From age 10, annual family trips to national parks sparked a lifelong love of hiking, climbing, and the outdoors — a passion that eventually led me to call Washington home. On an early trip to Glacier, I was surprised there were no TVs at Many Glacier Lodge — a minor disaster for an 11-year-old. But that quickly gave way to awe: towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and wildlife everywhere. Those moments sparked a deep love for nature that has shaped my life.

For me, mountains aren’t just playgrounds — they’re sacred. As climber Anatoli Boukreev said, “Mountains are not Stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion.”

This July, I’ll be climbing Forbidden Peak as part of Climb for a Cause, raising funds for critical projects in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks through Washington’s National Park Fund. As a former board member and lifelong supporter, I’m proud to give back to the parks that have given me so much.

If you love these wild places too — or want to help protect them and enable others to experience their magic — please consider donating!