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: Otto Greule
Branch: Seattle
How long have you been volunteering with The Mountaineers? 7 years
What activities do you participate in with The Mountaineers? Intro to Map & Compass course, Wilderness Navigation course, Bootcamp, instructor training, editor for 10th Edition of Freedom of the Hills Chapter 2, Chair of Seattle Branch Navigation Committee
10 essential questions
WHAT FIRST BROUGHT YOU TO THE MOUNTAINEERS?
The same affinity for wilderness that got me hiking in the Sierra Nevada many years ago.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A VOLUNTEER?
I began by helping to instruct at the Intro to Map & Compass course. It's still a great way for aspiring instructors to get started.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOUNTAINEERS MEMORY?
That's easy! It's every time the light bulb goes on for a navigation student, it never gets old.
WHAT IS ONE SURPRISING THING YOU'VE LEARNED THROUGH VOLUNTEERING WITH THE MOUNTAINEERS?
How much I've learned about myself.
What advice do you have for aspiring volunteers?
First, seek out a mentor. And secondly, find a balance between explaining things, and giving students enough room to work
through problems on their own.
LIGHTNING ROUND
What's your favorite close-to-home adventure? Discovery Park
What 11th Essential do you bring on most trips? Macadamia nuts
Post-trip meal or go-to place of choice? Tom's Place in the Owens Valley is legendary, but an ice cream bar at the Index general store is not bad.
What's next on your bucket list? Pilgrimage to Greenwich to see the Airy Transit Circle telescope.
If you could be adept at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Sailing. But only to learn new knots and practice celestial navigation.
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!
If you’re a leader (or want to nominate a leader to spotlight), send an email to Michelle Song to make a recommendation.
