Lori Heath
Meet Karla Munguia, a Foothills Backcountry and Frontcountry Trail Run leader, hike leader and backpack leader. Karla has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to the Foothills Branch with Super Volunteer badges in 2021 and 2022 and a Key Instructor badge in 2022.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND WHEN DID YOU COME?
I was born and raised in Mexico. Right after getting married, my husband got a job offer in the Seattle area and we decided to move as part of an adventure. It was supposed to be a temporary thing... Well, here we are 9 years later. I feel fortunate being able to live in the place I love the most, it's truly magical.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE MOUNTAINEERS?
My husband signed us up after a friend of his kept referring to the PNW and The Mountaineers. Little did we know it was not just a climbing organization. We signed up for the Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) course and I was hooked. Later came winter camping, trail running, scrambling, and now glacier travel. The activities per se are so much fun but really, it's about the people. The community and the volunteers that run the courses, seminars, and trips are simply amazing. I am so thankful to all of them. I wish I didn't have to work so I'd have more time to volunteer.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE VOLUNTEER MEMORIES WITH THE MOUNTAINEERS?
I don't think I have favorites; each of them have been special for different reasons. That's what makes volunteering so endearing, you never know who you're going to meet or what you're going to experience.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES AND PLACES IN THE PNW BACKCOUNTRY?
I love trail running, backpacking, snow, mountains, and alpenglow! I’m particularly in love with the latter. I think the only thing that could surpass them would be the aurora borealis, which I haven't seen in person... yet.
