Bill and Marilyn Gifford at Mount Rainier National Park
When I first tried to call Bill and Marilyn Gifford to interview them about winning the Sierra Club’s Oliver Kehrlein Award, which honors service to the Sierra Club Outings Program, I would only reach their voicemail.
I shouldn’t have been surprised to find out at that the couple were out when I called, leading a Sierra Club trip in Goat Rocks Wilderness, about 85 miles southeast of Seattle in the volcanic Cascade Mountain Range.
Bill and Marilyn, both natives of Portland, Oregon, have been life members of the Sierra Club for nearly 40 years.
Although they were interested in environmental issues prior to joining the Sierra Club in 1976, Bill and Marilyn embarked on their first national outing with the Club in 1977—a nine-day backpacking trip in the Glacier Peak area in Washington State.
Just three years later, Bill led his first Sierra Club outing—another backpacking trip.
As of this year, Bill and Marilyn have led a total of nearly 80 national trips with the Sierra Club, both individually and jointly.
“Being involved with the national Outings Program and the Sierra Club is one of the best things that I’ve done with my life, right after family,” said Bill.
Leading Sierra Club outings not only runs in the family; it’s intergenerational. Bill and Marilyn’s son, James, is also an outings leader. James has co-led half a dozen backpacking trips with Bill and a basecamp trip with Marilyn.
Bill and Marilyn have led everything from day hikes to backpacking trips, including llama-supported trips. According to Bill, the head llama was named Dalai. (Unfortunately, so far as Bill and Marilyn are concerned, the llama trips ended a couple of decades ago.)
When asked what their favorite outings experience has been, Bill said, “that’s like asking me to name my favorite child.”
Eventually he chose the 93-mile Wonderland Trail that encircles Mount Rainier and challenges adventurers to hike a total of 27,000 feet in elevation gain and loss.
Marilyn agreed that the Wonderland Trail is the most challenging outing she has been on, but she chose on Oregon’s Three Sisters as her favorite outing.
“It’s something that I do in tandem with Bill, and I enjoy the outdoors,” Marilyn said about leading outings. “You meet lots of wonderful people—challenging people sometimes. You see new places, revisit favorite haunts. I enjoy it.”
Over the years, the Giffords have seen it all. They’ve dealt with hypothermia, heat prostration, squabbling campers, and strong, lasting bonds.
“I think I’m responsible for about six weddings for people who have met on a backpacking trip and gotten married afterward,” said Bill. “What happens on a backpack trip is sometimes what you plan, and sometimes not. That’s part of the adventure. The wilderness doesn't know about your plan and doesn't care about your plan.”
When asked what else is on the horizon for the couple, Bill said a little wistfully, “so many trails, so little time.”
Bill and Marilyn won’t be in San Francisco for the Sierra Club’s annual awards ceremony in September to receive the Oliver Kehrlein Award—they’ll be on the trail, natch. But both say they are deeply honored to be receiving the award.
Check out Bill’s website, hikingwithbill.com, to get a taste for their adventures. As Marilyn noted, “Bill is the one holding the wine glass,” toasting the wilderness.