OBITUARY:
Nicholas J. Wells (Nick), a technology professional and veteran trail runner, died Oct. 21 in a backcountry accident in the Columbia River Gorge. He was 33 years old.
Nick was Trust and Safety Policy Manager for PicsArt Inc., a photo and editing software app, since 2020 and was a senior trust and safety investigator for AirBNB for six years until May 2020. He was married to Amber Baggenstos and lived in Camas, Washington.
Nick was born August 29, 1989 in Marin County, California to James and Dottie Wells, the youngest child of three and the only son. He grew up in Ross, California, earned his Eagle Scout honors and graduated from Redwood High School in 2008.
He attended the University of Oregon, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2012. While in Eugene, he joined the university’s club swimming team and triathlon team, competing around the country. Nick then began exploring open water swimming in the San Francisco Bay, and competed in challenging events such as 1.5 mile Escape from Alcatraz swim and the demanding 10 kilometer swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge in 2011, where he placed second.
Nick began exploring running on Mount Tamalpais and soon entered major endurance events, completing the Vineman Ironman Triathlon in Sonoma County, the New York and San Francisco marathons and other high profile races. During his time in Portland, Nick joined the trail running community and began focusing on major backcountry ultra running and races. He completed the Mount Hood 50 Mile run in 2017, the Mountain Lakes 100 mile run in 2019 and the Oregon Cascades 100 mile run in August 2022 and many other Pacific Northwest endurance races.
Nick and Amber married in October 2021 in Sonoma, a joyous celebration that brought together family members and friends from all across the country. Nick was a much beloved member of his extended family, the Portland running community, and many different friendship circles over the years.
Nick is survived by his wife, Amber; his parents, James and Dottie Wells of Bend, Oregon; sisters Heather and Megan Wells of Bend; and uncles, aunts, and cousins in Oregon, California, Maryland, Washington, Massachusetts and North Carolina. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to "Go Beyond Racing" and "Trailkeepers of Oregon" (Please note: In honor of Nicholas Wells).
THE WELLS FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING:
NEWS & MEDIA COVERAGE:
SEARCHERS LOCATE MISSING CAMAS MAN'S BODY AT BOTTOM OF 80-FOOT CLIFF IN GORGE
Nick Wells, 33, was reported missing Friday evening after failing to return home from a run on the Pacific Crest Trail near Cascade Locks
October 23, 2022
A Camas man who went missing on Friday, Oct. 21, after going for a run on the Pacific Crest Trail on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, has been found dead.
According to the Hood River County (Oregon) Sheriff’s Office, search-and-rescue workers discovered the body of Nicholas Wells, 33, at the bottom of an 80-foot cliff around 1 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23.
Wells’ wife reported her husband missing on Friday evening, after he stopped responding to her calls and texts. Wells reportedly went for his run on the PCT near Cascade Locks, Oregon, on Friday morning and was in contact with his wife throughout the day — telling her at one point that he had lost the trail, but had then found it again, according to a news release from the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office.
Search teams, including the Hood River Crag Rats and Pacific Northwest Search & Rescue, searched along the Pacific Crest Trail and Ruckel Creek Trail throughout the night on Friday, using cell phone data obtained from Wells’ phone carrier, but could not locate the missing man.
“Fresh search teams … bolstered by additional personnel from Portland Mountain Rescue and Clackamas Search and Rescue,” a Blackhawk helicopter provided by the Oregon Air National Guard and a Hood River County Sheriff’s Office aircraft, continued to search for Wells on Saturday morning, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release.
“Due to the terrain, the cell phone tower data was not able to provide a narrow search location, and soon searchers were working both the Pacific Crest and Ruckel Creek trails, a wide search area,” the sheriff’s office reported.
Using new cell phone location information provided by Wells’ family late Saturday evening, the search-and-rescue workers were able to find Wells’ body at the bottom of a cliff about one mile from Interstate 84 at 1 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23.
