Climbing History:
I took the Basic Climbing Course in 1987. I began the Intermediate Climbing Course in 1988 and graduated in 1991. I became a Mountaineers climb leader in 1998.
Favorite Type of Climbing:
Alpine rock or mountaineering climb.
Favorite Climb:
West Ridge of Prusik Peak is my favorite climb - I've done it six times!
Most Memorable Climb:
One that stands out was a climb of the NE Buttress of Goode. We ascended the mountain in initially good weather, which eventually deteriorated to a full on rain/hail storm, and we were forced to bivi on the ridge after making the summit. The next day, the weather still had not improved and the rock was verglass, so after downclimbing and rappelling on the icy rock, we decided to head down to the Stehekin valley. Later that afternoon, we were comfortably drinking beer on the veranda of the North Cascades Lodge. The next day we headed back up the valley, hiked back in and up the mountain to our base camp to collect our camping gear, and back out to Rainey Pass and the cars, which was an extremely long and exhausting day. This climb was later dubbed the "summer ascent / winter descent."
Climbing Role Models:
Several of my climbing friends who are "older" women (older than me, that is) and still active are very inspiring to me (you know who you are: J.H., B.B. and L.S.) I also admire Phyllis Munday, Ernest Shackleton, and Margaret Murie.
Climbing Book:
David Roberts is my favorite climbing author and I've read his earlier books, "Deborah" and "The Mountain of My Fear" as well as "Moments of Doubt".