Asylum on a sea of rock: - The Mountaineers

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chris Madden
Chris Madden, a lifetime member of The
Mountaineers and a member of seattle Mountain
rescue for 34 years (since the time it
was known as Mountain rescue Council), died
June 7, 2011.
Over the decades Chris participated in
countless missions and served the mountain
rescue community in many leadership roles.
He received the sMr Founder’s Award in
2005.
He joined The Mountaineers in 1972 and
graduated from the Basic as well as intermediate
Climbing courses. He also graduated
from the Winter Travel Course. A resident of
Newcastle, Chris was awarded the six Peak
Pin from The Mountaineers.
Chris was known among the climbing community
for his good cheer, dependability and
wise judgment. Over the decades he participated
in countless missions.
The Mountaineers Program Center hosted
a celebration of Chris’s life and achievements
on June 26.
Gregory raymond waiss
Gregory raymond Waiss, 70, died May 21, 2011,
after an extended battle with cancer. As a
member of The Mountaineers he loved to hike
and snowshoe. He also enjoyed gardening,
family projects and dancing with his wife.
A resident of Puyallup and Gig Harbor over
the last 23 years, he is survived by his wife,
Thule, and daughter, Alycia, two stepchildren,
six grandchildren, three brothers, and three
sisters.
Kay reinartz
Kay Frances reinartz, a Mountaineers member
since 1979 and longtime Mountaineers
History Committee member, died April 16,
2011, in seattle, her home. she had defied all
medical projections, living for nearly three
years after diagnosed with an inoperable
glioblastoma brain tumor, due greatly to her
personal strength, stubbornness, and the
constant, dedicated care and support of her
husband, richard Firth.
Known as a true historian by her fellow His-
American Alps challenge:
Saturday, September 24
The American Alps Challenge relay, to be held along Highway 20 from
Washington Pass to Marblemount, will be held saturday, september24
amidst the majestic North Cascades. it will include 63-miles of team
road biking, running and kayaking. The race is being coordinated by
Whatcom Events (management group for ski-to-sea).
Nature activities such as family canoeing, naturalist hikes and bird
watching will also be offered. A closing awards ceremony and American
Alps celebration will be held in Marblemount.
The primary purpose of the Challenge is to highlight the American
Alps Legacy proposal to expand North Cascades National Park. The
Challenge also encourages Washington residents to engage in the
outdoor recreation pursuits that are possible in the North Cascades.
The American Alps Challenge is a partnership involving the North
Cascades Conservation Council, The Mountaineers, seattle Audubon,
skagit Audubon, republicans for Environmental Protection, North
Cascades institute, and other organizations.
for more about the Challenge and how to enter your relay team,
visit www.americanalps.org.
tory Committee members, she loved to collect
historical data for The Mountaineers. Her travels
and academic research stretched across
the globe to 45 countries, including Egypt,
China, Nepal, Tibet and Central Europe.
she served on university faculties in New
York, Montana and Washington, and toured
Brazil for a year as a lecturer of American
social and cultural history.
Widely recognized as a heritage leader in
the Pacific Northwest, Kay helped establish
community historical societies, served on numerous
heritage boards and as a King County
Landmarks Commissioner. she authored five
books on community and regional history, including
local histories of Ballard, Queen Anne,
and the Duwamish Valley, receiving regional
and national awards.
she and her husband first met as cavers
while spelunking with others near Mount
st. Helens in 1972. They became constant
companions in many adventurous activities,
including backpacking, climbing, skiing and
foreign treks.
www.mountaineers.org
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