Mountaineer of the Week: Emma Agosta

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

Name: Emma Agosta
Branch: Seattle
How long have you been volunteering with The Mountaineers?  7 years
What activities do you participate in with The Mountaineers? Bikepacking, climbing, cross-country skiing, scrambling, backpacking

VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP QUESTIONS

WHAT FIRST BROUGHT YOU TO THE MOUNTAINEERS?

I first joined The Mountaineers in 2007 for the kayaking course but after graduating and doing a few trips, I lapsed and mostly cycled and did triathlon for several years. I rejoined in 2014 for the Basic Alpine Climbing course and fell in love with alpine climbing, continuing on to intermediate the next year and becoming a climb leader soon after.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A VOLUNTEER?

The year after Basic Climbing (2016), while I was taking the Intermediate Climbing course, I started volunteering in the Basic Alpine Climbing program.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOUNTAINEERS MEMORY?

Huddling on a ledge on Forbidden in the middle of a night with Sue Shih after our descent was delayed by several hours due to a stuck rope during the rappel. It was an unforgettable climb and an incredible team effort to get down from that gorgeous mountain late but safe!

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU DO AS A LEADER TO MAKE YOUR PARTICIPANTS FEEL WELCOME?

I ask them to introduce themselves and share some past experience (in the activity) or what they hope to gain from the experience of the day.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING VOLUNTEERS?

Don't wait to feel you have learned all about a skill or that you know it perfectly. Anyone can contribute with the skills and experience they have gained so far. By volunteering you will learn more deeply and get rewarded by knowing your participants are growing their outdoor experience and expertise and they too will pay it forward to the next group and so on.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise
What 11th Essential do you bring on most trips? My Kula Cloth
What's your favorite close-to-home adventure? Riding my mountain bike on the trails at St. Edward State Park
What's next on your bucket list? The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route
If you could be adept at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Packrafting. I know it will be one of my next outdoor endeavors but I wish I could just pick it up overnight!

NOMINATE YOURSELF FOR MOUNTAINEER OF THE WEEK

Mountaineers volunteers 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!

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES

If you’re a leader (or want to nominate a leader to spotlight), send an email to Michelle Song to make a recommendation.