My name is Natalia Tune. Most of my friends call me Tal. I identify under the trans umbrella of non-binary/queer with the pronouns of they/them. I’m a member of my city’s Diversity Advisory Board, run a local LGBTQ+ group and lead a Washington based Inclusive Hikers and Climbers group. I’ve lived in Washing Sate my whole life. My outdoor life started early - at the age of around four or five. Dad lived off grid in the mountains of Monte Cristo my entire childhood; homesteading, hunting, trapping, growing food and climbing. He and his best friend (my current mentor) have a first ascent of Eyrie Tower and a few other climbs in the North Cascades. 
 
My paternal grandpa would bring me up to the family property as much as my mom would let him. When my dad died of suicide in 2009, his best friend became my climbing mentor. We started at Index, and have been climbing together ever since. He has first ascents at Vantage, and we love developing new routes in the Kittitas and Grant County areas. 
 
Mountaineering has gradually become more of a passion, and my goal is summit all the peaks my dad climbed. He always wanted to do Shuksan, so it was a big deal for me to summit that peak this past September, in his honor. 
 
My life has always involved mountains, and regardless of my diagnosis, it always will. 

Common Climber Contributions:

• ​Expanding the Circle - As Natalia faces a potential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis currently impacting their knees, they reflect upon how the climbing community can move beyond exclusivity and ableism, expanding our circles to embrace diversity and create a supportive network to enable everyone to climb.