Cynthia Bodnar - Oak Creek Overlook
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Bio: I am a proud Mother of two beautiful daughters and an awesome Grandmother to my adorable Grandbabies. I grew up a country girl in the back roads of New Mexico, relocating to Nevada in 1989. I attended University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) where I earned a B.S. Degree in Business Management. In the year 2000, I started working for the Las Vegas Valley Water District/Southern Nevada Water Authority, where I am currently employed. When I retire in 2030, I plan to continue to be a purveyor of fun and lover of the great outdoors! Hiking is just one of the many recreational activities that I love to do.
Age: 46
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I met a man named John Wayne ♥ John Wayne Meteer~ June 19, 1967 - June 25, 2013
John Wayne was a hiking member and Organizer in the 52 Peak Club. John was beautiful, kind, passionate, charismatic, honest, loyal and ever so fun. He blessed my life with unconditional love, happiness and joy. I joined the 52 Peak Club to finish a goal that John had started; hiking to all the peaks in the 52 Peak Club.
July 4, 2013, was my first hike to Mummy’s Nose at Mt. Charleston. In John’s memory, I continued to hike, climbing every peak and signing John’s name in all the peak books. On April 11, 2015, the 52 Peak Club, and the heaven’s, crowned John Wayne a 53er on Bridge Point.
Date completed all 52 Peaks: December 11, 2016
Toughest Peak: The hardest hike for me was the first scrambling hike at Red Rock without approach shoes. I didn’t even know what an “approach” shoe was until the hiking boots I wore wouldn’t grip to the rock. I made a comment that maybe this club was not for me. The Organizer suggested that I get the right shoes, approach shoes with stealth rubber, before the next scramble. I now own more approach shoes than any other sport footwear.
Favorite Hike: My favorite hike in the 52 Peaks is Bridge Mountain via Rocky Gap Road w/ descent through Pine Creek. The trail starts a few miles off an extremely rugged road past the Willow Springs area in the Red Rock National Park. The trail ascends into the Spring Mountains, where you can smell the trees and earth. Once you climb to the saddle, you take a turn and you are soon on red dirt, passing through a sandstone nation that feels like no other venture. Majestic trees grow at the ridge line as if watchful protectors over the vast valley below. At every turn there is the most magnificent panoramic view. The final approach to the peak is climbing a slab wall that appears, from a distance, to be impossible. Bridge Mountain is reached by passing through a large sandstone arch and hidden forest. The descent through Pine Creek traverses over the most beautiful and colorful rock formations, tanks, dry waterfalls, colorful trees, ferns and seasonal pools of water. You have to see this for yourself!
How did you feel once you became a 53er: Accomplished! It is a great feeling to accomplish this goal, especially one that requires unwavering commitment, dedication, strength, endurance, and courage. There were moments, on areas of exposure, where I was terrified. It was the help and encouragement of others, coupled with finding the courage within myself, that carried me forward.
Advice for new hikers: Know your hiking abilities and always be prepared. If you don’t know preparedness for hiking, ask questions in advance. Buy approach shoes for scrambling. For the ladies, carry extra pants or shorts. There were several scrambling hikes where I ripped a hole in the seat of my pants. Even though you have an Organizer leading the hike, pay close attention to landmarks. Don’t just look ahead, but take pause to turn around and take in the view behind you. This will come in handy if you are faced with navigating your own way. Always carry a headlamp and extra batteries. Be aware of what nighttime temperatures will be if you are to (unfortunately) be completing your hike in the dark. This has never happened in this group, but if it should, I am prepared. Speak up if you are not comfortable with areas of exposure because there is always someone who will assist; throw webbing or lend you a hand. Take pictures, document your adventure, and hike happy!
Age: 46
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I met a man named John Wayne ♥ John Wayne Meteer~ June 19, 1967 - June 25, 2013
John Wayne was a hiking member and Organizer in the 52 Peak Club. John was beautiful, kind, passionate, charismatic, honest, loyal and ever so fun. He blessed my life with unconditional love, happiness and joy. I joined the 52 Peak Club to finish a goal that John had started; hiking to all the peaks in the 52 Peak Club.
July 4, 2013, was my first hike to Mummy’s Nose at Mt. Charleston. In John’s memory, I continued to hike, climbing every peak and signing John’s name in all the peak books. On April 11, 2015, the 52 Peak Club, and the heaven’s, crowned John Wayne a 53er on Bridge Point.
Date completed all 52 Peaks: December 11, 2016
Toughest Peak: The hardest hike for me was the first scrambling hike at Red Rock without approach shoes. I didn’t even know what an “approach” shoe was until the hiking boots I wore wouldn’t grip to the rock. I made a comment that maybe this club was not for me. The Organizer suggested that I get the right shoes, approach shoes with stealth rubber, before the next scramble. I now own more approach shoes than any other sport footwear.
Favorite Hike: My favorite hike in the 52 Peaks is Bridge Mountain via Rocky Gap Road w/ descent through Pine Creek. The trail starts a few miles off an extremely rugged road past the Willow Springs area in the Red Rock National Park. The trail ascends into the Spring Mountains, where you can smell the trees and earth. Once you climb to the saddle, you take a turn and you are soon on red dirt, passing through a sandstone nation that feels like no other venture. Majestic trees grow at the ridge line as if watchful protectors over the vast valley below. At every turn there is the most magnificent panoramic view. The final approach to the peak is climbing a slab wall that appears, from a distance, to be impossible. Bridge Mountain is reached by passing through a large sandstone arch and hidden forest. The descent through Pine Creek traverses over the most beautiful and colorful rock formations, tanks, dry waterfalls, colorful trees, ferns and seasonal pools of water. You have to see this for yourself!
How did you feel once you became a 53er: Accomplished! It is a great feeling to accomplish this goal, especially one that requires unwavering commitment, dedication, strength, endurance, and courage. There were moments, on areas of exposure, where I was terrified. It was the help and encouragement of others, coupled with finding the courage within myself, that carried me forward.
Advice for new hikers: Know your hiking abilities and always be prepared. If you don’t know preparedness for hiking, ask questions in advance. Buy approach shoes for scrambling. For the ladies, carry extra pants or shorts. There were several scrambling hikes where I ripped a hole in the seat of my pants. Even though you have an Organizer leading the hike, pay close attention to landmarks. Don’t just look ahead, but take pause to turn around and take in the view behind you. This will come in handy if you are faced with navigating your own way. Always carry a headlamp and extra batteries. Be aware of what nighttime temperatures will be if you are to (unfortunately) be completing your hike in the dark. This has never happened in this group, but if it should, I am prepared. Speak up if you are not comfortable with areas of exposure because there is always someone who will assist; throw webbing or lend you a hand. Take pictures, document your adventure, and hike happy!