Uncategorized – Let's Go Exploring!

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Hello! My name is Mark. Every place has a story; many rich in nature, culture, and history. My passion is developing impactful adventure & educational travel itineraries so active explorers can discover their connections with these stories. As an outdoor leader, my skillset includes being an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide, ITMI Tour Director, and a NOLS Wilderness First Responder. When not leading trips, I work with a wildlife conservation organization on fundraising, outreach, and front-end eco-trip operations. My professional background also includes work in hospitality, project and event management, and marketing. As time allows, I lead groups on natural history and hiking programs that create magical moments and lasting bonds. I am a student of the world and love exploring faraway lands, though much of my time is among the beautiful parks and open spaces of the American West. Welcome to my portfolio.

Exploring Ape Cave & Lava Canyon – Mount St. Helens National Monument: Trip Report:This trip demonstrates perfectly why I don't "just do a trip"...
Minus Tide Explorations & Eagle Viewing on Oregon’s Central Coast: Trip Report:Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based hiking...
Central Oregon Hiking Explore 2022: Trip Report:Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based hiking...
UO Gargoyles & Colophons Walk: Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based hiking club | Date:...
Walking Eugene’s Downtown Murals, Spring 2022: Trip Report: Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based hiking...
Geologist Thomas Condon’s 200th Birthday Walk: Trip Report: Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based hiking...
Re-visiting the Kalayapua Talking Stones, Spring 2022: Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based hiking club | Date:...
Walk de Pre: Trip Report: Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based hiking...
Exploring & Hiking on Oregon’s Central Coast 2021: Trip Report:Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Road Scholar |...
Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail: Waldport to Heceta Head: Trip Report:Trip Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based Hiking...
Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail: Newport to Waldport: Trip Report:Trip Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based Hiking...
Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail: Depoe Bay to Newport: Trip Report:Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based Hiking...
Revisiting Eugene’s Micro-art & Murals (Post Covid): Trip Report:Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based Hiking...
Eugene Book Loop Walk: Trip Report:Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based Hiking...
Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail: Baker Beach to Florence’s North Jetty: Trip Report:Group Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based Hiking...
Urban Walks & Explores in Track Town (Eugene, Oregon): Winter is a wonderful time to explore Eugene, Oregon. Here's a sampling of...
Exploring & Hiking on Oregon’s Central Coast: Our group was fortunate with sunny weather this week as our program was...
End of the Summer Camping in the Cascades: This was possibly the last warm-ish weekend in the Cascades this year, and our...
Hiking & Rafting in Central Oregon – An Active Education Tour: Helping people experience and learn about the rich natural history of central...
Crater Lake & Bend: An Intergenerational Outdoor Spirited Trip: I enjoyed leading an 8-day outdoor spirited program in central Oregon for a...
Traversing to Fort Rock Cave the Home of Oregon’s 10,000 Year-Old Shoes: This was a 3-day experience into Central Oregon's Outback to learn more about...
Kayaking While Surrounded by an Ocean of Sand: Trip Report:Volunteer Leader: Mark Hougardy | Organization: Eugene-based...
Listening to Oregon’s Kalapuya Talking Stones: Talking Stone LI-YUU (Prairie) Trip Report -Volunteer Leader: Mark...
A Walking Exploration of Eugene’s Murals: Group Photo in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Mural, Eugene, Oregon,...
An Afternoon with Judge B. Waldo: A Visionary Conservationist & Explorer: Judge John B. Waldo is often associated with John Muir and Henry David...
Walking San Francisco’s Wicked Barbary Coast Trail: San Francisco is a city born within a moment – the discovery of gold in...
Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox at Lava Beds & Crater Lake: This was an exploration of two dramatic volcanic landscapes timed with the...
Hiking and Kayaking on Oregon’s Scenic and Wild Central Coast: The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area on Oregon's coast is stunning. Trip...
Exploring Central Oregon’s Rich Cultural Heritage, Dynamic Geology, and Majestic Night Sky: Our 4-day trip to learn more about central Oregon's historic past started with...
By Playing with Fire We Appreciate How It Forges Every Aspect of Life: I'm happy to have been the leader on another great Road Scholar trip. This...