Foothills Branch Celebration Recap 2025

On January 11, over 40 members of the Foothills Branch met at the North Bellevue Community Center to celebrate our accomplishments in 2025! We had an incredible evening recognizing our leaders and Service Award recipients. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Event higlights

We introduced our current Branch Officers (Travis Vermeer, Chair; Brad Peacock, Past Chair; Lori Heath, Secretary; Erik Jensen, Treasurer; Liz McNett Crowl, Representative to the Board of Directors; Scott Sorci, Safety Officer; Tom Eng, At-Large Member; Kelley Chaddock, At-Large Member) and Branch Committee Chairs (Magda Bojarska, Climbing and Strategic Investments; Christina Buckman, Backpacking; Anthony Cree, Navigation; Deloa Dalby, Conservation; Kit Eiber, Backcountry Skiing; Birgit Grimlund, Cross-Country Skiing; Liz McNett Crowl, Urban Walks; Nataliya Semez and John Murphy, Trail Running; Nancy Temkin and Jo Bedlington, Hiking; Lori Heath, Communications; Stephen Johnson, Scrambling). And we thanked our outgoing leaders (Michelle Peterson, Snowshoeing Chair; Erin Shannon-Starup, First Aid Chair).

We recognized the 68 members who earned a Super Volunteer badge, the 66 leaders who earned a Key Leader badge, and the 33 members who earned a Key Instructor badge.

Becca Polglase, Director of Programs and Operations for The Mountaineers, presented some fun facts about the Foothills Branch:

• At the end of fiscal year 2025, Foothills had 1074 members, and more than 650 volunteers.
• Last year, Foothills volunteers gave over 25,000 hours to teaching, leading, and stewardship. This time included 800 trips (an average of more than two a day).
• Foothills volunteers recorded 1,734 volunteer days, leading 450 course-related field trips which amounted to 11,465 teaching hours.
• Between all the trips and course activities, there was an average of 3.5 Foothills Mountaineers programs happening every day. 

2025 Service Award REcipients

The highlight of the evening was recognizing our 2025 Foothills Branch Service Award recipients: Magda Bojarska and Liz McNett Crowl.

Magda Bojarska

Magda Bojarska is one of the Foothills Branch’s most dynamic and multi‑disciplinary leaders, serving as a leader for climbing, scrambling, hiking, and trail running. Magda also serves as Chair of the Foothills Climbing Committee, where she helps guide the branch’s growing climbing program and oversees courses, instructors, and community engagement. Since joining in 2018, she has acted as both a leader and instructor across climbing, scrambling, and hiking programs, strengthening the Foothills Branch’s educational offerings and community culture. Thank you to Magda for the many ways you've contributed to our branch, including:

• At-Large Member of Foothills Branch Council (2024-2025)
• Chair, Foothills Climbing Committee. Magda helps shape long‑term climbing strategy for the branch and creates a welcoming environment for new climbers. Her leadership ensures the Foothills climbing program continues to grow and thrive.
• Chair, Foothills Strategic Investment Sub-committee. Magda ensures that member‑directed donations are used transparently and effectively to strengthen Foothills programs, support volunteers, and fuel long‑term branch growth.
• Leader and mentor. Magda’s leadership spans every stage of The Mountaineers mountain‑skills pathway. She builds community and mentors new leaders. Magda is a climbing, scrambling, hiking, and trail running leader. 
• Instructor. Magda’s teaching helps new climbers build confidence, competence, and community. Her impact goes far beyond technical instruction.  Magda is an instructor for Alpine Scrambling, Basic Alpine Climbing, Intermediate Climbing (support roles), Sport Climbing, Trad/Lead on Rock, Winter Mountaineering & Crevasse Rescue (committee oversight), and Basic Alpine Climbing equivalency (committee oversight).

Liz McNett Crowl 

Liz McNett Crowl has become one of the Foothills Branch’s most influential volunteers, known for expanding beginner‑friendly hiking programs, strengthening urban walking initiatives, and representing the branch at the organizational level. Since joining in 2013, Liz has shaped multiple courses, mentored new hikers, and helped build inclusive pathways into the outdoors.

• Foothills Branch Representative to The Mountaineers Board of Directors. Liz served as the elected representative for the Foothills Branch from 2023-2025, helping guide organization‑wide decisions and strategy.
• Chair, Foothills Urban Walks Committee. Liz founded and leads this committee, expanding accessible, low‑barrier outdoor opportunities for members across the region.
• Member, Mountaineers Urban Walks Council. Liz contributes to shaping the broader urban walks program across all branches.
• Co‑Creator of the Foothills GoHike: Beginning Hiking Course. In 2020, Liz co‑designed this flagship introductory program, which has become a major entry point for new hikers.
• Leader, Mentor, and Instructor. Liz has taught or led countless hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, urban walking, and naturalist activities.
  • Mountaineer Magazine contributor. LizCo‑authored an article on creating the GoHike course, sharing insights on building confidence and accessibility for new hikers. She also wrote an article on Mindful Mountaineers, introducing mindfulness to Mountaineers activities.
  • Stewardship enthusiast. Liz helped bring GoHike participants into stewardship work with groups like Skagit Trail Builders, strengthening community partnerships and hands‑on conservation engagement. The GoHike Stewardship team was highlighted as the team of the year in the Skagit Trail Builders 2025 Year End Report, contributing 403 hours of stewardship in 2025.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate an incredible year in 2025. We look forward to adventuring with you all in 2026!