. Plan on a stop at the cheese factory on the way home. Bring adequate raingear! Hike: 10 miles, no elevation gain. Drive: 156 miles. Meet: Sunset Transit Center, 8AM. Leader: Matt Reeder.

Mon, Mar 05 - Climb Night
Experience rockclimbing all Winter long inside and dry. Climb Night is open to ALL Mazama members and non-members, regardless of age or climbing ability. We’ll have a supportive and beginner-friendly atmosphere to climb in with your friends and an opportunity to make some new ones. Climb Night focuses on technique practice, not instruction. ClubSport Oregon (18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd, Tigard). 7-11pm - first Monday of the month (November - April). $10 Mazama members / $15 non-members (cash/check only please!)  Be sure to bring your membership sticker or you’ll be charged non-member rate. Kids under 18 climb for $10; adults who belay and don’t climb are free. Rentals: $5 harness, $6 rock-shoes - or $9 for both. Contact: Ryan Christie.

Sun, March 11 - Adventure Hike:  Rudolph Spur
Start getting ready for climb season by taking on what is said to be the #1 toughest trail in the Columbia Gorge.  Up, up and more up, the Rudolph Spur is steep, unmaintained and takes no prisoners.  Be prepared for snow conditions higher up and rain below.  Expect the unexpected. We’ll descend via the Ruckel Creek trail.  11mi RT, 4200’ gain, Dr-70. Depart Gateway 8am (Don’t forget the time change!).  Wilderness area - group will be limited to twelve;  contact leader in advance to reserve your spot.  Leader: Kevin Clark.

Fri-Sun, March 23-25 - Overnighter: South Coast Sampler
Join AYM for a spectaculuar trip to the remote, rugged and wild Oregon South Coast at the western most tip of Oregon. We’ve made reservations for two cabins at Cape Blanco State Park located south of Bandon.  We’ll plan on heading down Friday afternoon(it takes about 5 hours to get there) and spending most of the day Saturday and Sunday morning hiking various trails including Sarah’s semi-super secret spot and along Cape Arago on Sunday.  Cost for the weekend is $30 Mazama members or $35 non-members, which includes the cabin fees. We’ll be hiking moderate trails with approximate mileage of 8 miles on Sat, and 4 miles on Sun.  Prepare for wet conditions and it will be bright and sunny. *Limited to 8 folks and advance reservations required*. Email any questions you might have. Leaders: Sarah Miller & Madhu Sumkarpalli

Mon, Mar 26 - AYM Committee Meeting
We invite everyone to come join our monthly committee meeting at 6:30pm at the Mazama Mountaineering Center (MMC), last Monday of the month unless noted.  We will review the past month’s activities and plan the future activities. Come find out how you can help with AYM! We love guests at our meetings and we often go out for libations afterwards.

Mon, Apr 02 - Climb Night
Experience rockclimbing all Winter long inside and dry. Climb Night is open to ALL Mazama members and non-members, regardless of age or climbing ability. We’ll have a supportive and beginner-friendly atmosphere to climb in with your friends and an opportunity to make some new ones. Climb Night focuses on technique practice, not instruction. ClubSport Oregon (18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd, Tigard). 7-11pm - first Monday of the month (November - April). $10 Mazama members / $15 non-members (cash/check only please!)  Be sure to bring your membership sticker or you’ll be charged non-member rate. Kids under 18 climb for $10; adults who belay and don’t climb are free. Rentals: $5 harness, $6 rock-shoes - or $9 for both. Contact: Ryan Christie. 

Not enough going on for you?  AYM is but one small corner of the Mazamas:  check out the summer climbs, the Trail Trips hiking schedule, the year-round Tuesday/Thursday evening street rambles in northwest Portland—or volunteer to lead an event of your own!  The Mazamas run almost entirely on the efforts of volunteers—and we’re always looking for new leaders!