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 Khalil Taw
Member Since 2024
How did you get involved? Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC)
10 Essential Questions:
Why do you participate in Mountaineers Youth Programs?
I participate for several reasons. The two main reasons I enjoy participating with MAC are: the number of trips, and the exposure I get to the outdoors and its activities. By far the best reason to participate in MAC is because of the community it builds when outdoors. I truly believe people become their best selves outdoors.
What is your favorite Mountaineers memory?
My favorite experience with The Mountaineers was the winter Ozette Triangle backpacking trip. It was wet, cold, and pretty miserable. But the connections I made on that trip were second to none. My favorite memory on that trip was going out in the middle of the night into shallow waters to look for crabs. It was incredibly dark and super sketchy, but it was so fun holding on to each other for balance and yipping every time we heard a crunch thinking it was a crab. Hank and Josh (our trip leaders) also made very sludgy brownies, which were mushy and more like pudding, but still tasted good. I got a million times closer to everybody on that trip, and I even got to bring my camera and take photos of everyone. (It was Khalil-y an awesome trip!)
What is your favorite outdoor activity and why?
My favorite outdoor activity is backpacking. Not only do you get to visit and sleep in some of the prettiest places in the world, but you also get to be with people in their rawest form. I've always noticed that over backpacking trips people get considerably closer to each other. Maybe it's a survival instinct, but I honestly believe that the connections you make while backpacking are the best connections you will ever make.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wanted to spend more time outside, what would you say?
I would say to put yourself out there. I almost didn't apply to join MAC because (given how competitive the lottery is) I thought there was no shot I would get in, and unsurprisingly, I didn't. But after a little while, I got moved off the waitlist. So, to be completely honest, just go for it and get yourself out there. Because the surest way to get rejected is to not try at all.
What things do you like to do when you’re not at Mountaineers Youth Programs?
I'm incredibly social – most would probably say that I talk too much. But with the MAC community, you don’t need to be talking all the time. Everybody is so accepting and open, especially when doing activities outdoors. MAC feels like a huge family.
Lightning round
Gummy candy or chocolate bar? Chocolate bar
What's your 11th Essential? My camera
Favorite close-to-home adventure? Snoqualmie Pass/Alpental Area
Post-adventure meal of choice? Miso ramen, honey garlic karaage, and pork gyoza from Arashi
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Wilderness photography
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.
This article originally appeared in our fall 2025 issue of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our magazine archive.