On Sunday, workers recovered Wells’ body and brought his remains to a nearby funeral home.
“Our hearts go out to the family of Nick Wells,” the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office stated Monday in a news release, “and on their behalf we ask for privacy as they grieve their tragic loss.”
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About |
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| Name | Nicholas James Wells |
| Date of Birth | August 29th, 1989 |
| Date of Death | October 21st, 2022 |
| Home Town | Ross, CA, US |
| Other City | Camas, WA, US |
| Interests | Ultra Marathon Running, Hanging with his friends, Spending time with his wife & family, Skiing, Hiking, His fur-babies: Lily (cat) + Buster (puppy), Swimming, Triathlons, SF Giants, UofO Ducks Football, Portland Trail Blazers |
| In Memoriam Donation | Trailkeepers of Oregon (Please note: "In honor of Nicholas Wells") |
| In Memoriam Donation | Go Beyond Racing - Trail Mix Fund (Please note: "In honor of Nicholas Wells") |
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Milestones |
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| 1989 | Born at Marin General Hospital | ||
| 1995 - 1996 | West Mercer Elementary - Mercer Island, WA | ||
| 1996 - 2004 | Ross School K-8 - Ross, CA, Diploma | ||
| 2004 - 2008 | Redwood High School - Larkspur, CA, Diploma | ||
| 2008 - 2012 | University of Oregon - Eugene, OR, BA Sociology, Minor Criminology | ||
| 2012 | Graduated from University of Oregon | ||
| 2013 - 2014 | Triathlon Manager, Sports Basement - San Francisco, CA | ||
| 2014 - 2020 | Trust & Safety Specialist, AirBnB - Portland, OR | ||
| 2020 - 2022 | Trust & Safety Policy Manager, PicsArt - Portland, OR/Camas, WA | ||
| 2021 | Married Amber Michelle in Sonoma, CA on Oct 30th | ||
| 2021 | Bought his first house with Amber | ||
| 2022 | Welcomed fur-baby, Buster into his family | ||
| 2022 | Left this world doing what he loved | ||
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One month ago, on October 21st, my beautiful brother, Nick Wells left this earth doing what he loved, which was backcountry running.
My family has chosen to seek the brighter patches of gratitude, among the darkness that has veiled our family these past few weeks. We have a lot to be grateful for when it comes to Nick. His recent, “Celebration of Life” had nearly 350 people in attendance and rightfully honored his exceptional 33 years of life.
Amber, Nick’s adored wife, has been amazingly strong, thoughtful and beyond inspirational throughout this challenging time. I’m hopeful anyone who knew my brother can please share their great “Nick stories” with our family.
Nick passed too young, with too much on his “to-do” lists; mediocracy was never an option for him. We are proud and honor him for his commitment to his beloved sport.
On this side of life and in the next, we can’t wait to show him all the things his journey has inspired ours to become. He is forever a part of our fabric and our soul.
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published a tribute .
I was honored to deliver this eulogy for Nick at his Celebration of Life on Nov. 13.
I am very grateful all of you took the time from your busy lives to come here and pay tribute to my nephew. And I want to join my brother in expressing my deep gratitude to the rescuers who tried to save Nick’s life. Thank you. I also want to acknowledge those who love Nick but could not be here today, such as my wife, Deborah, who was too sick to travel.
My name is Rob Wells, I’m one of Nick’s uncles, and I’m the guy who taught Nick how to run on trails.
It may seem hard to believe, but getting Nick to get out of bed and put on his shoes for a run was pretty difficult at first. I would visit Jim and Dottie during Christmas, and every morning I was out early running the trails on Mt Tamalpais. I started asking Nick to join me. He was in high school, and he looked at me like I was a Martian. Get out of a warm bed, early? Run? It’s foggy. I’m sleeping in, man. Forget it.
I don’t tend to give up. So when Nick was winning races on the college swim team, I pleaded with him: “Dude, this is called cross training. It will make you faster in the pool - I promise!” That was enough to get him out of bed, but not that early. His sister Heather joined us and we had a marvelous time splashing through creeks and huffing up hills to see incredible vistas.
