Sam Chen
Bio: Growing up in rural Central China during the turbulent "Cultural Revolution" years, I had a very scant education before high school. I made it up in two years of high school and went on to college at age 16. Continued more graduate school at age 20 and was retained to teach in college. In 1989 I came to the US for more graduate work in Minnesota and afterwards settled in Northcentral Wisconsin. I started an agricultural brokerage and processing business, ran it for many years until it was no longer enjoyable, sold the business in 2011 and moved to Henderson, NV. I am currently retired with wife Pam who is also hooked on hiking. I have a teenage daughter and son.
Age: 50
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: Partly Branch's preaching and partly peer pressure. It took me a few hikes to decide to join. When I started to find out the club members were all in great shape and could do amazing things, I wanted to be like them.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: July 11th, 2014 (72st person to become a 53er)
Toughest Peak: Mt Wilson through the Hidden bowl. The endless slab climb and toe pinching on the way down are still fresh memory. The other one is Lee Peak traverse from Mummy Mountain through the ridges. Numerous ups and downs and false peaks aggravate the frustration.
Favorite Hike: Terrace Canyon for the scenery and technical climb. Ice Box Peak is so dramatic and unforgettable.
How did you feel once you became a 53er: Mission accomplished! I am always goal oriented. Once committed, I will stick to it. So happy to finish the peaks in six and half months! Now I can go to only the peaks I like.
Advice for new hikers: Talk to the leaders and more experienced hikers. This group is the least selfish when it comes to sharing information! They will tell anything and everything you want to know about hiking when they are on hiking high! Once you get some cards under the belt, it is time to plan your course of finishing it. Develop a good rapport with organizers who will lead you to the Peaks you need. Be prepared for setbacks, anxiety, frustrations, bad weather or whatever may come. But the peaks are always there and a committed person will always finish. The journey is sumptuously rewarding!
Age: 50
Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: Partly Branch's preaching and partly peer pressure. It took me a few hikes to decide to join. When I started to find out the club members were all in great shape and could do amazing things, I wanted to be like them.
Date Completed all 52 Peaks: July 11th, 2014 (72st person to become a 53er)
Toughest Peak: Mt Wilson through the Hidden bowl. The endless slab climb and toe pinching on the way down are still fresh memory. The other one is Lee Peak traverse from Mummy Mountain through the ridges. Numerous ups and downs and false peaks aggravate the frustration.
Favorite Hike: Terrace Canyon for the scenery and technical climb. Ice Box Peak is so dramatic and unforgettable.
How did you feel once you became a 53er: Mission accomplished! I am always goal oriented. Once committed, I will stick to it. So happy to finish the peaks in six and half months! Now I can go to only the peaks I like.
Advice for new hikers: Talk to the leaders and more experienced hikers. This group is the least selfish when it comes to sharing information! They will tell anything and everything you want to know about hiking when they are on hiking high! Once you get some cards under the belt, it is time to plan your course of finishing it. Develop a good rapport with organizers who will lead you to the Peaks you need. Be prepared for setbacks, anxiety, frustrations, bad weather or whatever may come. But the peaks are always there and a committed person will always finish. The journey is sumptuously rewarding!