I am Pippa's "I don't care giver" and partner. I met Pippa in 1983 when I moved to Kimberley to be the B.C. Human Rights Officer for the East and West Kootenays. At the time, Pippa was a single Mum raising Jasper (10) and Ollie (7) on her own.

What most impressed me about Pippa at that time was her boundless energy, enthusiasm, and positive outlook. We hiked, backpacked in the Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges, telemark skied, canoed, played tennis, squash, biked, ran 10 km races and never stayed still. It was one big mountain high!

We hiked the West Coast Trail together in 1990. Then in 1991 Pippa was diagnosed with MS. For someone as active as Pippa, it was an incredible blow but never did she succumb to self-pity. Because she adapted and showed remarkable determination to still live life to the fullest, she attracted a broad network of supportive friends. A group of her close friends accompanied her to Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park, one of her favourite hiking areas, where the only way she could get to the Alpine Club Hut was in a wheelbarrow!

The word inspiration is often overused in describing people we know, but it fits Pippa perfectly. Because of the way she raised her sons, it is no surprise that Jazz and Ollie are honouring their commitment to their Mum. I am delighted to be part of the incredible team dedicated to making Pippa’s dream of trekking to the Base Camp of Everest a reality.