Rita Wagner
Bio: I was born in Innsbruck, Austria in 1939. I moved to the United States when I was 21 years old. In 1989 I moved to Las Vegas from the beach in California. I started hiking with Branch two years ago during which I have improved my skills tremendously. In the last two years I have been on 250+ hikes.
Age: 73
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I thought it was such an innovative idea for encouraging new and seasoned hikers to push themselves for new goals. I thought it would be something that would push me to try things that I might have been too afraid to try .
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: May 4th, 2012 (1st woman ever to become a 53er.)
Toughest Peak: Pine Creek Peak.
Favorite Hike: White Pinnacle Peak.
How did you feel once you became a 53er: I felt I really accomplished something. This has been quite a journey and I was finally at the end.
Advice for new hikers: When I first started the 52 Peak Club and earned my first few cards, I was thinking to myself “If that was a two valued card there is no way I could make an ace”. I changed my mindset and started thinking I needed to push myself to try the harder peaks. Once I got my first high card I wanted to try a harder and harder cards (peaks). Before I even knew it I had improved so much I could do any hike. As long as you have the attitude that you will make the peak with help of the great organizers as well as the support of fellow hikers, you can be a 53er like me .
Age: 73
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I thought it was such an innovative idea for encouraging new and seasoned hikers to push themselves for new goals. I thought it would be something that would push me to try things that I might have been too afraid to try .
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: May 4th, 2012 (1st woman ever to become a 53er.)
Toughest Peak: Pine Creek Peak.
Favorite Hike: White Pinnacle Peak.
How did you feel once you became a 53er: I felt I really accomplished something. This has been quite a journey and I was finally at the end.
Advice for new hikers: When I first started the 52 Peak Club and earned my first few cards, I was thinking to myself “If that was a two valued card there is no way I could make an ace”. I changed my mindset and started thinking I needed to push myself to try the harder peaks. Once I got my first high card I wanted to try a harder and harder cards (peaks). Before I even knew it I had improved so much I could do any hike. As long as you have the attitude that you will make the peak with help of the great organizers as well as the support of fellow hikers, you can be a 53er like me .