Successful Climbers

The author about to cross the 2022 Birkebeiner finish line, in Hayward WI.

soon as I stop moving I am freezing cold and shivering. But it’s nothing that a long hot shower, some ibuprofen, a lot of fluids, and sleep won’t cure.

Once I’m warm and horizontal, having survived my first Birkie, I try to answer the question they’d asked me at the finish line— would I do it again? I think about all the things I’d do differently, and process my lessons learned. A lot more water, a lot more cardio, a technique-focused lesson or two, maybe try waxed skis instead of skins? This feeling of achievement and pride, mixed with relief and the desire to do better reminds me of the first time I climbed Mount St. Helens. This was pre-BCEP, basically off the couch, and boy, did I suffer. The experience of doing something I wasn’t sure I was capable of, finding those reserves of mental and physical strength that I wasn’t sure I had, and even enjoying it along the way? Pure type 2 fun. So just like Mount St. Helens—yeah Birkie, I’ll be back.

Lindsey Addison joined the Mazamas in 2018. She enjoys leading sunset hikes, and is a Nordic ski instructor and member of the Nordic committee. She’s grateful to her Mazama mentors and fellow volunteers, and is in awe of the beautiful mountains we all get to enjoy together.

(FLORENCE) MARLENE YATES

JUNE 20, 1938–FEBRUARY 19, 2022

Longtime Mazama Marlene Yates died February at the age of 83. Marlene joined the Mazamas in 1975 after climbing Mount St. Helens. She went on to climb most of the high Cascade peaks in Oregon and Washington, including Mt. Rainier, Mount St. Helens (prior to the eruption), and multiple ascents of Mt. Hood. She was an assistant climb leader and an active hike leader between 1978–1984.

KATIE FOEHL

JUNE 9, 1944–APRIL 1, 2022 Katherine ‘Katie’ B. Foehl died peacefully at home on April 1, 2022 surrounded by family and friends. Born into an army family, Katie moved often and lived all over the world. Later in life, Katie and her husband moved to Portland, Oregon in 1979. She rose through the development world and became Vice President of Development for Good Samaritan Hospital, a position she held for many years. She loved the outdoors and anything associated with it: skiing, mountain climbing, and hiking were on the top of the list. Katie joined the Mazamas in 1985 and earned her Guardian Peaks award that same year. She went on to earn her 16 Northwest Peaks Award in 1991. Katie’s near death accident on Mt. Shuksan in July of 1992 led to significant changes at the Mazamas, most importantly the establishment of the Incident Response Committee (precursor of today’s Critical Incident Stress Management Committee).

In addition to working in development and giving her time to charities she admired, she also gave freely of her time to the Mazamas. Between her first stint on the Bylaws Committee in 1990 to her last committee role as a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Committee in 2014, she served on over 13 Mazama committees. She was deeply involved with accident debriefing and risk management, serving as chair of the Critical Incident Debriefing Team for five of her ten years on the committee. In addition, she served on both the Executive Council (1994–1996) and the Mazamas Foundation (2000–2005).

Katie had a lasting impact on the Mazamas and her many friends mourn her passing.