The PCT lost an angel in Andrea Kay Burr-Dinsmore

Andrea Kay Burr-Dinsmore

July 1, 1949 – December 7, 2017

The stars were bright over the Baring, Washington, Hiker Haven home during the early morning hours of Dec. 7, 2017, when heaven welcomed trail angel, wife, mom, grandma and PCT Mom Andrea Kay Burr-Dinsmore. She lived life on her own terms and fought pancreatic cancer with the same spunk, finishing the trail at her home with family and her beloved dachshund, Bug.

Jerry and Andrea Dinsmore on their deck in September 2017. Photo by Diane Altman.

Jerry and Andrea Dinsmore on their deck in September 2017. Photos by Diane Altman.

Born in Atascadero, Calif. on July 1, 1949, Andrea grew up with a heart for adventure. A truck driver for 30 years, Andrea enjoyed meeting people and taking various roads to new places. She met the love of her life, Jerry, when he was driving a Kenworth. They joked that she picked the truck, and he was the driver who came with it. Married in Idaho in 1998, they began their adventure together and lived so big they couldn’t just keep it to themselves.

In 2002, Andrea and Jerry opened the Dinsmore’s Hiker Haven and welcomed PCT hikers from all over the world to their home. Andrea, known as “Chicken 1” to other trail angels and “PCT Mom” to the hikers, loved greeting them, meeting their needs and helping them succeed. When any of her “hiker kids” needed information, encouragement, supplies or rescue, she was at the keyboard or phone making sure everyone had what they needed.

Andrea’s legacy will continue with every PCT step, and the Hiker Haven will welcome new and old hikers for years to come. Jerry appreciates help from previous hikers and is thankful to have his grandson, Sam, living at the Haven. It was important to Andrea that people live life to its fullest adventure. As her favorite shirt said: “Hike Your Own Hike.”

Andrea with her grandson, Sam Altman, who lives at Hiker Haven and helped with the second half of hiker season in 2017. She made sure he knew how to prepare a meal for at least 25 at a time, and could build a campfire like the best of them.

Andrea with her grandson, Sam Altman, who lives at Hiker Haven and helped with the second half of hiker season in 2017. She made sure he knew how to prepare a meal for at least 25 at a time, and could build a campfire like the best of them.

Andrea is survived by her husband Jerry; stepmother Shirley Burr; stepdaughter Diane (Bradley) Altman; and grandchildren Zaquel Major, Trevor Altman, Kayla Altman, Samuel Altman, Nathaniel Altman and Courtney Dinsmore.

She loved her PCT vest and wore it almost everyday. Here she is with her mountaineering son-in-law Bradley Altman.

She loved her PCT vest and wore it almost everyday. Here she is with her mountaineering son-in-law Bradley Altman.

Memorial services are scheduled in Skykomish, Wash.

Everyone is invited to a Celebration of Life Potluck on Jan. 13, 2018, at 3 p.m. at the Skykomish School. Another celebration will take place in the spring at the Skykomish Ball Park where we can welcome even more hikers. Information will be posted on Facebook as details become available. Well-wishes may be sent to Jerry Dinsmore, P.O. Box 374 Skykomish WA 98288. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pacific Crest Trail Association or Snohomish Search and Rescue, in Andrea’s honor.

– By the family of Andrea Dinsmore.

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Our community was blessed to have Andrea. We came from all over the world to stay at her house and she showered us with love, kindness, and gave us refuge. We’ll miss her and remember her. Thank you, Andrea, for your gifts to the long-distance hiking community. You’re an inspiration. Rest in peace.

If you’d like to learn more about Andrea and Jerry Dinsmore, we recently profiled them on our blog.

 – The Pacific Crest Trail Association staff, members, volunteers and the entire PCT community.

Author: PCTA Staff

The mission of the Pacific Crest Trail Association is to protect, preserve and promote the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail as a world-class experience for hikers and equestrians, and for all the values provided by wild and scenic lands.