WWW.MOUNTAINEERS.ORG SUMMER 2018 • VOLUME 112 • NO. 3 MountaineerEXPLORE • LEARN • CONSERVE in this issue: Women on Top Ups and Downs in the Himalayas Overcoming Impostor Syndrome Climbing Through The Status Quo Family Playtime At Kitsap Forest Theater tableofcontents Summer 2018 » Volume 112 » Number 3 Features The Mountaineers enriches lives and communities by helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy 20 Women on Top the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Ups and Downs in the Himalayas 25 Mount Rainier Valor Memorial Recognizing the Sacrifices of Fallen Rangers 26 Overcoming Impostor Syndrome Climbing Through The Status Quo 32 Family Playtime At Kitsap Forest Theater Columns 7 MEMBER HIGHLIGHT 20 Nick Block 8 PEAK FITNESS Seven Steps to Vibrant Health 9 MOUNTAIN LOVE Sharon Dietrich and Chuck Potter 10 YOUTH OUTSIDE 2,000 Miles to Summer Camp 12 OUTSIDE INSIGHT Stewardship Through The Eyes of a Land Manager 14 IMPACT GIVING 26 Legendary Ice Ax Bid a New Home 16 TRAIL TALK Morning on Mount Bonaparte 17 SECRET RAINIER Bald Rock 18 CONSERVATION CURRENTS Olympia Stewardship Challenge 34 BOOKMARKS An Interview with Author Heather Hansen 36 RETRO REWIND Gardner’s Legacy 55 LAST WORD Purpose 32 Discover The Mountaineers If you are thinking of joining, or have joined and aren’t sure where to start, why not set a date to Meet The Mountaineers? Check the Mountaineer uses: Branching Out section of the magazine for times and locations of CLEAR informational meetings at each of our seven branches. on the cover: Sam Ortiz on a Mountaineers climb. story on page 26 photographer: photo courtesy of Sam Ortiz. AREA 2 mountaineer » summer 2018 tyingin The Mountaineers is a non- Back to The Mountaineers Future profit organization, founded in 1906 and dedicated to the A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go responsible enjoyment and protection of natural areas. “back to the future” when my brother and his family joined me for a winter weekend at Meany BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lodge. It’s been over 50 years since we last made OFFICERS a trek to the lodge. In so many ways, things at President Lorna Corrigan Meany Lodge haven’t changed. The snowcat, Vice President Vik Sahney VP of Branches Eric Linxweiler affectionately referred to as “Tomcat,” is the VP of Outdoor Centers Carry Porter same one (albeit with a few modifications) used VP Publishing Mark Kroese in the 1960s. The Mountaineer families and Secretary Manisha Powar friends staying at the Lodge also felt familiar Treasurer Brian Young Retiring President Geoff Lawrence to us, all talking about the skiing prospects for the weekend, discussing the weather, and DIRECTORS AT LARGE Gabe Aeschilman telling tall tales. There was reason for added Evy Dudey excitement Friday night, as snow was falling with Chloe Harford more predicted throughout the weekend. The Martina Kozar Steve McClure Lorna Corrigan only threat was that the big rope-tow was out of John Ohlson service due to rope wear. Jim Purdy In true Mountaineers spirit, a call for volunteers to help splice in a new section of rope Kara Stone Steve Swenson went out at breakfast the next morning. Two teams were formed, and after dedicated BRANCH DIRECTORS work, the splices were complete. The big tow was back in action, and none too soon — we VACANT, Bellingham received around 20” of fresh powder and had many grinning faces. Matt Vadnal, Everett Dick Lambe, Foothills What made me smile the most was witnessing the community that formed around the Sue Labrie, Kitsap challenge of repairing the tow-rope. That’s when I saw the future: the teams of volunteers Greg Lovelady, Olympia included children who were enthusiastically welcomed to participate. It was a terrific Patrick Mullaney, Seattle example of how Mountaineers share knowledge and provide opportunities. Richard Levenson, Tacoma YOUTH BOARD REPRESENTATIVE The weekend highlighted other communities as well. Coincidentally it was the weekend Keely Carolan of the Patrol Race — a backcountry ski race that runs approximately 18 miles from UW BOARD FELLOWS Snoqualmie Summit to Meany Lodge. The race was created by Mountaineers in 1930 Lyndsay Gordon and continued annually until eclipsed by World War II. In 2014 it was revived by The Michael Meehan Mountaineers and has been offered annually since then. The Patrol Race has now reached a new community: that of committed athletes who come long distances to participate in CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER the historic race and enjoy its unique course. At least two teams that signed up this year Tom Vogl were from other states, and an all-woman team was amongst the finishers. EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Helen Cherullo At the end of the race on Saturday, the teams gathered at Meany where they shared SENIOR