2011: Outstanding in their field

Apa Sherpa, 51, a Nepal native who lives in Utah, broke his own record for most climbs of Mount Everest by scaling the world’s tallest peak for the 21st time.

Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay, 82-year-old retired Nepalese foreign minister, attempting to become the oldest person to climb the world’s highest mountain, died during the ascent, becoming the oldest Everest summit seeker to die on the peak.

Pat Hart, 61, long-time trails coordinator for the Kaniksu National Forest, received national Forest Service award for extraordinary and creative efforts to work with volunteers and get the job done despite meager budgets.

Scott Williamson, 39, of California set a hiking speed record on the Pacific Crest Trail, completing 2,655 miles in 64 days, 11 hoursan 19 minutes.

Jennifer Pharr Davis, 28, set a record of supported speed hiking on the Appalachian Trail, trekking the 2,180-mile route in 46 days, 11 hours, 20 minutes.

Richard Byerley, 84, climbed 19,340-foot Mount Kilimanjaro with his two grandchildren. The Walla Walla farmer became the oldest person to summit the African peak.

Jake Bramante, 33, of Kalispell hiked all 734 miles of trails in Glacier Park in one season.

A geezer grizzly, perhaps the oldest male documented in the North Continental Divide Ecosystem of Montana, was euthanized after its worn teeth and poor health had it looking for sustenance in barnyards near Augusta. The bear was 24-27 years old.

The first wolf confirmed in Western Oregon in 65 years roamed through the Cascades into Douglas County, then, in the last week of December, it waltzed into California, the first wild wolf known to roam in that state since 1924.