On Saturday, January 29, 2022, BRONKA SUNDSTROM and I had a nice 4 mile walk at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge with Barbara Eller. We saw 2 adult bald eagles by an occupied nest we saw last January and lots of other waterfowl and seals!
It was a sunny, warm day, reaching nearly 55 degrees.
I met Barbara through my college friend, former WTA Executive Director Karen Daubert, after I introduced Karen Daubert to BRONKA SUNDSTROM at my house in December. Afterwards, Karen was raving about BRONKA to her hiking buddy, Barbara Eller and other friends. Like me, Karen was so impressed with AMAZING BRONKA SUNDSTROM: the Oldest Woman to Climb Mt. Rainier at age 77 and in one day-19 hours round trip! BRONKA also made a 2nd attempt at age 90. Due to poor weather, her party stopped at Camp Muir.
BRONKA returned on a hike to Camp Muir again at age 91. BRONKA is also a WWII Nazi Concentration Camp survivor and the only member of her family to survive the Holocaust. She is an INSPIRATION to me and many other wonderful friends of BRONKA.
BRONKA and her late husband AKE SUNDSTROM were legends of Mt. Rainier, hiking and skiing on the mountain year-round. The two of them climbed to Camp Muir 50 times the summer BRONKA made her summit climb of the mountain!
In 2007, Barbara Eller and Karen Sykes hiked to Camp Muir with BRONKA SUNDSTROM when BRONKA was 82.
Karen Sykes was a REPORTER for the SEATTLE PI and wrote an article about their hike with BRONKA:
If you want to learn more about legendary BRONKA SUNDSTROM, you can watch this 7-minute video on You Tube, called LADY OF THE MOUNTAIN:
Barbara Eller has climbed ALL the highest peaks in Washington, except Mt. Baker. The very impressive Karen Daubert has climbed them all and much more!
Barbara does lots of backpacking and hiking and has volunteered many hours on WTA volunteer trail maintenance crews.
Barbara painted a beautiful watercolor of Mt. Rainier, framed it and gave it to BRONKA on Saturday-so nice of her!
JANE HABEGGER, Olympia
janeandbill1@comcast.net
Comments
Psalm104 on Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Wow, what a rock star Bronka is! Thanks for sharing her story… I had no idea we had a local legend here.
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Psalm104 on Feb 01, 2022 11:47 AM