Kate Inch has been involved in Mountain Mentors since the early days. She shares with us why she is inspired to be a mentor and how she built community in the program beyond her mentorship pair.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Like many people who have made their way to the west coast and live and recreate on the lands of the Coast Salish people, I am someone who is very passionate about and grateful for the outdoors.
My love for outdoor spaces started early — chasing my siblings through the deciduous and great lakes forests. That early sense of wonder and adventure grew into a deeper connection, leading to a career as a ski patroller and Outdoor Education/Science/PHE teacher.
Whether it be in the mountains, forests, oceans, lakes or local parks, I feel privileged to share in the learning, growth and deeper sense of connection that is offered in outdoor spaces. Connecting with community, promoting environmental stewardship and seeing the benefits of nature-based learning, particularly for youth, is something I find so incredible!
Coming to understand more deeply the ‘why’ and ‘how’ we engage with the outdoors, and working to act as stewards of the environment, is important to me. I have been a part of the Mountain Mentors community since its early days, and I believe deeply in the power of mentorship, shared experiences, and making the backcountry a more inclusive and welcoming space, particularly one with good snacks!
What inspired you to be a mentor?
Skiing and ski touring have been a large part of my journey in the outdoors, and I feel a profound sense of connection and gratitude for time in the mountains. That said, I cannot help but think of where my love of skiing started and how my journey through skiing has transformed my perspective around privilege, equity and access.
Skiing is an activity that many still do not have the privilege to access or access in a way that is equitable. Mountain Mentors is one organization that is working to reduce these barriers and provide opportunities for more people to experience the backcountry safely.
Through being a part of Mountain Mentors, I have experienced firsthand the sense of community and empowerment it has helped to create. The friendships I have formed and the skills I have learned, shared and practiced continue to inspire me in the outdoors.
Mentorship, to me, is about learning together, asking questions, and cheering each other on (often from the bottom of a skin track or the top of a steep line). I continue to be a mentor because I want to give back to a community that has given me so much, and help others feel empowered, safe, and welcomed in these spaces.
Any application advice?
First off - just do it! You don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers. What matters most is your willingness to learn, share, and show up with kindness. Mentorship is two-ways. It is about learning together, and everyone has something they can contribute.
Whether you’re a mentor or mentee, be open to the unplanned or unexpected. Some of the best moments happen when ski plans shift, weather rolls in, or you find yourself unexpectedly bootpacking and laughing over a shared misadventure. I have said this often, but most people are more ready than they think they are, even if it feels a bit scary.
How can people build community beyond their mentorship pair?
Say yes to the group meetups, the kind of awkward first chats, and the community events that happen throughout the season. Community isn’t built quickly - it happens with one chat or meet-up at a time.
Like most things in life, you will get out of Mountain Mentors what you put into it. Sometimes it can be hard with scheduling, but there is enough going on and it is an inspiring group of folks who are just as excited to connect as you are. Make the effort and it will be a rewarding season.
What was one of the most memorable moments of the season?
One of the most memorable moments this season was definitely a spring trip on the Wapta Traverse. For me, it came together relatively quickly, and I got to enjoy the experience with a handful of other MM friends.
There is always something incredibly special about moving through big terrain with a great group of people - discussing travel, navigating crevasses, managing weather, and sharing in those impressive Rocky Mountain views!
It was especially meaningful to be back in the Rockies, where my love and awe for the mountains really began decades earlier as a ski patroller in Banff.
I know you've organized some group trips this season. Can you tell us a little bit about those trips?
I was fortunate to be able to link up with some amazing MM folks this winter for a few overnight trips. We enjoyed a weekend at the Kees & Claire hut building some winter backcountry travel skills and wandering up Whirlwind.
I also got to organize a great few days at the Wendy Thompson hut - digging snow pits, finding some whiteout skiing, and most importantly filling up on cheese (and paying for it later! ;)
Time in the mountains is always special, but there is something truly magical about spending the night at a backcountry hut - cooking meals together, enjoying the early morning quiet, and soaking up the nighttime sky. I am appreciative of those many moments that happened this season.
