Hulda Crooks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | May 19, 1896 |
| Died | November 23, 1997 |
| Occupation(s) | Mountaineer, dietitian |
Hulda Hoehn Crooks (May 19, 1896 – November 23, 1997) was an Americanmountaineer,dietitian andvegetarianism activist. Affectionately known as "Grandma Whitney" she successfully scaled 14,505-foot (4,421 m)Mount Whitney 23 times between the ages of 65 and 91. She had climbed 97 other peaks during this period.[1]In 1990, an Act of Congress renamed Day Needle, one of the peaks in the Whitney area, toCrooks Peak in her honor.[2]
Hulda Hoehn was born inSaskatchewan, Canada, one of 18 children of a farming couple. She left the farm just before she turned eighteen and enrolled atPacific Union College north of San Francisco and later atLoma Linda University. There she met and married Dr Samuel Crooks.[3] She took up climbing in 1950, after the death of her husband,[3] who had encouraged her to start after she suffered a bout ofpneumonia.[4]
On July 24, 1987, at the age of 91, she became the oldest woman to complete the ascent ofMount Fuji inJapan.[5] Crooks was sponsored byDentsu and a photograph was taken of her at the top of the mountain.[6]
She hiked the entire 212 mileJohn Muir Trail in the high Sierras, completing the hike in segments over five years.[7]
Hulda Crooks was a long-time resident ofLoma Linda,California, and aSeventh-day Adventist. She often spent time with children in the community, encouraging them to appreciate nature and stay active. In 1991 Loma Linda dedicated a park at the base of the south hills as Hulda Crooks Park.[8]
Early to bed and early to rise. Out jogging about 5:30am. Jog a mile and walk it back briskly. It takes me 12 minutes to jog the mile and 15 minutes to walk it. Do some upper trunk exercises, work in the yard, and walk to the market, and work
According to CongressmanJerry Lewis (R California), one of her hiking companions,
No mountain was ever too high for this gentle giant. With a twinkle in her eye, and purpose in her step, 'Grandma Whitney' showed the world that mental, physical and spiritual health is attainable at any age.
Crooks died in 1997, aged 101.[3]
Crooks became alacto-ovo vegetarian at age 18 which she adhered to for the rest of her life.[6] Her interest in healthy eating resulted in her studying dietetics and graduating from Loma Linda University in 1927.[6]
Crooks worked as a medical researcher for Mervyn Hardinge, Dean of theLoma Linda University School of Public Health.[11] She conducted scientific research on vegetarian diets and during 1963–1964 authored several papers on vegetarianism with Hardinge for theJournal of the American Dietetic Association.[12]
In 1988 and 1989, Loma Linda University sponsored the "Annual Hulda Crooks Gala" to benefit medical students and established the Hulda Crooks Scholarship.[13]
