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Creating an Outdoor Culture of Inclusivity, Diversity and Community.

Outdoor Experiences, Training and Courses

How do you want to take in nature's wild scene?

View All Our Programs
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Welcome to

Verascapes

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A Personal Message from Brenda, Founder of Verascapes

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Adventure is in our roots

Verascapes represents "new truths in what I see before me," capturing the dynamic essence of how we engage with the natural world. As the daughter of an immigrant growing up in West Germany, my non-traditional background has fostered an open-minded perspective, allowing me to embrace the diverse dimensions of each person I meet. Over the past 20 years, my adventures have taken me across four continents, summitting Mt. Everest and conquering Mt. Rainier over 100 times, as well as three climbs of Denali in Alaska. These experiences have taught me to flow with nature's challenges, remaining adaptable and open to change.

In my roles as an AIARE course leader, AMGA assistant ski guide, apprentice alpine guide, and single pitch instructor, I prioritize staying current with the latest ideas and practices. I believe in the power of iteration by making small, achievable adjustments to improve myself and encourage others to do the same, whether it's updating climbing gear, gaining new technical skills, or refining teaching methods.

My personal journey of discovery and growth, finding clarity, calmness, and purpose in nature's wild and stunning landscapes, reinforces Verascapes' mission to help others achieve their own transformations. I am committed to creating an outdoor environment that is inclusive, accessible, and empowering for everyone, regardless of their background or experience.

 

Always take in the view,

Brenda Walsh Hollon

View Brenda's Profile and Credentials
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Our Purpose

To lift and support underrepresented people, especially from our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, by shifting people's perceptions about themselves, others, and the world around them through transformative outdoor education and experiences.

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Explore Our Programs

Experiences. Trainings. Courses.

Nature's wild beauty invites everyone to connect.

We take our lessons from nature. Verascapes believes the mountains represent countless perspectives and experiences, reminding us that we are all safer and more enriched when diverse voices guide our decisions. By nurturing a feeling of community and upholding the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, we make sure that everyone who join us are seen, heard, and valued.

 

Our certified guides and educators offer small-group skill-building programs for adults, youth, and families, creating an environment where everyone can tap into their adventurous side.  Through supportive guidance and confidence-building challenges, Verascapes opens the door to meaningful outdoor education and experiences, inspiring healthier, happier living in harmony with each other and the world’s natural wonders.

Our Story
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Meet Our Team
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Inclusive Community

Our inclusive culture is a superpower that accelerates and enriches our ability to evolve, iterate, and improve.

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Welcoming, Educational Environment

We provide an inviting and education-based environment in our programs so everyone feels comfortable and can grow to their fullest potential.

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Certified & Professional Guides

Our dedicated staff prioritizes safety while providing a high-quality experience and supporting you in achieving your goals.

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Lead By Example

We aim to expand BIPOC and LGBTQ+ leadership roles within the outdoor industry and beyond.

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Building Community

Confidence grows as you tackle new challenges, supported by inspiring role models. When participants share their aspirations, it encourages collective learning and connection.

Avalanche Education

Verascapes partners with guide outfitters across the Pacific Northwest to teach AIARE certified Recreational Level 1, Level 2, and Avalanche Rescue courses. 

At Verascapes, we recognize that outdoor courses often feel exclusive, especially for historically marginalized communities. Our instructors utilize techniques cemented in culturally responsive leadership in order to effectively teach AIARE curriculum in a learning environment that feels safe and fun for all! 

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Outdoor Leadership Accelerator Program

The Verascapes’ Outdoor Leadership Accelerator Program (OLAP) is a unique program advancing inclusive leadership in the outdoors. We bring together outdoor leaders who are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ,) and we accelerate their professional development. We focus on supporting a small cohort of leaders who are under-represented or accomplices in the outdoor industry, so they may learn from each other and create a network of colleagues with shared values. We emphasize having a cohort of people with mixed identities, ages, skills, and professional trajectories in order to foster deep learning.

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Are you ready to let nature inspire you?

Programs and Courses
Inspiring Stories

"I am a woman of color, I am also an outdoor enthusiast. These two identities, which are too often mutually exclusive, have often brought me to spaces where I feel like “the only one”.  I’ve found myself in many situations surrounded by well intentioned and well educated white men. Trying to learn in this environment can be difficult because when you feel like the “only one” you already feel as if you don’t belong there and that information is not meant for you. Maybe your peers make you feel silenced. When I had the opportunity to take my avalanche 1 course with all women and other women of color I jumped at the opportunity. In this space I felt heard and acknowledged in a way that I hadn’t experienced before in the outdoors. I was surrounded by other people that had also felt like the “only one” except this time we were no longer alone in that experience."

~ Ina W

Inspiring Stories

Verascapes felt unique in that I have never been a part of a course with so much diversity in backgrounds of my fellow course colleagues. People varied in how they came to love backcountry touring, the modes in which they traveled in the backcountry, their ethnicities, genders, hometowns, experience, knowledge, goals, and so much more. Our course instructors made it a point to target safe learning environments to promote optimal learning and harmonious, teamwork oriented gatherings in what otherwise was a challenging weekend of pushing us in the way of expanding our knowledge and bettering our leadership skills to meet our individual learning goals. "

~Tiffany B.

Inspiring Stories

"Verascapes emanates Community! Cultivating a space of fellowship by instituting a welcoming environment to all ages, types, and experience whether that be as steward, administration, novice, or all-around fun-time retreater.  As a female person of color, I am stoked about these ideals Verascapes possesses and have thus far felt so embraced into this outdoor education experience – and I say 'experience' because that’s what it is!  An inviting, community-oriented, encouraging EXPERIENCE!"

~Raquel G.

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