10 Essential Questions: Petra Damm

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to ....

Name: Petra Damm (pictured center, in the pink shirt)
Hometown: Oberstreu, Germany
Member Since: June 2010
Occupation: Project manager
Favorite Activities: Mountaineering, climbing, skiing, and sailing

10 Essentials: Questions

How did you get involved with The Mountaineers?

My very first outing was a hike on Mt Pilchuck. I really wanted to start exploring mountains and nature in the PNW and join a community where I would meet like minded people to spend time with outdoors.

What motivates you to get outside with us?

The Mountaineers is a great community of people with many different backgrounds, careers and life experiences. It doesn't matter if you are an exec, an artist, a construction worker, or a student; from Washington, New York, or a foreign country. What connects us is the love for the mountains and exploring/preserving it together. It's a ton of fun and unique in many ways.

What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?

That's a hard one. I have so many amazing memories from Mountaineers outings!  I'd say my favorite memory is really looking back at how my life has changed through the progression and personal growth I experienced becoming a Mountaineer and spending most of my free time outside.

In my first year with the Mountaineers, I joined some hikes and heard about scrambling. Next thing I know I'm in the Scramble course wondering what in the world I would do with an ice ax. A year later, I'm taking the Basic Climbing course and on to Intermediate Climbing soon thereafter. Fast forward to today, I help instruct at various courses and am mentored to become a climb leader myself. I am so grateful for the great teachers, mentors and fellow climbers that taught me so many valuable skills and helped me become the Mountaineer I am today. It's been a wonderful and memorable journey!

Who/What inspires you?

The beauty of the mountains and how small and meaningless the every day grind of the world becomes when you are in the mountains.

What does adventure mean to you?

Life is one big and exciting adventure.

Lightning Round

Sunrise or sunset? Other: Both are amazing.
Smile or game face? Smile.
What's your 11th Essential? My climbing partner.
Post-adventure meal of choice? Veggie burger with fries.
If you could be a rock star at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Alpine climber.

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