10 Essential Questions: Krishna Dase

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to ....

Name: Krishna "KD" Dase
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Member Since: July 2016
Occupation: Bridge Engineer in Training. I, along with a team of engineers, do the design and detailing work on local and other bridges over the States. Expecting to take my professional engineering exam soon so that my title will be 'Bridge Engineer'. 
Favorite Activities:  Car camping, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, scrambling, snowshoeing, skiing, mountaineering, new to climbing (2 rock climbs and still practicing/learning the ropes).

10 Essentials: Questions

How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?

After my guided trip to Baker and Rainier in 2016 and knowing my aspirations towards mountains, one of the climbers informed me about The Mountaineers. After a week or so, I asked him again, "What Mountaineers group?" and he simply replied, "The Mountaineers." :)

I started exploring a bit with few activities and the community was very welcoming and before I knew, I was signed up for Basic Climbing Course and am hooked since then.

Since I moved to Seattle, having this accessibility to trails, lakes, and peaks and very awesome welcoming community of outdoor enthusiasts and others likewise, I head outside as much as possible by actively getting involved with an organization called 'Asha for Education', where I go out with aspiring climbers on conditioning hikes and share my experience (although its not much) to get them fit for a guided trip to Baker, Shukshan, and Rainier with Miyar Adventures.

What motivates you to get outside with us?

1) Explore
2) Adventures
3) Seeking solitude
4) Pushing boundaries
5) Learning culture

What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?

A field trip to Easton glacier on Baker where I was lowered into a crevasse for my rope team to rescue me. Surrounded by the blue glacial ice was super fun and I still remember that I couldn't stop taking photos in there.

Who/What inspires you?

Seeing an elderly hiker on the trail or climbers likewise makes me wonder if I could be like them still exploring the nature, mountains and the country when I grow up.

What does adventure mean to you?

Adventure, to me, is all about pushing boundaries; a decade ago it was surviving a cold night in the forts and caves in Sahyadri's range of hills near my hometown, about 5 to 6 years back, it was doing a backpacking trip and now it's venturing into the unknown terrain of glaciers and climbing.

Lightning Round

Know someone who should be featured?

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!