*November updates: I've reworked the Case Studies section around feedback from Change. () denotes an addition added in after redactions.

 

For almost 120 years, The Mountaineers, a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Washington state, has enjoyed copious financial support and acclaim from individuals, corporations, and government through its positioning as a premier climbing and outdoor organization. So why does an organization with such power choose not to protect its own membership from sexual and domestic violence offenders? 

I am a Certified Domestic Violence Victim Advocate and climber working with survivors in the community. The Mountaineers have failed to protect members in the following ways to date. These are only a few examples; there are more:

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Nicolas Clerc: Recently, it was reported to me that a twice-convicted Child Rapist (and Registered Sex Offender) named Nicolas Clerc was allowed to attend an alpine hike and sign up for multiple Mountaineers events. It is reported no one on the hike was warned about who they were hiking with, and his criminal status was not uncovered until a woman who received his phone number Googled him. (The individual who reported Nicolas claims to have received an email from Mountaineers Leadership stating Nicolas resigned from The Mountaineers. This does not align with statements being made that he was removed).
  • In response to the initial complaint about Nicolas' participation in the org, the Mountaineers responded that they cannot legally remove a member (and do not vet their members in any capacity before allowing them to attend events) due to nonprofit law. This verbiage is consistent with the responses multiple individuals received when complaining about [Redacted] (Tacoma Member's) membership in 2023.
• [Redacted] (Tacoma Member): In 2019, I attended a climb night hosted by [Redacted]. This individual has since been banned from the gym where the event took place, as well as from the club that hosted it. [Redacted] owes a woman in our community more than $60,000 in victim restitution after committing Revenge Porn. This member of Tacoma Mountaineers allegedly sexually harassed female staff at a climbing gym, was investigated for anal rape in the military, and was fired from a previous employer for sexual harassment. Despite these convictions and allegations (Tacoma Member) is still allowed to maintain his membership with the Mountaineers.
  • Recent claims have been made about Tacoma Member's status. A screenshot from 11/29/23 shows his Members profile as active.
• Everett Branch: Documents from a former member of the Mountaineers reported two sexual assaults in 2016. [Redacted] ([Redacted] at the time*) was accused of touching a woman inappropriately as she slept in a tent on a Mountaineers Climb. Additionally, [Redacted] (A current member of) allegedly snapped a woman's underwear from behind as she climbed 4th class on a Mountaineers trip. The woman who reported these assaults alleges she was told she would face negative consequences if she spoke out.
• [Redacted] (Everett Instructor): During Summer 2023, I supported the survivors of a named [Redacted] (an Everett Branch Instructor). [Redacted] has been convicted/held legally liable for more than 20 crimes including child abuse. has been convicted of tax fraud. has allegedly threatened to shoot a woman in the face, stalked and harassed multiple people, and assaulted a 6-year-old. Screenshots of [Redacted]'s social media showcase his racism and ableism. is a [Redacted] for the Mountaineers. 

These are a few examples I choose to present, but please understand there are more. And reminder, you can search criminal and legal histories at Washington Courtfinder. 

This is not just about a handful of bad apples; it's about an organization that needs to be proactive in preventing domestic and sexual violence. Violence is systemic and thus the approach to preventing it must come from the top. It is unfair to subject community members to situations where they may unknowingly be harmed in very preventable ways. The Mountaineers have an obligation to ensure safety and respect for all members and participants in their activities. In particular, we ask that if the Mountaineers hold 'Advocacy' and 'Protecting the Outdoor Experience' as core values, then they must recognize how conflicting it is to include violent predators in their community. 

Currently, the Mountaineers claim nonprofit law restricts them from removing membership status unless by Board vote. If so, it seems that a Board vote would be a small step to take to ensure the safety of your membership, if not your own organizational brand and image. 

We ask that the Mountaineers:

• Vet new members in order to identify who in their organization is a Registered Sex Offender or who has a history of domestic/sexual violence.
  • Consider including Background Check fees as part of membership.
• Hold members accountable for violating their Prohibited Behavior Policy.
• Remove members when membership status conflicts with their core values and/or policies.
• Commit to protecting those who report violence.

Sexual violence is a pervasive issue in our society and community. A 2018 Safe Outside survey found that 47% of women and 16% of men in the climbing community faced sexual harassment/sexual assault. Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men experience rape at some point during their lives (National Sexual Violence Resource Center). Organizations like the Mountaineers should be leaders in preventing such incidents rather than allowing those convicted of such actions to remain within their ranks.

We demand that the Mountaineers take immediate steps to address this issue. This includes stricter policies regarding sexual misconduct allegations and swift action when evidence supports these allegations. Furthermore, there needs to be an established level of vetting before new members are allowed into the alpine and given unrestricted access to vulnerable members. 

By signing this petition, you are standing up for victims of violence and sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated within our community or organizations like The Mountaineers. Please sign today.

 

Resources for survivors of SA/DV can be found at TheHotline.org

*11/28- Change has redacted a piece of this petition. We stand by our decision to name abusers but will use their official Mountaineers titles where we cannot dispute Terms of Service. 

*11/29- Change has continued to remove member info. It should be noted that sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crime convictions are public information posted by the courts. If you cannot find the data here, please go to Washington Courtfinder.

*12/4- We read the 7-page FAQ Response to my petition. I would like to restate the intention of this petition:

• This petition is for the benefit and safety of Mountaineers' members as well as the community at large.
• This petition is to make public the mishandling of Prohibited Behavior Form complaints I've received containing SA/DV offenses reported within the Mountaineers as well as other complaints reportedly made to management.
  • There are more complaints not mentioned in this petition.
    • Survivor safety is paramount thus not all complainants can come forward at this time.
  • My records start at 2016, but it is unknown to me how far back members in the community have been convicted of violent crime and allowed to participate or lead club activities.
• I met with the Director of Communications in 2022 and then was introduced to the Director of Programs & Operations. I submitted my own Prohibited Behavior Complaint Form about the Tacoma Member in March 2023. I met with the Director of Programs & Operations and the CEO in April 2023. I ended my communications with these folks in June 2023.
  
  • I feel, as do many of the survivors who have bravely come forward, that they are ill-equipped to address the violence committed by the indicated members. 
    • In response, we launched monthly Bystander Intervention trainings with a local Sexual Assault Resource Center back in October. These are set to continue into next year. Please inquire about attending!
    • A Higher Calling (my nonprofit) continues to offer resources and financial support for grief counseling, mental health support, legal assistance, and community support.
    • A Higher Calling will continue to offer resources for group support and outdoor adventures to the survivor community.