Our Staff
Jim
Welcome! I’ve been operating hostels most of my life (see Our Story). I started this hostel in 1998 after seeing a need for more hostel beds in Portland. Born on the east coast in our smallest state, Rhode Island, I moved to my father’s homeland, the Pacific Northwest, when I was 15. With a degree in counseling from The Evergreen State College and training as a carpenter, what better credentials can one have to create and operate hostels. So here I am enjoying an incredible life! Some of the things I enjoy are traveling, hanging out with my staff and travelers, and playing soccer on our team.
Britta
Guten Tag! I visited Portland for the first time in 1998, the year we opened the hostel. After spending six months in South Africa, and many trips within Europe, this was just another travel adventure. Little did I know, that I would call Portland and the hostel my home. After graduating from college, I moved here from Germany in 2002. I love what Oregon has to offer: hiking along the Oregon Coast or in the Columbia River Gorge with its many waterfalls, skiing on Mt. Hood, biking around Portland, watching $3 movies at the Mission Theater, free concerts in parks all summer long, great local micro-brew beer, … I hope your experience in Portland and Oregon will be memorable, too!
Tracy
Welcome to Portland! I was born in NY and grew up in Connecticut before being forcibly moved to Virginia at 14. I graduated from the College of William and Mary before moving to NYC to pursue a life on the stage. I’ve traveled in Ireland, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela and would love to return to…continue reading »
Torello
Welcome! I was born and raised in Inverness, CA, but spent much of my twenties playing in a band and working in bars and restaurants in NYC. I moved to Portland for the laid back pace and affordability and am having a great time exploring and learning all that Portland has to offer. I have lived in Kaneohe, HI and Taos, NM and…continue reading »
Alicia
Hello travelers! My name is Alicia and I am nearly a native Oregonian- discounting a few early California years. I admit our winters can get a bit long and soggy but spring, summer and fall are divine, and who doesn’t love a nice muddy romp through forest park in February? Before settling in Portland…continue reading »
Mary Liz
I am a native of Brooklyn, NY, but after living there for eighteen years, I decided it was time to see what it’s like to exist in other places outside of New York City. I’ve lived in small town Ohio where I earned a BA in Art History and Film Studies, and from there I decided to head further West. I lived in Seattle for a few years, but Portland kept calling…continue reading »
Tessah
Greetings! I’m Tessah and I moved to Portland in April of 2010. I grew up just North of the California border in Ashland, a small, artsy town my parents finally decided upon after a few trips across the country in a moving van with an old Toyota in tow and our cat in my lap. I went to the University of Oregon to study photography, and then changed my mind a few times…continue reading »
Kate
Hey there! I was born and raised in that somewhat large yet inconspicuous country, Australia- which is also where I studied painting and glass, poured beers and completed my Bachelor’s degree whilst squirreling away pennies to go a-traveling. I did not have a pet Kangaroo. Now I live in Portland, because it’s real nice and I like it very much. I recently backpacked around…continue reading »
Catherine
Hello! I’m Catherine and I’m from the wine region of Temecula in Southern California. I just left the wonderful California sun for Portland in October of 2010, and other than the unpredictable weather, I’ve fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest! I recently finished my Masters degree in Archaeology at…continue reading »
Dakota
Hello travelers! I originally hail from the San Francisco Bay Area, although I spent much of my childhood playing in the mountains of Northern California. I have also spent some time living in New Zealand during a semester abroad. After recently graduating from University, with a degree in Anthropology,…continue reading »
Mike
Hello all! I was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. After spending 22 years there I realized it was the last place I wanted to be, so I sold all my belongings, packed my necessities into a backpack and headed for Oregon! I spent half a year volunteering, hiking, and thoroughly enjoying what life has to offer, then moved into Portland to get my city fix. I love Portland because it seems to be the perfect mix of nature and the city life. I love being outdoors, hiking, camping, and biking, especially in the rain….continue reading »
Sarah
Hey there! I am an Oregonian, born and raised. I grew up in Eugene, a small college town south of Portland. I moved up here about 10 years ago, and I hope you enjoy your time here in the city I’ve grown to love. I love traveling and second only to that, meeting people from around the world to share stories. So, please come say hi!….continue reading »