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: Louise Kornreich
Hometown: Rye, New York
Member Since: June 1988
Occupation: Nurse
Favorite Activities: Hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, scrambling, sailing, kayaking, cycling (not necessarily in that order)
10 Essentials: Questions
How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?
After participating in an Outward Bound climbing course in Joshua Tree NP, I moved to Seattle in hopes of becoming a rock climber. I was on a backpacking trip with coworkers and they told me that The Mountaineers was the group I should join because of the knowledgeable leaders and variety of courses. My first outing was a hike to Goat Lake with some impressively fit and very experienced older members of the club. From that first hike, they encouraged me to become a leader (which did happen, but many years later). The rock climbing, well that’s another story…
What motivates you to get outside with us?
I love exploring the diverse landscape of the Pacific Northwest, seeing new places. Mountaineer leaders are diverse in their interests and areas of knowledge and have given me the opportunity to venture out much further than I would have on my own. Some leaders even share their secrets spots with groups.
The people I've met in The Mountaineers are also a big draw. Even with so many members, I always seem to know at least two people on every trip, which makes it feel very much like family – my extended Mountaineers family.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
In 2000, I was lucky to be on an international trip to Iceland with Craig Miller. I had been enthralled with that country from a young age, reading about it in travel magazines. It was a thrill to finally go there! Our trip had some unexpected incidents; one of them involved being stuck mid-creek crossing in the vehicle, with water starting to come in the doors. Most of us were making light of the situation (I wrote some compelling postcards!) and were rescued soon after. It is always the difficult and uncomfortable situations that seem to be the most memorable.
Who/What inspires you?
I am inspired by the beauty that surrounds me and the people I have met in the Mountaineers who continue to expand and share their knowledge about exploring the area and teaching new skills.
What does adventure mean to you?
Adventure is a state of mind, a way of breaking from the traditional methods or routes, trying new things. I try to incorporate a little adventure in my everyday life.
Lightning Round
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise.
Smile or game face? Smile.
What's your happy place? A high place with 360-degree views or a forest with layers of green.
Post-adventure meal of choice? A soy latte for the drive home.
If you could be a rock star at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Backcountry skiing – the story about Turns All Year made me green with envy!
Know someone who should be featured?
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