OAP Staff

Hatch is the Outdoor Adventure Program Director and an Instructor of Health and Human Performance for Eastern Oregon University. This dream job continues Michael’s lifelong passion of enveloping himself in everything outdoors. A native of Boise, Idaho, Hatch received a B.S. degree in Resource Conservation/Wilderness Studies from the University of Montana and his M.S. in Education from Eastern Oregon University.

For over a decade Hatch worked as a mountain guide, backcountry ski guide, and helped manage Forest Service recreation programs for operations in both Idaho and Northeast Oregon. Hatch’s favorite outdoor medium and subject to teach is snow. Through the years he has taught avalanche courses to hundreds of recreationists, college students, and EMS personnel as an American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level 1 and Level 2 Course Leader and professional member of the American Avalanche Association (AAA). He is a board member and forecaster for the Wallowa Avalanche Center (WAC). Currently, Michael has certifications as a Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Level 3, Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT1), and is a Leave No Trace (LNT) Master Educator.

Hatch is a steadfast believer in the primacy of local landscapes and the outdoors as catalysts for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. He has explored many landscapes around the world such as Chile, Ecuador, New Zealand, Europe, Alaska, and Central America. He is an avid biker, mountaineer, climber, hiker, skier, and whitewater enthusiast. He loves introducing people to new outdoor experiences and giving them the skills and confidence to face and overcome challenges. Fun Fact: Hatch had double hernia surgery, so he doesn’t lift as many heavy things nowadays.

Darby will be wearing a bunch of different hats this year – working in the rental shop, climbing center, and leading trips for the OAP. Growing up in northern Idaho, Darby has a deep appreciation for our natural world and connecting more people to it. Currently a junior studying Health and Human Performance, Darby is also on the women’s soccer team at EOU. In her free time Darby enjoys staying active in the outdoors. She also enjoys reading and playing with her cat Obi. Fun fact: Darby used to play the saxophone.

Justin is our bike fleet mechanic and will also be working in the climbing center. Growing up in Baker City, Justin has a deep familiarity with the landscape, and loves to point it down the mountain whether on skis or a mountain bike. Justin is a sophomore this year majoring in rangeland science, runs cross-country for EOU, and is a member of the track and field team. If he wasn’t busy enough, Justin also has a leadership role in the EOU Ski and Snowboard Club.

Addison will be working in our climbing center this year and we are so glad to have her energetic and joyful spirit on our team. Addison is also an RA on campus and is on the leadership team of the climbing club at EOU. She is a sophomore studying Anthropology and Sociology. Addison loves to backpack, cross-country ski, speleology, and just being outside. Fun fact: Addison is obsessed with reading books!

Ambrose is a senior at EOU studying mathematics and will be working in the climbing center. Originally from Boise, Idaho, although he has been living in the Grande Ronde Valley for the past 7 years. He enjoys backpacking to lakes in the Elkhorns and Eagle Caps, and likes to spend evenings climbing at the rock wall with friends. In his spare time he likes to do woodworking projects, and is renovating a travel trailer which he lives in full time. 

Tim is a new recruit and you’ll find him in the rental shop or climbing center. Tim is a sophomore majoring in History with minors in Health Studies and Physical Education. He was raised in Lovelock, Nevada and enjoys biking, hiking and camping in his free time. A fun fact about Tim: he completed the Freedom Trail in Boston.

In-between going to school full time and cheerleading for EOU, Makayla will be working in the rental shop and climbing center. Makayla grew up in Baker City where she fell in love with the outdoors. From hiking, hunting, fishing, paddle boarding, and everything in-between, the outdoors encompasses all her favorite hobbies. Fun fact: Makayla’s favorite thing to do during the summer is go whitewater rafting, even though she’s almost drowned on multiple occasions. While majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology Makayla tries to take every outdoor activity course she can.

One of our new recruits look for Natanya in our rental shop and climbing center. Natanya grew up in Juneau, Alaska and came to EOU to study communications. Some of her hobbies include hammocking, long drives with loud music, soccer, and watching reality TV shows with friends. A fun little fact about Natanya is she works on top of a glacier during the summers for a helicopter tour operation.

Deacon will be working in our climbing center. Deacon grew up in Tooele, Utah. He is majoring in business administration. Deacon is super stoked about snowboarding, enjoys watching football, loves going to concerts, and hanging out with friends in the outdoors. An interesting fact about Deacon: he’s fractured his skull six times.