Judy’s first book begins as she takes her son, Kris, on his first backpack trip, and then two years later his younger brother, Tim. It relates adventures along the way as their goals turn to climbing, culminating when they reach the summit of Mt. Rainier together in 1999.
Author, Adventurer & Mountaineer
Judy's enthusiasm for wilderness places was ignited as a child in Montana. It was there she learned about the joys of hiking, geology, archaeology, and wildflowers from her parents.
After a move to Washington, she yearned for the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Then she attended college in Colorado, where her passion for the wilderness continued to grow. Discovering new wildflowers became a delight. Basking in the solitude of green trees and alpine meadows, rugged peaks, and fresh air became an imperative.
When she returned to Washington and saw the alpine meadows and grand vistas of the Cascades' higher elevations for the first time, she was hooked on exploring this new terrain. She spent time camping with her husband, Larry, and later hiked with her two sons, Kris and Tim, and also with friends or on her own.
Visiting the wilderness, again and again, she eventually climbed six glaciated Cascade volcanoes. She hiked the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier and backpacked into the high country numerous times every year. She also climbed several "14ers" in Colorado, reaching the top of the tallest one, Mount Elbert, with Kris.
To this day, she continues to explore places off the beaten path, finding delight in the wonders of the Northwest, the Southwest, and the Rocky Mountains.
A Quick Read!
Near midnight, something besides my thirst woke me. A breeze sighed over the tent and caused a flapping sound as it caught the loose, nylon door. Soon, the percussion of flapping and slapping provided a drumbeat for the soft sough of the wind.
First, Ken and then Bob woke up as the southwest wind strengthened. Strong gusts now pushed at regular intervals against one side of the tent, deforming its symmetric shape. The wind we'd felt near the summit now reached down to buffet us in our campsite. The gusts began pushing the roof toward our noses as we lay in our protective cocoons.
After a particularly violent gust, Ken said to Bob in alarm, "How well did you stake the corners of the tent?"
"Not well enough," Bob said. "This is getting pretty bad."
- An excerpt from the book: STEP BY STEP - A Family's Journey to the Summit of
Mt. Rainier
My Mom!
"I've noticed all the outdoor activities you enjoy, like
cycling, skiing, and mountain climbing," my son's coworker
told him. "You must be really glad that you had a dad who
would take you out and teach you all those things."
Tim laughed. "It wasn't my dad. It was my mom!"