TA LOEFFLER

Mountain climber, educator and author; has reached the highest points of Nepal, North Africa, Greenland and Antarctica.

My oma, Frida Loeffler, was an explorer in her own right. She was an immigrant, mountain foods forager and orphan who started life over and over again, becoming a farmer, then a nurse’s aide and so on. My father, Heinz, was also a great inspiration — he taught me to use tools, to be independent and to develop explorer skills such as boating, tree climbing and outdoor and hunting skills. He believed I was capable and treated me so.