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 Crystal Hudelson (she/her)
Member Since 2020
Favorite Activities I am deeply involved in outdoor climbing (sport and trad). But my newest interest is canyoning in our waterways here in the PNW!
10 Essential Questions
What first brought you to The Mountaineers?
From 2019 to 2024, I volunteered as Director of Rock Instruction in an affinity group that worked closely with The Mountaineers. We had always found their generosity and enthusiasm while respecting our autonomy regarding our activities to be refreshing and helpful. And somehow, I got invited to a canyon networking day for fun by one of The Mountaineers staff, and my canyon journey started from there!
Why do you like getting outside with us?
I have only ever been out on trips with people I have known personally. I also took The Mountaineers first ever Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) Canyoning course in the 2024 season. Entrusting my space and time to people of color instructors is something I am enthusiastic about, especially in trying a new sport.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
The first day of the BIPOC Canyoning course. We all sat down and expressed why we liked canyoning. I like canyoning because unlike climbing it is not objective based: it is about experiencing the canyon. Getting to the end of a canyon means the fun is over. And the terrain can be engaged with any number of ways (jumping, sliding, down climbing, rappelling) without someone yelling "DAB" or saying you did the beta incorrect. It's been a very unjudgmental sport for me.
Who/What inspires you?
In canyoning: Becca Polglase, Madeline Hwang, Gretchen, Shyam, and all the people of color in The Mountaineers canyoning community. They all came together to make the course happen to share a sport they love with people like me.
What does adventure mean to you?
Anything that excites me with an element of unknown. That could even be walking into a local city park to explore for the first time. An adventure could still be well planned and/or done before, but the element of unknown comes with something different being experienced each time due to conditions, the company I keep, or even my own internal perspective, etc.
Lightning round
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise
Smile or game face? Smile
What's your 11th Essential? Chapstick. Always.
What's your happy place? In the garden or around plants in general
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Base jumping
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 membership, and we hope these weekly features highlight who we are and why our community plays an important part in feeling belonging in the outdoors. 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!
Want to nominate a friend? Email Bayley Stejer to make a recommendation.
