Chris Southworth

Bio: Born and raised in Las Vegas, I'm a former self-employed business owner turned college math instructor / graduate student.  I've been known to tell a story or two… only the short version though!  :  (FYI, this will be the longest 53er profile ever I'm quite sure… if you know me you're not shocked!)   When I had my businesses, I never had any time off so never really spent much of my life outdoors.  In January 2012 after going back to school, a colleague of mine took me hiking / rock climbing….  I was instantly hooked with the social activity of exercising while enjoying the beautiful outdoors!   Now, while I spend my week teaching Precalc and studying partial differential equations I spend my weekends on a trail, scrambling or looking for other new adventures 

Age: 29

Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I was at a point in my life where wanted to get outdoors more and I needed more social interaction.  This club provided all of that and more... I’ve visited places I could have never otherwise and met some of the most awesome people!    


Date Completed all 52 Peaks: Sept 21th, 2013 (40th person to become a 53er)

Toughest Peak: 1. Bridge Vista – This was such a long slog up this slab which seemed never ending.  I think if I had done it later in the deck it would’ve been better because I did Bridge point without issue.  Conditioning really is everything…
2. McFarland – Ugh!  Not much else to say.  This hike was a long slog make longer by an unfortunate detour.  I heard people curse that I had never heard before but we made it.  The ride home and making of a new friend made the day worthwhile
3. Charleston – A 17 mile slog from Trail Canyon to the highest point in Southern Nevada would have been hard enough.  Much harder when you prepare the night before  with 4 hours of sleep and an unknown quantity of liquid refreshment
4. Goodman – This was my first Red Rock hike.  In August at a faster pace in 100 degree heat. This is when I learned I had a long way to go conditioning wise and I best stay with slower hikes until I improved my fitness!
5. Wilson (1st time) – This was probably the longest hike I ever did with the group because of various reasons.  People were struggling, we were losing daylight but we all finally made it back safe.  I was like two hours like for dinner but it was ok    

Favorite Hike: 1. Mescalito – my 52nd peak!  I made it finally and had such a great time with our group.  It wasn’t the massive celebration that some people want or need but it was perfect for me
2. White Rock Hills – The hike was fun with scrambling from the beginning but it was really the group that made the difference.  Often the group makes the hike so much better.  I remember some very interesting pictures from that hike too! 
3. Rainbow – Penny’s 52nd peak!  It was a long grueling hike but being there when someone I know and care about accomplishes their goal was awesome!
4. Oak Creek Overlook – my favorite short Red Rock hike! I think I’ve done it 5 times now!  It has a little bit of everything including a wall that intimidates even some experienced scramblers
5. Wilson (2nd time) – Mardi gras hike… need I say more? We had so much fun.  Plus, we got the most awesome clouds I have ever seen surrounding us.  It was such a different experience from the first time and I was only there because my hike was cancelled.


How did you feel once you became a 53er: Pretty accomplished and honestly somewhat relieved.  Who would have thought someone like me could finish all 52 peaks?  I’m pretty sure at least one person thought I would quit after the first one… she knows who she is!  A lot of people say that once you get into the high 40’s you just want to get done… it’s totally true!  I didn’t want to announce my last card at all really because I was afraid something would happen.  I would hurt myself, weather would get hikes cancelled (well that happened anyway), or that I couldn’t get one of them posted.  I mean anything could go wrong!  My goal (which I abandoned a few times) was to become a 53er before my 30th birthday and despite a crazy sequence of misadventures it actually happened!  It was a pretty awesome feeling that I’m glad I was able to share with some of the awesome people I have come to know in this group.  Now I get to do the hikes I want to do and help my friends and others become 53ers too! 

Advice for new hikers: So many of my predecessors gave much great advice that I won’t repeat again here but I do want to say something that I don’t believe has been said before.  If you want to be a 53er you really have to have a passion for adventure and a level of commitment to the goal of completing all 52 peaks.  This commitment is shared by your hiking peers but is often misunderstood by your friends and family that don’t share your passion.  One day you’ll get tagged on Facebook with an awesome photo and they will comment to “get off that ledge” or “what are you doing up there?” because they think you’re doing something too dangerous.  It’s inevitable that you’ll end up with scratches and bruises and a friend will notice and comment that hiking is sooo dangerous and you should find a safer hobby.  My advice is DON’T let them affect your passion.  Over the course of accomplishing this goal you will grow as a person, improve your fitness, overcome fears and meet awesome people who share your passion and support your journey.  Everyone has different passions and some people just can’t understand why you’re passionate about something (especially if it’s a new thing to you).  Don’t let that get to you!  One of my best friend’s is passionate about knitting… I don’t get it at all but it makes her happy and that’s all that really matters.  If hiking makes you happy that’s all that matters… If you read my entire page you will realize that most of what made this journey enjoyable for me was all of the fun I had.  Sure this is a goal and everyone who makes a goal (especially crazy OCD people like me) wants to finish it and usually in record time.  This is intense, hardcore hiking that can’t be found anywhere but don’t forget that this is on your free time and it’s supposed to be fun.  Make friends… hike with them… don’t make it a race… take funny pictures… and most importantly enjoy the ride!  This is what life is all about!