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: Ben Rawlings
Hometown: Sioux City, IA
Member Since: January 2018
Occupation: Investment Performance Specialist
Favorite Activities: I love to backpack and scramble above all else. I’m working on getting more involved in outdoor climbing, specifically in the alpine arena.
10 Essentials: Questions
How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?
I moved to Washington from the Midwest to pursue my dreams of becoming a full-blown mountaineer in late 2017. I decided to start with the scrambling course to get acclimated to the terrain and gain skills/experience before I moved into the higher altitude climbs.
What motivates you to get outside with us?
We get to see beauty that not many others around the world get to see. I also enjoy the work it takes to get to a summit. The views are worth all the blood, sweat, and tears. Getting to do those things with others gives you a special connection that is hard to replicate.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
I only have a few to date, but my favorite memory would have to be the snow field trip for the Everett scramble course. I made some very good friends that weekend and gained more confidence in myself and my abilities in the mountains.
Who/What inspires you?
My future kids and grandkids keep me going. Knowing that I can do all of these amazing things and go on so many adventures while overcoming my deepest fears is something I want to be able to show and teach them.
What does adventure mean to you?
Pushing your personal envelope and pushing yourself to new heights (literally). Anytime you overcome some fear, that’s when you’ve been on a real adventure.
Lightning Round
What's your 11th Essential? Gummy bears.
If you could be a rock star at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? High-altitude mountaineering.
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