Peter Wood | Gaithersburg, MD

Peter Wood is a retired diplomat, parent and grandparent.

Why does wilderness matter to you?

I am retired now, but I had a 46 year international career. For maybe 30-35 years I was living in Africa or Latin America. So I have seen and spent time in wilderness all over much of the world. I still enjoy hiking or skiing in many places. I grew up in the Southwest (of the US). When I was 14, my Dad and I hiked from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the North Rim. Just a few months ago, my girlfriend and I were at Dead Horse Point, Utah, which is about 2000 feet above the town of Moab. From there we could see quite a bit of the Colorado River. Wilderness is in my blood:))

Share a story about a special experience you had in wilderness.

My daughter was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco. One of the times I visited her we hiked to the top of the highest mountain in that country, named Toubkal. There was snow at the top, but as we arrived, the sun came out and warmed us. The view was incredible.