Mya "Mya Jane" Starling
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Bio: I’ve lived all over, but just before Vegas I lived in Brooklyn, NY. I moved to Vegas for a job – I’m a higher education data junkie and a neurolinguistics programming practitioner. In my free time I love to hike, paint, and do hot yoga. About a year ago (and 9 hikes to go) I moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where I live with my three bunnies and a new kitty.
Age: 45
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I originally wasn’t going to join at all! I was planning on doing a few hikes with the group, picking the easier hikes that I felt comfortable doing. I read the descriptions of a lot of the harder hikes and thought ‘well that’s not me’ and there’s no way I could do that. I went on one hike with the group – it was Windy Peak and it was a celebration hike for a new 53er – and that was all I needed to join. The group was so positive and supportive – it was like a family. I joined the 52 Peak Club on my very next hike, Crabby Appleton.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: March 12, 2017
Toughest Peak: Before my last, I would’ve said Ice Box, because it was at a lot faster pace than I was accustomed to and there was a technical bit I had a lot of trouble with. My last hike was Rainbow and I think that blew Ice Box out of the water. It was a combination of the length of the hike, the technical bits, and a big chunk of the descent being my least favorite kind (steep slab leading to oblivion – gets me every time), and being a little bit worn down from a hike two days prior.
Favorite Hike: White Pinnacle. It has everything I could ever want on a hike. The final climb before the peak is my absolute favorite part ever and the peak itself – wonderful!
How did you feel once you became a 53er: It feels like a huge accomplishment. I’m proud that I was able to finish my hikes even though I moved to Wisconsin and had to fly back to finish the last nine of them.
Advice for new hikers: Yes, start with the hikes that meet your fitness level, but challenge yourself – push yourself. Don’t do what I did and save all of the hardest hikes for last! You are always both a leader and a follower and no one person ever finishes a hike or even all 52 hikes – it’s an accomplishment of the entire group through teamwork, camaraderie and support. But most of all, remember: all you are is changing. The amount you grow and change and learn – both physically and mentally – while accomplishing this amazing goal is indescribable.
Age: 45
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I originally wasn’t going to join at all! I was planning on doing a few hikes with the group, picking the easier hikes that I felt comfortable doing. I read the descriptions of a lot of the harder hikes and thought ‘well that’s not me’ and there’s no way I could do that. I went on one hike with the group – it was Windy Peak and it was a celebration hike for a new 53er – and that was all I needed to join. The group was so positive and supportive – it was like a family. I joined the 52 Peak Club on my very next hike, Crabby Appleton.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: March 12, 2017
Toughest Peak: Before my last, I would’ve said Ice Box, because it was at a lot faster pace than I was accustomed to and there was a technical bit I had a lot of trouble with. My last hike was Rainbow and I think that blew Ice Box out of the water. It was a combination of the length of the hike, the technical bits, and a big chunk of the descent being my least favorite kind (steep slab leading to oblivion – gets me every time), and being a little bit worn down from a hike two days prior.
Favorite Hike: White Pinnacle. It has everything I could ever want on a hike. The final climb before the peak is my absolute favorite part ever and the peak itself – wonderful!
How did you feel once you became a 53er: It feels like a huge accomplishment. I’m proud that I was able to finish my hikes even though I moved to Wisconsin and had to fly back to finish the last nine of them.
Advice for new hikers: Yes, start with the hikes that meet your fitness level, but challenge yourself – push yourself. Don’t do what I did and save all of the hardest hikes for last! You are always both a leader and a follower and no one person ever finishes a hike or even all 52 hikes – it’s an accomplishment of the entire group through teamwork, camaraderie and support. But most of all, remember: all you are is changing. The amount you grow and change and learn – both physically and mentally – while accomplishing this amazing goal is indescribable.
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