I haven’t been able to process my confusion over the loss of @hilareenelson: a friend, mentor, and big sister to me. There’s immense hurt for her, @jimwmorrison, and her family, but also a disjointed and broken numbness over the reality of her absence. It’s painful and disorienting and I’m not there yet with how to handle it. But I write this to tell you that beyond this tragedy, Hilaree was a force to be remembered not for this accident or even the physical mountains she climbed and so expertly skied down, but for unapologetically paving the way for women in this space to be everything they want to be. She broke ground and shattered expectations with a unique combination of grace and grit only a true leader possesses. When I became pregnant this past spring, Hilaree was one of the first and only people I told initially. She was ecstatic and supportive and instilled in me the calm confidence I needed to go on our expedition to Baffin Island. That trip felt special before I knew it would be our last together. It was like I had crossed over into a new space paved by women like Hilaree - those who chose motherhood AND a career of adventure. Each night we spoke of skiing, climbing, kids, and ways to balance it all. “It’s hard, but you’ll figure it out” she told me. I feel so fortunate for the decade of adventure I had with Hilaree. Holy shit we went some places and saw some things. When I look back on the last 10 years - some of my most terrifying, suffery, soul shattering, life altering and beautiful moments were experienced with Hilaree by my side and leading the way. I will never forget her intense desire to find her perceived limit and push past it balanced by her calm demeanor and tenderness as a friend and mentor. She was the best. Her influence and dedication to her passion has paved the way for future generations and will live on in each of us. Our world will miss Hils but we are better because of who she was and the monumental impact she’s had on us all. Love to everyone touched by Hils, especially @jimwmorrison and her boys ❤️