The Mountaineers
Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to...
Name: Andy Tangsombatvisit
Hometown: South San Francisco
Member Since: February 2014
Occupation: Civil Engineer
Favorite Activities: Mountaineering, alpine scrambling, trad climbing, and backcountry skiing
10 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE MOUNTAINEERS?
I took the Alpine Scrambling Course in 2014 and began volunteering in 2015. It snowballed from there, I kept signing up for mountaineering courses and kept volunteering.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO GET OUTSIDE WITH US?
The Mountaineers community and the friendships that I have developed in my years of taking courses and volunteering. I want to help others get out and explore the PNW, especially the BIPOC community.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOUNTAINEERS MEMORY?
When I was a scrambling student, I signed up for a Preacher Mountain scramble. After bushwhacking around, we came up to our turnaround time and went back to the trailhead. A few years later, I led that very same scramble. When we reached the summit, I asked if I could stage a photo. I pulled out Freedom of The Hills and posed a "preacher" in front of his congregation. It was hilarious!
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
My mother inspires me. She is strong, generous, and kind. She inspires me to volunteer and help others get into the sport. Additionally, the Mountaineers community, seeing the students overcoming their fears, learning new skills, and being stoked, inspires me to keep coming back.
AS A DONOR AND VOLUNTEER-SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION, THE MOUNTAINEERS IS BASED ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT. HOW HAVE YOU PAID IT FORWARD, OR HOW HAVE YOU BENEFITED FROM SOMEONE ELSE PAYING IT FORWARD?
I try to volunteer every year in every course I have taken: Alpine Scrambling, Basic Mountaineering, Intermediate Climbing, and AIARE. I am appreciative to the all committees, but especially the Scrambling and AIARE committee, that funded my avalanche education.
WHAT DOES ADVENTURE MEAN TO YOU?
Adventure means setting out to a new peak or climb and giving it our best to safely make it to the top. If we turn around, that still counts, as long as I can do it with my community!
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Sunrise or sunset? Sunset
Smile or game face? Smile
What's your 11th Essential? Headnet in the summer, thermos of instant ramen in the winter
What’s your happy place? A nice hand size crack
Post-adventure meal of choice? Pad see ew
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Ice climbing
Have you had a memorable experience with The Mountaineers you'd like to share, or know someone who should share their story? Submit your info for a chance to be featured!
