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 Ken Hahn (he/him)
Hometown Avenel, NJ
Member since November 1999
Occupation Automotive Repair Manager
Favorite activities Hiking, backpacking, scrambling, climbing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, cycling, and car camping
10 Essential Questions:
What first brought you to The Mountaineers?
I was an avid hiker and backpacker but also a thriving musician in the Seattle 90's music scene. I was tired of all my weekend hiking plans getting canceled because my music buddies were too hung over from the gig the night before :-) So I decided I needed to foster a new group of hiking buddies in order to get out more. Never did I ever imagine I'd wind up a climb leader, on the Board of Trustees, and eventually working for The Mountaineers!
Why do you like getting outside with us?
It almost seems the activities themselves are second to being a leader giving folks new to the outdoors an unforgettable experience. This is for anything from a beginner's hike all the way up to leading a SIG for the climbing course for as many as 24 students for an entire season. I used to tell my students, "this is going to be the greatest year of your life." At the end of the program many of them agreed, and many of those folks are now life-long friends. Even with a simple day hike, the responses from participants in my reviews give me fulfillment for my volunteerism.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
There are so many and it's hard to count. That said, I had my 40th birthday party at Meany Lodge with several dozen Mountaineers friends in tow. We had a heck of a party Friday night before the regular weekend ski crowd came up Saturday morning. I also held Snow 1 field trips for my SIGs at Meany Lodge over a weekend, and the experience was epic. I believe lodge experiences foster so much camaraderie due to the immersion in The Mountaineers culture. It just seemed like they take the courses to the next level and provide deeper value and appreciation for my students. I wouldn't trade that for anything.
Who/What inspires you?
Over the years, I have identified folks who I thought would be good leaders. Mentoring a new leader and watching them develop is very rewarding. While mentoring one prospective leader, I came to a deep reality of just how full circle leadership development can be. While shadowing the prospective leader and offering them suggestions, they said to me, "dude, can you just let me handle this and just let me know if I'm really screwing something up?" I laughed in the moment realizing I was micromanaging this person. They ended up doing a fine job and became a very active leader.
But the lesson was deeper. I realized that if I trust them to do their own thing, it's actually a reflection of my own confidence in having done a good job as a mentor. My confidence in them reflects confidence in myself. Mentoring can provide a 360-degree fulfillment payback, all while providing an exciting and fulfilling experience for the students involved. I can't think of anything more rewarding than that!
What does adventure mean to you?
After all the years of hiking, backpacking, alpine climbing, and aid and big wall climbing, I thought that was the requirement for adventure. It had to be hard, epic, and maybe a little scary. Type-2 fun. But then kids came into the picture, and adventure took on a whole new meaning. I discovered that in the world of a child, the littlest things can be called an adventure. I enjoy pumping up my kids heading out on a simple day hike. Car camping replaced the ice tools and randonee skis with double burner stoves and a tent I can stand up inside. Backpacking trips became the new Rainier, and cycling and kayaking outings became the tradition.
My oldest daughter is 20 now but still asks me, "dad, what adventure are we going to go on for summer vacation this year?" My 13-year-old daughter and I recently went to Utah to explore the geology and Ancient Puebloan ruins and culture. When we were on the light rail heading to the airport I said to her, "we're going on an adventure!" Taking my kids on our adventures and watching them green bond and grow into advocates for the wilderness is the greatest feeling on earth.
Lightning round
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise
Smile or game face? Game face
What’s your 11th essential? Camp chair for hanging out in the parking lot afterwards because we're not done yet!
What's your happy place? Breezy summit with the clouds blowing in and out
Post-adventure meal of choice? 1. Mexican 2. See #1
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 Stejer to make a recommendation.
