Summits: 1380

George Zelenz

I first met George in 2012 through this website, when he found my trip reports on hiking the San Diego peaks list. When I got close to finishing he messaged and offered to buy pizza to celebrate. We shared 10 years of laughs and adventures since then. I have memories with George in Anza Borrego, Cerro Gordo, the Sespe River, three of the Channel Islands, Mojave National Preserve, Utah, and more. Utah was easily a favorite of ours. One of the best backpacks I’ve ever done was with George when we hiked the Grand Gulch, starting off by hitchhiking. After four days on the trail we car camped at Cigarette Springs, talking, relaxing, listening to music over a campfire. We spoke of that camp many times over the years. Other Utah favorites were Death Hollow, Coyote Canyon, and John’s Canyon. I’ll never forget the camp we shared just outside of Escalante, the frogs in Storm Canyon, the things he taught me about Native American archeological sites, or any of these trips thanks to George’s company. I think of George often, especially when hiking.

Below are a few pictures from some of my favorite outings with George. RIP my friend.