PUBLICIST stories of the day with others at the Lodge, enjoyed a hearty Meany meal, and held an Julie Briselden awards ceremony. Mountaineer Lowell Skoog, a well-known race participant, finished up COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR the evening with a presentation on the history of the race. Kristina Ciari In the meantime, the snow continued to fall, and we enjoyed more skiing on Sunday before CREATIVE MANAGER packing up and departing in the afternoon, by riding in or skiing behind “Tomcat.” All Suzanne Gerber of these activities remind me of just how many communities of adventurers exist within PROOFREADERS Kristina Ciari, Evy Dudey, the greater Mountaineers family. Whether that be the communities of student climbers Russ Immel, Alex Robertson heading out for their first summit, volunteers attending advanced climbing seminars, hikers, or those heading out on global adventures, The Mountaineers makes outdoor The Mountaineer (ISSN 0027-2620) is adventure possible for so many. To me, this is Adventure with Purpose. With the directions published quarterly by The Mountaineers, outlined in Vision 2022, we will continue our work to enhance our member and volunteer 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. 206-521-6000; 206-523-6763 fax. experiences. I look forward to seeing you out there in 2018 and beyond. Postmaster: Send address changes to Mountaineer, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. Periodicals postage paid at Seattle, WA. Opinions expressed in articles are those Lorna Corrigan of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Mountaineers. Mountaineers Board President www.mountaineers.org 3 editorsnote Summertime Stories Summer brings out some of the best stories Our third feature is about Jasmine Harrick, of the year. It's the only time of year that the an up-and-coming actress, and her family roads are clear enough to get to the higher who have been featured in The Mountaineers and more remote trails. But that's not the only Kitsap Forest Theater for the past six years. reason. Ever since we were kids, with summer She's starred as the lead in three of the breaks from school, we've been conditioned performances and isn't even in high school yet. to view summer as something special — as a This issue also has many of our wonderful time of year when we are supposed to play. regular columns, highlighting Mountaineers And more often than not, in the hot months of members, youth, history, conservation, and summer, that play was outside. fitness. As always, we close with ourLast Word The theme for this issue is purpose, something column, and in this issue, Steve Scher reflects many of us search for, and find a sense of, in on what purpose means to him. Suzanne Gerber the wilderness. When we're outside, we're able Creative Manager As we search for our sense of purpose, in to tune into ourselves and put the world into [email protected] the mountains and in our minds, one of the perspective. We're reminded of how little we most important things we can do is share are in the grand scheme of things, yet how our experiences. It's how we connect and important we are too. strengthen our community. In this issue of Mountaineer magazine, Sam As the magazine editor, part of my job is to Ortiz shares her story of overcoming fears of curate stories, but I can't do it alone. So this is not fitting in outside. She recognizes that the my call out: if you know anyone who has a story outdoor industry is historically white, male, to tell (and we all do!), especially of overcoming and lean. Equipped with a camera and an struggles with the help of the outdoors, I adventurous spirit, she's here to challenge that would love to hear from you. I am particularly status quo and document it along the way. interested in stories about mental health and Another article that celebrates the success wellbeing. Often the hardest struggles to of female Mountaineers is Women on Top - overcome are internal. Ups and Downs in the Himalayas about an Thank you for reading the magazine and happy all-women climbing trip to Nepal taken on by adventuring, Mountaineers climb leader, Ida Vincent, and her team, the Mountain Mahilas. They used this expedition to empower a local female Sherpa who needed more summits to compete with the male guides that dominate the industry. Suzanne Gerber, Creative Manager The Mountaineers Summer Book Sale July 2–27 | 9am–5pm Extended hours July 11, 18, 25 - open to 7pm Closed July 4th holiday 25% off all books & maps 35% off book bundles 50% off book “seconds” 50% off or better clearance 40% off logo merchandise Located at The Mountaineers Program Center in Magnuson Park: 7700 Sand Point Way, NE mountaineers.org/bookstore 4 mountaineer » summer 2018 summitsavvy Can you identify the location in the fore- ground? Send your answer to Suzanne: suzanneg@ mountaineers.org.