Alvaro Juarez
Too exhausted to pause for a snack, we finally round the last switch back. Our water supply is depleted. Above us, slivers of snow glimmer on the talus field we just glissaded down. Below, we hear the raging river, lined with alpine shrubbery. The sun is almost gone as twilight engulfs the sky. Just as a student mutters, “are we there yet?” a sight for sore eyes appears near the river: our blue Subaru.
We are lucky to have such diverse landscapes in the Pacific Northwest that create awe-inspiring moments of reflection, challenge, and curiosity. A core mission of Mountaineers Youth Programs is to create opportunities for students to access these places and become competent outdoor leaders with skills that shape a lifelong relationship to the mountains. Put simply, we want to get students outside and make it easy for them to do so.
Our students dream big when it comes to trekking into the mountains, and those big mountain dreams often involve lengthy, hard-to-access drives to the trailhead. When Carter Subaru and The Mountaineers partnered together, so much more terrain and so many more trailheads became accessible.
Subaru’s capabilities are essential to making our trips possible. During one Mountaineers youth climbing trip, there was a large patch of snow leading up to the trailhead. Two other vehicles were unable to make it across, and they ultimately had to walk the last stretch of forest road to get to the trailhead. The Subaru Ascent made quick work of the snow patch, saving our students time and energy on our multi-pitch climb.
Our Subaru makes it possible for Mountaineers Youth Programs to do the activities we love, and give back to the places we love. After wrapping up that day of climbing, we spent the afternoon working with the Methow Trails Association to help restore the trails that allow us to reach these beautiful rock climbs. Packed to the brim with teenagers and tools, the blue Subaru reliably transported us up a long and rough forest road to the trail work site.
Whether pushing for a big, glaciated peak summit or parking at our local trail for a brisk hike, there is one constant in all our adventures: our blue Subaru. As the manager for our youth programs, I am constantly thinking about all the variables, hazards, and fortuities we may or may not experience when traveling deep into the Cascades with a group of teenagers. When we received our Subaru from Carter’s Subaru, I could rest assured with one less obstacle to worry about.
Our partnership with Subaru is a no-brainer – we both have a shared passion for learning and land stewardship. These shared values get passed down to our students, inspiring the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts to protect and access the lands we love.
The Mountaineers is proud to recognize the automaker as a key partner to our organization. Our Subaru Ascent is a lifeline that connects our students to the wilderness, and this partnership allows us to turn dreams of boots in the alpine and skis on untouched powder into a reality.
How do you access your trails? Is the drive up to the trailhead sometimes more exciting than the hike itself? However, you use the privilege of access, remember that if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.
The Mountaineers is one of many local schools, communities, and non-profit organizations that benefit from Carter Subaru's Love Promise Community Commitment. To learn more, visit Carter Subaru Love Promise.
