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: Stephen Pollard
Hometown: New England, but I've lived all over.
Member Since: December 2022
Occupation: Environmental Compliance
Favorite Activities: Hiking, backpacking, scrambling, learning about plants and wildlife.
10 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
WHAT FIRST BROUGHT YOU TO THE MOUNTAINEERS?
I've known about The Mountaineers for a long time, despite being from the East Coast originally. I first picked up a copy of Freedom of the Hills over a decade ago when I wanted to learn more about climbing. When I moved to Seattle, joining The Mountaineers was one of the first things I did. I wanted to learn more about the local terrain, meet some like-minded people, and advance my skills to be a better teammate in the future. I've definitely met those goals!
WHy do you like getting outside with us?
I like getting outside with The Mountaineers because of the people. It's easy enough to get into the woods by yourself. The depth of knowledge and experience in the organization is amazing, so I have always learned something on the trips - whether it's about rock formations, human history, or technical skills. I've met a lot of great people so far.
The Mountaineers and the people I've met in my short time here have become my "third place." I've spent a lot of my free time in classes, on trips, or in webinars. It's not only made me a more competent hiker, but taught me a lot about the region, and taught me skills to take me to new areas. Thank you, volunteers, who give so much time to the organization!
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOUNTAINEERS MEMORY?
So far, I'd have to say my first winter scramble at Red Mountain in Snoqualmie Pass. It is a beautiful peak without snow, but when we went we were often enveloped in the clouds above. We knew that weather would be coming in the afternoon, so that was in the back of our mind. For this winter approach, we had to kick step up the last, very steep portion of the summit block. This was exhausting with all the snow that was still up there. Every once in a while, a small hole would open in the clouds behind us, allowing us to peer down into the valley, and then it would close in seconds. The clouds and the exhaustion added to this being a memorable first snow scramble. We also had a fun mix of people on the team, so it was a special day.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I love to learn and grow. With The Mountaineers, I've had the chance to learn a lot about the local natural world while being inspired to be a better teammate by those with decades of experience. Getting to interact with people who are always pushing themselves and developing their abilities has also inspired me to develop myself more. Hearing people tell stories about trips and then saying to myself "Hey, I want to do that too" happens a lot on these trips.
WHAT DOES ADVENTURE MEAN TO YOU?
Adventure to me means pushing your comfort levels a little bit. I've had adventures on familiar places, but perhaps I've changed the route or tried it in different weather. Adventures are chances to learn about something new, a chance to grow a little bit, and a chance to build resilience. Fortunately, not all adventures have to be Type II fun, though many are.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Smile or game face? Smile
What's your 11th Essential? A naturalist field guide
What’s your happy place? An imaginary forest-library
Post-adventure meal of choice? Pizza
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Photography
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 Skye Michel to make a recommendation.
Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to...
Name: Stephen Pollard
Hometown: New England, but I've lived all over.
Member Since: December 2022
Occupation: Environmental Compliance
Favorite Activities: Hiking, backpacking, scrambling, learning about plants and wildlife.
10 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
WHAT FIRST BROUGHT YOU TO THE MOUNTAINEERS?
I've known about The Mountaineers for a long time, despite being from the East Coast originally. I first picked up a copy of Freedom of the Hills over a decade ago when I wanted to learn more about climbing. When I moved to Seattle, joining The Mountaineers was one of the first things I did. I wanted to learn more about the local terrain, meet some like-minded people, and advance my skills to be a better teammate in the future. I've definitely met those goals!
WHy do you like getting outside with us?
I like getting outside with The Mountaineers because of the people. It's easy enough to get into the woods by yourself. The depth of knowledge and experience in the organization is amazing, so I have always learned something on the trips - whether it's about rock formations, human history, or technical skills. I've met a lot of great people so far.
The Mountaineers and the people I've met in my short time here have become my "third place." I've spent a lot of my free time in classes, on trips, or in webinars. It's not only made me a more competent hiker, but taught me a lot about the region, and taught me skills to take me to new areas. Thank you, volunteers, who give so much time to the organization!
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOUNTAINEERS MEMORY?
So far, I'd have to say my first winter scramble at Red Mountain in Snoqualmie Pass. It is a beautiful peak without snow, but when we went we were often enveloped in the clouds above. We knew that weather would be coming in the afternoon, so that was in the back of our mind. For this winter approach, we had to kick step up the last, very steep portion of the summit block. This was exhausting with all the snow that was still up there. Every once in a while, a small hole would open in the clouds behind us, allowing us to peer down into the valley, and then it would close in seconds. The clouds and the exhaustion added to this being a memorable first snow scramble. We also had a fun mix of people on the team, so it was a special day.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I love to learn and grow. With The Mountaineers, I've had the chance to learn a lot about the local natural world while being inspired to be a better teammate by those with decades of experience. Getting to interact with people who are always pushing themselves and developing their abilities has also inspired me to develop myself more. Hearing people tell stories about trips and then saying to myself "Hey, I want to do that too" happens a lot on these trips.
WHAT DOES ADVENTURE MEAN TO YOU?
Adventure to me means pushing your comfort levels a little bit. I've had adventures on familiar places, but perhaps I've changed the route or tried it in different weather. Adventures are chances to learn about something new, a chance to grow a little bit, and a chance to build resilience. Fortunately, not all adventures have to be Type II fun, though many are.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Smile or game face? Smile
What's your 11th Essential? A naturalist field guide
What’s your happy place? An imaginary forest-library
Post-adventure meal of choice? Pizza
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Photography
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 Skye Michel to make a recommendation.
