Kristina Ciari Tursi
For our member profile this week we chatted with Rajesh Pillai, an Everett Mountaineer and volunteer. He told us about his inspiration and revealed a few of his favorite Mountaineers memories.
Name: Rajesh Pillai
Hometown: Meerut, India
Member Since: 2013
Occupation: Information Technology Manager
Favorite Activities: Climbing and Volunteering with The Mountaineers
10 Essential Questions
How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?
I did a lot of solo hikes in the past, but that never seemed to be enough. I always wanted to venture off-trail to the glaciers and summits and wanted to tackle sheer rock faces. I realized that to go farther, up and away from the comfort of established trails, I needed the technical skills and a company of awesome friends and skilled leaders. That is exactly what I found when I joined Everett Mountaineers and then went through the climbing course.
What motivates you to get outside with us?
To grow and to succeed, stepping outside the comfort zone is essential and that is the opportunity I get here. There are great leaders here who challenge and motivate me. With Mountaineers, I became a volunteer, a navigator, a wilderness first aid provider, an instructor and gained a whole lot of portable life skills.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
It is hard to choose just one. Summit of Mt. Baker in zero visibility and high winds... and the night spent in an igloo… and the planned fall into a crevasse.
Who/What inspires you?
I am inspired by nature because of the sense of calmness it instills and a change in perspective it brings. Our insignificance in the face of grand scales of outdoors is a good reminder to be humble and to treat everyone with kindness. I believe that the real prize is not the summit but all the steps taken towards it - shredding of the ego along the way, realizing the value of life and feeling grateful to have loved ones.
I am also inspired by the volunteer leaders who instruct and lead outdoor pursuits. Mountaineers is a great organization because of the volunteerism and professionalism of its leaders.
What does adventure mean to you?
Adventures are all about feeling more alive and having fun times with friends. Adventures build character and it helps you feel alive because you get the closest to your
senses.
Lightning Round
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise.
Superpower? Time travel.
Smile or game face? Smile.
Post-adventure meal of choice? Pizza.
If you could be a rock star at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Summiting Rainier.
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Steven Krause
says:
Apr 24, 2015 08:37 PM
Well put Raj. Climb on!
