Brenda Fitz
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Video of Brenda receiving her 53er Plaque
Bio: By day I'm a piano teacher & recreational hiker, by night I perform as a keyboardist/vocalist and also a belly dancer. (I know, weird combo) I grew up in Canada, so naturally I love the outdoors, though I come from the prairies so hiking really only goes in the horizontal direction there... perhaps that explains why I can't get enough of mountain peaks and never ever tire of the immaculate view from them!!!
Mountains were definitely a new challenge for me when I first moved here. I've lived in Las Vegas for 10yrs now, but it wasn't until I joined the 52 peak club that I REALLY got to see what true hidden treasures surround us everywhere. I had no idea the desert and mountains were THIS beautiful! I hiked quite a bit previously on my own, but nowhere near the extent the 52 peak club allowed me to explore with them. When I first joined in Nov 2011, I was simply hoping to clear my head and recharge myself after two very challenging breakups, get some exercise outdoors, and maybe get to see a few new places. I didn't care on my first hike up Northshore Peak in Lake Mead whether I spoke with anyone or if anyone talked to me... I could care less... I just wanted to hike. I sucked wind trying to keep up with everyone (I was fit, but holy crap these people were blowing me away!!), and had the best bit of small exposure that made my heart race... I knew right then I was 100% addicted!! At the peak (first of 2 that day) people were doing headstands, upside-down yoga poses, standing splits - all like this was a normal walk in the park. I remember thinking these people were really weird and a bit 'out there' - and I loved them. So with every new hike, I got stronger and better, liked talking to people more and more, got less fearful of exposure, gained confidence thanks to the help of fellow hikers, and eventually looked for the faster leaders and routes that were more challenging. We'd do 2 and 3 peaks at a time, run down the mountain sometimes, jump over 500ft drop crevasses, climb class 4 rock unassisted (though I was usually still saying "oh sh*t" on the inside), and all the while making new friends and enjoying the outdoors year round.
I had to take time away a bunch of times due to injuries - achilles, knees, hip, herniated disc, but every hiatus made me want to come back even more... I missed my friends and the mountains immeasurably. I learned how to canyoneer and rock climb along the way too in other groups so I could have other options for getting up and down mountains, plus I backpacked and camped a ton, all for the love of exploring the wilderness. Hiked with my husband on our own time the lower 48's highest peak Mt. Whitney, Half Dome (Yosemite), The The Subway & Narrows top down (Zion), San Gorgonio (California), Wheeler Peak (Great Basin), and the list goes on, all of course since joining the 52 Peak club. On an important side-note, I did managed to keep my hands and arms free of injury - which for a pianist/keyboardist is life or death, so that was very important. The scars on my legs are another story, though - and each one I wear with great pride!!!
Today I'm on hiatus again from scrambling while I nurse another injury, but I'm never worried that I won't be back out on the peaks (I just hike flatter elevation in the meantime). The organizers and the mountains (and Rita Wagner...look her 53er page up) have taught me that every little small footstep can lead you somewhere incredible, if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter what your goal is. Today I'm also at one of the happiest places in my life I've ever been, and I couldn't have gotten here without the gift and experience of those peaks! Live everyday immaculately, and set really high goals - literally!!! Currently I have my sights set on Machu Picchu, Kalalau, Mt. Fuji, and Kilimanjaro to name a few. See you out there! :)
Age: 41
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: The movie 127 hours could have been me... I used to hike alone all the time until one day I almost wiped out possibly never to return, and realized I needed to find people to hike with instead of going it alone anymore.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: Feb 8, 2015
Toughest Peak: Eva's Tower... because I'd taken a nasty fall on the way up and was hurting for most of it, plus we were hiking it at a blazing pace with the guy who actually named the peak!!!
Favorite Hike: All of them... seriously!!! There was something special about every single hike I loved.
How did you feel once you became a 53er: Ecstatic and relieved!!! It took me 3 long years to complete the journey due to injuries and hiatuses in recovery, so I was extremely happy to finally reach my goal. Now I can choose whatever hike I want!
Advice for new hikers: Enjoy every moment of every hike (even the parts that hurt!) because the next hike is never guaranteed to be there tomorrow. Oh, and beware of those deceivingly cute little prickly leaves in Red Rock - they're EVIL!!!
