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Board Members

board members

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Victor "Flamingo" Hanson-Smith

President

Flamingo lives in Oakland, California. He started backpacking in his youth as an Eagle Scout, and went on to hike the PCT ('05-’06), CDT ('15-’16), and numerous high routes in the Sierra Nevada. On-trail hobbies include night sky photography, backcountry cuisine, and hosting wilderness tea parties. Off trail, he leads a team of scientists discovering new drugs for neurological disorders.

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Bill "Mr President" Tickner

Vice President

Bill (Prez to most of his tramily) never imagined he’d identify as a long distance hiker. Career burnout inspired a series of long distance treks (Trans Zion in UT, Lost Coast and Waterwheel Canyon in CA) which eventually led Prez to pursue his Triple Crown. His careers in social work, education, and tech along with his lifelong LGBTQAI+ activism have shaped his perspective on the benefits of wilderness, hiking and the importance of making it more accessible and inclusive. Prez brings his skill set and passions to the work of ALDHA-West in an effort to give back to this incredible hiker community that has supported him unconditionally throughout his life and taught him that literally anything is possible if we do it together.  

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Sarah "Dr. Grant" Brandt

Treasurer

Sarah got hooked on backpacking as an antidote to crowded city living in Asia. After moving back to the states in 2018, it was easier to get out in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) but harder to return to corporate work each Monday. Having completed several short hikes (e.g., Rogue River, Timberline, Corvallis to the Coast, PCT, OCT, & ODT sections, etc.) and creating some beer-themed routes (ask her later), she left her international logistics career in 2023 to hike the CDT and hasn’t looked back. When not on trail, her great joys are loitering on town days or reading with her lazy dog, Cho. Sarah is excited to give back to the generous trail community by serving with ALDHA-West.

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Lisa "Hummingbird" Slutsken

Secretary

Lisa hails from Vancouver, British Columbia where she is an educator, writer and textile artist. Her first long distance hikes were in Jasper and Banff National Parks in the Canadian Rockies. She's a proud section hiker and has hiked many sections of the PCT, the Great Divide Trail and Te Araroa in New Zealand.

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Lisa is editor of ALDHA-West's The Gazette. She regularly does gear reviews for TheTrek.co and occasionally updates her personal blog westcoasthikergirl.com

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Mike "Just Mike" McClure

Officer at Large

Mike lives in Michigan when he is not chasing his Triple Crown hiking dream. He started long distance hiking during COVID as a way to stay active outside. 2022 was a transition year when he retired after over 30 years in the technology industry to pursue hiking long trails. He completed the PCT, half the AZT, and the CDT. In addition, he serves as an Advisor for Thru-r.com

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Ali "FJ" Funk

Officer at Large

After spending years playing in Yellowstone country and the Black Hills, FJ now calls the Pacific Northwest home. She fell in love with the “walk, eat, sleep, repeat” lifestyle while on the Camino and has since hiked most of the PCT (including 200 miles with her 9 y/o daughter) and set an Fastest Known Time (FKT) on her favorite trail in the Hills. When FJ isn't hiking, she can be found spending time with her husband, daughter, 3 dogs, and two horses

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Sarah "Mellow!" Berkeley

Officer at Large

Sarah hiked the Long, PCT, CT, and half of the CDT. She founded Symbiosis Gear to design and make backpacking gear. The company combines her love of the outdoors with a passion for creating gear that works for women’s bodies. Her first camping experiences were in a soggy Michigan forest under a canvas pyramid tent and a Millet Original canvas pack by Walter Bonatti. She has two degrees in art and has been a professor of Photography and Digital Media. She grew up in Colorado, where she did everything from making her own clothes to building a log house near Estes Park. She is excited to bring her creativity, outdoor experience, and hands-on approach to the board of the ALDHA-West.

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Tom "Trip the Light" Magee

Officer at Large

Tom is now retired and living in Spokane, Washington.  Started hiking on his 18th birthday, and knew that is what he wanted to do all his life.  He has thru hiked the AT, and the PCT and has also section hiked the PCT and holds the Slowest Known Time (SKT) of 46 years and 12 days.  He firmly believes in the mission of ALDHA-West:  To inspire, educate and promote fellowship among long distance hikers, and those who support long-distance hiking.

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Tiffany "Miss Information" Searsdodd

Officer at Large

Miss Information comes from a long line of outdoorswomen and has been backpacking since she was in the womb. She has thru-hiked the PCT (2009) and JMT (2016), as well as completed a coast to coast bicycle tour of the US (2011). With an over 20 year career in the outdoor industry, she has strong ties to the outdoor community, including writing for the online gear review website Treeline Review. Now she is raising a 7 year old aspiring long distance hiker who can be found modeling Purple Rain Adventure Skirts, or handing out raffle prizes at hiking events. An ALDHA-West groupie for many years, Miss Info is excited to officially join the team and especially to be part of the Diversity Hikers Scholarship sub-committee. 

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