Manisha Powar
In April, I had the honor of hosting a table at The Mountaineers Gala, a night dedicated to celebrating our shared love for the outdoors and the people who make this community what it is. My entire table was filled with women who have shaped my Mountaineers journey in ways I’ll never forget.
These mentors patiently taught me all the skills that make my adventures possible, like how to place trad gear, route-find, and travel safely in the backcountry. Throughout my journey as a student, they shared their knowledge freely, gave up weekends to teach courses, and offered encouragement when I felt out of place or overwhelmed. I came into this community without much experience, and they made it feel like home.
To me, that is the essence of stewardship: the quiet, consistent act of giving, whether it be time, skills, or a belief in others. Mountaineers do this every day – our mentors, instructors, trip leaders, advocates, and volunteers make room for new people, hold space for learning, and ensure the outdoors remains welcoming and accessible for all. We build bridges, protect the places we love, and share our knowledge so that people of all experiences can feel physically and emotionally safe in the natural world.
There are many ways to give back to the people and places that nourish us. Giving back starts with a shared rope, a trail lunch, a carpool, or even just a kind word. It’s how we grow not just as outdoor enthusiasts, but as a community.
To those who’ve mentored, led, taught, and made space for others — thank you. And to those just finding your place here — I hope you’ll feel inspired to one day give back in a way that makes this community feel like home for others.
Learn more about the ways The Mountaineers gives back, and hear updates from leadership on the progress we're making toward our mission and vision by attending our virtual State of the Organization event on June 10, 2025: mountaineers.org/state-of-the-org-June-2025.
This article originally appeared in our summer 2025 issue of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our magazine archive.
