By Taylor Brown
Cover photo courtesy of Taylor Brown
For over a century, the Spokane Mountaineers have given people across the Inland Northwest a way into the outdoors, no matter where they’re starting from. Through weekly outings, skill-building schools and a tight-knit community built around climbing, hiking, backpacking, biking, skiing and conservation, the club offers a low-pressure way to try something new, build confidence on public lands and meet people who’ll happily share a rope, trail or chairlift.
My first introduction to the Spokane Mountaineers came from an unexpected start: working in banking. I had recently moved back to Spokane—my hometown—begrudgingly and temporarily, so I had told myself, and had started working as a bank teller. Luckily, I was working at the bank branch where the Spokane Mountaineers, an organization I had never heard of, made their deposits. The gentleman making those deposits told me about the club and their 12-week introductory mountaineering course, Mountain School. Being fresh to the outdoor world with a handful of backpacking trips under my belt, I applied for their 2019 class.
Prior to the course, I was proud to have owned an ice axe and had even taken it on an outing to a frozen Hunt Lake with zero idea how to use it. But it looked cool. In time, I did learn how to properly use that ice axe—along with a few other helpful skills. After 12 weeks of the constant cycle of drying out gear and packing my bag for each weekend’s adventure, the course culminated with a climb of Mount Athabasca in the Canadian Rockies. I was lucky enough to have summited and would say I cried with joy on the summit, but in reality I hadn’t eaten enough during the 10-plus-hour excursion, and my glycogen levels were a little too low—called bonking—to completely enjoy the summit moment. I did, however, cry, barefoot, in the visitor center bathroom afterwards. It was a feeling of profound gratitude for the experience, for the capable physical ability and the camaraderie. And the mountain views—always the views. It was a dream come true.
The most impressive fact about Mountain School is that it is entirely volunteer run. Hours upon hours are poured into that course—all the club’s courses—from people who could be spending their time on their own adventures, but instead they give it back to the community. Because I had gained so much from my experience, especially friendships, I wanted to give that same experience to others. I have been volunteering for 7 years with the Spokane Mountaineers, including directing their Rock School, sitting on the board, and currently chairing and serving as editor of the club’s newsletter. I kept climbing too, and have since taken their trad climbing, ice climbing, high-angle rescue and alpine climbing courses. I have challenged myself in ways I never thought imaginable and made lifelong friends who I have suffered with through rough conditions and endless miles.
Funny enough, my climbing journey is parallel to my professional path: I was introduced to and took Mountain School when I was early in my career, and as I have evolved as a climber, I’ve also grown in my banking profession. When I took Mountain School, I was in my early twenties and a bit aimless—still trying to figure life out. The Spokane Mountaineers helped me grow not only as a climber but also as a person. After 7 years, I sort of forgot that Spokane was supposed to be a temporary stop.
Ready to see where the club might take you? The Spokane Mountaineers welcome nearly 1,000 members and counting, and there are plenty of ways in. Weekly outings—including Tuesday and Thursday rock climbing sessions and a Wednesday hiking series with family-friendly options for kids—are an easy, low-commitment way to meet the club before joining. From there, a full slate of schools and seminars can take you further. Learn more, find the outing schedule and join at Spokanemountaineers.org.
Sponsored