The next year, Nick asked me if we could go running, and it was a little earlier. But it was a year later that I knew he was all in. I arrived late and there was a note in the guest bedroom that instructed me to be ready at 5 a.m. He was leading a run up the steepest trails on Mt Tam, and that I better have a headlamp. Taped to this note were two gel packs. That was an epic outing, let me tell you.
Through this process of running in the woods, Nick found profound beauty and spiritual renewal. We discussed this. We run on trails because of the sheer wonder and magnificence of experience. It helps us manage the pressures of modern life, the pain of daily existence. Out on the trails, we reconnect with the beauty of the world. When we return, we are better people. Life is lighter - the glass is half full. This is why I have been running solo in the woods for nearly five decades. Nick felt the same way.
Up to this point, I’ve focused a lot on Nick’s life as a runner but there was so much more to the man. His sense of humor was outstanding. He was very curious and had a wonderful openness. He would surprise me with really detailed questions about technology policy, worries about our political situation or some very tender questions about how to be a good husband.
Many of us here are struggling with the same question: how could this terrible accident happen to such a wonderful human being? I ask this daily. When you look throughout human history, this has been a question - how could someone so good be taken from this Earth? St. Augustine struggles with this in The Confessions. Homer explores this with the Illiad. The story of Job centers on this question. It defies our understanding, really, that we must confront tragedy on this scale.
Let me share with you a perspective that might provide some comfort to you. I find comfort in knowing that Nick was always careful. He pushed the limits, for sure, but he was always prepared. Nick was a complete professional. To me, I see that he wound up in a difficult situation, and in that process, he took the wrong step.
I’ve been in a very similar situation, and perhaps many of you have as well. One step. Our life is fragile, and sometimes that is the difference, a single step.
And after that close call, we remain here, for the moment.
We should all consider this. Many of us had that close call and we were given a second chance. I have had so many close calls, believe me, that I am convinced I was given a second chance for a reason.
When viewed through this perspective, it leaves you with a sense of urgency. We survived the misstep and we really have a duty to use this remaining time to make this world a better place.
I hope we can all emerge from our deep grief over Nick’s passing and help each other get through life, to be kind, generous and share some joy. We saw a great example of this yesterday with the remarkable tribute run and fundraiser that Matt Whitehead organized.
Nick would want that for all of us.
Thank you again for being here.
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published a tribute .
I just learned the news today. Nick was a good friend of mine at the University of Oregon. We were in the dorms together and were in the same friend group. We remained good friends through all of college and stayed in touch a few years after. He was like a big brother to me. He always looked out for me during our time at the U of O. I cannot believe he’s gone and am thinking of his family and lovely wife during such an unimaginable loss.
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published a tribute .
I was on the University of Oregon Swim Club with Nick. Nick was always a stand out swimmer, student, and person. He was a supportive and kind teammate. He was the kind of person that made everyone around him feel good. Myself and other members of the UO Swim Team had the pleasure of staying with Nick's family in SF while doing the "escape from alcatraz" race, it was immediately clear where Nick got his character from. His family was so welcoming and warm. He will be deeply missed.
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published a tribute .
Nick was such an incredible adventure buddy. From climbing Mt. Saint Helens to skiing Hood, he was always eager to get outside and explore. I'll never forget one ski run: I was 10% of the way down a slope, caught an edge, and tore my MCL. I couldn't walk, much less ski, so Nick and the rest of the group took turns lending me their shoulder or shielding me from traffic to help me limp back to the car. Nick stopped by base and bought me a bunch of chocolate bars to help take the edge off. Reading through the other tributes, it's clear these acts of kindness are one of the things Nick was so well-known and loved for.
