The Mountaineers
If taking a photo makes a memory last longer, then memorializing a photo in print would effectively make a memory last forever.
We launched our Instagram (@mountaineersorg) over a decade ago. Since then, hundreds of Mountaineers and members of the outdoor community have shared their outdoor pursuits with us. From stewarding beloved forests to embracing grand adventures, photos go a long way in encouraging each other to appreciate, protect, and respect the lands and waters we love.
Each winter, we showcase a few of our favorite Mountaineers Instagrammers and the compelling memories they’ve shared with our community. Until coffee stains and dog ear folds distort these pages, we hope you enjoy these visual memories and the lifetime of purposeful adventure they inspire.
Tatiana Van Campenhout, @zatiana
"When I moved to Seattle in 2019, the view of Mt. Rainier sparked curiosity about what it would take to climb it. In 2020, I joined a guided climb of Rainier, and although we didn’t summit due to bad weather, that experience ignited my passion for mountaineering. My love for photography grew alongside my mountaineering. Coming from Belgium, I wanted to share the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest with my friends and family back home. Photography became my way of connecting with family and bringing the beauty of these places to those who may never experience them. Through my photos, I aim to capture the joy and serenity I find in nature and share it with others."
Elanie Igama, @ms_elanie
"I discovered my love for hiking a few years after visiting an alpine lake I had seen online. After that trip, I knew I wanted to hike again. Here I am, a few years later. I backpack all summer and hike all year. Sunsets, wildflowers, fresh breeze, alpine lakes, mountains, beaches… you name it, I love it! I am not a professional photographer, but I love capturing my adventures and telling my story with people through my photos. We live in a beautiful state, and there is much to see. I feel grateful to be able to do this, and I hope that by sharing photos and stories, I encourage and inspire others to go outside and see the beauty that is all around us."
Abhay Cashikar, @abhaycashikar
"I've been exposed to the outdoors since I was a kid, but I don't think I truly appreciated being in nature until I moved to the PNW. Photography has helped me slow down on my escapades and pay more attention to the journey rather than just reaching my destination. I joined The Mountaineers with the goal of summiting Rainier, and recently completed the first step by taking the Alpine Scrambling course. Not only am I more confident, fit, and prepared to tackle Washington’s unique summits, I've also stumbled upon a group of like-minded friends in my former classmates to go on trips with. A few of us summited Mt. Adams back in August, which was exhilarating from start to finish. I'm always looking forward to exposing strangers and friends to mountaineering so that they can experience this amazing environment we live in."
Wally Estenson, @wallyestenson
"Growing up in Minnesota with parents who loved planning family adventures, I was fortunate to develop a love for nature early on in life. Since moving to Seattle last year, I’ve been continuously amazed by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Whether it’s a walk on the beach or tackling a big mountaineering objective, nature offers me a space for peace and introspection, as well as one where I can challenge myself both physically and mentally. I enjoy photography as a way to relive past experiences, and by sharing these moments, I hope to inspire and motivate others to get outside and explore."
Forrest Golic, @forrestgolic
"Growing up in North Bend, I loved spending time in the mountains, but during my freshman year of college, trips to the mountains became fewer and farther between. The only way I ameliorated the mountains' call was to look back at old photos. It was in my dorm room that I realized the power of photography. To me, photography is an escape from the 40-hour work week. It has amplified my love of being outside, seeing new places, visiting old favorites, pushing myself to new heights, waking up early, and challenging myself. I try to share more than just the beautiful moments, but also the experiences of hiking on tired legs, running out of electrolytes, being cold, powder skiing, not powder skiing, hoping for a good sunrise but not getting one, and, of course, the taste of cold beer after a day in the mountains."
Danielle Graham, @graham_danielle
"A lot has changed since I first learned how to use photo apps and macro lenses to “see” the natural world, though I still love to capture the small moments, like drops of water on mosses from winter wandering on Tiger Mountain or the appearance of bog gentian which marks the start of fall in the alpine. As a member of the Grasstops Collective at Outdoor Alliance, sharing photos and stories on Instagram allows me to amplify folks who are advocating for inclusion in outdoor recreation and conservation on public lands. I’ve also started dipping my toes into reels, which have been fun to explore during packrafting and aquatic canyoning trips with The Mountaineers."
Kristy Nguyen, @kristy_thi_nguyen
"I’m notorious for avoiding the camera and not taking photos. I want to experience what’s being offered to its fullest: what I’m seeing, smelling, feeling. These experiences are impossible to capture because they are more than just the one shot. It’s not just the breathtaking views I’ll remember; it’s the blisters and bruises that I take as souvenirs. It’s not just physical fitness and mental fortitude that got me through the miles; it’s the Nerds gummy clusters fueling each step. It’s not just discipline and determination that got me through the last switchbacks; it’s the wishful conversation of our future diner feast. It’s the boring behind-the-scenes, the mundane minutiae, the silly shenanigans. And so, I’m grateful for those who adventure alongside me and capture these beautiful moments to be appreciated, shared, and remembered."
Josh Hall, @_josh_hall__
"It wasn’t until my dad took me up Mt. Adams at the age of 12 that I had my first “real” mountain experience. From that moment, I was hooked, constantly seeking my next adventure. I soon took on backcountry skiing and climbing and began taking photos to capture the memories and places I was exploring. The Mountaineers has provided me with the skills to safely and responsibly navigate these areas. Whether I am on a big trip in the alpine, a fun day in the backcountry, or just cragging with friends, I’m passionate about preserving these memories through photography as they give me something to look back on and cherish. I hope to inspire others to seek adventure and experience the natural areas around us."
Will Hill, @dubyuhill
"I am anything but a photographer, don’t think I’ve ever owned a camera, but I do enjoy sharing phone-shots of beautiful moments in wild places. I think it's because I’ve been so inspired by pictures of surreal landscapes. Seeing craggy skylines with fire-lit hues ignites late-night trip planning to places I otherwise wouldn’t have visited. Climbing mountains has mostly been a vehicle to visit these exciting-looking places, an excuse to be on top of some large vista as dawn or sunset paints a dreamlike landscape. I suppose sharing those moments is my way of contributing to the greater pool of stoke for what nature offers if we choose to adventure."
Ananth Maniam, @ananth_maniam
"I grew up in the tropics of Tamil Nadu, India. Hiking and climbing were not part of my life until later in adulthood, but I eventually found my heart in the mountains. With the infamous “Seattle freeze” as a looming threat, I thought The Mountaineers would become home, and it definitely has over the last eight years. I grew up with the lessons to “always give what you have to others who don’t have” and “always show things which others can’t afford to see.” These words inspire me to give back, so I became a hike and scramble leader in 2018 and have led over 200 trips and participated in 300 or more. The people, the bushwhacks, the alpine sunrises, and the carpools keep it going for me."
This article originally appeared in our winter 2025 issue of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our magazine archive.
