NEW LEADER PROFILE: Sui-wen Lin

Local Hike Leader Sui-wen Lin

Q: When did you join the AMC?
I joined the AMC in November 2006, but was inactive until April 2007 when I participated in a full moon hike at Borderland State Park -- then I was hooked!

Q: Why do you hike?
It makes me feel good.  I love nature and outdoor activities.  It is a great way to keep our body/mind in shape and it’s also a wonderful way to meet other nature lovers.

Q: What is your hiking and outdoor experience?
 I was not much of a hiker before joining the AMC.  My outdoor activities are tennis and skiing.  However, after the taste of the full moon hike, I have been quite active with our chapter.  I enjoy the comradeship from the group.  Together we have done quite a few peaks in the White Mountains and Berkshires  in the spring, summer as well as  in the fall and winter.    Last year I challenged myself with more hiking than I ever dreamed of.  With my husband and some families and friends, we went hiking in New Zealand in February, in National Parks in Colorado in September, and in Malaysia’s rain forest in November.  I think I would be perfectly happy if I could  hike everyday.

Q: Why did you want to become an AMC hike leader?
Well, without those wonderful AMC leaders, I would never have opened this chapter in my life.  I want to be a leader so that I can also  introduce the joy to others.  Also, I think  I can be a better hiker if I become a leader.

Q: Do you have a favorite hike or favorite hiking story?
I did my first hut-to-hut last June with Ken and Leslie and a bunch of lovely people.  Since I was on the long waiting list and did not expect to get in,  I was not really quite prepared.  I did not realize that a hut is different from a lodge, and there are no showers or regular bathroom facilities.  However, I made the adjustment without a major problem.  As some of you may remember, it was a very wet  spring/early summer.  During our trip, it rained  every day except the first day.  On the third day, none of us had a stitch of dry clothes or boots on us.  When we were all tired, cold, and hungry at about 6 PM, ready to collapse at Zealand Falls hut, we  came across  a raging river  between two droppings.  No doubt we could be seriously hurt or even lose our life if  we lost our balance.  None of our cell phones worked when we tried to get help.  Some of us wondered if it was the doomsday.  However, with the wise guidance from our leader and co-leader, we bushwacked to the upper stream where the water is less ferocious and the dropping less severe.  With  a few big guys as posts, planted in the middle of the river, everybody crossed safely.  Wow, what a trip! I certainly gained a lot of confidence after the experience and really appreciated the importance of good leadership.

Q: What is the one hiking adventure you dream of?
I would like to do Mt. Kilimanjaro, for I have heard so many good things about it.