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The Outdoor Magazine of the U

Wasatch Magazine

The Outdoor Magazine of the U

Wasatch Magazine

The Outdoor Magazine of the U

Wasatch Magazine

2024-2025 Staff

Maitane Woodin
Editor

Maitane Woodin

Maitane is going into her senior year at the U and is studying Political Science. It’s her second year with the mag and she can’t wait to use the platform to help share more people's adventures and passions. She grew up in Reno, Nevada but chose the U for its proximity to incredible skiing. In the summer she looks forward to camping and lake days with her friends and family. She also is a member...

Aidan Cooley
Assistant Editor

Aidan Cooley

Aidan grew up in New Mexico and is a third year at the U studying data science. He loves to go rock climbing, hiking, snowboarding, kayaking and anything else outdoors. He is a member of the U of U rock climbing team. This is his third year with the magazine and is excited to tell more stories to those willing to listen.

Madysen Gailey
Platform Manager

Madysen Gailey

Madysen is going into her 4th year with Wasatch and senior year at the U, majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. She was born in Ogden, Utah and has been soaking up Utah’s rich outdoor scene since she could walk, thanks to her dad who always made it a point to try everything. In her free time, Madysen loves to read outside on her balcony, paint with watercolors, and go on hikes. When...

Aloyious Soranno
Copy Editor

Aloyious Soranno

Al is a senior in his final semester majoring in Writing and Rhetoric and minoring in Media Studies. A father of three kids, Al loves snowboarding, disc golf, and the occasional camping to get away from all of the noise and unwind for a while. He also enjoys a good hike through the mountains. One of his favorites is Bell Canyon Lower Falls in Sandy.

Brandon Long
Writer

Brandon Long

Brandon is an Ogden native entering his second year writing for The Mag. Studying Environmental and Sustainability Studies at the University of Utah, Brandon hopes to make an impact on the areas he loves through environmental journalism and land management. As an avid film photographer, he loves to share . Brandon can usually be found somewhere in the mountains.

Auriana Dunn
Writer

Auriana Dunn

Auriana Dunn is a junior double majoring in anthropology and biology. When she’s not writing or studying, she loves mountain biking, birdwatching, photography and watching sit-coms. Her goal is to go into wildlife conservation research as well as continue in environmental writing. She loves learning about human-wildlife interactions, how to make them better, and how to meaningfully share them.

Maddie West

Maddie West

Maddie is from the East Coast, raised in a small town in Connecticut. She grew up next to the ocean, finding peace and clarity within the rhythms of the waves. Her adventurous spirit was truly ignited when she moved to the North Shore of Hawaii at 18. Hiking, surfing, and all kinds of outdoor exploration became an inextricable part of her life. She’s brought that with her to Utah where she loves to ...

Levi Seegmiller

Levi Seegmiller

Levi is a Nashvillian who somehow wound up attending the University of Utah. He is majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and minoring in Political Science. Due to his complete inability to catch or throw any ball of any sort, he naturally gravitated towards outdoor activities. Growing up, he mostly enjoyed hiking, backpacking, and camping, but since moving to Utah he has decided to do so...

Beth McGraw

Beth McGraw

Beth was born and raised in Utah and now is a third year graphic design student at the University of Utah. Some of her hobbies include quilting, photography, camping and reading. She thinks the most interesting thing about her is that she has four pet sugar gliders—all with very distinct and mischievous personalities. There is never a dull moment with them!

Sarah Kelley

Sarah Kelley

My name is Sarah, a photographer for the Wasatch Magazine. The outdoors have played a significant role in my life. Living in Salt Lake, I was a competitive rock climber growing up and loved having such easy access to beautiful mountains. As I have transitioned into my adult life, I have enjoyed pursuing new outdoor sports such as, mountain biking, skiing and backpacking. My goal as a photographer is...

Whitney Riddle

Whitney Riddle

Hi, I'm Whitney, a freshman Journalism student at the University of Utah. I'm from Utah, and I absolutely love the outdoors. I am always ready for a side quest in the mountains, whether that's paddle boarding, skiing, hiking, hammocking, or climbing. I also love to take my cameras around with me. Writing is another one of my passions, and I'm super excited to be working with Wasatch Magazine!

Remi Dryer

Remi Dryer

Remi is a freshman at the University of Utah, majoring in Psychology and History. They spend most of their time reading, gaming, and drawing. They love Baldur’s Gate and Hollow Knight, they adore YA fantasy novels, and their favorite pastime is painting in their backyard with their dog next to them. They love live music and spend much of their free time with their family at various venues and concerts.

Evan Battermann

Evan Battermann

Evan, a junior from Salt Lake, UT, is pursuing a degree in nursing with a minor in nutrition. He has a passion for adventure, enjoying hobbies like skydiving, skiing, boating, hiking, cliff jumping, and rock climbing. He also has a creative side, spending time on photography and writing poetry. He looks forward to winter during summer, and summer during winter. His favorite holiday is Christmas, and...

Carolina Battistone

Carolina Battistone

Carolina is a double major in Environmental & Sustainability Studies and Psychology going into her fourth year at the University of Utah. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, trying out new restaurants, and thrifting with friends. Born and raised in Salt Lake, Carolina has developed a deep appreciation and connection with Utah's wildlife and natural landscapes. From skiing and running...

Melia Norwood
Social Media Contributor

Melia Norwood

Melia is in her third year at the U, studying strategic communication. She grew up in Orange County, California and chose the U for the incredible scenery and change of weather. She has a passion for photography, loves to travel, and enjoys anything outdoors. On the weekend, Melia can be found at a coffee shop with friends, at the best thrift stores in town, hiking in the Cottonwoods, or out exploring...

Nash LaFrankie
Designer

Nash LaFrankie

Nash is going into his Senior Year at the University of Utah studying Graphic Design and Chemical Photography. He grew up in Breckenridge Colorado, and has been passionate about mountain communities his entire life. After moving to Utah, he has fallen in love with the seemingly unlimited supply of natural playgrounds. When he is not photographing in the wild you can find him biking, skiing, camping,...

Aidan Larsen
Designer

Aidan Larsen

Aidan is going into his senior year at the University of Utah and is studying Graphic Design. Here in Utah he loves spending his time skiing in the Cottonwoods as well as finding new hiking trails with his camera and taking nature photos of everything Utah has to offer, both in the mountains and in the desert. Because of his passion for skiing he is an officer of the Utah Freeskier Society here on...

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