AMC Outdoors, January/February 2003

By Katharine Wroth

This is not a story about Kathryn Yousif, per her request. Instead, it's about the motives that have kept her volunteering with the AMC for more than 25 years: getting people outdoors, and getting them involved with the AMC. Participation is easy, she tells people, "and there's so much to do!"

Along with her husband and fellow adventurer, Don, the Narragansett Chapter member has been a leader since shortly after joining the AMC in the mid-1970s. "So many wonderful members took us under their wings, we wanted to do the same for others," she explains. From spearheading snowy local hikes to filling in as winter caretaker at AMC huts, from sharing skills at Mountain Leadership School to teaching Wilderness First Aid, Kathryn has made genial support an art form.

"I always like to see people accomplish things they didn't think they could," she says, "and I'm right there cheering them on." As an example, she describes the couple's 20 years of running a chapter Family Weekend at Cardigan Lodge, despite having no children of their own. "It was wonderful to see kids who'd never climbed a mountain start believing in themselves," Kathryn says. She and Don had a similar experience when they joined the AMC, she recalls. A downhill skier, he taught his wife the sport; she taught him to camp. Then they expanded to cross-country skiing and hiking. "We're a good team," she says.

This team spends even more time together now that both are retired from careers with the state of Massachusetts. They explore often from their Taunton, Mass., home, and — having completed the 4,000-footers and 100 highest in winter — are seeking to reach each state's highest point. They have scaled "30-something" of the 50, says Kathryn. But, she adds, they've also learned that "if you don't get to the summit, it doesn't mean the trip is a failure. Are you happy? Are you safe?"

This outlook, blended with hearty encouragement, helps Kathryn Yousif teach others to spread their wings.

—Katharine Wroth is Senior Editor of AMC Outdoors.