Mountaineer of the Week: Brandon Duncan

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to...

Name Brandon Duncan (he/him)
Hometown Southeast Idaho
Member Since 2020
Occupation Fish Habitat Engineer
Favorite Activities Reading poetry on a quiet beach, peaceful early morning hiking, multi-pitch sport climbing

10 Essential Questions:

What first brought you to The Mountaineers?

Upon reading Robin Wall-Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass, I felt compelled to learn more about and engage deeper with PNW ecology. In an online search, I found The Mountaineers Naturalist course, and signed up. Little did I know then what other great experiences I would have and what good friends I would make through The Mountaineers. 

Why do you like getting outside with us?

I like the structure and care that goes into helping people engage with the outdoors intentionally, increasing their knowledge and reducing their risk, to improve overall enjoyment. I also really appreciate that there is a place for my entire family to participate through the family programs. Finally, there are such great people in this organization that are easy to get along with, interesting, and inclusive.

What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?

It’s probably not a single memory, but the composite joy of me and my family on the past couple summer Squamish climbing trips with the Seattle Pathfinders and Explorers groups. It’s a wonderful week, with the entire family enjoying some solid climbing, the delightful town of Squamish, and the general beauty of the lakes and forests in the area.

My kids always enjoy a morning at a crag followed by some swimming at the local pool. Last year, they particularly enjoyed trying out some of the local boulders, those grey giants that offer a range of climbing challenges that are interlaced in between the trees at the base of the Chief.

The parent community is strong, and we typically take turns enabling each other to pursue our own climbing goals. My favorite activity (when I get some away time) is tackling multi-pitch routes, all finishing with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Last year, I particularly enjoyed Jay MacArthur's Kaiju Bear in Cheakamus Canyon - a 5.8, bolted, four-pitch route with a few thoughtful moves that includes a delightful friction slab.

A trip to Squamish’s local climbing store Climb On, which is the best I’ve seen, is also a requirement. Certainly accompanied by picking up a strawberry doughnut at Fox & Oak.

Who/What inspires you?

I am inspired by the Pacific Northwest. I love this place. There is so much beauty and diversity to observe in our environment. I hope to spend a lifetime exploring and taking in what it has to offer. I want to learn to listen to what the landscape is telling us, and see the subtleties and nuances I don't notice at first glance.

What does adventure mean to you?

Adventure to me means engaging with the world around me in a way that pushes me physically and emotionally, forces me to look inward, and finally requires me to see both the landscape and myself anew with fresh eyes.

What's your favorite course experience?

I most recently took the Alpine Scrambling course, which I loved. The volunteers running that program were amazing, and the other participants were so delightful. I particularly appreciated our instructors' encouragement as we worked our way up Guye Peak for our snow scramble. Ascending a snow-packed peak that steep is not something I previously thought I'd be able to do. It filled me with such a deep sense of accomplishment. I'm sure many of you have taken this course, but if you haven't, I totally recommend it.

Lightning round

Sunset or sunrise? Sunrise
Smile or game face? Smile
What's your 11th Essential? Trader Joe's snacks. I show up with so many that my fellow Mountaineers often joke that I should talk to TJ's about a sponsorship. (I ended up putting a TJ's sticker on my climbing helmet.)
Post-adventure meal of choice? Ice cream! Ask me about where to get ice cream on the way back from any of our local crags, and I've got you covered. My go-to is mint chip, but it's hard to pick just one.

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!

Share Your Experiences

Want to nominate a friend? Email Bayley Stejer to make a recommendation.