Monika Johnson missing near alpental....

From numbers of stories from backcountry friends of hers and others on this forum I can tell it would have been a pleasure to know her. Condolences to friends and family.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Monica, only reading her trip reports and interacting with her through this site.  This is very sad news and my thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Just read in my journal from June 2006:

We flashed the 2 mile hike in, but were passed by a group heading out on the Watson traverse..."

Guess who?

Thank you, Ron, for reminding me.

To an athlete dying young... Godspeed, Monika. Condolences to all who are hurting.

Waking up early at Paradise to get turns before the glacier travel class kicked off for the day, I got a solitary foggy lap or two near Alta Vista before making turns back to the waking group. A few minutes later, a smiling Monika skied down after her fourth or fifth lap, all of which were taller, steeper, and more fun. Happily humbling.

Can't believe she might be gone. I can only imagine how those closer to her must feel. Warm thoughts for everyone who's hurting.

Met Monika once a few years back at a sort of 'family/friends of' reunion down here in Oregon.  She suggested  this web site after I was bragging about skiing the Emmons on big R..HA...foot in mouth....  My cousins told me she had unreal stamina and that nobody could really keep her pace (and chat..).  Saved myself a lot of embarrassment by not joining up for a Mt. Hood "jaunt" skiing Leuthold C..  

Her reports were fun and inspiring to read (amazing how much she did just because it was fun and good exercise).  Prayers to her, her family,  loved ones and friends....