Michelle grew up in California and has lived in the redwoods, desert and mountains. Always up to explore, her love of adventure has taken her all over the Western US from the canyons of Utah to Kauai's Na Pali Coast. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Geography and Environmental Studies, she took off to live, work and play in many parts of the world: the South Pacific, Asia, Africa and South America. She guides and instructs climbing, backpacking, cycling, whitewater kayaking, sea kayaking, and rafting programs. She has trained with the Professional Climbing Instructor's Association, holds an Advanced Swiftwater Rescue certification, is a Wilderness First Responder and a professional cartographer. She loves good stories well-told, music around a campfire, and sharing her passion for the amazing planet we live on.
Full name: Michelle Lindsay Christina Trame
Nickname(s): Ella, Pearl, Mich
Hometown (born and raised): Hayward, CA
Favorite Food(s): avocados, burritos, sashimi, raspberries, mangos
Five-words or less, bio that describes you: curious gadabout explores the world
Certifications: WFR, Swiftwater Rescue
What do you do now in San Francisco? Teaching science, cartography
What inspires you? Strong women in my family who have done amazing things.
What music do you listen to that amps you up for a big climb/paddle/hike? Pop music! Daft Punk, Beyonce, Lorde, Britney. Right now, I’m very into pop music for the first time in my life.
How were you introduced to the outdoors? I went to the best little summer camp in the world (Coppercreek Camp) and spent lots of my summer outdoors. I also was a Boy Scout.
What’s your most memorable outdoor experience? A really long day/night on a multi-pitch climb in Red Rocks with two of my friends.
Recent Achievement/Is there one trip you are most proud of? Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru.
What is your favorite thing about getting outside? Simplicity and self-reliance.
Do you have a personal motto? Yes, and it’s the same as my blood type! “Be positive.”
Fun fact: I keep a toothbrush in my PFD. Clean teeth, clean lines!
Geeky obsession: I like to research and design tiny houses. I have built a treehouse and lived in it for two summers.