Climbing for Chris: A Legacy That Reaches Far Beyond the Summit

A Journey of Purpose, Perseverance, and Possibility

Long before the annual Hooyman Climb became a YMCA tradition, there was a young man who believed the outdoors had the power to change lives.

Chris Hooyman discovered his love for mountaineering as a teenager and spent much of his life exploring the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. A gifted climber and respected Mount Rainier guide, Chris believed that wilderness adventures weren't simply about reaching a summit — they were about discovering resilience, building confidence, forging lifelong friendships, and learning to care for one another.

In 1999, Chris lost his life on Denali while attempting to rescue another climber. He was just 27 years old. Today, his spirit lives on through the YMCA of Greater Seattle's Hooyman Climb, an annual Mount Rainier expedition that honors Chris's legacy while raising critical funds for YMCA BOLD & GOLD. Through the generosity of climbers, donors, and supporters, more young people have the opportunity to experience the same kind of life-changing adventures that shaped Chris's own life.

This summer, four climbers continued that legacy, raising $22,634 to help ensure young people from all backgrounds can experience the confidence, leadership, resilience, and sense of belonging that come from spending time in the outdoors. Their journey included breathtaking beauty, unexpected setbacks, remarkable teamwork, and ultimately, a successful summit. But perhaps more importantly, it reminded everyone involved why this climb exists in the first place.

Because every young person deserves the chance to discover what they're capable of.

A Mountain — and a Mission

This year's climbing team included Matt Swanson, his daughter Riley, family friends Ann and Sylvie, and experienced mountaineering guides Drew and Jordan. Their adventure began with a hike from White River Campground to Glacier Basin, where they established their first camp beneath the towering slopes of Mount Rainier.

The next morning, carrying heavy packs, they climbed through alpine meadows and across the Emmons Moraine toward the glacier. Then their carefully planned expedition took an unexpected turn. Just before stepping onto the snow, guide Drew became seriously ill with a stomach virus. Because National Park regulations limit the size of climbing rope teams, only three climbers could continue toward the summit with the remaining guide.

Without hesitation, Matt — who had successfully summited Rainier several times before — volunteered to step away from his own summit attempt so the others could continue. It was a difficult decision, but one that reflected the very values the climb celebrates: selflessness, teamwork, and putting others before yourself. The team reorganized their gear, adjusted their plans, and kept moving forward together.

Taking the Next Step

With a storm forecast to arrive the following day, another decision had to be made. Rather than spending a day practicing snow skills as originally planned, Riley, Ann, Sylvie, and guide Jordan departed camp at 3:45 am, hoping to take advantage of a narrow weather window.

As dawn broke across the Cascade Range, they carefully navigated towering crevasses, admired lenticular clouds swirling around Little Tahoma, and steadily climbed nearly 5,000 vertical feet in just two miles.

The pace was slow. 
Intentional.
Every step mattered. 
Every breath mattered.

For Riley, the final stretch became about something much bigger than reaching the summit, "There was a mantra looping in my head that I needed to reach the top to support these kids. It was honestly the only thing that kept me from saying, 'I'm done,' and turning around."

Around 10:45 that morning, after nearly seven hours of climbing, the team reached the summit of Mount Rainier. There were no grand celebrations. Just quiet smiles, a few photos, and the overwhelming realization that they had accomplished something extraordinary. Back at base camp, Matt and Drew heard the radio message they had been hoping for, "We made the summit!"

No One Climbs Alone

The summit may have been the destination, but it wasn't the greatest lesson of the climb. Like every BOLD & GOLD expedition, this journey became an exercise in trust, perseverance, and supporting one another through adversity. The descent proved almost as challenging as the climb itself. Soft snow, tired legs, and hours of intense concentration pushed everyone to their limits.

Riley remembers the final hour back to camp as one of the hardest moments of the expedition. "We were still over an hour away, and I genuinely don't think I have ever been that exhausted. My feet were just falling beneath me, and we were all being pulled around by the rope. Then Drew and my dad came over the ridge toward us. Even though Drew had been sick, they climbed up to support us through that last stretch. Their fresh energy helped all of us make it back to the tents."

