By Kristen Oliphant, Events & Partnerships Manager
When people ask what it means to be a “Climb for a Cause” participant, I often think of Kathryn Martini.
Kathryn is an Amazon employee, a four-time Mount Rainier climber, and a passionate fundraiser. She wholeheartedly embodies the spirit of this program. Her story is one of courage, community, and a deep commitment to giving back to the parks that inspire us all.
Kathryn’s journey didn’t begin on the mountain — it began with curiosity.
After moving to Seattle, she found herself captivated by Mount Rainier (Tahoma). What once felt intimidating slowly became a personal goal. When she discovered Climb for a Cause, everything clicked.
Finding out that Climb for a Cause existed connected me to the resources I needed to achieve a really big personal goal — and support the parks at the same time.”
Like many participants, Kathryn was drawn to the dual purpose: pushing herself physically while contributing to something bigger.
Learn about Climb for a Cause in our video.
Kathryn has now climbed Mount Rainier four times (two through Climb for a Cause) and summited three times — and each climb brought new challenges and rewards.
From navigating crevasses to pushing through moments of self-doubt, her experiences weren’t always easy. But they were transformative. “When I am motivated, I can do anything… I had to put in the work to study mountaineering best practices and train hard, and the reward was astounding,” she explains.
Her story also highlights something important: Climb for a Cause is designed to support climbers of all backgrounds. With professional guides and a strong community, participants are never alone on the journey. Kathryn especially appreciated the opportunity to learn from expert lead guides, Forrest and Mike from International Mountain Guides, who made sure each climber felt equipped for the journey and walked away with an understanding of avalanche practices and a safety-first mindset.
She’s also quick to mention that part of what made her experience so meaningful was completing the climb with “incredibly strong” female guides on three of her four climbs — with mountaineering often considered a predominantly male activity, it was meaningful to complete the climb alongside inspiring women and Kathryn hopes to continue seeing more female guides and help inspire other women and non-binary people pursue mountaineering despite gender stereotypes.
And the sunrise view on the mountain? That didn’t hurt.
For Kathryn, what keeps her coming back to Climb for a Cause isn’t just the summit — it’s the impact.
Through Climb for a Cause, participants raise critical funds for projects across Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks, supporting everything from search and rescue to trail maintenance and scientific research. “There’s no better way to do something exciting and know you’re giving back,” says Kathryn.
Kathryn leads the charge in promoting Climb for a Cause within Outdoors at Amazon, rallying colleagues to step outside their comfort zones and into the mountains. She also takes the lead on keeping climbers motivated and equipping them with fundraising tips to make the most of their Climb for a Cause experience.
Through this work, she’s found new ways to connect with her fellow Amazonians and even developed a friendship with Megan and Arushi, colleagues on the East Coast, with whom she’s still close after sharing a tent with them before summit bids.
One of Kathryn’s greatest strengths is her approach to fundraising, and she’s quick to share what works:
Speaking of appreciation, Kathryn adds that a special thanks goes out to Alex Jewett, who was the first person to tell her she could absolutely climb Mount Rainier, and to Corban Quigg for telling her about the Climb for a Cause program.
Kathryn is also clear about the bigger picture. “It is up to all of us to support and preserve these parks today, so that we can prevent lasting impact for future generations,” she explains.
Climb for a Cause isn’t just about reaching the summit — it’s about ensuring Washington’s national parks remain protected, accessible, and thriving.
If Kathryn’s story proves anything, it’s that you don’t have to start as an expert climber — you just have to start. With resources like Kathryn and the team at WNPF ready to guide and support you, anyone can join Climb for a Cause and find their footing on the mountain.
Climb for a Cause transforms what feels impossible into something deeply meaningful. And along the way, you become part of something bigger than yourself.
Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Fundraising climbs through Climb for a Cause fund vital park projects from trail maintenance to science and research, youth and family programs, and more.
Photos courtesy of Kathryn Martini