Welcome to Beer & Gear, a series where we get to know individuals making big moves in Portland’s Athletic and Outdoor industries. In this edition, author Ellee Thalheimer talks with Katelyn Nixon of Big Backyard Adventures at Little Beast Brewing in Southeast Portland.
In Dallas, Texas during the early aughts, Katelyn Nixon was the “weird kid” in school, artsy and out-of-place. Before freshman year, she went to a rock climbing camp in Colorado and Wyoming, where she found her niche. “My family didn’t do anything outdoorsy. I loved being outside. I felt empowered. Climbing the wall helped me grow my confidence. And looking at the guides, my mind was blown. You could actually do this for work.”
That climbing course sparked a latent adventurous streak in Nixon, one that would eventually manifest in her own forthcoming business, Big Backyard Adventures, a Portland-based outdoor adventure concierge service. They handle all logistics and planning so people can relax and enjoy the ride (or paddle or hike). After much thought and scheming, Big Backyard Adventures is finally launching this spring. (Follow their Instagram account for updates.)
If planning your annual rafting trip feels overwhelming, Nixon is your gal. If it’s your turn to organize a ladies hiking weekend, she will take care of it. If friends from the Midwest are visiting and want to experience the best of the Pacific Northwest, she will create a fantastic itinerary. Big Backyard Adventures takes care of everything from booking and transportation to packing lists and schedules. All of her services are customized and aimed at reducing the stress of her guests so they can focus on fun.
Back in college, Nixon knew that she wanted to care for people, so she signed up for nursing prerequisites. That semester, the only class she passed was snowboarding. She took the hint. “There are lots of ways to take care of people,” says Nixon, 36, as she sips a Best Day IPA at Little Beast Brewing, which has been an enthusiastic partner of Earth to Beer and the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts. “Guiding is caretaking. I create a space where people feel safe, brave, and connected to nature.”
“Recreation is a form of renewal. We step away to play, connect, and recharge. When we return, we’re re-inspired to create. Adventures aren’t an escape, they are a return to self.”
-Katelyn Nixon, Big Backyard Adventures
After shifting her academic focus in college, Nixon earned a degree in Outdoor Recreation Adventure Programming from Pennsylvania State University. Then she graduated and moved to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, spending her time kiteboarding, hang gliding, surfing, and “goofing around” while working at a popular beach bar. Five years ago, she settled in Portland with a laser focus on building her career as a guide. She works in a variety of contexts, from high school experiential education programs to regenerative tourism and luxury outdoor adventure at First Nature.
“Recreation is a form of renewal,” says Nixon, explaining her dedication to outdoor adventure. “We step away to play, connect, and recharge. When we return, we’re re-inspired to create, whether it’s through art, engineering, education, or whatever. You can’t spell recreate without create. Adventures aren’t an escape, they are a return to self.” Nixon clears her throat. “Cue Enigma’s ‘Return to Innocence.’”
Creating Big Backyard Adventures has been a dream of Nixon’s for more than a decade. With solid experience under her belt, it feels like the right time to pivot and pour her energy into her own endeavor. She looks forward to crafting itineraries and experiences according to her guiding philosophy of fun, connection, renewal, and creativity. And Portland should look forward to the company’s launch as well; Nixon will add value, depth, and enthusiasm to the fabric of our outdoor industry.
Ellee Thalheimer is a Portland-based freelance writer and guidebook author. When she can’t get to the trails, she’s writing fiction, relishing local IPAs, falling off bouldering walls, and obsessively scheming the next adventure. Find her on Instagram: @pnw_hedonism.
