As Roger Wendell prepares to retire in May 2025 after decades of dedicated service to the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC), it’s fitting to recognize his remarkable contributions and the indelible impact he has made on both the organization and its members.
A CHRONICLE OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Roger’s journey with the CMC began in 1981 when he joined as an enthusiastic member eager to explore Colorado’s magnificent landscapes. By 1983, he had already stepped into a leadership role, becoming a certified trip leader guiding fellow outdoor enthusiasts on countless adventures through Colorado’s backcountry.
In 1991, Roger took on the significant responsibility of serving on the Denver Group Council, where he helped shape policies and initiatives that strengthened the organization’s largest chapter until 1994. His administrative acumen and passion for the club’s mission made him a natural fit for these leadership roles.
One of Roger’s most notable achievements came in 1998 when he authored a series of influential articles on backcountry survival for the club’s publications. These educational pieces, including one titled “Survival is Your Own Responsibility,” highlighted essential wilderness safety principles and encouraged members to practice self-sufficiency in the backcountry. His expertise in this area has helped countless hikers and climbers stay safe in Colorado’s sometimes treacherous mountain environments.
CONSERVATION ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION
Roger’s commitment to conservation has been exemplary throughout his tenure. In 2003, he organized the highly successful “Preserve Our Peaks” campaign, which mobilized over 500 CMC members to advocate for the protection of sensitive alpine environments in the Front Range. This initiative played a crucial role in securing additional protections for several threatened wilderness areas.
As an instructor for the CMC’s Wilderness Trekking School since 1989, Roger has personally trained more than 2,000 students in wilderness navigation, Leave No Trace principles, and mountain safety. His dedication to trail conservation is evident in his educational efforts, where he emphasizes the importance of staying on established paths to minimize environmental impact, noting that properly maintained trails “really do help the landscape by keeping us two-leggeds in a narrow little corridor so the rest of nature can flourish around us unmolested.”
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Or read Roger’s original work at http://www.rogerwendell.com/