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 CeCe Venzon
Hometown Seattle
Member Since 2012
Occupation Project Manager and WCC Board Member
Favorite Activities Mountaineering, climbing, hiking, sailing, photography
10 Essential Questions:
What first brought you to The Mountaineers?
Prior to The Mountaineers, I learned to rock climb. In 2011, a friend and I decided to enroll in the Basic Alpine Climbing Class, since we were versed in rock climbing. We both wanted to learn something new and different. Since then, I've taught in Seattle’s scrambling course, rock courses, and The Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC). It's pretty cool to run into post-MAC graduates in the Seattle area and see how their lives have progressed. I'm grateful to be a part of such a wonderful climbing community where I can have a positive impact on youth and adults, including sharing the beauty of climbing and mountaineering with others because I always get a new sense of awe with each trip.
Why do you like getting outside with us?
I love the adult and youth opportunities that The Mountaineers provides. I've been helping with MAC since 2013. It's great to have a positive impact on youth as they grow and develop theirclimbing and interpersonal skills. Likewise, as a Climb Leader for the rock climbing and scrambling programs, it's great to impart my love of climbing and mountaineering to other adults.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
My first climb of Little Tahoma was memorable because it was my first summit. I was able to see the Northern Lights the night before our summit bid; it was amazing. I was so joyful to see first light on our summit bid and was taken aback by the grandeur of Mt. Rainier after summiting Little Tahoma. It was the first time I truly felt like a Mountaineer.
Currently, my most favorite memory was coordinating the Intro to Rock course this past May. I was so humbled and happy to share my love of climbing with others while providing them a safe space to practice. The highlight was our Vantage field trip where adult students cleaned and rappelled down their climbs. Like MAC, I was so proud of each of the students and the instructors, as I saw each of them develop and grow in their skills. Plus, we were able to enjoy such wonderful scenery and climbing with tons of jokes and laughs.
Who/What inspires you?
Conrad Anker for his kindness and groundedness.
What does adventure mean to you?
To me, adventure means testing one's limits and exploring the unknown while keeping a sense of humor and growing as a person.
Lightning round!
Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset
We all know about the Ten Essentials. What's your 11th essential? Pocket journal and pen
What’s your happy place? Any summit
Post-adventure meal of choice? Taco Time or Kidd Valley
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Ultra hiking through Norway while seeing the Northern Lights
This article originally appeared in our fall 2023 issue of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our magazine archive.