I'm regretful our planned trips to snow camp at the summit of Tom, Dick & Harry, or climb Mt. Hood didn't happen this year due to covid and bad weather. But I'm very grateful for all the amazing adventures we did share, and that I was fortunate enough to meet and spend time with such an incredible person. Against my inner beer snob, we're packing Rainiers on future adventures so part of Nick is always with us at earth's most beautiful vistas.
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published a tribute .
Nick was truly the most genuine, welcoming, and wonderful person. Nick was always such a joy to be around and I always enjoyed spending time with he and Amber grilling, enjoying nature, or just catching up. I’ll never forget when Amber told me about Nick for the first time- she was glowing… and all the wonderful things she said made so much sense when I met him in person. Nick will always be remembered with happy thoughts and memories.
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published a tribute .
Nick was simply one of the best humans I had the pleasure of knowing. They say if you really want to get to know someone, run with them. You get to see them at their absolute best and worst, and over the hundreds of miles we ran together I enjoyed every single step of the way. Nick's true colors were those of one of the kindest, most selfless people I've ever met. He would literally give you the shirt off his back, not that you'd want it because Nick was a profuse sweater! Gonna miss those miles, conversations and post-run beers, but he'll always be in the pack with us.
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published a tribute .
We have known Nick since he was a toddler, following his big sisters into Sun Valley Elementary. We had the privilege of watching him grow and mature - being part of his "General Patton days," his Eagle Scout ceremony, his wedding to Amber.
One of our favorite memories in the Wootton Family is the camping trip our families enjoyed together at China Camp State Park. It was quite rugged with stories around the firepit, breakfast cooked on our Coleman stoves, and the trip the kids took with Jim to the local 7-Eleven for Slurpees in the afternoon! Yes, Jim was a favorite dad those days!! Nick was such a little guy, but he dove into that birthday cake like the champion he was!
Through every stage of his life the words used to describe Nick were always the same. He was the sweetest, the nicest, the most positive, the most polite - always in superlatives. His infectious smile and smiling blue eyes captivated everyone who knew him. His beautiful soul will live on in all of us who knew him.
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published a tribute .
There is so much to say about my friendship with Nick. He was my ski buddy, my athletic friend, and fellow Olympics fan. He was my go-to guy to hit the slopes on Mt Hood or send a “Blazers win!” text to, and his easy going personality made our time together so enjoyable. We always had a blast in the snow or on a river, and I’m so grateful that important ones in my life (my parents, my partner, my dog) all got to meet him and hear his contagious laugh.
His smile and sense of humor will always live on. He’s terribly missed already, but I know that he’ll be with me on epic pow days and for every Blazer and Duck victory. Thankful for the good times, and I’m here for support whenever needed!
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published a tribute .
Nick was truly one of the kindest people I've ever met. Any chance I got to talk sports and life with Nick in the Airbnb office was a welcomed break in my day. A few of these conversations a week for almost 8 years made me feel like I knew him so well. The pandemic sent us all home and in different directions, but he's somebody that would always come to mind with any Duck or Trail Blazer win.
My heart goes out to those that are closest to him and hurting from this. He was an amazing person and I can't imagine how much he's missed by those around him. I'll be out of town for this event, but will be thinking about everybody in attendance.
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published a tribute .
I remember the days when Nick and Cameron would dress up as Batman and thought they could save the world! It just doesn't seem that long ago. Our hearts go out to you after his tragic loss. I'm glad that he and Cameron reconnected a few years ago.. Our love and prayers go out to you all.
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published a tribute .
Nick was the best! Always up for an adventure. Here we are on top of dog mountain on a Thursday in June of this year. We hatched the plan 30 minutes prior to leaving so we could run up the mountain to see the wild flowers in their peak without the crowds at sunset. Definitely one of my favorite runs with Nick
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published a tribute .
I was visiting Dot and Jim in San Rafael, Nick was about 3 and we were at the dinner table. Nick looked over at me and said Uncle, Uncle, Uncle Frank? Jim said Dottie who’s Frank?! “Frank” had been working on their fireplace earlier. I’ve been Uncle Frank ever since
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published a comment .
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