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: Doug Cole
Hometown: Fairbanks, AK
Member Since: January 2014
Occupation: Web developer
Favorite Activities: Rock climbing, backpacking, biking
10 Essentials: Questions
How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?
I had been rock climbing for quite a few years prior, but most of my regular climbing partners had stopped climbing and so I joined looking for new climbing partners.
What motivates you to get outside with us?
I really enjoy teaching! I joined to meet new climbers, but have come to love the volunteer work just as much. I find it really rewarding to help people learn new skills and love seeing the stoke of people being able to get out and putting those skills to use.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
I can't pick just one, but I'll go with topping out a multi-pitch route with a new trad climber. The mix of excitement and relief, coupled with the realization of how much more climbing is accessible to them is awesome! Being able to help people experience that is why I love teaching.
Who/What inspires you?
People who work towards social justice. Changing social norms is really hard. People don't like to change, and the people doing the hard work are rarely appreciated until much later. Just look at how Martin Luther King was treated during his lifetime. But I think the work is super important and I'm grateful to everyone doing it.
What does adventure mean to you?
Exploring new places and having new experiences. That can be a new climbing route or a new city. For me it doesn't have to be totally unknown beforehand - I'm all about reading route beta before a climb. I just enjoy it all the same, even if I have a decent idea of what to expect.
Lightning Round
What's your 11th Essential? Butterfly gummies
What's your happy place? At a brewery in Squamish after a good day of cragging
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? I just wanna have fun, I don't need to be good at the activity to have fun!
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