Anita Wilkins
Books are portals to new places. I’ve experienced this time and again as a lifelong reader. The book that is featured most prominently in my life, hands down, is a Mountaineers Books classic that propelled me on a path to a new passion and community — Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. Today I’m proud to support Mountaineers Books as a donor because of the impact I can help make possible through values-based nonprofit publishing.
A long-time hiker and skier, I was drawn to the Cascades from childhood; Mt. Rainier National Park was a frequent destination as soon as I could drive. I always admired the climbers on the mountain, but felt mountaineering was out of reach. It wasn’t until I was nearly 40 that I committed to climbing Mt. Rainier to mark my milestone birthday.
I signed up with a guide service and headed to REI to build my kit for the big climb. As a complete beginner, an REI employee kindly suggested I purchase the “bible of mountaineering” so I could be better prepared. I left that day with the 7th Edition of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills and proceeded to read it cover-to-cover over the following months.
On a bluebird weekend in August 2006, I stood on top of Mt. Rainier feeling exhausted and joyful about this significant personal accomplishment. Then came the epiphany: with the right skills, training, and community, I could do this myself. The Freedom of the Hills had shown me what was possible.
As our team descended to basecamp, I chatted with the guide about my aspirations. He encouraged me to pursue The Mountaineers climbing course and shared that an old, dogeared copy of “Freedom” occupied his bookshelf as well.
Seventeen years later, The Mountaineers is still a centerpiece of my life. The Freedom of the Hills opened the door, and an extraordinary community greeted me on the other side, providing the educational and experiential pathway to my dream of becoming a climber, along with treasured friends and adventure partners.
Today I fill my outdoor-loving soul not only with mountain activities, but as a volunteer for The Mountaineers and as a regular donor. My bookshelf now holds Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills 8th and 9th Editions, which I was honored to help update in 2010 and 2017. This book has been a portal indeed!
Now we all have a unique opportunity to be part of the 10th Edition of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. With a gift of $250 or above, you will be recognized with your name in the book and a copy of the latest edition when it’s published in September 2024.
Your tax-deductible contribution will help ensure that future Mountaineers can open books — and doors — to a whole new world of possibilities. Please join me in making a donation today.
Donations to The Mountaineers and Mountaineers Books allow us to rise to our mission potential, lead with our values, and choose projects that matter most to our community. Mountaineers Books publications help more people enjoy the natural world safely and sustainably. To make a gift in support of Mountaineers Books visit mountaineers.org/donate/freedom10.
