Jason Lillebo
Bio: I grew up in small town South Dakota where the land is mostly flat. I spent a lot of time outdoors either at the swimming pool or on the farm as a kid, so I think I’ve always loved getting out and feeling free. I’ve been a teacher in Las Vegas for 11 years now. I started hiking around here, like most people do, in the Calico area at Red Rock. That was once a very new and exciting thing for me. I then started dabbling into other hikes until I joined the Hiking Las Vegas Meetup group shortly after it began. I work out about four times a week and try to hike even when I travel during the summers.
Age: 38
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I joined it for the challenge. I realized that joining would provide the impetus to get to a lot of peaks that I otherwise wouldn’t visit without the goal of finishing the deck. Since it’s difficult to find many people in any circle of friends who like to hike, I knew being part of the 52 Peak Club would ensure I’d always have people with whom I could share the experiences.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: Nov 3th, 2013 (49th person to become a 53er)
Toughest Peak: I’d choose McFarland only because it was the one that I found myself most tired from by the end.
Favorite Hike: Pine Creek Peak occupies a special spot on my list. It’s fun and has some challenges. It was history in the making on March 13, 2011, when a few of us followed Branch to that peak and earned the very first 52 Peak Club cards ever. Several of the people on that hike are still people I hike with and respect a lot today. Overall, anything at Red Rock is usually a great hike.
How did you feel once you became a 53er: I had a sense of relief and accomplishment. I was relieved in the sense that I could just go back and enjoy some of the hikes again or do some hikes that weren’t part of the deck. I know I could have done that anyway, but I think I got a bit too focused on the goal of completing all 52 peaks. The sense of accomplishment came because just less than a year ago I really didn’t think I would be physically able to finish it. After my accident at the waterfall in Fern Canyon on December 28, 2011, and the ankle and spinal surgeries that resulted, I went through a fairly long, difficult recovery. It wasn’t until about a year later that I first felt I might be able to get back out again, and I thought it would be slow going and easy, short peaks, if anything. Fast forward to almost another year later now, and I’ve finished the 52 peaks. I’m moving just as quickly and as well as I ever did before. Ironically, it was an accident during hiking that, for a time, stole away my good health, but it was also hiking that has helped me to recover so fully and come back stronger than one would think possible. It is simply amazing what the body can do if you put your energy and mind into it. Eat right and stay fit, and your body will do great things!
Advice for new hikers: Take the peaks roughly in ascending order of the cards. This will help you build up your endurance and skills for the more difficult hikes. Make sure you match your pace to the pace of the leader. You will get quicker as you do more hikes. Don’t overestimate your fitness level for hiking. If you are a highly fit swimmer, for example, that doesn’t necessarily translate to being a highly fit hiker. Be happy to be alive, enjoy every hike, and have fun trying to reach this goal. Don’t set a firm time limit that will drive you crazy trying to get it done. Just let it happen! Finally, I have three parting bits of advice. First, never hike alone. Second, if you see water or ice, especially near a drop off, steer way clear. And third, always stay safe so that you can enjoy the next hike soon.
Age: 38
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I joined it for the challenge. I realized that joining would provide the impetus to get to a lot of peaks that I otherwise wouldn’t visit without the goal of finishing the deck. Since it’s difficult to find many people in any circle of friends who like to hike, I knew being part of the 52 Peak Club would ensure I’d always have people with whom I could share the experiences.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: Nov 3th, 2013 (49th person to become a 53er)
Toughest Peak: I’d choose McFarland only because it was the one that I found myself most tired from by the end.
Favorite Hike: Pine Creek Peak occupies a special spot on my list. It’s fun and has some challenges. It was history in the making on March 13, 2011, when a few of us followed Branch to that peak and earned the very first 52 Peak Club cards ever. Several of the people on that hike are still people I hike with and respect a lot today. Overall, anything at Red Rock is usually a great hike.
How did you feel once you became a 53er: I had a sense of relief and accomplishment. I was relieved in the sense that I could just go back and enjoy some of the hikes again or do some hikes that weren’t part of the deck. I know I could have done that anyway, but I think I got a bit too focused on the goal of completing all 52 peaks. The sense of accomplishment came because just less than a year ago I really didn’t think I would be physically able to finish it. After my accident at the waterfall in Fern Canyon on December 28, 2011, and the ankle and spinal surgeries that resulted, I went through a fairly long, difficult recovery. It wasn’t until about a year later that I first felt I might be able to get back out again, and I thought it would be slow going and easy, short peaks, if anything. Fast forward to almost another year later now, and I’ve finished the 52 peaks. I’m moving just as quickly and as well as I ever did before. Ironically, it was an accident during hiking that, for a time, stole away my good health, but it was also hiking that has helped me to recover so fully and come back stronger than one would think possible. It is simply amazing what the body can do if you put your energy and mind into it. Eat right and stay fit, and your body will do great things!
Advice for new hikers: Take the peaks roughly in ascending order of the cards. This will help you build up your endurance and skills for the more difficult hikes. Make sure you match your pace to the pace of the leader. You will get quicker as you do more hikes. Don’t overestimate your fitness level for hiking. If you are a highly fit swimmer, for example, that doesn’t necessarily translate to being a highly fit hiker. Be happy to be alive, enjoy every hike, and have fun trying to reach this goal. Don’t set a firm time limit that will drive you crazy trying to get it done. Just let it happen! Finally, I have three parting bits of advice. First, never hike alone. Second, if you see water or ice, especially near a drop off, steer way clear. And third, always stay safe so that you can enjoy the next hike soon.