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 Tatiana Van Campenhout (she/her)
Hometown Grimbergen, Belgium
Member Since 2022
Occupation Design Manager
Favorite Activities Mountaineering, hiking, backpacking, trail running (in shoulder season), snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing (splitboarding but learning to ski now)
10 Essential Questions:
What first brought you to The Mountaineers?
When I moved to Seattle in 2019, the view of Mount Rainier from my apartment building stirred something in me - I found myself wondering what it would take to stand on top of that mountain. In 2020, I signed up for a guided Rainier climb. We didn't summit due to weather, but that experience lit a fire in me. The following year, I summited Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, and Mount Baker. By 2023, I knew I wanted to take the next step: learn the technical skills to climb safely without a guide and find a community to share those experiences with. That's when I joined The Mountaineers through the Basic Alpine Climbing course.
A friend of mine had gone through the course the year before, and I was so inspired watching her progression - from "just a hiker" to someone confidently navigating technical terrain. It was clear that The Mountaineers didn't just teach skills, they opened the door to a whole new world of adventure.
I'm also a very Type A person. I love learning in a structured environment, and I thrive when I'm part of a community I can contribute to. That's why, ever since completing Basic Alpine, I've been volunteering as an instructor to help others on the same journey. The Mountaineers gave me the tools, confidence, and community I was looking for, and now I love giving that back.
Why do you like getting outside with us?
Getting outside with The Mountaineers means being part of a community that shares my passion for the outdoors: people who find joy in challenge, growth, and adventure. It's one of the few places where you can push yourself out of your comfort zone while knowing you're surrounded by others who are there to support you and keep things as safe as possible.
What I love most is how it brings together people from all walks of life. You might sign up for a climb with total strangers, but you already know you share something meaningful: a deep love for the mountains and wild places. That shared purpose makes it easy to connect, learn from each other, and build real friendships.
What's your favorite Mountaineers memory?
It’s hard to narrow it down to just one memory, but if I had to choose a theme, it would be unconditional support. Whether I’m on a trail run, a glacier climb, or a scramble, I’m consistently blown away by how supportive and encouraging everyone is. There’s an incredible culture of patience, empathy, and willingness to help - whether someone is tying a knot for the first time or working through a moment of fear on exposed terrain.
That kind of support creates the conditions for real growth. It’s what allows me to try things that scare me, knowing I’m surrounded by people who truly have my back. And it’s not a one-time thing - I see it over and over again, every time I get outside with The Mountaineers. That’s what keeps me coming back.
Who/What inspires you?
I’m inspired by the people who show up - not just for the summit days, but for the hard, messy, in-between parts. The ones who are willing to fail, learn, and try again. I’ve met so many Mountaineers who quietly lead with kindness, share their knowledge freely, and lift others up without needing recognition. That generosity of spirit is what pushes me to keep growing and to give back.
I’m also deeply inspired by nature itself. The mountains have a way of reminding you how small you are and how much there is to learn. Every time I step into the alpine, I’m reminded that discomfort can lead to confidence, and fear can transform into strength when you have the right people by your side.
What does adventure mean to you?
To me, adventure lives at the intersection of challenge, connection, and beauty.
There’s a psychological side to it - something deeper that drives many of us into the mountains. There's a strong correlation between people who’ve experienced trauma and those who pursue endurance sports. There’s something powerful about overcoming discomfort, leaning into fear, and proving to yourself (and maybe just a little to others) that you are made of iron. Resilience isn’t born from ease - it’s carved out step by step, on cold ridges, under heavy skies, and in the quiet moments you think you can’t keep going.
Then there’s the social side. Some of my strongest friendships have been formed while sweating through switchbacks, shivering on summits, or figuring out how to cross a crevasse safely, and also while laughing on mountaintops, sharing snacks in the sun, or collectively trying to befriend a very charismatic trail marmot. There’s a special kind of bonding that happens when you go through hard things together, and I think that’s what makes The Mountaineers community so unique.
And finally, there’s the creative side. I’m a photographer at heart, and my love for photography grew alongside my mountaineering journey. As someone who moved here from Belgium, capturing the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest became a way to connect with my friends and family back home - and to bring a piece of these wild places to people who may never experience them. Over time, sharing those images online has become a way to spread joy and foster connections with other outdoor lovers, building community through shared wonder.
Adventure, to me, is essential. It’s how I process, connect, create, and find fulfillment. I couldn’t live without it.
Lightning round
Sunset or sunrise? Sunrise
Smile or game face? Smile
What's your 11th Essential? My cordless mini straightener (non-negotiable) to keep my bangs on point during longer backpacking trips!
What's your happy place? A sunrise summit, golden larches glowing below, surrounded by friends - and a hot coffee in my hand.
If you could be a rockstar at any outdoor activity overnight, what would it be? Backcountry skiing. I’m switching from snowboarding to skiing, and let me tell you - learning to ski as an adult is a deeply humbling experience. I’d love to skip the faceplants and flailing and just become that effortlessly graceful person floating through powder like it’s second nature.
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.
