REI Presents: I Am Here

“My parents never even thought about climbing a mountain.” Yesenia grew up living in a small farmer’s cabin in the apple orchards of Oregon’s Hood River Valley. As a child, she played sports but never knew about outdoor recreation, despite being surrounded by Mount Hood and hundreds of miles of trails. Her first pivotal outdoor experience was going to Multnomah Falls, a roadside stop outside Portland. “I didn’t know what you needed in order to do that stuff. Did you need a permit, a ticket? It wasn’t until college that I realized that all the trails and outdoors were free for all of us to use.” Watch Yesi's journey to climb Mount St. Helens and pursue her American dream.

Learn more about Yesenia:

Watch more REI films:

Credits:
Story Design + Cinematography: Michael Hanson and David Hanson, Modoc
Editor: Mark Bashore, Plains of Yonder
Aerial Cinematography: Andy Maser
Colorist: George Costakis, Piñata Post
Sound Mix: PKA Scotty Beam, Cleod9 Music
Additional Support: The Castros Family, Trout Creek Orchard, JT Lehman, Jose Muro, Mercado Guadalajara

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), we love to get outside and play, and we know first-hand the importance of quality outdoor gear. We stand behind all our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we design our own line of award-winning REI brand gear and clothing. Whether you're new to outdoor adventure or a seasoned pro, we gladly share our enthusiasm for our products—and the trails, slopes and waterways where we play.

[yobanamartinez]

This hit home! So relatable ! The feeling of “I don’t know how to do this” “what gear do you need” or being looked at different by others! I loved this video ! Yesi, you are amazing !

[yesicastro]

Thank you for all the wonderful comments! I hope to be climbing more mountains and to take more adventures around the world. To follow my adventures visit my instagram: yesi.abby . Thanks again to REI and the MODOC stories film crew.

[trailkrum]

Mexicans have a wonderful cultural heritage. Most whom I have had the chance to befriend in this country have been salt-of-the Earth kind of folks. Our outdoor community can only benefit from the diversity they bring to it. Thanks REI for sharing this touching story!

[axs]

This hit me so hard, growing up feeling the same way and going and doing all the things I’ve done and traveled. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of a film.

[carloszenteno]

Bravo REI, bravo !!
Thanks so much to make a few of the invisible people, visible !!!
Bravo again !!

[karenramos]

the tears when you talked to your parents about doing it all for them 😭❤️🙌🏾 thank you for this beautiful film REI

[cristinacruznavarro]

So beautiful, absolutely beautiful. So relevant, so real. I was also that young girl leading my family and friends on new hikes. I'm now 26 and continue to introduce my new loved ones to the outdoors. I just came back from leading a group of 14 womyn on a 3 day/ 2 Night backpacking trip. Keep trecking because WE ARE HERE!!! 😗😗😗😗

Gracias por esta historia y por este video. Aqui estamos y no nos vamos. Que viva la lucha inmigrante!!! Un abrazo desde Sacramento, Ca

[juancarlosgonzalez]

This is a masterpiece. Thank you for telling this story, and exploring the intersections of equity and nature. This video spoke to my soul.

[carlos]

Wow, what a beautiful inspiring story!!! Keep them coming REI!!!! More than race (at least how I see it), this is about the sacrifice that every immigrant parent makes for their children, and bravo to Yesenia for pushing

[michaelconner]

This is the most beautiful story and it totally resonances with me. Thanks so much.

[MTRIDER]

Thank you Yesenia for sharing your story! I'm thankful for the sacrifices that my parents made by coming to America in 1969 and 1971

[jessamyers]

Keep living that beautiful life and What a amazing story she still has yet to live!!!

[YD]

Beautiful piece with an immense message. Much respect for REI.

[jessicacolldeweih]

Thank you❤ I am a Latina, this touched my heart deeply.

[BaroTheHusky]

To see someone who always dreamed of doing something they thought they couldn't do and achieved it, because of what they been told what not to do because of what others say they can't be do to their race. I'm happy she's enjoying what she always dreamed of doing. *Just remember this don't let others control your life for there entertainment.*

[SistahRev]

Thank you, Yesi & REI for this well done, honest, heartfelt, and illuminating video! “All the gear photos in magazines were full of white people... and I didn’t know HOW to access the outdoors places” I can TOTALLY relate! I’m not Latina, but as a person of color who went to summer camps (sometimes on scholarships) as a kid, I deeply felt like the forest was my kindred place on this earth. But because I did not know how to access wild spaces on my own outside the context of my structured summer camp setting, my outdoor life was lost to me for over 30 years of adulthood. In this past year (2018-2019), with the help of YouTube and internet searches, I have re-discovered and reconnected with my heart’s outdoor passion. I slept in a tent for the first time in over 30 years this summer, and have been hiking local & regional wooded trails more & more regularly... AND, to celebrate my 60th birthday next month, I’ll be hiking on the Appalachian Trail! Thank you, Yesi, for all you do to help others embrace and lay rightful claim to life-giving, life-sustaining, beautiful outdoor spaces and sports!! 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

[blancasanchez]

Incredible story because it’s so true!!! Thank to you REI for making this video

[TheJeepinDad]

This is a GREAT story, thanks so much for sharing it! Really hits home thinking about more people discovering the great outdoors!

[ismaelrobledo]

Very awesome!! I am to a Mexican American! Loving the Outdoors! Love hiking 🥾 and camping ⛺️
Now that I’m a Dad I hike and camp with my son ! Showing him the wonders of nature!

[swashbucklingadventures]

It's very nice to see something positive regarding the Latin culture in the U.S. . Kudos to everyone involved in the making of this short but meaningful story!!!!