Burroughs Mountain — Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021

Lucky us! Bill and I got to hike with legendary mountaineer BRONKA SUNDSTROM to Burroughs Mountain this week to celebrate Bronka's 96th birthday, which is this Sunday, August 15, 2021. 

BRONKA is the OLDEST WOMAN to SUMMIT Mt. Rainier, at age 77, doing so in 19 hours round trip, without stopping at Camp Muir! This was on August 31, 2002, with her competent and trusted guide, Jason Edwards. 

At age 90, Bronka and her guide Jason Edwards made a second attempt, but they stopped at Camp Muir, due to poor weather. Bronka, and her dear husband Ake, are legends of Mt. Rainier. They hiked to Camp Muir 50 times one summer while training for Bronka's summit climb and most years the couple hiked to Camp Muir numerous times. Ake taught Bronka to hike and ski and they enjoyed a wonderful life and retirement together from their home in Ashford. Ake, Bronka's wonderful husband of 64 years, passed away on May 31, 2010. Bronka and Ake's only child, Allen, died of cancer shortly after Ake died. 

We were not surprised that several passing hikers recognized Bronka and wanted to have their picture taken with her! Bronka is the queen of Mt. Rainier. She is also a Holocaust Concentration Camp survivor and the only person in her family to survive the Holocaust. Bronka is an inspiration to me. She is an amazing person and very special friend.  

Here is the link to an informative and interesting article about Bronka:

https://mag.jewishinseattle.org/travel-and-outdoors/2020/02/bronka-sundstrom-still-finds-solace-on-the-trail

Bronka moved to Panorama Retirement Community in Lacey in 2020. If you want to contact her to wish her a happy birthday, please feel free to email me and I can provide her phone number to you. 

Jane Habegger, Olympia (janeandbill1@comcast.net)

More Information on this Trip Report

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q83bAqNyIXc
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sk-pXGLcv4