Whole Zine

CASCADIAN
SPOTLIGHT
Mountaineering with Greg & Mint
interview by Angela Ivy
You can be in the mountains or
“on the water in a few minutes.
Greg and Mint Lentsch are the epitome
of the Cascadian lifestyle. They work and
reside in the Seattle area, and spend their
weekends climbing to the tops of mountains,
to places most folks don’t go. I had
a chance to catch up with them and chat
about what it is that drives them.
What would your favorite outdoor
adventure activity be?
Greg: Only one? {laughs} Well, if we have
to narrow it down it would probably be
mountaineering, alpine for me.
Mint: Drinking beer outside makes it
pretty fun too.
Greg: Mint is more into rock climbing and
loves being on the rock faces. She has
been climbing way less, and is already
out-climbing me. She is really good.
Almost a 5.11 climber.
What are your favorite areas to climb?
Greg: We spend a lot of time in Vantage,
Leavenworth, exit 32 or 38 are very good
rock climbing areas. Areas that we really
would like to check out and just haven't
been able to yet is the Enchantments.
There’s no permit this time of year, oh it
just looks incredible.
Oh, the Enchantments, I have heard so
much about that area, and have seen
some photos. It looks surreal, it’s so
beautiful. How did you get involved in
mountaineering?
Greg: We signed up for the basic
mountaineering course — we actually have
an event tomorrow, it’s our graduation
dinner. It was a 6 month class that covers
everything from alpine, gear, glacier
safety, etc. Two weekends a month and
two weekdays a month — you learn a ton.
We are going to help them out next year
with some training and volunteering. The
whole program is built on the factor of
mentorship. Mint and I got a lot of great
knowledge from people. And now we
basically have an REI store in our apartment.
{laughs}
Why is the Cascadian region unique to
you? What makes it special?
Mint: There is a mixture of everything you
can get in Seattle and within two hours
you can find yourself in a variety of places
in nature. It is one of the best places for
rock climbing.
Greg: I’d have to agree with Mint,
really accessible to areas. You can be in
the mountains or on the water in a few
minutes. Trail-running, backpacking,
climbing. Just think of the I-90 corridor.
You have all these peaks, just right in the
Seattle area. As you head north there
are amazing mountains that Mint and I
have yet to explore. HWY 20 in the North
Cascades — I just love it up there. It’s
endless. There is so much to see! Start
with Mount Baker — then Mount Shuksan,
which is right next to Baker. It looks like it
belongs in Europe, it’s so incredible.
Where is the best place to escape?
Mint: Every single peak to every single
mountain, every weekend for the whole
year. To get out of civilization.
Greg: Mount Shasta, in Northern
California, blew my mind this year.
When we sat up there and were camping
at almost 11,000 feet. I have never seen
the milky way as clear as it was that night.
It’s just stars and so dark. It just blows your
mind. Any of the big volcanoes are awesome.
I could go on all day about them.
We want to do Adams, tried to climb
Rainier twice this year, but got weathered
out.
Awesome, it’s been so great to talk to
you two. Thank you for having a chat
with me. I have one last question, what
would your Cascadian Spirit Animal be?
Greg: Mint's always obsessed with
unicorns, but for a real-life animal, I would
have to say a marmot — because she is
cute, cuddly, and quiet. I would have to
say for me, a goat, because I am clumsy.
Maybe a mountain goat would be
appropriate?
Yes maybe, but nothing intimidating
like a big animal.
August/September 2017 | 17