By Jill Stegman
For Chuck Tribbey, hiking has never been about reaching a summit.
"It's more about exploring the world of nature, seeing places that I would never have been able to see and getting to understand why these places are important to be protected," Chuck said.
In 1993, he joined the Sierra Club while he lived in Pasadena and enrolled in a wilderness travel course. A hiking trip opened his eyes to environmental issues, and he signed up for training to guide outings with the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club. Before he finished his training, however, he moved to the Central Coast. At that time, Gary Felsman encouraged him to become an outings leader for the Santa Lucia Chapter, and he remained connected with the local chapter for the next few years.
Chuck served twice on the chapter's Executive Committee, as treasurer and political committee chairman, and became deeply involved in the chapter's outings program.
Rewards of the trail
Chuck has hiked from the top of Southern California's peaks to the Sierra Nevada, Mount Hood, trails in Italy, Patagonia, and the United Kingdom. Chuck has summited Mount Whitney three times.
Hiking's appeal isn't just where it can take you. "Even if I hike the same trail, it's not the same experience each time," he says.
He has seen bighorn sheep near Mt. Baldy and a bear in Sequoia National Park. He remembers camping under the stars in the Sierras and hiking familiar trails on the Central Coast. Some of his favorite destinations are Pismo Preserve, Reservoir Canyon, Irish Hills, and Montaña de Oro.
He credits his experiences with shaping his approach to conservation. Spending time in the outdoors helps people appreciate what's at stake when places in nature are threatened. For Chuck, environmental conservation isn't just a political issue; it's about the places people know, the wildlife they see, and the experiences they want to share.
He thinks not just about the future but beyond his own lifetime. "We have a responsibility to leave our children and grandchildren clean air, clean water, and healthy food," he said.
He believes that his intuition also drives his interest in environmental activists and writers such as Bill McKibben, Al Gore, Greta Thunberg, David Brower, Aldo Leopold, Edward Abbey, and Rachel Carson. These writers show how people can raise awareness of environmental threats in many ways and encourage action. Chuck is also inspired by fellow Sierra Club members' dedication and projects, which show how much conservation relies on collective action.
Helping others get outdoors
Chuck has helped people get outside and see places they may have never seen before. Being an outings leader involves a lot more than knowing a hike route. It means paying attention to abilities and making sure others stay safe and aren't left out.
He has also seen an ordinary trip turn into an emergency situation. One time, a woman broke her wrist on a hike, and Chuck helped her down while another leader cared for the rest of the group. On another occasion, a hiker had a heart attack, and the group members tried to perform CPR. He felt these experiences showed the need for preparation and safety training.
By helping slower hikers and encouraging participants to return, one outing can become a lifelong bond with nature. Some participants eventually become leaders themselves, increasing the program's reach. And most importantly, he says, “When people experience the outdoors on a hike, I think they are more likely to want to protect it.”
For Chuck, it's not about recognition. "I don't think about leaving a legacy," he said. "If what I do in outings helps make the outings program healthy and sustainable, then that makes me happy."
Chuck also has a more personal connection to hiking. He met his wife Kathryn on a Sierra Club hike up Cerro Alto in 2008. After several more hikes, including a five-day trek up Mt. Whitney, they married two years later in the Sierra Club office garden on Marsh Street.
Chuck now lives in Napa and is no longer part of the Santa Lucia Chapter. But he is confident the current outings program, under Art Westerfield's leadership, will continue to thrive. Chuck emphasizes that the shared concept passed down by all the leaders is that hiking "Is not just recreation. It's an opportunity for people to reconnect to nature, and make relationships and make a personal investment in these places."
His story is a perfect illustration of how conservation begins with a walk on the trail. How a unique landscape can ignite curiosity. How repetition breeds appreciation. How appreciation turns into a passion for conservation.
The motto of the Sierra Club is "Explore, Enjoy, Protect." Chuck saw hiking as a natural way to support the overall goal of ensuring the world remains a good place for future generations to explore.