Marilyn Koolstra

He had asked if I wanted to come because he was always inclusive and hopeful that I would join in on these adventures. But it was the start of Term 3, which is a Very busy, intense teaching time and a lot happening in schools. And I said, well, you know, I can't or more, I won't.

He had asked if I wanted to come because he was always inclusive and hopeful that I would join in on these adventures. But it was the start of Term 3, which is a Very busy, intense teaching time and a lot happening in schools. And I said, well, you know, I can't or more, I won't.

Marilyn's kids were also uncomfortable with the idea of their mom doing another big trek with Eric, given what had just happened.

Marilyn's kids were also uncomfortable with the idea of their mom doing another big trek with Eric, given what had just happened.

They were concerned that he was going off and doing this, you know, again.

They were concerned that he was going off and doing this, you know, again.

They tried to talk him out of going.

They tried to talk him out of going.

But he convinced them, you know, I've got the GPS. I've got a map. It's a trail. I'm just following the trail.

But he convinced them, you know, I've got the GPS. I've got a map. It's a trail. I'm just following the trail.

He figured it would take him about a week to hike a trail called the Uinta Highline in the U.S. Then he would fly to Canada to tackle the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island. Two epic walks done back to back.

He figured it would take him about a week to hike a trail called the Uinta Highline in the U.S. Then he would fly to Canada to tackle the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island. Two epic walks done back to back.

You know, he had a detailed Excel spreadsheet of days, dates, names, costs. It was meticulously planned.

You know, he had a detailed Excel spreadsheet of days, dates, names, costs. It was meticulously planned.

Since Marilyn refused to go, Eric reached out to his friend Julia Geisler from the JMT.

Since Marilyn refused to go, Eric reached out to his friend Julia Geisler from the JMT.

He emailed Julia and said, I'm doing this. Would you like to join me? Feel free. I'd love your company.

He emailed Julia and said, I'm doing this. Would you like to join me? Feel free. I'd love your company.

Eric and Julia had kept in touch over the years.

Eric and Julia had kept in touch over the years.