By Guest Blogger Sam McNeill, Director of Marketing at the Dick’s-A-Thon

Washington’s National Park Fund was first introduced to The Dick’s-A-Thon when a donation came through in memory of Ian Cox in 2022. We are thankful to partner with an amazing organization and excited to be a part of this unique run for a third year! Registration is still open for the October 19, 2024 event in Seattle. Learn about Ian’s legacy below and then sign up for the event at dicksathon.com.

I first met Ian in a carpool home from college for Thanksgiving. Six hours in the car together and I think he said six sentences total. First impression: stoic. Six months later he was applying for a job at our business school’s “Center for Success,” where I was the student manager. He came to the interview in a full suit and was the only candidate taking notes of his own. Second impression: nerd, but definitely someone we should hire. We spent the next year as coworkers, classmates, and neighbors spending significant time together and building a solid friendship. Ian was smart, driven, and always kind – creating space at the table for everyone.

After graduating, we both moved to Seattle, where (as we all know), it’s impossible not to have a love for the Great Outdoors. Ian was happy to share his knowledge as a proud Eagle Scout and I was an eager student. We brought the ten essentials on countless day hikes, he talked me through a wavy meltdown in kayaks on Lake Washington, taught me LNT principles on my first backpacking trip ever – an overnight on the PCT, and he joined the Mountaineers. As demonstrated by his second impression on me, he was quick to learn every sport the Mountaineers offer coursework on. From there, he became an instructor himself.

Ian’s calendar was stacked. He would come over for dinner (likely a Trader Joe’s special), and then tell me 11 weekends in a row of unreal adventures he had planned. He was basically an ambassador for Washington’s national parks. He was rock climbing in the North Cascades, summiting Mount Rainier, biking around the Olympic Peninsula, and skiing down Mt. Adams. Years went by and his trips seemed to grow exponentially as he got into ice climbing and sending massive days mountaineering. Through all of this, he remained stoic and kind, bringing me along for trips I didn’t think I could handle, but he knew I could. He did this for all his friends; Talking us all off our respective ledges as fear and tears covered our faces. Ian was an incredible teacher and he always asked, “Why are we safe?” Making you recount exactly what steps we all took to ensure we were doing everything right in the backcountry. I trusted him with my greatest fears, my feelings, my secrets, and my life…we all did.

Last August, he was sending a big trip: a West McMilllan Spire, Mt Degenhardt summit loop in a day. A trip he unfortunately never came back from. I got the call from his brother on a Monday and was at North Cascades National Park for the remainder of the week. Emotions ran high and away from all of us that week. We watched Search and Rescue teams go out and come back, helicopters deploy day and night, and we blended hope and sadness until it was clear we needed to grieve.

The impact of Ian is immeasurable. He was a true friend to all: an understanding ear when needed, a hype man for a big journey, the voice of reason in the backcountry, and a reminder to always be doing your best (at your job, in your relationships, and of course, outside). I look at the mountains today and I see Ian’s house. I hear Ian’s voice, asking me why I’m safe and encouraging me on my way. He’s in his happy place and I visit as often as I can.

To honor Ian, and to thank the organization that had a profound impact on his life along with the SAR organizations that gave him everything they could, his friends came together to recreate a fond memory: The Dick’s-A-Thon. A 20-something mile circumnavigation of Seattle via the classic burger joint, Dick’s Drive-In, that Ian and his brother Connor took on back in 2018. His loved ones poured their energy into this event to cope with a loss too big to comprehend. In its inaugural year, over 100 people joined us to celebrate Ian and we donated $32,000 to The Mountaineers, the SAR organizations that helped with Ian’s search, and Washington’s National Park Fund, considering those were the places he loved most. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind classic Seattle event and an amazing way to ensure safer access to the outdoors for all. We hope to see you out there!

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Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner to Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. You can directly support Search and Rescue programs in these national parks by making a donation. To learn more about the Dick’s-A-Thon and other unique opportunities that support the parks, visit our Community Events page.

Cover photo by Ken McNeill.

Editor’s note: This blog was originally published in September 2023 and updated in 2024.