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: Juliet Liu
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Member Since: September 2006
Occupation: Internist (doctor for adults)
Favorite Activities: Trail running, scrambling, rock climbing, mountaineering
10 Essentials: Questions
How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?
I joined within months of moving to Seattle. I was hiking and trail running on my own. I was surprised to find out that there was still snow in the mountains even in April and May! I took a navigation class in 2012 and found out that dozens of other people in the class were doing this thing called scrambling. I had to wait a whole another year to sign up for the scramble course! I loved it. I decided to take Basic Climbing without really knowing beforehand whether I would like roped climbing or not, but I wanted to try it. Now I'm in Intermediate Climbing and taking the Crag class.
What motivates you to get outside with us?
Amazing microenvironments from sagebrush deserts to deep snow fun to snowshoe through. A great mix of people - some of whom are now my closest friends and also new enthusiastic people that I haven't met before. Leaders who have been universally encouraging and knowledgeable and just fun to be around.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
Don't have a favorite because there are so many! During my first year of trips with the Mountaineers: Guye Peak E Route with Craig S and Del Campo with John Gilbert. And so many fun times since then. My basic SIG with Doug Payne has been a big influence on my life.
Most recently, as part of the crag class, we were crack climbing the columns in front of The Mountaineers. Crack climbing has been a mystery for so long, and through the patience of the instructor and my belay partner, I figured out what it's all about - and it was fun!
Who/What inspires you?
People who volunteer so much energy and time: leaders, volunteers at field trips, I've learned so much from everybody! Besides the leaders already mentioned, Dave Morgan and Stephen McKim have spent quality time teaching me. I have learned there are other like minded people who will actually gather at a Park and Ride at 5:30am for an adventure and it is SO worth it once you start hiking/climbing.
What does adventure mean to you?
After dreaming up a plan, doing all the prep on the route and weather, gathering a group of people together, thinking you can most likely physically do it... well you just can’t learn anymore about it until you go out and see and do it for yourself. Even if it’s a place I’ve been to before, the time of year is different, the people I’m with are different, I’m different. So it’s a new adventure every time.
Lightning Round
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise.
Smile or game face? Smile.
What's your happy place? Finding the flow running/hiking/climbing and everybody I’m with is having a good time, marveling at the scenery on a sunny day.
Post-adventure meal of choice? Swiss mushroom burger with fries. I tried on a post-Mountaineers adventure to not order the fries, and halfway through the meal, I ordered them....
If you could be a rock star at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Alpine rock climbing.
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