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: Randy Lee
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Born in Colfax, WA, grew up in Allentown, PA, hometown (for 57 years) is Seattle
Member Since: January 2018, most recently
Occupation: Retired CFO at PCC Community Markets
Favorite Activities: Hiking, backpacking, fishing, golf
10 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE MOUNTAINEERS?
Started skiing with The Mountaineers via the various lodges (especially Meany) in the 1990s (first joined for a few years) and then after retiring in 2018 with much more time available thought the club would be the best route to get reengaged with backpacking and hiking.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO GET OUTSIDE WITH US?
The organization, especially with all its volunteer energy, stands tall for environmental and ethical values along with protecting the outdoors while its members are among the most intense utilizers of our wilder places. Its educational content was great for my reintroduction to areas I’d been away from for so long.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOUNTAINEERS MEMORY?
Being at the bottom of a hill at Meany one winter many years ago and having two fellow Mountaineers swoosh into our stopping place in the trees with gorgeous telemark turns; I knew I had to learn how to do that, and came to enjoy tele runs (and tele turns) for the next ten or fifteen years.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
People, meaning our volunteer trip leaders in particular, who give so much of their time and energy to others even when it takes a toll on them and they have the option to do it all without the burden.
WHAT DOES ADVENTURE MEAN TO YOU?
At my age (74), getting a backpack on my back and successfully to camp and over each pass over an eight-day trip qualifies. Similarly, getting back on skis after so much time away has been a fun, and surprisingly, exciting. Not stopping getting outdoors in great places is my adventure.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise
Smile or game face? Smile
What's your 11th Essential? Probably my lightweight fishing kit, at least for shorter (2-4 days) trips.
What’s your happy place?
Summer: a remote high mountain lake with fish rising and the bugs (near me) scarce, but friends at hand.
Winter: Standing among the evergreens with snowflakes having covered the trees and still filling the air.
Post-adventure meal of choice? Pulled pork sandwich and a large salad.
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? If that includes abilities I no longer have, telemarking through the woods down a black diamond slope would be pretty satisfying.
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!
