Cory Gozar
Bio: Number 10 of 8 girls and 5 boys. Born in the Philippines, migrated to the U.S in 1969. With my dream of traveling around the world, I did international volunteer work that brought me to Europe, Central America, South America, Asia, Mexico and the U. S. Those were my most rewarding and memorable travels. Children and outdoors are always a part of my journeys and have since journeyed to six continents. Although I have two degrees, one in Chemistry and one in Clinical Science , my greatest achievement is not my academics, but being probably the oldest Filipino woman to have summited Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa at the ripe age of 71. My family calls me a nature freak.
I am also known to be a brat but only because .....I really am and I really have not grown!
Age: 72 going on 17.
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I'll be honest. I just wanted a deck of cards that had pictures of the Peaks that I have climbed. I think they are pretty cool !!! But I love hiking and I call the mountains my Church. And joining the club motivated me to do more, to keep me fit and young. I also met the best of best friends and lots of wonderful people along the trails.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: Feb 15th, 2014 (61st person to become a 53er)
Toughest Peak: Hmmmm. If there's a hike I did not complete and had to do a second try then that would have been the toughest. But I am happy to say that I have completed all 52 with the first attempt. I would say that the toughest one for me was the second to the last one I did, Terrace Canyon Peak only because my thigh and hip were hurting then and I thought I had to be carried down. It is 'tough' when you feel you are holding the group and someone is always asking you how you're doing. Then it took me 5 months and two scrambles later, to heal and finally do my last card! No, I did not get hurt because of a hike. It is just part of my big number.
Favorite Hike: Although I did not do it with the 52 Peak club, my favorite hike was Bridge Mountain via Fern/Pine Creeks. I got my card with the club a year later via Rocky Gap. My second favorite is Mescalito, not because of the peak and the hike itself, but because that was when I had the most fun! With 'Favorite College T-Shirt' as a theme, and no shirt to find, I chose to be in a Cheerleader uniform instead, and did a 'cheer leading lap dance' for Chris Southworth, in honor of his last card! Rob Shaw provided the music! !! I think I made a fool of myself but I made the hikers laugh and Kenneth Row blush!
How did you feel once you became a 53er: I have climbed other peaks before in other countries, even higher and harder than the ones I've done with the 52 Peak club. But after I completed all 52 there was that feeling of accomplishment and pride. It's like: 'Whew! I've done them all? Wow. At my age?'. And I feel proud about it. To be honest, there were peaks I would not have reached without the club. And for that I am thankful. Although I never felt pressured on when I will complete my deck, which I did in no rush, I can now concentrate on just hiking, trying new routes, enjoying them with friends and foes alike! And play Poker with my new and unique deck of cards!
Thank you Branch Whitney, I have been a bratty smart ass sometimes, but so were you! LOL!
Advice for new hikers: Start slow, short and sweet, especially if you've never hiked before. So you can feel and enjoy it. Feel the earth. Savor the freshness or intensity of the outdoor. Relax. There is plenty of time and there is no need to hurry. Do the easy low numbered hikes first and gradually go up and find your pace. Pay attention to the description, requirements and ratings of the hike before signing up. Even if you are already fit, if you start with the higher and harder ones, you will get intimidated and be discouraged by the fast hikers who have already found their pace which will probably be fast. But remember we were all beginners at one point, wether with this group or another. Don't get offended if an organizer takes you off a hike. It's either he is thinking of your safety and/or the safety of the group as a whole. But never give up. Do other activities to get and stay fit. Hiking is not the only way. Stretch, Walk, exercise at home or the gym, do yoga, eat healthy. And stay positive and act young! It worked for me. They'll never know your age until you complete the deck. Then it's all over the hiking world!
It was a long slow journey with ups and downs, emotionally, physically, and literally, but it was well worth every step, bounce, hop, skip and trip! Thanks to all my supporters and cheerleaders! Thanks for the journey!
I am also known to be a brat but only because .....I really am and I really have not grown!
Age: 72 going on 17.
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I'll be honest. I just wanted a deck of cards that had pictures of the Peaks that I have climbed. I think they are pretty cool !!! But I love hiking and I call the mountains my Church. And joining the club motivated me to do more, to keep me fit and young. I also met the best of best friends and lots of wonderful people along the trails.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: Feb 15th, 2014 (61st person to become a 53er)
Toughest Peak: Hmmmm. If there's a hike I did not complete and had to do a second try then that would have been the toughest. But I am happy to say that I have completed all 52 with the first attempt. I would say that the toughest one for me was the second to the last one I did, Terrace Canyon Peak only because my thigh and hip were hurting then and I thought I had to be carried down. It is 'tough' when you feel you are holding the group and someone is always asking you how you're doing. Then it took me 5 months and two scrambles later, to heal and finally do my last card! No, I did not get hurt because of a hike. It is just part of my big number.
Favorite Hike: Although I did not do it with the 52 Peak club, my favorite hike was Bridge Mountain via Fern/Pine Creeks. I got my card with the club a year later via Rocky Gap. My second favorite is Mescalito, not because of the peak and the hike itself, but because that was when I had the most fun! With 'Favorite College T-Shirt' as a theme, and no shirt to find, I chose to be in a Cheerleader uniform instead, and did a 'cheer leading lap dance' for Chris Southworth, in honor of his last card! Rob Shaw provided the music! !! I think I made a fool of myself but I made the hikers laugh and Kenneth Row blush!
How did you feel once you became a 53er: I have climbed other peaks before in other countries, even higher and harder than the ones I've done with the 52 Peak club. But after I completed all 52 there was that feeling of accomplishment and pride. It's like: 'Whew! I've done them all? Wow. At my age?'. And I feel proud about it. To be honest, there were peaks I would not have reached without the club. And for that I am thankful. Although I never felt pressured on when I will complete my deck, which I did in no rush, I can now concentrate on just hiking, trying new routes, enjoying them with friends and foes alike! And play Poker with my new and unique deck of cards!
Thank you Branch Whitney, I have been a bratty smart ass sometimes, but so were you! LOL!
Advice for new hikers: Start slow, short and sweet, especially if you've never hiked before. So you can feel and enjoy it. Feel the earth. Savor the freshness or intensity of the outdoor. Relax. There is plenty of time and there is no need to hurry. Do the easy low numbered hikes first and gradually go up and find your pace. Pay attention to the description, requirements and ratings of the hike before signing up. Even if you are already fit, if you start with the higher and harder ones, you will get intimidated and be discouraged by the fast hikers who have already found their pace which will probably be fast. But remember we were all beginners at one point, wether with this group or another. Don't get offended if an organizer takes you off a hike. It's either he is thinking of your safety and/or the safety of the group as a whole. But never give up. Do other activities to get and stay fit. Hiking is not the only way. Stretch, Walk, exercise at home or the gym, do yoga, eat healthy. And stay positive and act young! It worked for me. They'll never know your age until you complete the deck. Then it's all over the hiking world!
It was a long slow journey with ups and downs, emotionally, physically, and literally, but it was well worth every step, bounce, hop, skip and trip! Thanks to all my supporters and cheerleaders! Thanks for the journey!