Sara Ramsay
For our Leader Spotlight this month we talked to Krissy Fagan, a climb leader with the Bellingham Branch who is learning to appreciate the many different speeds of mountaineering ... but who still prefers a good sufferfest!
Name: Krissy Fagan
Branch: Bellingham
Where do you live? Bellingham, WA
How long have you been a leader? 5 or 6 years (member since 2009)
What activities do you lead? I recently became the Bellingham Branch Chair and I try to keep up with the communication and emails. On the climbing side of things, I'm really looking forward to leading this year's Crag Course.
Leadership Questions
What inspired you to become a Leader for The Mountaineers?
The leaders that came before me! I greatly appreciated all the time and effort those leaders put into my progression, and they did it while being fun. Those people became my climbing family. Once I had my own skills and experiences, I felt inclined to help others the way I was helped several years earlier.
What is your favorite trip that you've led for The Mountaineers?
Last year we did a trip to Leavenworth as part of the Crag Course. My partner was a student of the class and she really grew as a climber during that weekend. I greatly enjoyed teaching and seeing her skills come together as she lead multiple routes in the 5.9s.
How has your leadership style evolved as you've gained experience?
My style used to be a bit more focused towards sufferfests. I like long and challenging days in the mountains. For me, that is an ideal day. The more I've climbed with people that have very different objectives, the more I learn that there are different speeds to mountaineering. Through this I've been better with my expectations and how I interact with a group. What are our goals? In a mountain setting, what brings us the most joy? My style is more driven to include those targets along with summiting.
What learning experiences you can share with us, such as take-aways from a close call or a near miss?
Try to keep mentally collected if (or when) things go wrong. Whatever the situation, you'll be more useful if you can think clearly.
What advice do you have for aspiring leaders in The Mountaineers community?
Becoming a leader is a lot of work, but don't hesitate to reach out to current leaders for help or guidance.
Is there aNYTHING ELSE WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I feel lucky to have found this organization and look forward to many, many years of climbing with current and new friends.
is there Someone that you'd like to see in the spotlight?
Send an email to Sara Ramsay to make a recommendation for one of our upcoming Leader Spotlights!
