And the nice list:

[balzaccom]

This one is more fun, because these are the people who make getting out into the mountains easier for everyone:

The firefighters and first responders who are called every summer to save people, homes, and vast swaths of forest. You are heroes indeed.

The endlessly patient people who work in our parks and explain the rules and regulations over and over to people who don’t want to hear them and don’t want to follow them. Somebody please buy them a beer.

The endlessly enthusiastic people on the internet who offer free advice to anyone who asks. And that includes everything from experience with various types of gear, to beta on just about any kind of hike or any off-trail route. Pretty darn cool.

The volunteers that do everything from answer questions to work on the trail crews that give added value to our parks. We’ve spent many an hour with these folks, and they are wonderful.

The Search and Rescue teams who drop everything to come and help those who really need it. Thankfully, we have never had to ask, but we have enormous respect and admiration for these folks.

The amazing people who offer to take others into the mountains, whether they be friends, family, kids groups, church groups…anything that gets more people to love the outdoors is a good thing. We need all the voters we can get.

And speaking of voters, a nice word for the politicians who do what they can to protect our wild and scenic places.

[Wandering Daisy]

Family members who encourage us and help with trip logistics even when they do not backpack and have to hold down the fort while we are out doing what we love.

[balzaccom]

Nice one, Daisy!