DENNIS ARMAND CLAIRMONT was raised in a small New England town, Gilford Village, (N.H.) at the base of Gunstock Mountain where he learned to love the outdoors. Falls were spent playing football, winters snow skiing and springs baseball; however, summers were his favorite time of year building treehouses, digging underground forts, stream fishing for trout, raking blueberries, hiking and camping with the Boy Scouts. His family moved away from New England to California in 1968 leaving behind his primal interests as a child. Fifty-one years later after raising four children, he cycled back to his childhood interests and decided to attempt the most physical challenge of his life. At the age of 66 years with arthritic knees and a backpack, he began his journey from Campo, California to the Canadian border. This is his story of conquering the Pacific Crest Trail.
Dennis lives in Portland, Oregon close by his children and fifteen grandchildren with his wife, Shelley, his college sweetheart after 49 years of marriage.
