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 Chris Swarthout
Branch Seattle
How long have you been volunteering with The Mountaineers? 5 years
What activities do you participate in with The Mountaineers? Basic and Intermediate Climbing, alpine touring and ski mountaineering, Wilderness Navigation
10 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
WHAT FIRST BROUGHT YOU TO THE MOUNTAINEERS?
I was on a backpacking trip with a friend in the Pasayten Wilderness when on a lark we decided to scramble Cathedral Peak and Amphitheater Mountain. Even though we had no idea what we were doing, it was an amazing experience that gave me my first taste of peak bagging. I knew I was hooked when we were driving back home along Highway 20 - I couldn't stop staring at the seemingly endless views of wild peaks and spires. Not long after, I found The Mountaineers website and signed up for the Scrambling course.
How did you get started as a volunteer?
Peter Hendrickson often concludes Wilderness Navigation field trips by congratulating new graduates and reminding them that
they are now qualified to help teach the course. I took Peter up on the offer when I graduated in 2017 and have been helping out
ever since. I try to follow the same approach for each course I've taken.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOUNTAINEERS MEMORY?
Sitting adjacent to the summit of Mount Shuksan in June of 2022 and seeing the massive smiles on each climber in our group as they topped out. I had spent the previous two seasons as an aspiring climb leader attempting to get a Shuksan trip to go, but ended up cancelling each trip due to weather or smoke. We even got to base camp on one attempt only for the mountain to try and blow us off with crazy winds. The summit pyramid was completely covered with snow in 2022, so our success was anything but guaranteed. But our determined group took the challenge head on and supported each other all the way to the top. The pride and sense of accomplishment written on the faces of everyone in the group immediately erased two years of frustration.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU DO AS A LEADER TO MAKE YOUR PARTICIPANTS FEEL WELCOME?
Being open and honest with everyone in the group throughout the lifecycle of the trip, from trip planning to summit day. In
particular, I think it's helpful to be open about my own concerns and anxieties as it encourages others in the group to talk about how they're feeling during the run-up to a trip.
What advice do you have for aspiring volunteers?
Don't wait to volunteer until you become a subject matter expert because that time rarely comes. The Mountaineers is full of kind, caring volunteers who would love to provide support as you find your place in the organization.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Smile or game face? Game face
What's your favorite close-to-home adventure? Alpine touring laps at Hyak
What 11th Essential do you bring on most trips? Summit gummies
Post-trip meal or go-to place of choice? 2 Cheeseburger meal at McDonalds
What's next on your bucket list? Skiing the Skillet on Mt. Moran
NOMINATE YOURSELF FOR MOUNTAINEER OF THE WEEK
Mountaineers come in all shapes and sizes, varying widely in age, outdoor experience, and length of time involved in The Mountaineers. Part of what makes our community so unique is the broad diversity of our leadership, and we hope these weekly features highlight how our trip leaders, course instructors, and committee and branch officers support our community. We are always seeking self-nominations for our Mountaineer of the Week, and we invite you to share your story. Trust us, we want to hear from you!
If you’re a leader (or want to nominate a leader to spotlight), send an email to Michelle Song to make a recommendation.