Bio: By day I'm a piano teacher & recreational hiker, by night I perform as a keyboardist/vocalist and also a belly dancer. (I know, weird combo) I grew up in Canada, so naturally I love the outdoors, though I come from the prairies so hiking really only goes in the horizontal direction there... perhaps that explains why I can't get enough of mountain peaks and never ever tire of the immaculate view from them!!!
Mountains were definitely a new challenge for me when I first moved here. I've lived in Las Vegas for 10yrs now, but it wasn't until I joined the 52 peak club that I REALLY got to see what true hidden treasures surround us everywhere. I had no idea the desert and mountains were THIS beautiful! I hiked quite a bit previously on my own, but nowhere near the extent the 52 peak club allowed me to explore with them. When I first joined in Nov 2011, I was simply hoping to clear my head and recharge myself after two very challenging breakups, get some exercise outdoors, and maybe get to see a few new places. I didn't care on my first hike up Northshore Peak in Lake Mead whether I spoke with anyone or if anyone talked to me... I could care less... I just wanted to hike. I sucked wind trying to keep up with everyone (I was fit, but holy crap these people were blowing me away!!), and had the best bit of small exposure that made my heart race... I knew right then I was 100% addicted!! At the peak (first of 2 that day) people were doing headstands, upside-down yoga poses, standing splits - all like this was a normal walk in the park. I remember thinking these people were really weird and a bit 'out there' - and I loved them. So with every new hike, I got stronger and better, liked talking to people more and more, got less fearful of exposure, gained confidence thanks to the help of fellow hikers, and eventually looked for the faster leaders and routes that were more challenging. We'd do 2 and 3 peaks at a time, run down the mountain sometimes, jump over 500ft drop crevasses, climb class 4 rock unassisted (though I was usually still saying "oh sh*t" on the inside), and all the while making new friends and enjoying the outdoors year round.
I had to take time away a bunch of times due to injuries - achilles, knees, hip, herniated disc, but every hiatus made me want to come back even more... I missed my friends and the mountains immeasurably. I learned how to canyoneer and rock climb along the way too in other groups so I could have other options for getting up and down mountains, plus I backpacked and camped a ton, all for the love of exploring the wilderness. Hiked with my husband on our own time the lower 48's highest peak Mt. Whitney, Half Dome (Yosemite), The The Subway & Narrows top down (Zion), San Gorgonio (California), Wheeler Peak (Great Basin), and the list goes on, all of course since joining the 52 Peak club. On an important side-note, I did managed to keep my hands and arms free of injury - which for a pianist/keyboardist is life or death, so that was very important. The scars on my legs are another story, though - and each one I wear with great pride!!!
Today I'm on hiatus again from scrambling while I nurse another injury, but I'm never worried that I won't be back out on the peaks (I just hike flatter elevation in the meantime). The organizers and the mountains (and Rita Wagner...look her 53er page up) have taught me that every little small footstep can lead you somewhere incredible, if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter what your goal is. Today I'm also at one of the happiest places in my life I've ever been, and I couldn't have gotten here without the gift and experience of those peaks! Live everyday immaculately, and set really high goals - literally!!! Currently I have my sights set on Machu Picchu, Kalalau, Mt. Fuji, and Kilimanjaro to name a few. See you out there! :)
Age: 41
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: The movie 127 hours could have been me... I used to hike alone all the time until one day I almost wiped out possibly never to return, and realized I needed to find people to hike with instead of going it alone anymore.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: Feb 8, 2015
Toughest Peak: Eva's Tower... because I'd taken a nasty fall on the way up and was hurting for most of it, plus we were hiking it at a blazing pace with the guy who actually named the peak!!!
Favorite Hike: All of them... seriously!!! There was something special about every single hike I loved.
How did you feel once you became a 53er: Ecstatic and relieved!!! It took me 3 long years to complete the journey due to injuries and hiatuses in recovery, so I was extremely happy to finally reach my goal. Now I can choose whatever hike I want!
Advice for new hikers: Enjoy every moment of every hike (even the parts that hurt!) because the next hike is never guaranteed to be there tomorrow. Oh, and beware of those deceivingly cute little prickly leaves in Red Rock - they're EVIL!!!