Home Trip Sign-Up Testimonials About OPA Do You Need a Guide? Contact Us Gift Certificates TRAVEL AGENTS Staff Climbing Rock Climbing Women's Programs Youth Programs Backpacking Hiking International Trips Snowshoeing Training Crater Lake Scheduled Trips Jobs Winter Trips Shuttle Service Gear Recommendations Liability Form Porter Support Rafting State Highpoints Newsletters

 

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

We love our clients and sharing adventures with them is why we enjoy our work.  Here is what our clients have told us about their OPA outdoor experience:

XC Ski Trip - FEB 2009
I wanted to let you know that I had a great time this past weekend learning to cross country ski. Steven and Viviane were great , as was Clint. As I told them on the way home, their instruction was easy to follow, comprehensive and challenging - which ensured that I got a great deal out of the time we spent together. Thanks again for doing the class given the turnout. I appreciate it. - Sarah

St. Helens Climb - OCT 2008
Thank you!  Just wanted to let you know that both Payal and I had an amazing time.  Chris was truly such a great guide!! I'm so happy the weather held up and I was able to get to the summit on my bday!! I'll definitely be using your company the next time I'm back in Oregon!  Thanks again!  -Shanti

St. Helens Climb - OCT 2008
I wanted to let you know that Viviane is a great guide!  She is so knowledgeable and I really enjoyed climbing with her.  She made me feel very safe and I felt confident being under her lead.  Thanks again for everything. 
Best, Suzanne  P.S. Your trail mix is delicious!! :)

Mt. Adams Climb - June 2008
I am still talking to people about my climb with you up Mount Adams in June of this year. There were a lot of fun things there. My friends look at me with some sort of awe as next January 2009 I can start collecting my pension! Yippee. I hope you are all well? I will always remember all of your support.  All good wishes Janet Sandilands from the Sandilands family, Perth in Scotland.

St. Helens Climb - September 2008
Just wanted to let you know about my experience on St. Helens on Sept 5.  I was a little apprehensive having never been on a mountain.  My sister Susan told to what to do to prepare and I did it.  I am 56 (2 years younger than she is) and really wanted to make her proud of me.  I really was just going to see what her passion is all about.  Instead, I had one of the best experiences of my life.
I really just wanted to let you know that Thomas is such an awesome guide.  He gave great advice and was so genuine and kind.  Susan and I had the best sister weekend ever! Thanks again for providing your service with such a professional guide. - Deb Shadley

Mt. Adams Climb - August 2008
This unsolicited account of our recent three day/two night Mt. Adams summit trip is written with enthusiasm for the superb care we received from Joe Whittington and two assistant guides, Thomas Akeson and Viviane deBros.  The trip was conceived to enjoy the association of four seventy-two year-olds who were Eagle Scouts in the same troop in Atlanta almost sixty years ago; one of our sons, also an Eagle Scout, accompanied us.   OPA provided tents, trekking poles, ice axes/crampons and prepared superb food, even giving us “room service” in our tents the second night during a driving rain/sleet storm.  Joe gave wise insight and advice, but let us make the numerous decisions necessary for the adventure.  With a progressively worsening three day weather forecast, the group elected to take one day at a time and was able to reach the summit just as near “white out” conditions developed.      All three guides demonstrated very personal “client-centered care” going way beyond what would be considered usual or necessary.  Please call any or all of us for further insights or impressions.

Buck Baker                 503-558-1320
Doug Ellis                   770-984-5444
Stuart Gould               404-255-2830
Sean Kohles                503-516-7528
Bill Mitchell                404-355-4893

Mt. Adams Climb - August 2008
Hi Joe -
Just wanted to follow up after our climb.  I turned back around 8000'-8500' and went back down to camp. The cleaver seemed like it was well beyond my skill level and I didn't want to risk an accident, though it's possible I was influenced by not sleeping Tuesday night.
Regardless, the trip was awesome. Chris is a great guide, and your service is really excellent - the food was good, the site was stunning, and despite me wimping out, I felt really well prepared. Third time will be the charm for me, but it's going to be the south side, and it'll be through OPA.  Thanks, Jeff

St. Helens Climb - July 2008
...we left Portland Saturday, tired but very ecstatic from our climb! Everything was perfect. Scott and Thomas were great guides, the snacks were terrific, the pacing and route were excellent. It couldn't have been better.  Deborah

St. Helens Climb - September 2008
What a stellar hike it was up St. Helens.  Outstanding experience.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  Views... wow.  No worries about my sister's hiking abilities.  She powered to the top and back down.  Your guide Thomas is 100% joy, Joe.  What an awesome individual. Treasure him. Viviane is a sweetie.  You definitely have some radar when it comes to hiring quality people.  Thanks for your service.  Thanks for the adventure (again!)  Susan Fox

St. Helens Climb - May 2007
I am writing this email to express our appreciation for your guide during Mt. St. Helens climb last Friday. The trip was fantastic. Chris and Matt were very professional and were so nice and patient to us which even made the climbing more joyful. And thanks a lot for the prompt action at the end of the day, Lei finally caught his flight without any trouble. We are so happy that we made it, and will never forget the view of Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Hood in the distance when we were on the top, and of course will remember the taste of delicious sandwich and jelly beans on our way. This trip was our first submit climb, and it will not be the last one for sure.
Thank you very much and we hope to climb with you again! - Chun

St. Helens Climb - August 2007
I want to thank you and your staff for an outstanding trip up to the rim of Mt. St. Helens!  Your organization and particularly your guides, Thomas and Brian, did a great job of making this a wonderful day and a successful summit.  Your preparation of food was outstanding as well!  Thank you!
I especially want to say what a wonderful person Thomas is and how his patience and perceptiveness kept all of us good physically and mentally.  His leadership made this climb the success it turned out to be.
The climb and particularly summiting had an emotional effect on me since I had dedicated that day to my friend Day Karr and his two boys who were killed by the eruption of Mt. St. Helens.  While taking pictures from a logging road north of the mountain, they were almost instantly hit by gasses from the explosion and died where they stood.  What an enormous event that explosion was!
Again thank you for helping make this day special for me.  I know Brian and Nola were thrilled with their summiting as well.  Just three days later my legs were recovered and ready to start again...
Again, Joe, thank you for having such a great organization and caring employees!