MOUNTAINEERS OF INSTAGRAM By Issy Steckel, Communications Associate
Photo by Komal Sanjeev.
P
hotos have the power to transport us to a feeling. Often, we are brought back to a specific time, place, and emotion. Like the sunrise shot that reminds you of the pride, gratitude, and exhaustion of an early morning alpine scramble. Or the snapshot of frosted evergreens that takes you back to skiing on a crisp bluebird day. Sharing photos with others also gives them access to these small moments of magic we find in the outdoors. It can offer inspiration to the experienced outdoorsperson to take on a new feat, or reassurance to the novice that they can tackle it, too. The Mountaineers launched our Instagram (@mountaineersorg) back in November 2014 as a platform for our dedicated community of outdoor advocates, volunteers, and adventurers to find inspiration, meet new people, and connect with the world around us. Since then, more than 150,000 photos have been tagged with The Mountaineers hashtag #OurPNW, spotlighting the natural splendor of the Pacific Northwest and the incredible energy of those who play here. To celebrate our ever-growing digital community, we chose our top inspirational Mountaineers for 2022. Their humble and aweinspired shots of the natural world invite us to pause, look closer,
and double-down on our commitment to protect and advocate for the places we love. Read on to find your new favorite feed.
Komal Sanjeev: @komal_sanjeev_ When Komal first visited Seattle in 2015, a friend casually suggested they go on a hike. She has been inseparable from the mountains since. Joining The Mountaineers in 2018, Komal has taken the Alpine Scrambling, Basic Glacier Travel, Trail Running, and Winter Camping Courses (to name a few). “I'm extremely grateful for all the wonderful leaders and fellow climbers I met along the way who helped me become who I am today. I go back every year to help instruct the scrambling course to give back to the community. I love watching students learn new skills, get out of their comfort zone, and discover more ways to enjoy the outdoors.” Komal's favorite thing to do in the mountains is backpacking. “I love the feeling of waking up in the morning to a clear mind and a beautiful sunrise. There are no notifications waiting to grab my attention, no mundane chores to attend to. The mountains constantly remind me how insignificant we are in nature, and how little we need to be happy. I try to bottle those feelings into a picture and narrate my story, hoping I can connect with people who share the same joy.”
Practice Leave No Trace. Social media can help us share knowledge and resources, but can also lead to overcrowding, damaging trails and delicate ecological areas. Keep LNT tips in mind as you share your adventures on Instagram and elsewhere. 22
mountaineer | winter 2022
