Kevin Humes

Bio: About 12 years ago, a friend asked me to join him on a hike to Bridge Mountain in Red Rock.  This was my first real hike.  We got to the crest of the ridge and he pointed to the crack.  "That's where we go up," he said.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!  Well, needless to say, I went & it really wasn't that bad.  In fact, it was amazing!  I was climbing up something that looked impossible just moments earlier!
After that hike, I went out to purchase my own copies of Branch's 'Hiking Las Vegas' and 'Hiking Southern Nevada' and worked my way through every hike, even taking others on that same hike to Bridge, just to see the look on their faces when they saw what they were about to do & again to see the joy and accomplishment once they had done it.
Hiking has taken me to heights I never knew were possible, literally & figuratively.  The serenity of the outdoors has made a huge difference in my life, as have the wonderful people I have met because of it. 

Age: 30

Why did you join the 52 Peak Club: I had already done most of the peaks on this list on my own.  This seemed like the next logical step, and a worthwhile goal to pursue.  Many of the peaks I had really struggled on the first time & vowed never to go back to.  Revisiting these peaks with the group gave me a new outlook.  I got to try new, challenging routes with genuinely good people that could make me forget how hard my body was actually working.  I must have burned just as many calories laughing on my way up & down these peaks as I did with the physical exertion it took to get there.

Date Completed all 52 Peaks: Nov 17, 2012 (21th person to become a 53er)  We dressed up as zombies and entertained ourselves as well as other hikers and climbers in Red Rock en route to one of the more challenging peaks I had never before summitted - Terrace Canyon Peak.

Toughest Peak: Mt. Wilson via Cleaver Crack.

Favorite Hike: This is a tough question to answer.  The hike up Rainbow peak is one I'll never forget.  The slots on Holiday Peak & the route up to Deadhorse Point & White Pinnacle were a lot of fun too.  And who could forget the Mustache hike up to The Sisters to celebrate Tre-c's final card?  Maybe it's just because it is so fresh in my mind, but I honestly think my favorite of all was the zombie hike to Terrace Canyon Peak to finish my deck.  The combination of wonderful people, a fun, challenging route and the amount of laughter had by all definitely puts this one at the top!
 

How did you feel once you became a 53er: Hungry!  Hungry for another challenge.  Hungry for more great memories.  Hungry for the chance to help others attain the same elation.  Also, hungry for the potluck that ensued.


Advice for new hikers: Enjoy every moment you spend earning these cards.  You don't have to finish overnight.  Don't hesitate to sign up for a route you haven't done just because you've already got the card
- it may end up being your favorite!  If you don't have a lot of hiking experience, don't let that deter you from reaching your goals.
Start with the easier hikes at a slower pace & work your way up to the more difficult hikes & faster paces.  Don't be afraid to contact the organizers before a hike to ask questions.  They've been doing this a while.  They will be able to tell you how hard the route is and what pace they plan on moving.  That's what is so great about this group - every week, there are hikes led for beginners, intermediate hikers & fast-paced mountain goats alike!  Most of all, just make sure to enjoy yourself.  That's what this is really all about, isn't it?