On July 10, 2023, three generations of the Vanderhoof family stood atop Mount Rainier
Rose Vanderhoof, joined by her son, her granddaughter, and two trusted friends, celebrated a triumphant moment. Vanderhoof had just made history, officially becoming the “Oldest Woman to Summit Mount Rainier.”
Rose’s story started years ago when she and her husband Ted moved to the small town of Ashford, Washington. It was her husband, Ted, who first introduced her to climbing. The couple hiked and climbed together for years. Tragically, Ted’s climbing days came to an end after a debilitating car accident. “Ted and I were prepping for a summit. One day, we were crossing a street. A car ran a red light and hit him. He’s fortunate to be alive; it was a debilitating accident. He’s an encourager, he’s a blessing.”
Said Rose, “Climbing takes a lot of training, strength, mental, and physical discipline. I want people to know that age shouldn’t be a barrier to getting out and enjoying time in nature.” Rose had a friend in *Bronka Sundstrom. At age 77, Bronka set the record for the oldest woman to summit Rainier back in 2002. Bronka, an enthusiastic hiker, once traveled the demanding trail to Camp Muir an astounding fifty times in one season! Even at the age of 91, back in 2016, she embarked on an impressive, unassisted hike from Paradise to Camp Muir and made her way back. This challenging route spans 8–10 hours of strenuous climbing, reaching an elevation of over 10,000 feet. “One day, when I was out walking, I happened to meet Bronka. We enjoyed each other’s company and hiked together regularly for years. We attempted a summit when Bronka was 80 but had to turn around due to poor weather conditions.”
When asked why, at the age of 78, she continues to climb,
Rose said, “Everyone looks so happy when they’re out on the mountain. You meet the nicest people in the mountains. I just love it; it’s my passion. God’s giving me this gift and I want to share it and encourage people. Age doesn’t matter; you should be out in nature. My son Chris Haugen and my granddaughter Aleah Haugen, it’s their first climb. To have three generations at the summit was so special. My granddaughter, she’s a natural. I remember taking her on her first hike when she was five years old. Grandma, every time you took me out on a hike, I was scared but with you, I started conquering my fears.”
The Climbing Team
Rose’s friend Mingrey Hildebrandt joined the climbing party along with family friend and mountaineer Dr. Leyton Jump. The July 2023 climb marked Dr. Leyton’s 13th summit, Rose’s 9th, and Mingrey’s 2nd. Said Vanderhoof, “We had hiking friends who helped carry gear to Muir. I used to be able to carry a heavy pack when I was younger. So many people supported me on this climb. Four people carried gear up to Camp Muir for us and four more people met us at Muir and carried the gear down.” The climb would not have been possible without the support and assistance of these hiking friends, who volunteered to lighten the load for Rose and her team.
Said Rose “It was a big celebration at departure and upon our return. It felt like a happy time for everyone. We enjoyed each other’s company. On the way up to Muir we had heat, wind, hail, thunder, lighting, and extreme cold wind. As we were climbing, the wind almost knocked me over. It’s hard to explain because the conditions can change. The summit was beautiful. My son and my granddaughter gave me the biggest hug at the summit. We were so happy to share that moment together.” Accompanied by her son, Chris Haugen, and granddaughter, Aleah Haugen, Rose experienced an extraordinary milestone: having three generations stand together at the summit. Aleah, a natural mountaineer, owed her fearlessness to her grandmother, who had nurtured her love for hiking from a young age.
Throughout their ascent, the group relied on their conditioning and faith. They faced the conditions with courage and prayer. The summit was a sight to behold. Said Rose, “The higher you get up, you can be in the best physical condition but that altitude can impact your head and your stomach.” Rose has been a mountaineer for over 30 years and actively volunteers for the Mount Tahoma Trails Association (MTTA) She met Dr. Leyton, a fellow volunteer at MTTA. They, along with other friends, would go hiking and climbing together for years. Said Rose, “We’re so blessed to have this mountain in our backyard.”
When asked about the climb, Rose shared
“You climb over boulders, rocks, and talus; there’s elevation. It’s challenging. Afterwards, my son said, “Mom, I have a new appreciation for you.” Each year several teams have turned around at Disappointment Cleaver. As a seasoned mountaineer of over 30 years, Rose understood the challenges of the Disappointment Cleaver, a treacherous section of the climb where altitude could impact even the fittest climbers. The group reached Disappointment Cleaver, a tough spot that can be dangerous. They made their way over a crevasse ladder before ascending the Disappointment Cleaver. During this part of the journey, they encountered a challenging section that involved scrambling. For Rose, who stood at a mere four feet eleven and weighed just 100 lbs., maneuvering around the larger rocks presented a particular challenge, requiring extra effort to lift herself up. As they proceeded to traverse the glacier, they faced powerful gusts of wind that almost threatened to knock Rose off her feet.
Vanderhoof wants people to get outside and spend time in nature
Rose firmly believed that age should never be a barrier to exploring nature’s wonders, and she hoped to spread this message far and wide. For Rose, the mountains were not only a place of adventure but also where she found the most delightful and kind-hearted people. She cherished these moments and wanted to encourage others to experience the same joy.
Rose’s story of determination, passion, and resilience serves as an inspiration. Her faith and passion for exploring the outdoors encourage others to step outside, breathe in nature’s beauty, and conquer their own mountains, whatever they may be.
*Bronka Sundstrom passed away on November 29, 2023