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 Nomi Rachel Fuchs-Montgomery (she/her)
Hometown Washington D.C.
Member Since November 2023
Occupation International development
Favorite Activities Rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking, scrambling, backpacking, cold plunging, and spending time with friends and family outdoors!
10 Essential Questions:
What first brought you to The Mountaineers?
Several years ago, I went on two guided mountaineering climbs (Mount Baker and Shuksan). Following these climbs, I was interested in building my skills. I knew about The Mountaineers but never felt like I had the time to take a course. A job loss at the end of 2023 spurred me to sign up for Alpine Scrambling. Not only was it a great entry into The Mountaineers, I made fantastic new friends whom I love adventuring with!
How did you get started as a volunteer?
In 2024, I helped develop a sub-series in the Leadership Development Series on menstruation and menopause. Then, in 2025, I joined the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Prevention Committee. I want to be part of a community that is open and receptive to building a sense of belonging.
We all have a role to play to support safety and inclusivity! One easy way you can take action is by signing up for the upcoming bystander training seminars: Bystander Intervention Tools for Outdoor Trips and Activities on February 10 and Preventing Harassment and Abuse in Outdoor Communities on March 3.
Why do you like getting outside with us?
I enjoy having an opportunity to build new skills and I'm very grateful for my fantastic course leaders (shout-out to KC SIG!). It is truly astounding how many people volunteer their time to help students gain skills and confidence with such a wide range of outdoor activities. I also appreciate that the organization recognizes challenges and intentionally updates policies, learning opportunities, and practices to uphold everyone's aspirations for a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
This past summer on the way down from climbing Glacier Peak, we took a rest at a beautiful lookout and realized we were among more than five marmots, including two babies. I loved the pause in watching these adorable creatures in the stunning backcountry. While the big summits are gratifying, sometimes its the small things (like collectively watching baby marmots) that really stand out as special.
Who/What inspires you?
Several years ago, I was hiking solo up Granite Mountain, and I ran into an older man on the trail. We wound up talking and eventually hiking up together. He was around 70 years old and 30 years sober. Hiking Mt. Si daily was part of his recovery. As we reached the alpine, he turned to me and said, "Nomi, we are part of the 1%." I was very confused - and then he explained that roughly 1% of people are physically able, motivated, and interested in hiking up to such beautiful places. That moment continues to inspire me. A beautiful reminder of how fortunate we are to adventure outdoors, and how critical stewardship is to help preserve and protect these natural places.
What does adventure mean to you?
A young woman on a snowshoe trip shared this framework with me: safety>fun>goals. I love adventuring and for me that means being safe, having fun with fantastic people, and (if all conditions line up) meeting our objectives. Shoving my cold feet in mountaineering boots at basecamp for an alpine-start summit push can sometimes make me question my love of adventure... But then, watching the sunrise over a glacier quickly reminds me how incredibly fortunate we are to be in these beautiful places. Ultimately, I think adventure is having an open heart, mind, and spirit to trying new things.
Lightning round
Smile or game face? Smile
What’s your 11th essential? For health and safety, menstrual hygiene products should be required in your Ten Essentials kit (even if you are not a person who menstruates)!
What's your happy place? Truly any place outdoors, with great friends or family
Post-adventure meal of choice? I love having sparkly water and cookies ready to grab from the car to share with everyone post climb
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.
