Explorer Spotlight: Nick Oman

Name: Nick Oman | Age: 36 | Location: South Jordan, Utah

What’s your day job?
A chemist for now, soon to be full time photographer.

What are your favorite things to do outside?
Hiking, camping, snowshoeing, snowboarding, fishing, photography, and most of all exploring.

What first drew you to the outdoors?
My dad took me camping and fishing when I was really little and kind of took a hold of me ever since.

What’s your favorite hometown adventure? ...and, almost as important, where’s your favorite spot to get a beer after?
Almost anything in Big Cottonwood Canyon (see answers in Q2). Porcupine Pub and Grille during Oktoberfest!

What’s your essential gear that never gets left at home?
Besides my camera, it’s gotta be my Teton Sports backpack, I always have something to carry.

Any go-to soundtracks when you’re hitting the road?
Lately it’s been a band called First Aid Kit.

What’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened while you were adventuring? And/or, the funniest?
I was taking photos of a momma moose and her two calves, which can be spooky enough, when right behind me comes dad. It still makes my heart beat a little faster thinking about it.

Who’s your number one adventure partner-in-crime? Who inspires you?
My wife and my wife. She is my biggest supporter for everything that I do.

What are your top destinations for adventure travel?
Currently in the works are the Pacific Northwest, Tetons, Yellowstone, and a return trip to Yosemite.

What’s on the top of your must-do adventure list right now?
Something I haven’t done much of is climbing peaks. I may get into that a little bit more and would love to climb Half Dome, just because it’s Half Dome.



Show us your most memorable photo, and tell us about it!
I was wandering around the Merced River in Yosemite trying to find a spot with a good reflection for sunset. With no luck I headed into this meadow and watched as the colors from the alpenglow highlighted Half Dome and North Dome. I soon realized I was the only person standing in the meadow and it felt like I had Yosemite all to myself.

And last but not least…What’s your personal motto?
Define your life; don’t let your life define you.

Check out more of Nick's adventures here.