Doug Dobkowski
Outdoor Educator, Guide
North Conway, NHPersonal Motto - A bad day climbing is usually better than most of those other days.
Doug grew up in Clifton, NJ, a mid-sized city close to Manhattan. His parents regularly took Doug and his 3 siblings out into nature. The family enjoyed hiking, camping, and canoeing. Outdoor traditions were consistent throughout his childhood and adolescence. As Doug became more independent, he found comfort in the outdoors. He saw the outdoors as a place to recharge, reflect, and cope with adversity. After graduating high school, Doug attended Rutgers University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and used that degree to become a classroom teacher. He earned his Masters degree as a Teacher of Mathematics from Pace University and spent 8 years as a classroom teacher, working mainly with students with special needs. Doug wanted to share his love of the outdoors with his students, so he started an outdoors club. He soon realized how much he enjoyed outdoor leadership and made the shift from classroom teacher to an outdoor educator. This career shift brought Doug from New York City to the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine where he currently works as an Outdoor Educator and Recreational Guide. Doug is also a rescue volunteer for the Mountain Rescue Service of New Hampshire, the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, and the Lakes Region Search and Rescue. Doug lives in North Conway with his girlfriend, Brittany, dog Maple, and two cats Juniper and Apollo. You can find Doug rock climbing and ice climbing in the many cliffs of the Mount Washington Valley and Western Maine, backcountry skiing, trail running, walking his dog, and telling corny dad jokes.
Discipline: Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Skiing, Mountaineering
Specialty: Trad, Sport, Multipitch, Backcountry
Climbed the Diamond via Casual Route 5.10a on Long's Peak in Colorado August 2025 Proudest Send: Contortionism at 10 Degree 5.12b/c October 2023
Doug Dobkowski's Expert Gear Recommendations
Lighting
Buy lights from a company that specializes in lights.
- Nitecore HC65 UHE 2000 Lumen USB-C Rechargeable Headlamp by Nitecore — This thing is a MONSTER! It is extremely bright. It has a removeable 18650 lithium battery. You can recharge the battery by plugging the headlamp into a USB-C. You can also swap the battery. I keep a spare 18650 lithium battery on me.
- Nitecore NU27 600 Lumen USB-C Rechargeable Multi Color Temperature Outdoor Headlamp by Nitecore — This is my go to lightweight rechargeable headlamp. I also use this as a backup headlamp. At just under 2 ounces, you can barely feel it on your head. USB-C rechargeable with a lockout mode. It is great for trail running, too. Compare it to the Petzl Bindi, which is 1.25 ounces and 200 Lumens, the Nitecore NU27 is 3x's the brightness with a 0.75 ounce of additional weight and it is $5 less. I recommend buying two of these, one to use, and one to keep in an emergency kit.
