Manisha Powar
Our experiences in the mountains are rarely about the summit itself. They’re about who you tie in with, who hands you a cup of hot tea at 2am at base camp, who laughs with you when you posthole to your knees, and who reminds you that you belong out there.
This year, I felt that reminder personally. After a few years away from glacier climbing, I wasn’t sure if I still had it in me. I worried about my fitness, my skills, whether I’d be the slow one on the rope... but this community has a way of holding you up when you doubt yourself. Friends reached out, invited me on conditioning hikes, shared beta, and patiently helped me remember the rhythm of moving on snow.
Re-visiting glacier climbing led to some incredible memories, like an all-women ascent of Mount Shuksan. Getting outside with a team of strong, kind, patient climbers was one of the most powerful reminders of belonging. We supported one another, cheered each other on, and made space for vulnerability and joy.
That’s what I see happening throughout The Mountaineers every day: people opening the door a little wider, making room on the rope team, extending a hand to the next person who’s just beginning or beginning again.
It’s especially inspiring to see this community building happen with our youth. In November, our Seattle youth Mountaineers Adventure Club hosted their inaugural VIBE Outside Youth Conference, an event geared toward helping more young people feel confident getting outside. This wasn’t a conference designed for young people but by them – from the name and artwork to the sessions and speaker recruitment.
I love that the younger generation is shaping what belonging looks like for themselves. They’re not waiting for someone to say, "this is your place"; they’re building that space directly, and inviting others in as they go.
As we settle into winter and the quiet reflection it invites, I hope we each look for ways to create that same sense of welcome. Say yes to someone who reaches out. Offer encouragement to someone finding their footing. Join that stewardship work party or course you’ve been thinking about. Show up, because we accomplish more when we do it together.
This article originally appeared in our 2026: Issue 1 of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our magazine archive.
