Graham Ottley
CMC staff at a Happy Hour event with Outdoor Market Alliance and screening of "Best Day Ever 2.24.26
Dear friends and colleagues,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you with an announcement that my last day as a CMC staff member will be this August. It has been an incredible 5 years and my appreciation for the amazing volunteers and members that make up this incredible organization has only increased during my tenure. Like climbing in the mountains, the bond that takes place between two people sharing a rope or sharing a project can be a catalyst to something greater than what they could accomplish as individuals.
There is an interconnectedness among members that bonds the family, much like mountain climbers who rope themselves together when climbing a mountain, so that if someone should slip or need support, they're held up by the others until they regain their footing.”
— Phillip C. McGraw
There are many climbing quotes that exist that glorify the experience but far fewer that glorify the relationships and interconnectedness that exist between climbers and mountaineers. In my opinion, this quote captures the true value of pursuing challenging objectives in the mountains and what lasts beyond the thrill of reaching the top.
(top) CMC Staff at Denver Botanic Gardens, (left) CMC's DEI committee at a RAB store event, CMC intructors Jacob & Nate on top of Castleton Tower
Yes, success can be measured at the summit or at the top of a climb but that isn't the whole story. It is the mileage and experiences that led to that point that are harder to measure. It is also the failed attempts, and the learning from failures, mistakes and accidents that matter. As an optimist, I often try to minimize the focus of these and direct my energy and effort to the horizon and what is possible, or perhaps just beyond what is possible.
(top) CMC staff holiday party, (left) Keith & Graham at an event with Avy Savvy, (right)
In the alpine or in the workplace, it isn’t the objective itself, but it’s what happens in the planning and sharing of a vision that can be the more daunting task. It is the planning, the gearing up, the meticulous pouring over maps and information forums. At the office, it can be identifying the idiosyncrasies between teammates that can quickly unravel and undermine upward momentum.
(left) Ashley and Graham teaching a Wilderness Medicine session with an engineering firm, (right) Brian / Madeline / Graham at the Fowler-Hilliard Hut, (bottom left) a climbing day with a team from The North face, (bottom right) A farewell hike with roger wendell up mt Morrison
It is in these setbacks, or cruxes along the way that can quickly determine the outcome. It is what happens when the morale is low and the skies begin to look threatening, when mettle is tested.
(Left) Graham & Spike at Golden Days Festival, (Right) CMC Board ascent of torreys, (Bottom left) ribbon cutting departing the amc, (Bottom right) Jane, Chad & Graham with a Multipitch class
Some of these moments at CMC occurred during times of change; when we changed from a familiar to an unfamiliar website, when we moved locations in the building, or when we moved buildings altogether. Over the 212 year history of the Club these events might not be included on a historical timeline, but in the moment they can feel cataclysmic.
(Left) Carol & her van Pin up, (right) A farewell party for Hana's mat leave, (bottom left) Greg & Joe looking out from garden of the gods, (Bottom right) traversing a peak during Alpine Climbing School
The word "leader" and "leadership" at CMC are ubiquitous and their respective definitions have been discussed many times with different applications at the Club. One of my learnings from time on the job is that the term if very much a "verb" and not a "noun" or an "adjective." It is something that any member can do and put into action in large and small ways. Leading by example is much more inspiring than a role designation or a badge. It is what happens in the every day interactions on the trail or with work assignments.
(Left) CMC Staff and Volunteer at the CPW Partners in the OUtdoors conference, (Right) Adult Progams team on Mt Galbraith, (bottom left) fireside chat at the OMA happy hour, (bottom right) CMC Gym Meetup
Climbers like employees are motivated by different things. The "maw" of the unknown has always been a siren's call to me. One of my more significant climbs was El Capitain's North American Wall. This climb for me was the pinnacle of putting my experience together but also relying on my partner Keith in what turned out to be a 6 day climb in total when we had planned on 5 days.
(left) Graham above the Sangree hut, (Right) More fun on the way back from the Sangree Hut, (Bottom left) An Adult Meetup an Cycling yogi, (Right) CMC staff at Basecamp
It is the sense of the unknown that again excites me as I prepare for the upcoming transition ahead of me. I know I will take the friendships and memories with me as I move into this next chapter. Thank you for being part of the incredible community that makes up the Colorado Mountain Club. I wish you success on your own journey to the summit.
Onwards!
-Graham
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