Alpine Club of Canada’s Jen Higgins Fund goes to…

The Jen Higgins Fund was established in 1997 “to promote alpine-related outdoor pursuits for young women.” Until her death at the age of 22, Higgins set an outstanding example for young women with her unique combination of “… a love of the outdoors, competitive spirit and a healthy respect for nature’s rough edges.”

Jen Higgins was a young woman with a passion for the outdoors. Her love of the mountains was kindled at an early age through many family trips in the Rockies, and as she grew older, she moved to B.C. from Ontario to be closer to the mountains. One of Jen’s most endearing traits was her adventurous and generous spirit – she was always eager to share her knowledge and enthusiasm of the outdoors with friends who hadn’t had the privilege of enjoying a mountain experience. She touched many people in this way through her short 22 years, and shared her joy of living. It was on her way to the Rockies to introduce a friend to one of her favourite spots – the Stanley Mitchell Hut in Little Yoho Valley – that she was involved in a fatal car accident.

2014 Recepients

Anna Smith of Golden, B.C., and Michelle Kadatz of Calgary will head to Baffin Island for four weeks in August 2015.