By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
EATON – Known as one of the most influential and accomplished American mountaineers, Rick Wilcox, 78, of Eaton will be honored by the Mount Washington Observatory at its 26th Annual Seek the Peak celebration at Wildcat Mountain on Saturday, July 18.
The former head of Mountain Rescue Service for 40 years, owner of International Mountain Equipment https://www.ime-usa.com/, teacher of mountaineering guides and leader of over 60 expeditions around the world will be receiving the Barbara and Brad Washburn Award.
The Observatory’s award celebrates meaningful contributions made to both the Observatory and the broader community with the award and Wilcox will be honored for his rescue service and guide service, among his other life accomplishments.
On Tuesday, Wilcox said in a telephone interview that he is honored and said and his wife, Celia, were good friends of the late couple who the award is named for.
Like Barbara and Brad Washburn, Celia and Rick do everything together and are now exploring the world and having fun adventures on their own instead of leading groups to high places in North America, South America, Africa and Asia.
“We are easing into retirement though we never sit still,” he said, noting the two had a wonderful recent trip to New Zealand.
After heading up Mountain Rescue Service in the White Mountains from 1976 to 2016 in which he led over 600 missions, he said he now lets younger mountaineers lead the charge to save people lost or stranded and injured.
“I point to the mountain and say ‘go get them,'” he said.
While he said he still owns the building where IME is located in North Conway, he works there three days a week but no longer leads commercial climbs. Wilcox said he does provide consulting services for those who are planning climbs.
In 1991, Wilcox was the 260th person to summit Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world at 29,000 feet. He led the first American team to summit Everest with strictly East Coast climbers.
He said he has been involved with the Mount Washington Observatory over the years with his climbing school, which was recently sold to Paul and Lisa McCoy.
Through the school, he said he and Celia would take climbers to Mount Washington and they would stay overnight in winter at the observatory with their groups, enjoying the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak and its hospitality, which continue still.
He said he has also been involved in equipping the snow cats and operators of the machines for the Observatory.
At International Mountain Equipment, the store has a big television screen on the wall with crucial weather information for climbers provided by Observatory meteorologists at the summit of Mount Washington, which is particularly important in winter.
He said he cannot be compared to Brad Washburn with this many PhDs and life experience but is honored to be the only person that they have given the award to since the Washburns.
Brad Washburn (1910-2007) was an American explorer, cartographer, founder of the Boston Museum of Science and a pioneer in aerial photography, whose black and white photography is well known https://mountwashington.org/brad-washburn-gallery/
The event this Saturday at Wildcat where Wilcox will be honored is the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraising event.
It will be returning to Wildcat Mountain Resort after 20 years.
“We’re fortunate to have such a passionate community of hikers willing to support our work,” said Drew Bush, MWOBS executive director. “Each year, this event has grown in numbers of participants and in the fun activities we offer all who attend our celebration. This year will be no exception and could be our best yet. I can’t wait to welcome everyone to Mount Washington and Wildcat for all that we have planned.”
Forecasting weather, research, and educational programs will benefit from the funds raised, he said.
From now until the Après Hike Celebration on Saturday, July 18, those who join can double their impact thanks to a 1:1 matching gift from a generous donor for all donations up to $26,000. Interested hikers can register today at seekthepeak.org.
Hikers of all abilities can sign up individually or as part of a team, with the sign-up fee counting toward their fundraising total.
The Après Hike Celebration will be Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Wildcat Mountain, located at 542 Route 16, Pinkham Notch, Gorham.
This family-friendly event is open to the public and includes live music, giveaways, a BBQ-style feast provided by Chef Joe’s Catering, Tuckerman Brewing Company’s beer garden (with beverages also provided by Stowe Cider), industry-leading gear brands, and activities for kids, including a rock-climbing wall. Participants will also be able to ride the Wildcat Express chairlift to the summit of Wildcat Mountain to enjoy the surrounding views.
The award ceremony will take place during the celebration and volunteer members of the search and rescue community can receive free admission by emailing events@mountwashington.org.
All participants will also have the opportunity to tour Mount Washington Observatory’s mountain top weather station for a behind the scenes look at weather research and data collection from the top of New England (tours run from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, July 18). Summit cookies will be provided by Big Dave’s Bagels & Deli.
Seek the Peak officially begins on Friday, July 17th, with a kick-off party for participants at Tuckerman Brewing Company from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Tuckerman Brewing, located at 66 Hobbs St, Conway, NH 03818.
To learn more and to register, visit seekthepeak.org.
Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region.