Eric Umber

Bio: In October 2009, I left a negative situation after 22 years and moved to Las Vegas. Fifteen of those years were filled with stress and pain from numerous medical issues. I was unable to exercise for at least 15 years and weighed nearly 400 pounds. During my first week in Vegas, my life long friend, Lehman, took me on my very first hike. I only lasted about 100 yards before I had to quit. After a few months of healthier eating and exercising in the gym, I began losing some weight and returned to hiking in June 2010. In September 2011, I joined a Meetup hiking group and began doing easy hikes five days a week.

Branch started Hiking Las Vegas in January 2011 and I joined the 52 Peak Club two months later. My first card hike was Frenchman Mtn. during which I suffered a wrist injury that required stitches because of the severity of the wound. However, I did not let that deter me. I continued climbing peaks right away after two weeks’ recovery. I was amazed at all the different kinds of peak hikes being posted and in no time at all, I was standing on a ledge looking down 1,000 feet. It gave me such a great high! I could not get enough of this great new natural drug.

In the summer of 2011, I was going nuts over the high elevation peaks in the Charleston area. That August, I went on to climb Mt Whitney in a single day, which is the most difficult thing I have ever done! Over the next year, I continued my quest to become a 53er. In January 2012, I became a leader for Hiking Las Vegas and while taking many of you awesome hikers to the peak, I became a 53er on Goodman Peak on October 20, 2012.

Over the last three and half years, I have lost 170 pounds and am still losing weight today with a friend’s awesome help and inspiration. Now I feel like I’m “On Top of the World!” Thanks, Branch, and all my hiking friends for all your encouragement! Good luck to all of you in your quest to become a 53er.


Age: 50

Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I love hiking and knew it would be a challenge. The cards just added to the fun and kept me coming back hike after hike

Date Completed all 52 Peaks: Oct 20, 2012 (15th person to become a 53er)

Toughest Peak: Rainbow Peak w/ & w/o the ledge. Rainbow with the ledges was a long and difficult day . . . little did I know the back way from Rocky Gap road was going to be even tougher. I now know that Having Fun Linda is NEVER wrong!

Favorite Hike: White Pinnacle Peak! A short but majestic peak that offers a variety of difficulties with rope and exposure. I’ve topped this peak more than a dozen times in less than 2 years.

How did you feel once you became a 53er: A crowning achievement in my life considering how far I have come! Now I’m enjoying taking everyone else on these extreme hiking adventures

Advice for new hikers: Never give up! Never surrender!