| Mataharihiker |
| For those of you who know me even a little bit you know that I have met many wonderful people over the years from the Backpacker.com forums. Dozens of people who are awesome hiking partners and many have even become my close friends. One such person was Lin, aka Mataharihiker. She was actually the first person I ever met and hiked with from the forums. She traveled out to California from her home in the Upper Midwest in June 2003 and I met her up at Sequoia National Park and we went hiking around Giant Forest, climbed Moro Rock, had dinner at Wuksachi Lodge, and camped at Lodgepole Campground. We talked around a campfire that night and in the morning she made me pancakes. We were fast friends. She told me stories about her wild and crazy younger life. She traveled many worldly places and had some amazing experiences. But she had finally settled down with the love of her life and lived a simple life and just loved to be outdoors, no matter what. She inspired me to do the same. Although we never went hiking together again, we remained in touch through the forums. We wrote each other letters, shared photos from our trips, and sent each other Christmas cards. She stuck by me when things in my life went awry and gave me great advice. But most of all she never ceased to me amaze me by her initiative to get out there - even when she became sick she still went camping even if it was just an overnighter at a local state park. Johnhens and Lorax from the forums let everyone know this morning that Matahari had passed away. She will be missed... I am by no means the only person she touched. Here's a link to the forum thread where people are expressing their condolences. This was one of her last emails to me... "I want to thank you for your thoughtful card...you will always be special to me...meeting you in SEKI was like meeting an old friend...I have rarely felt so comfortable with someone I just met...I am so glad your life has gone the way it has...having someone to love who loves you is such a gift...again, Carol, thank you...sending you a big, if feeble (LOL), hug...love, Lin" RIP Mataharihiker. An update from Johnhens... Many have inquired about making donations in Matahari's name. Her family and her boyfriend Bill have come up with two organizations to make donations to. You may make donations in the name Mataharihiker. This is for security reasons as I don't wish to post her name on a public forum. Donations may be made to: Michigan Nature Association This link should take you to the donation page. Scroll down to the Memorium option and follow the directions. Please include your name and address for the benefit of the family. Donations may also be made to Twin Cities Public TV Please fill out the info and in the comment section at the bottom note the donation is in Memorium of either her name or Mataharihiker. Click on Pledge New Membership, though it will not be treated as such. You may also call 866-229-1300 to make a donation over the phone. Mata was a big fan of PBS and she also wrote an article that appeared in Backpacker about her experience in the Estivant Pines in the UP. Estivant Pines is managed and maintained by the Michiagn Nature Association with numerous locations in MI that Mata loved to explore. June 2003 SEKI Trip Mataharihiker's Webshots Albums Back to Tarol's Homepage |
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