Even after stepping away from the summit attempt, Matt and Drew found another way to lead.

The experience reflected exactly what BOLD & GOLD strives to create for young people: environments where challenges are shared, teammates encourage one another, and everyone discovers they are capable of more than they imagined. Back at camp, the team celebrated with one of the Hooyman Climb's favorite traditions — a fresh pineapple shared in honor of Chris Hooyman before beginning the journey home.

Lessons That Last Beyond the Mountain

Every climber returned with lessons they'll carry long after leaving Mount Rainier.

Matt reflected on the quiet power of persistence: "Sometimes it would feel like we were barely moving, but over time each step and each moment added up to big progress up the mountain."

Riley discovered that one lesson was surprisingly simple: "Pressure breathing. Our guide kept yelling, 'I should hear you breathing!' His voice will forever be in my head telling me to breathe while running, skiing—or just when I'm stressed."

Ann came away convinced that challenging ourselves is always worthwhile: "I was reminded that it's generally a good idea to undertake challenges and adventures—big, hard things you can prepare for, with uncertain outcomes — with loved ones and new friends. Even if we hadn't summited, it would've been an awesome experience from beginning to end."

She also found unexpected joy in moments she never could have predicted: "Watching a butterfly migration at 8,500 feet and glissading down the Inter Glacier were moments I'll never forget."

For Sylvie, who previously participated in a YMCA BOLD & GOLD trip herself, the climb reinforced a lesson she first learned through the program: "I am able to push myself further than I think I can, and that it might hurt, but the pain will be temporary." 

She also reflected on why supporting BOLD & GOLD mattered so deeply, "I thought about my own BOLD & GOLD trip and how much it helped me grow as a leader and as a person. I want other young girls to be able to experience what I did and find their own love of the outdoors."

Why We Climb

Throughout the expedition, the team never lost sight of the reason they were on the mountain.

Matt reflected afterward, "Working in partnership with the Y, we got to see firsthand what an amazing program BOLD & GOLD really is. Students of all backgrounds are able to show up with nothing but a toothbrush, and the Y can provide all the gear, instruction, and support for a transformative experience in the outdoors. Your generous donations are literally changing the course of young people's lives."

Ann shared that same conviction, "There's so much to learn about the world and about yourself when you're in the backcountry, living communally and working hard with other people. Every kid should have the chance to experience that."

That belief lies at the heart of BOLD & GOLD. Through backpacking, climbing, paddling, and wilderness expeditions, young people develop confidence, resilience, leadership, and a profound sense of belonging. Financial assistance and equipment provided by the YMCA ensure that cost is never a barrier to participating, allowing youth from all backgrounds to experience the transformative power of the outdoors.

Continuing Chris's Legacy

When asked what she would tell someone considering a future Hooyman Climb, Riley's answer was immediate, "Do it — 100%. You'll never look at the mountain the same way."

Ann had another suggestion, "Do it! Bring your teenage kid, your niece, or your neighbor along for the journey!"

Sylvie agreed, "Just do it! Jump into it, start training, and you'll find the passion for and excitement about the climb."

Matt echoed the invitation, "There's no better way to climb Mount Rainier, add meaning and purpose to your summer, and support an amazing cause in the process."

Before reflecting on the experience, Ann also wanted to recognize the people who made it all possible, "Thank you to our awesome guides, Drew and Jordan. They made our trip so special, and we seriously couldn't have done any of it without them."

Chris Hooyman believed that the outdoors had the power to shape lives.

More than 25 years after his passing, that belief continues to inspire each Hooyman Climb and every young person who embarks on a BOLD & GOLD adventure. This year's team reached the summit of Mount Rainier, but perhaps their greatest accomplishment wasn't standing 14,411 feet above sea level.

It was helping ensure that more young people will have the opportunity to discover their own strength, build lasting friendships, and experience the same sense of challenge, belonging, and possibility that Chris believed every young person deserves.

That's a legacy worth climbing for.