In Memorium

Miles Kintz

March 22, 2000-December 10, 2022

By Laura Muckenhoupt and David Kintz, Miles’s parents

We took the first trip to Cottonwood Gulch as Family, with lots of stops along the way. From Petaluma, California to Thoreau, New Mexico on a southern route in the desert. Miles was 15 and was in the midst of all the challenges adolescence has to offer. The family dynamic was good and Miles was open-minded about the Gulch, an openmindedness that was always part of his outlook. We dropped Miles off not knowing what would come; it turned out to be the perfect place at the perfect time. Miles came home at the end of summer cracked wide open by the Gulch. That was the first of three summers he would spend there, and they were principal to the young man Miles became.

Miles walked in such deep love and light and had graciously become the young man that he is/was because of beautiful leaders, guides, friends and experiences he had encountered along the way in his short life. Cottonwood Gulch played an immense role in the molding and creating of this beautiful boy. His connection to the natural world and the awe of its grandeur was cemented at the Gulch. It was here that the very best of him was nurtured and grew, his great love for nature and his inherent empathy among them. Miles always had a penchant for looking out for others and sensing their emotional needs; the Gulch helped him understand this as a skill and gave him a greater sense of purpose.

Miles died on December 10th in a drenching afternoon rain storm in the hillsides of Petaluma/Marin Ca, on his way to work at his cafe job, appropriately named Trailhead. At the time of his death he was living at home, so we were able to bathe in his gracious and grateful light daily. His sister Izzy had also returned home for the year so our family of 4 had a rare year of post “empty nest” togetherness. In his spare time Miles was making music with his friend Edge (a former Gulch trekker) and spinning his magical words into song lyrics and beats while also spending his days with his dear love of many years, Bella.

Derrick Jim

Derrick Jim passed away in June 2022, due to an illness. Derrick was a beloved member of the Henio family, an ordained minister who led the funerals of several other family members in recent years. Derrick was a trekker in Group 1 in 1991 and 1992, after which he joined the military and entered the ministry. He and his wife, Barb, spent substantial time at Basecamp in recent years, teaching in the NAW.

Barb and Derrick were exceptionally close. As Barb told us, “That man was my world, and he was my kids’ world. He was my best friend.” He also made a deep impact on dozens of trekkers, and will be dearly missed.