Instructor Q&A with Daren Opeka
NOLS semester, Fall 2000. Then leading backpacking and climbing trips at my college. Then, whitewater raft guiding and commercial climbing guiding and instruction. Then, NOLS IC (Instructor Course) in 2006.
Baking class! Pizza or Calzones is always a hit. I like to include many opportunities for all to cook together and try recipes from I-team (the instructor team). Are you an analyst/architect, driver, relationship master, or spontaneous motivator? I like driving and am a spontaneous motivator. Also strong relationship master. Have to work to get into analytical quadrant.
What is your favorite course to teach?
Instructor Courses. Super-competent and well-behaved students that teach me so much.
Baked Ziti, obviously. Basically just layering pasta, sauce of choice, pourable batter to resemble ricotta cheese, and cheese, all over top of a cheesy perky crust. It is a process, but worth it.
#2 (gold) Camalot
What music/food do you think about when in the backcountry?
Bob Marley
What is your single greatest accomplishment related to the outdoors?
Developing new climbs for all climbers to use. Especially on 2009 Patagonia Year climbing camps, where the Instructors developed an entirely new climbing area, while running a climbing camp. Also, tons of new development on many ROCs (backcountry rock climbing in the Winds). I like the service to community element. I feel affirmed when thinking about the on-sight rock climbing guiding I have been able to do with NOLS, too. That has probably been the greatest test of my cumulative wilderness skills-technical skills, judgment, decision-making… Leading a few students on some gnarly terrain to the top of a cool feature-those experiences stick with me.
Topics: Educators Notebook
