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 Jonathan "Scott" Sorci (they/them)
Member Since February 2024
Hometown Rocklin, CA
Occupation Software Engineer; I just started my own consulting company!
Favorite Activities Scrambling, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and (new to the list) mountaineering!
10 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
WHAT FIRST BROUGHT YOU TO THE MOUNTAINEERS?
I initially found The Mountaineers through a close friend. I told her about the time I fell into a snow bridge near Mammoth Lakes and how I didn't know how to safely self-rescue. After sharing the story, she told me how The Mountaineers teaches courses on safe backcountry exploration and helps you build confidence in yourself. I had just moved to Washington permanently from traveling around the country/world in an RV and I was struggling to find hobbies and friends; the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Since I joined The Mountaineers, I've made amazing new friends, completed scrambles I thought I couldn't come close to finishing, built confidence, and made life long memories. The Mountaineers changed my life!
WHY DO YOU LIKE GETTING OUTSIDE WITH US?
There are a few different reasons but the main two are: I love exploring the backcountry and I love to learn new skills. The Mountaineers give me both. Mountaineers courses helped me learn and practice skills in a safe environment prior to exercising them. This works not only in workshops but every event I have been a part of. Every scramble is a chance for me to learn from the leader and also explore the backcountry with an expert team.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOUNTAINEERS MEMORY?
My favorite memory with The Mountaineers is the snow skills workshop in the Alpine Scrambling course. I experienced two firsts on that day: trying Nerds Rope Clusters and being launched down a snow slope headfirst on my back. At lunch, one of the folks brought out Nerd Rope Clusters and immediately after eating a few, I had all my energy back. The sliding down the snow part was scary at first but after practicing quite a few times and learning the basics, it ended up being some of the most fun I’ve had in the snow!
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I would have to say that nature really does inspire me. No matter where you look, there is always something beautiful. Whether you are climbing up a slope of scree or looking at Mount Stuart from the top of a neighboring peak, nature provides us with incredible views and just about as much fun as possible. Even after turning 30, getting outside into nature always makes me feel like a little kid again!
WHAT DOES ADVENTURE MEAN TO YOU?
Adventure to me means pushing my limits. Whether it be physical, mental, or both, I adventure by pushing myself outside of my comfort zone (within a safe environment). This can also be on a daily basis, like having an adventure to the grocery store or solo-backpacking to remote alpine lakes; adventure comes in many forms. This is a reason I enjoy adventuring with The Mountaineers, they create a safe environment for me to push my limits.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise
What's your 11th Essential? A camera (usually my phone)
What's your happy place? Outside cell service with close friends, enjoying nature
Post-adventure meal of choice? Burger and fries (it has to have bacon)
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Trail running
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.
