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Connor Henzel Operations Manager & Guide
Hometown
An Oregonian at heart, I have lived in several states across the Mountain West. Wherever I find pines and craggy peaks, I feel at home. Outdoor Background I wouldn't call myself an adrenaline junkie. I enjoy calmer experiences, where I can really take in the environment around me. Hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and snowshoeing are some of my favorite outdoor activities. Education and Certifications Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon, with a minor in geology. My training and certifications include Wilderness First Responder, Interpretive Guide, Operational Leadership, and bear safety. Talk to Me About The geology of the Pacific Northwest! I love interpreting the creation of the Cascade mountains, and explaining the different kinds of eruptions we see from our volcanoes. |
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Alex BeckGuide
Hometown:
Originally from the Midwest, but live in Bend, OR. Experience I am a stoke chaser to the core. At 17 I joined the Marine Corps and was granted the opportunity to experience war torn regions first hand. Seeing how raw the world can be made me realize we only have one chance to be a positive force in life. After my time in the service I moved to Central America for roughly three years working as a SCUBA instructor. I taught coral reef and shark conservation to various volunteer groups. Upon my return to the United States I worked as a search and rescue diver. Once I moved to the PNW in 2019 I fell in love with the mountains. My life consists of snowboarding, splitboarding, backpacking, rock climbing, and finding every alpine lake I can. It doesn’t matter how cold it is or where I am, if it is safe, I’m jumping in an alpine lake. I currently volunteer with the Forest Service teaching conservation on Mt. Bachelor. Education
Talk to me about Thought provoking ideologies, the book you are currently reading, hockey (huge hockey guy!), anything that interests you. I love seeing that sparkle in someone’s eye when they get to talk about something they’re passionate about. My dream job is to be a “smile dealer”. I just want everyone to be truly happy in life. =) |
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Nastia BendeburyGuide
Hometown
I traveled around a lot when I was a kid, and eventually landed in the suburbs of San Francisco. After having lived in five countries and nine places in the US, I've found that I'm most at home in the dramatic open landscapes of the American west. My heart sings at the sight of everything from the dryland deserts to the seaweed-strewn beaches of the jagged northern coast Outdoor background Some of my earliest memories were made on cross country ski trips on the open fields behind my family's house in Canada, and I've spent my life in pursuit of adventure. I've surfed the Pacific, climbed mountains in the Sierras, Cascades, and Adirondacks, scaled cliffs in California, Arizona, New York, and New Hampshire, backpacked into countless places. I'm driven by finding silent paths, where the world can be seen in a new light. Education and Certifications I'm training and certifications include First Aid, Wilderness First Response, Leave No Trace, and medicinal plants and edible fungi of the Pacific Northwest. I also hold a PhD in microbial electricity, a MS in Philosophy, and BS in biochemistry and cell biology. Talk to me About The big and little questions of the universe. How does light work? What is life? Why do ancient pyramids appear to give off electromagnetic anomalies? Can I eat this mushroom? Can I eat this bug? How do I pick out a good sleeping bag? Etc, etc, etc |
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Ryan ButlerGuide
Hometown
Portland, OR Outdoor Background An early love for the mountains of the American West. I've guided in various parts of the country, ran a hostel in Grand Teton NP, and did anything else that would keep me close to mountains and rivers. Education & Certs M.A. in Adventure Education, Know Before You Go Avalanche Instructor, AIARE 1, LNT Master Educator, WEA Certified Outdoor Educator, WFR Talk to Me About Space! |
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Jennifer CoxGuide
Hometown
Big Rapids, Michigan Outdoor Background Grew up on the lakes and tromping around the piney, snowy woods of northern Michigan. There I enjoyed skiing, ice-skating, kayaking, fishing and other water sports. Somehow ended up in Chicago for 8 years….in my office, I dreamed of mountains and the outdoors. Moved to Portland about a decade ago to be an art librarian. Finally made my dreams a reality, librarian by week and outdoor adventurer/professional by weekend. For the past 6 years, I have worked volunteering as a recreational climbing educator, outdoor exposure for at-risk youth as an instructor and guide; as well as supporting local public/academic libraries. For the past 4 years, I’ve professionally guided hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, mountaineering and (most recently) skiing. Education Dual BA in International Relations and French, Master’s in Library and Information Science, (working on) Post Bachelor Certificate in Addiction Counseling and (soon) Ph.D Certifications AIARE Avalanche Level I, AIARE Avalanche Rescue, and AIARE Avalanche Level 2, Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, Certified Yoga Instructor-200 Hour. Single Pitch Instructor Trained. Talk to me about What you are reading! Art, yoga, forest foraging and international travel. All the outdoor activities-I’m always looking for something new to learn or get into next! |
