Andrea Bario Mead Lawrence (who preferred to be called, “Andy”) teetered on her skis, and on the edge of history, at the top of the slalom run in Rødkleiva, Norway. The 1952 Winter Olympics had begun well: just a few days earlier her performance on the giant slalom had earned her, and the United States, a gold medal.
Thus far, however, she was not excelling on the slalom; she had fallen on her first run. Her only opportunity to win a second gold was riding on this second, final, run. Above all, she needed to focus.
One could have forgiven her if she was distracted. After all, she was nineteen-years-old, a newlywed, and knew better than anyone just how improbable it would be for her to win two golds: no American skier had ever accomplished that feat in the Winter Olympics.
She pushed off, poled hard into the slope, tucked into position, and, as she would relate later, “was released as the full force and energy of who I am as a person.”
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Andrea Lawrence’s entire life was one of force and energy. When she died on March 31st, 2009, after a nearly decade-long fight against cancer, her impact as an athlete, conservationist and activist was well known up and down our precious Sierra Nevada.
She first moved to Mammoth Lakes in 1968. Within months she was asked to lead the effort against a plan to build eight-story condominiums near the ski slopes. Those condos were never built, and she went on to vigorously defend much of the eastern Sierra Nevada, including Mono Lake and the town of Bodie.
In 1982 she was elected to the Mono County Board of Supervisors, where she served four terms.
She never lost her love of skiing, continuing to be seen on the slopes until the cancer finally got the best of her. (When she skied non-competively she skied without poles, calling them “crutches.”)
In 2013, President Obama signed into law an act that named a mountain peak, not far from Donohue Pass and Mount Donohue, Mount Andrea Lawrence. The peak is plainly visible from the John Muir Trail as you walk through the Rush Creek drainage.
That you can see the peak from the trail makes perfect sense. Andrea Lawrence once said, “There are a few times in our lives where we become the thing we’re doing.” The closest most of us will come to achieving that sort of fusion of mind, body and place—that sort of physical and spiritual unity—might be hiking the JMT.
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It took her one minute, 3.4 seconds, to negotiate her way down the slalom course on that winter day, good enough to win her second gold medal of the games. Six decades later, no American alpine skier, man or woman, has equaled that in the winter Olympics. The achievement towers over American Olympic history, just as the mountain that bears her name towers over the central Sierra Nevada.
Good hiking, Ray
I like the detail of the map in this picture, Ray. Where did you get it?
I’m pretty sure it was National Geographic TOPO. Thanks for the comment, Paul.
Ray, this is a beautiful tribute to someone who obviously deserves to be remembered by everyone who is passing by on the JMT, or simply enjoying this region of the Sierra Nevada. It is also so well written that you need to seriously think about taking up writing.
Thanks, Jim. Appreciate the kind words!
I will be looking for Mount Andrea Lawrence when I pass thru the Rush Creek drainage in August. Thanks for the history lesson!
Thanks for the comment, Randy. By the way, if you would like a little background on the different passes you will go over, you can check this out.
Very interesting story, and while Andrea certainly deserves to have a peak named for her, I find the whole “peak naming” thing to be so inconsistent.
Many who are familiar with the Sierra Nevada will know who Randy Morgenson was. He spent 30 years as a SEKI backcountry ranger, making little money, and receiving no benefits whatsoever. He constantly advocated for protecting meadows and the wilderness, participated in countless rescues, assisted with research studies, many of which dictated policy, and in the end….lost his life while on duty as a ranger. Very few people have dedicated their lives to protecting these areas more than Randy did, yet the powers that be declined to name a peak after him. I applaud the fact that a peak was named for Andrea, but denying this honor to someone who gave his life in service to this beloved area is ridiculous.
I’m sure if we looked carefully into the background of some of the people our peaks are named after we would find some real scoundrels. You’re right, Kathy, it is quite inconsistent. As far as Ranger Morgenson is concerned there is certainly a case for it, but I know some people believe that the park service would never push such an honor for a “seasonal” Ranger. I should stress that I haven’t personally witnessed such attitudes, but I know many who believe they exist.
This is so awesome – brought tears to my eyes – I had the privilege to meet her once – amazing lady – a true Sierra legacy…inspiration!
Thanks for the kinds words, Robie. She was quite the woman!
Ray,
Wonderful story, tribute, and writing!
fred
Thanks, Fred! By the way, be sure to visit the site next week for a story about a day and night we both experienced.
My mother, Sally Neidlinger Hudson, was on the 1952 Olympic Team with Andy. My mom didn’t ski well in the Olympics, but was on the team. She was a life long friend of Andy’s, who was a great inspiration to many people – she still is an inspiration.
Thanks for the nice tribute to a wonderful person and mountain. I haven’t made it yet, but certainly plan to hike the peak soon.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Jake. It’s great to have someone comment on the site with this sort of background knowledge. Hope you bag the peak soon.