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 Adelyn Martin (she/her)
Branch Olympia
When did you first get involved with The Mountaineers? 2021 (I'd just decided not to play soccer anymore, so my mom signed me up for a climbing session against my will - I came to love it though.)
What youth programs do you participate in with The Mountaineers? Mountaineers Adventure Club as a student, and Camps and Pathfinders as an instructor
10 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
Why do you participate in Mountaineers Youth Programs?
In school, I'm a basic try-hard: President of DECA, tennis player, and AP student (including college-credit courses). I toss much more than I can handle on my plate, and it often leaves me overwhelmed with work. Being able to step away from my school life and adventure with friends is what keeps me sane. I love being in nature, and summitting a mountain means I don't have any Wi-Fi to work on my college applications!
What is your favorite Mountaineers memory?
The morning I climbed my first multipitch, we woke up to snow outside of our cabin in Redmond, Oregon. When we got to Smith Rock, my fingers were numb and for once, I didn't feel up to the climb. Neither my partner nor I admitted that to our instructor, so we climbed 300 feet in the snow with painfully cold fingers. However, when we reached the top, the tranquility of seeing miles around you, Mount Hood in the far distance, was all worth it. I felt like I was on top of the world.
What is your favorite outdoor activity and why?
ROCK CLIMBING! That answer is easy. I don't have the best attention span, and get bored on long, dragging hikes or cross-country skiing trips. However, whether I'm on the wall or watching, I don't think I could ever get bored of the adrenaline rush you get from climbing. And I absolutely love sharing it with others as climbing has done so much for me.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wanted to spend more time outside, what would you say?
To the girls out there: don't be afraid to muscle up! Especially in sports, people will underestimate you just because of your gender, and the only way to prove them wrong is to rub how capable you are in their faces. You can do anything as long as you work hard and stick to it!
Also, always bring a swimsuit on Mountaineers trips.
What have you learned at The Mountaineers that you have applied to other parts of your life?
Climbing has given me a gift that I don't think anyone can take away. I'm not particularly tall, nor muscular, and yet I led all 10 pitches of a 720-foot tall cliff. Along with other experiences of success in The Mountaineers, it's things like this which have given me the confidence I have today. I mean, if I can climb a mountain, who says I can't get a 1400 on the SATs? In all seriousness, climbing has taught me that you'll never achieve anything if you don't try. And that, even if you fail, you can be proud knowing you put your all into it and grow from the attempt. Just as another opportunity will be, the rock will always be there.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Sunrise or sunset? Sunset
Favorite season? Spring
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? The power to freeze time! Then I could do my homework, and play video games all day.
What’s your 11th Essential? A hairbrush for my gorgeous bangs
What’s your favorite close-to-home adventure? Taking the bus to downtown (Seattle) to go to Uwagimaya and buy a marble cake roll and pink lychee drink.
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 Cahill to make a recommendation.
