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: Takeo Kuraishi
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Member Since: November 1999
Occupation: Engineering Manager
Favorite Activities: All kinds of climbing – glacier, rock, and aid. And skiing and cycling.
10 Essentials: Questions
How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?
I had been doing alpine hikes and climbs since elementary school and wanted to continue after moving out to Seattle. Mount Rainier grabbed my attention and I wanted to climb it. I found The Mountaineers Basic Course after a short research, signed up, and rest is history. The community of both the students and instructors were amazing and kept me going into the Intermediate Climbing Course, continuing to instruct, and becoming a climb leader.
What motivates you to get outside with us?
I keep the climbs I list first-come first-serve and many of the participants are people I meet for the first time. It is always refreshing to meet people from different backgrounds and experiences, all sharing a common passion for the mountain.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
Finishing the Zodiac route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park after four days on the wall was a great accomplishment for me as a climber. I can't thank enough my partner Tom on that climb. As we topped out, we were greeted by friends who had brought up dinner and drinks to celebrate. That dinner (and Guinness in the morning) has been hard to beat.
Who/What inspires you?
The look of accomplishment on the faces of the participants and partners as we summit.
What does adventure mean to you?
Pushing yourself to take on physical or mental challenges and making discoveries along the way.
Lightning Round
What's your 11th Essential? Bandana – used as a towel, sunshade, food wrapper, bandage, etc.
What's your happy place? On a mountain, quietly gazing out at a sunset.
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Big wall speed climbing.
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