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: Bruce Wolverton
Hometown: Lake Stevens transplant from Colorado
Member Since: May 1992
Occupation: Residential real estate appraiser and outdoor enthusiasts extraordinaire
Favorite Activities: Rock climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing, hiking, photography, trail and fire lookout stewardship, and hanging out with my grandsons
10 Essentials: Questions
How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?
I signed up to take basic in 1992 to enhance my skills in mountaineering and to learn glacier and rock climbing. The Mountaineers has always been extremely rewarding so I continue to stay involved. Whether you're taking a class or teaching a class or being an assistant and working with others, sharing experiences with each other is such a valuable experience.
What motivates you to get outside with us?
The enjoyment of teaching others in climbing, scrambling and navigation courses and with meeting others who enjoy the outside as much as myself. I enjoy their enthusiasm and excitement about getting out into the mountains—whether it be on a climb, working on a fire lookout, or rebuilding a trail. I get to share their excitement and watch them turn into leaders.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
Of course getting back to the car from any glacier climb is always a lot of fun! It makes it easy to forget how much of a dredge it was and motivates you to plan for the next climb.
Working with others on National Trails Day and trail stewardship programs is also extremely rewarding, even more so when you're working on lookouts such as Mount Pilchuck or Three Fingers Fire. When we do trail maintenance on the hike up to Mt. Pilchuck Fire lookout we normally take plastic garbage bags, and as other hikers pass us on the trail and see us cleaning up the area it becomes very contagious for them to want to help out. Now we always take extra garbage bags, so we can share with other hikers who want to jump in. I have never had to carry a garbage bag out of the mountain yet as the other hikers are so helpful.
Editor's Note: Bruce recently spearheaded efforts to put a new roof on Three Fingers Lookout. Read about his contribution in our blog.
You can also join him on an upcoming workparty in Darrington on June 4th for National Trails Day
Who/What inspires you?
Students always inspire me with their excitement and their willingness to learn. When they understand something and the "light comes on" I think it allows me to reflect on taking the course back in the old days. I love seeing their smiles and how their attitudes change when they realize the work that actually goes into maintaining a trail; then they take ownership of the trails they're working on, and the trail takes on a whole new meaning to me and them.
What does adventure mean to you?
Getting out into the wilderness is always an adventure—a time to leave the city behind. Whether you're going to bag a peak, do trail stewardship work, or work on one of the fire lookouts (which the Everett Mountaineers is extremely involved in), you are outside and that is an adventure. I'm excited for my next adventure to help with the new North Mountain Lookout in Darrington.
Lightning Round
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise.
Smile or game face? Smile.
What's your happy place? Mountain peaks with green flowery meadows.
Post-adventure meal of choice? Cheeseburger well done with a side of fries and a strawberry shake.
If you could be a rock star at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? I would be a peak hopper and rock climber extraordinaire.
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