CHAPTER LEADERS
LEADING THE PASStoPASS REGIONAL DAY HIKES
DAVE BAUMGART
Bellevue, WA –David Baumgart has been hiking, backpacking, and mountain climbing ever since a family outing to Colorado when he was 17. His favorite mountain is Mt. Rainier which he finally summited on his 5th attempt. David is a volunteer hiking leader for his church, his community, and the Northwest Parkinson’s Association. He always advises his hiking partners, Rule #1 is to stay within their safety comfort zone, and Rule #2 – have fun. His mantra is: “So Many Hikes, so little time.” David is a professional Sr. Project Manager, recently retired from the City of Seattle. David’s wife, Ruth, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s since 2016. They continue to enjoy hiking and camping – and their shared adventures as they explore our world. She agrees: their favorite hike is the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier.
RICH DENMAN, JULIA CHAPMAN, JERRY JONES
Portland OR – Rich and Jerry are hiking buddies that have explores much of Oregon. The trio of Jerry with Rich and his wife Julia hiked with PtP in 2020 and offered to lead an Oregon hike in 2021. They led a Chinook Pass to White Pass in 2022 and plan a new hike in Oregon with a new set of llamas in 2023.
Julia is famous for her gourmet hiking food she prepares, Rich loves hiking in a kilt and Jerry is a strong llama caretaker- he even knows how to administer charcoal for an upset stomach.
DEREK TORRY
Upland CA –
Diagnosed in 2012 at age 40, I have Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. Like many of my fellow hikers, PD has pushed me to be more active than before my diagnosis. I’m an optimist who is eager to do all I can to make a cure for PD a reality and encourage other Parkies as they live life with PD. I’m involved with several Parkinson’s organizations and believe we need to be proactive about combating the symptoms and finding a cure. Exercise and backpacking have definitely helped me.
I always backpack with my son, Seth. This makes him a natural fit on the team this year as a support hiker. He and I regularly log 30+ nights and 250+ miles a year on the trail. We enjoy trailer camping and fishing too. I’m married to an awesome wife and we have a beautiful daughter.
My trail name is The Hulk, not just because of my massive muscular body (haha), but because when I was an Assistant Scoutmaster in a troop that backpacked every month, I was usually wearing a green shirt on the trail.