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 Ritu Bindra (she/her)
Hometown Born and raised in India, but Seattle has been home for two decades
Member Since January 2011
Occupation Software Engineer and Product Development Manager
Favorite Activities Hiking, backpacking, and long international thru-hikes and treks
10 Essential Questions:
What first brought you to The Mountaineers?
The Mountaineers was introduced to me by my husband, as we both share a deep passion for the outdoors. What I love about The Mountaineers is that it provides a space to learn from others while also offering a safe environment to try new things. Every outing has reinforced a sense of community, where everyone - leaders and fellow hikers - are looking out for one another and generously sharing their experiences.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
While it's hard to pick just one memory, there’s one experience that stands out. I have Raynaud’s, which in the past has limited me to summer activities. Cold exposure used to scare me, but I wanted to push beyond my comfort zone, to explore the beautiful places that require winter travel and high-altitude exposure.
I’m so grateful to several Mountaineers leaders who shared their experiences with similar conditions. They showed me that my condition didn’t have to stop me from enjoying the outdoors. They offered practical advice - like using mittens instead of gloves, keeping my core warm to protect my extremities, and staying calm when the cold triggers symptoms. Focusing on staying composed, even when my fingers turn from white to blue, has been one of the most helpful things I’ve learned.
The support from this community has given me the confidence to do things I once thought were impossible. These days, I’m training and hiking through snow-covered mountains for my upcoming high-altitude trek to Nepal.
Who/What inspires you?
I’m constantly inspired by people - their stories, their courage, and their resilience. Growing up, I didn’t travel alone to far-off or remote places, but in recent years, I’ve begun taking solo major international trips and tackling multi-day treks and thru-hikes. The stories of others overcoming obstacles and fears gave me the courage to embark on these solo adventures.
Walking through France and Spain for 45 consecutive days a couple of years ago was a life-changing experience, and recently exploring Japan’s ancient trails, with their villages and forests, left me craving more. Inspiration is everywhere, and I’m a "glass-half-full" kind of person anyway!
What does adventure mean to you?
Adventure means stepping outside my comfort zone - even if it makes me nervous. If my dreams don’t challenge me, I know I need to push further. I’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much more to experience.
Some of my favorite adventures involve exploring remote villages on foot, trekking through rugged terrain, and crossing mountain ranges in foreign countries. This summer, I’m aiming to summit my first volcano, but I’m especially excited about my upcoming trip to explore the high passes of the Himalayas in Nepal!
Lightning round
Sunset or sunrise? Sunrise
What's your 11th Essential? SOS Device Personal Locator Beacon
What's your happy place? Home with my husband and our Great Dane, Noorie
Post-adventure meal of choice? Pizza and chai
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Open water/ocean swimming - I have a fear of deep water and can’t swim if my feet can’t touch the ground
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.
This article originally appeared in our spring 2025 issue of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our magazine archive.
