Julia Goers Stitner
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Bio: I was born in Illinois, but wanderlust was always in my heart. As a child, my folks took us around the country for about four weeks every summer so we could experience as many historical places as possible. We did this in a '71 VW Bus Pop-top Camper the color of strained peaches. I fell in love with the ocean at Cape Hatteras, where we spent a week of the designated four, each July, and this lead me to believe I was part mermaid. Thank heaven we were not eaten by sharks. When we were anywhere mountainous, I would be climbing on boulders, and giving my mother heart failure, as she cooked dinner on the old Coleman stove. I've backpacked more than two thirds of the Appalachian Trail, in two parts, both failed thru-hike attempts. I've started from each terminus and can tell you with certainty, neither is harder than the other. They are equally difficult because the only way to become trail acclimated, either in what we do in the 52 Peaks Club, or in extreme backpacking, is to start and keep going, with diligence. About six years ago, I closed my business. I had just finished a 9 month yoga teacher training, and knew my path needed a critical reevaluation. Paris was calling and I was pining for her. Adventure was welling in my heart. A gap year to figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up sounded like a solid plan. I failed at that...in addition to the two aborted thru-hike attempts and about 1,500-ish miles of backpacking, since I'm in the sixth gap year. What will happen next in my life? It's a mystery!!! Just over a year ago, I was in a home I loved in Savannah, GA, and moved to Vegas on short notice when my child asked me to relocate and be the second adult in the household, to help with my grand baby. I fly by the seat of my pants and am very spontaneous. As a free-spirit, all I know is, I want adventure in the great wide somewhere, I want it more than I can tell...don't you know there's part of me that looooongs to gooooo...into the unknown. Can you pick out the Disney lyrics?!? Blame my five year old granddaughter. Peace, love, and happy trails...Ultraviolet (Ultraviolet is the trail name I received on the AT...but that's another story, for another time).
Age: 56
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: : I joined this illustrious club because it had "elite hiking club" in the description. As an extreme backpacker, overall extreme person, and someone who appreciates things that require some big doin's, 52 Peaks sounded very appealing. Great marketing, Branch!!! My goal was to get in condition for thru-hiking the PCT, since I'm a Wild West girl, now, and the logistics aren't as daunting as when I was a southern girl.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: March 16, 2020
Toughest Peak: My toughest peak was Bridge Point. The night before, I combined foods that didn't agree with me and spent several hours vomiting and then didn't sleep. At the beginning of the hike, less than an hour into it, my water reservoir failed and poured a good deal of water down the back of my pants and into one of my shoes. I should have begged off, but the leaders had kindly scheduled the hike for me so I could get my last hikes wrapped up, and I felt I should suck it up and nail it. After all, you can do anything for a short period of time!!! Pain is only temporary!!!
Favorite Hike: : Mummy Head-to-Toe, White Pinnacle, Oak Peak, Goodman/North/Lost...basically, all multi-peak hikes...they are super adventure-y!!!
How did you feel once you became a 53er: I was elated!!! It was a win that I had anticipated since the day I joined the club, and I felt like a choir of angels appeared when we reached the peak, and broke into Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, while glitter rained down on me from flying unicorns behinds, rainbows filled the sky, and rays of golden light shone down on me!!! It felt that amazing!!! I had feared that it would be bittersweet, and I'd be melancholy, but nooooooooo!!!! I will always remember it as one of the highlights of my life!!!
Advice for new hikers: : Find those whose hiking style coincides with yours and enjoy!!! Read the descriptions to determine if a hike is right for you...leaders are very forthcoming with the speed of the hike and the challenges regarding each individual hike. The only way to get into hiking shape is to hike frequently. Know your fitness level and strive, however you have to, to get to where you need to be, to do the hikes you want to do. Laugh and enjoy everyone's company!!! We are so blessed to be hiking with the best, most fun people!!! Please get scrambling shoes that have Stealth Rubber soles, for the Red Rock hikes. Ask for help whenever you feel the need. We are always there for each other and are happy to help. Most of all, enjoy your time on the trail and on the rocks, with this special group!!! You will make lifelong friends and many special memories!!!
Age: 56
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: : I joined this illustrious club because it had "elite hiking club" in the description. As an extreme backpacker, overall extreme person, and someone who appreciates things that require some big doin's, 52 Peaks sounded very appealing. Great marketing, Branch!!! My goal was to get in condition for thru-hiking the PCT, since I'm a Wild West girl, now, and the logistics aren't as daunting as when I was a southern girl.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: March 16, 2020
Toughest Peak: My toughest peak was Bridge Point. The night before, I combined foods that didn't agree with me and spent several hours vomiting and then didn't sleep. At the beginning of the hike, less than an hour into it, my water reservoir failed and poured a good deal of water down the back of my pants and into one of my shoes. I should have begged off, but the leaders had kindly scheduled the hike for me so I could get my last hikes wrapped up, and I felt I should suck it up and nail it. After all, you can do anything for a short period of time!!! Pain is only temporary!!!
Favorite Hike: : Mummy Head-to-Toe, White Pinnacle, Oak Peak, Goodman/North/Lost...basically, all multi-peak hikes...they are super adventure-y!!!
How did you feel once you became a 53er: I was elated!!! It was a win that I had anticipated since the day I joined the club, and I felt like a choir of angels appeared when we reached the peak, and broke into Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, while glitter rained down on me from flying unicorns behinds, rainbows filled the sky, and rays of golden light shone down on me!!! It felt that amazing!!! I had feared that it would be bittersweet, and I'd be melancholy, but nooooooooo!!!! I will always remember it as one of the highlights of my life!!!
Advice for new hikers: : Find those whose hiking style coincides with yours and enjoy!!! Read the descriptions to determine if a hike is right for you...leaders are very forthcoming with the speed of the hike and the challenges regarding each individual hike. The only way to get into hiking shape is to hike frequently. Know your fitness level and strive, however you have to, to get to where you need to be, to do the hikes you want to do. Laugh and enjoy everyone's company!!! We are so blessed to be hiking with the best, most fun people!!! Please get scrambling shoes that have Stealth Rubber soles, for the Red Rock hikes. Ask for help whenever you feel the need. We are always there for each other and are happy to help. Most of all, enjoy your time on the trail and on the rocks, with this special group!!! You will make lifelong friends and many special memories!!!