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: Ed Dominguez
Hometown: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Since: September 1989
Occupation: Teacher
Favorite Activities: Alpine Scrambling, Cross-Country Skiing, Mountain Biking
10 Essentials: Questions
How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?
I grew up at the foot of Mt. Shasta and spent my youth climbing and scrambling, and when I moved to Washington to work on my doctoral degree at UW I wanted to continue to be involved in the outdoors. I had heard about The Mountaineers and their excellent reputation, and thought it would be great to learn the latest techniques. I’d been taught by individuals, but wanted to experience a more codified approach to climbing. I thought ‘this is the club for me’, and signed up for the Basic Climbing Course.
What motivates you to get outside with us?
The people in The Mountaineers. I’ve met some of the most remarkable and engaging individuals, and made lifelong friends- starting from when I first joined the club. We have great people, and it makes great programs. I love being a part of that.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
I’ve been involved with The Mountaineers so long, it’s hard to single out a favorite memory. One thing that always strikes me is when you see people achieve something in the mountains- negotiate a pitch that’s challenging for them, or reach a peak they didn’t think they could get to. You can see it on their face, a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in their eyes. That’s what makes it for me. Seeing that aha moment, when people think they couldn’t make it and they do.
Most of my work has been with the scrambling committee. It started because I wanted to become more involved with the club after graduating from the Basic Climbing Course, so I started assisting with some of the courses. On one of our outings Steve Russell, who has been involved with The Mountaineers longer than me, encouraged me to volunteer more often and invited me onto the scrambling committee. He was really a welcoming and encouraging voice when I was starting at the club, and I’ve been here ever since.
Who/What inspires you?
The beauty of the mountains inspires me, as well as the willingness of people in our classes to stretch their envelope of comfort and take the risks required to achieve what they never thought they could. They want to do something that they’re not sure they can do, and they’re willing to embrace their fears and rely on the skills we teach them to accomplish it. It’s the people that really make it.
What does adventure mean to you?
Adventure means that you set out with a goal in mind, and you know where you’re going and you know how you’re going to get there, but you never know what’s going to happen along the way. You set out with a peak as your objective, but it’s the journey that brings a thousand unexpected things. A bird that sings, a snow field you didn’t expect, a pika squeaking from the rocks. All of these things occur as a part of the journey.
Lightning Round
What's your 11th Essential? Good humor.
If you could be a rock star at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Skate skiing.
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