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Henry HeymanGuide
Hometown
Boulder, Colorado Experience A lifetime full of outdoor adventure including; traveling the globe with a whitewater kayaking high school, skiing and mountaineering across Colorado and the PNW, backpacking through the jungles of Central America, and chasing the surf at whatever beach is closest. Professional experience includes 2 seasons of ski patrolling, 1 year as an REI Outdoor School guide, multiple years of raft guiding and kayak instruction, and a year spent developing and running my own adventure outfitting service in Panama. Certifications and Education Wilderness First Responder, Outdoor Emergency Care Technician, AIARE PRO Level 1 Avalanche, ACA Level 4 Kayak Instructor, Swift Water Rescue Certification. BA in Entrepreneurship from the University of Washington. Hobbies Kayaking, skiing, climbing, surfing, rafting, mountain biking, mountaineering, backpacking, really finding any way to get outside and enjoy our public lands. I also enjoy playing with dogs, cooking a great meal, board games, and good healthy debate! Little Did you Know I lived out of a hammock in the jungles of Panama for 6+ months while I was establishing new trails and developing trips for my own guiding service. Always game to chat about jungle living and survival techniques! |
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Emily MeshumarGuide
Hometown
Princeton, NJ Experience Growing up in Suburban NJ, epic hiking, backpacking and skiing were scarce activities. It wasn’t until I moved to Ithaca, NY and then to Seattle and now Portland that I had discovered my absolute love and passion for nature and the outdoors. I love hiking with my dog Buddy and skiing the west coast mountains in my free time. I am absolutely thrilled to join the team here at Rare Earth with people who share my same passions. Education B.A. in Culture and Communications with minor in Anthropology from Ithaca College Talk to me about I just moved to the Portland area from Seattle. Tell me about your favorite hikes, ski mountains and restaurants in the area. |
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Kamrin PetersonGuide
Hometown
Bend, Oregon Experience I have a deep love for the outdoors and what solidarity it can bring to us. I have a passion for getting other gals outdoors and showing them how empowering it can be. When I am not backpacking, you can find me fly fishing, mountain biking, snowboarding, split boarding, or day hiking to an alpine lake. Certifications Wilderness First Aid (WFA), AIARE Rec Level 1, First Aid Talk to Me About Books you are reading, design and technology, mushroom foraging, or the best ramen spots. |
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Rebecca RoehmGuide
Hometown
Urbana, Ohio Experience In 2012, I moved to Oregon with my husband and started grad school. Through a series of events, I found myself as an intern for Rare Earth Adventures despite having zero experience in the outdoors. Almost ten years later, I have expanded my knowledge of outdoor adventures, wilderness safety, and developed a deep appreciation for the wilderness and outdoor resources that surround me. I help lead the moonlight snowshoe tours, shuttle hikers to and from the PCT, and can jump into other adventures when needed. In my spare time I spend a lot of time on trails hiking and running and co-leading the Trail Sisters Portland trail running group. Education Otterbein University, B.A. Sociology and Psychology, University of California, Irvine, Certificate, Human Resources Management, Oregon State University, M.Ed. Adult Education Talk to Me About Travel, dogs, and snack foods |
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Matt SpencerGuide
Hometown
I grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado but I have moved around a lot since then. Spent 4 years in Indiana for University, a short stint in Zimbabwe, Africa, and a couple years in New Zealand. Outdoor Background I grew up hiking, backpacking, skiing, and climbing. I spent over 8 years whitewater raft guiding from Colorado, Africa, New Zealand, and the Grand Canyon. I started Mountaineering in New Zealand and spent my winters working on Ski Patrol. Education and Certifications Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, AIRE PRO Level 1 Avalanche Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, IRF Grade 5, NZOA Mountaineering, Leave No Trace, BA in History from the University of Evansville Talk to Me About Anything history or science, western water rights, travel, nerd out about gear, talk mysteries of the universe. I really love teaching people and giving them skills to explore the outdoors and learning more about the world from their stories and experiences. |
