*OLYMPIA* – Wolf Bauer, legendary mountaineer, kayaker, environmental educator and conservationist will be honored by the Legislature for his many achievements and for his 98th birthday on Friday, February 26 in Olympia. Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, will present a resolution acknowledging his contributions on the Senate floor at 10:00 AM. There will be a gathering in the State Reception Room following the ceremony so that people can meet this remarkable man.
Now living in Anacortes, Mr. Bauer is famous as a literal and figurative trailblazer for outdoor sports in Washington State. He began skiing with the Mountaineers club as a boy scout in 1929. In 1936 his team won the famous Patrol Race, an 18 mile dash between the Mountaineer lodges at Snoqualmie Pass and Stampede Pass in 4hrs, 37 minutes – a time that has never been beaten. In 1935 he and Jack Hossack made the first ascent of Ptarmigan Ridge on the North Face of Mount Rainier. In 1948 he founded the Washington Foldboat Club which became the Washington Kayak Club in the 1960’s. He helped design the modern fiberglass kayak and the sport of kayaking. His hand-drawn guide to Washington waterways is still used by kayakers to this day.
Bauer has founded and guided numerous outdoor groups including the Mountain Rescue Council and the Washington Environmental Council. As the leading shore resources consultant in the Northwest, he drafted the Natural Shorelines Act which was incorporated in the Shorelines Management Act of 1971. As an engineer he worked to restore the shorelines on many Puget Sound beaches including the lighthouse in West Seattle and at Golden Gardens.
His proudest achievements have been his work with State Parks. He led the fight to preserve the Green River Gorge. In 2009, State Parks renamed the lodge at Flaming Geyser in Wolf Bauer’s honor. His love for the rivers and shorelines, the mountains and trails of Washington have inspired generations of outdoor enthusiasts.
Mr. Bauer stays active by walking his neighborhood and hiking the trails of nearby Washington Park in Anacortes.
He welcomes interviews. Please contact Lynn Hyde with the Mountaineers to make arrangements. She can be reached at 206 619 4427 or _parkehyde@comcast.net_
*What: Senate honors Wolf Bauer, *_*Senate Resolution 8689*_
*When: Friday, February 26 from 10-11:30*
*Where: Legislative Building, State Reception Room * # # # For more information: Chase Gallagher, 360-786-7326 For interviews: Sen. Kevin Ranker, 360-786-7678
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