Walkin\u2019 Jim Stoltz set off on his last forever wild hike on Friday, September 3, 2010. Our master troubadour and dear friend fought a heroic battle with cancer in Helena, MT. He was 57 years old.<\/p>\n
Walkin\u2019 Jim is widely known throughout the U.S. for his unique combination of long-distance hiking, original songwriting, and photography. Jim was an adventurer, artist, poet, photographer, author, and environmental activist.<\/p>\n
In his lifetime, he accomplished numerous long-distance treks including the complete lengths of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, an east to west cross-continent hike, the entire U.S. Continental Divide, trips from Yellowstone to the Yukon, and many others. In total, he hiked over 28,000 miles of long-distance trips.<\/p>\n
When not on a long trip, Walkin\u2019 Jim could be found on any of the many trails in southwest Montana for a day hike with family and friends. He was also an avid cross-country skier. Jim also enjoyed wilderness travels by canoe.<\/p>\n
Between trips, Jim would create, produce and perform original shows of his travels with photography and music, always incorporating his keen sense of environmental awareness and justice for all things wild. His musical, hiking, and environmental career spanned 45 years.<\/p>\n
Jim was born in Royal Oak, MI, June 8, 1953, to Wilbur and Audra Stoltz. He graduated high school from Royal Oak – Kimball High School.<\/p>\n
Walkin\u2019 Jim began playing the guitar when he was in the 4th grade. He performed in several bands during the 1970s. He attained his love for the outdoors and hiking beginning with the Boy Scouts. His first long-distance hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 1973. The following year, Jim began his Ocean to Ocean walk beginning in West Quodyhead, ME, and ending on the Olympic Pennisula, WA. The entire trip followed dirt roads, railroad tracks, and trails.<\/p>\n
Jim\u2019s first recording was \u201cSpirit is Still on the Run,\u201d in 1986. He also recorded, \u201cForever Wild,\u201d \u201cListen to the Earth,\u201d \u201cThe Long Trails,\u201d and many others. Walkin\u2019 Jim produced over eight musical albums and one music video for children, \u201cCome Walk With Me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim was an accomplished poet. His poetry was published as, \u201cWhisper Behind the Wind.\u201d Walkin\u2019 Jim wrote a book, \u201cWalking with the Wild Wind: Reflections on a Montana Journey,\u201d highlighting his inspirational travels and wilderness philosophy.<\/p>\n
A few year\u2019s ago, Jim discovered his talent for painting. He developed an extensive array of work in oils specializing in interpretive environmental themes. He liked to work in the medium of oil-based cattle markers on canvas. Many of his paintings reflected themes from his songs and poetry.<\/p>\n
Walkin\u2019 Jim founded Music United to Sustain the Environment (MUSE) with Craig Wagner, and Joyce Rouse. MUSE is a group of professional touring musicians who are concerned about the health of our planet. Many of them draw their inspiration from the land, and feel the need to give something back toward protecting it. Walkin\u2019 Jim stood at the forefront of many environmental causes throughout the U.S.<\/p>\n
Jim helped with the planning and design of several trails throughout the American Southwest. A short segment of U.S. Forest Service trail in northern Arizona was recently created and named the Walkin\u2019 Jim Trail.<\/p>\n
To spread his love of people and song, Jim was employed for nearly 30 winter seasons at Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky, MT, driving horse-drawn sleighs to festive dinners where he performed his extensive repertoire of music.
\nJim\u2019s life is richly entwined by a web of countless dear friends, including thousands of children throughout the country who have learned and loved his stories and songs.
\nWalkin\u2019 Jim is survived by his true friend Leslie Stoltz, Big Sky, MT, brother Mark Stoltz, Honor, MI, and sister\u2019s Susan Grace Stoltz, of Fairbanks, AK, and Lisa Mohr, Wixom, MI, and many nieces and nephews.<\/p>\n
Jim\u2019s life work and dreams centered on his desire to share the beauty, the unique character, the mood, and the value of wilderness through his music, writings, art, and activism. He leaves a special and enduring legacy to his family, friends, and enumerable list of fans. A legacy directing all of us to live lives of happiness while sharing in and protecting all things wild.<\/p>\n
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 4:00 p.m., at Last Chance Ranch, 2884 Grizzly Gulch, Helena, MT.
\nA few things to know first:
\n1) Allow \u00bd hour from town to Last Chance Ranch parking area
\n2) Be prepared for a wagon ride shuttle or \u00bd mile walk from parking area to service location (and dress for weather!)
\n3) Carpooling is encouraged
\n4) Join family and friends afterwards at Bert and Ernie\u2019s downtown for more time together, more stories, and appetizers with no-host bar
\nDIRECTIONS
\nHighway 287 into Helena. At T-junction (Montana Ave., Safeway), turn left. Go uphill toward Capitol to Broadway (2nd stop sign). Turn right on Broadway and take to Park Ave. (T-junction). Turn left.
\nTake Park Ave (also called W. Main) to split in road. Veer left on Orofino Gulch. Road winds up past Unionville. When road turns to dirt, go 1.1 miles to 3-way junction, then continue on center road approx. 2.4 mi to N. Fork Travis Creek Rd. Turn right.
\nGo 1 mile, then bear left, then take another immediate left at \u201cLCR\u201d sign (Last Chance Ranch). Go .1 mile, then turn right through gate with \u201cLCR\u201d sign, and you will see \u201cLast Chance Ranch\u201d headgate ahead.
\nPark in valley by old ranch equipment. You can take the wagon shuttle from here or walk the \u00bd mile to the service site.<\/p>\n
Directions for contributions:
\nIn Honor of Walkin Jim Stoltz
\nMUSE
\n(Music United to Sustain the Environment)
\nP.O. Box 1512
\nHelena, MT 59624<\/p>\n
Updated information will be available soon at www.walkinjim.com. Arrangements are under the care of Retz Funeral Home. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jim, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.<\/p>\n","photo":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/699335.jpg","youtube_video_url":"","family_email":"","family_first_name":"","family_last_name":"","event_title5":"","event_date5":"","start_time5":"","end_time5":"","location5":"","address5":"","city5":"","state5":"","zipcode5":"","event_title6":"","event_date":"","start_time6":"","end_time6":"","location6":"","address6":"","city6":"","state6":"","zipcode6":"","event_title7":"","event_date7":"","start_time7":"","end_time7":"","location7":"","address7":"","city7":"","state7":"","zipcode7":"","event_title8":"","event_date8":"","start_time8":"","end_time8":"","location8":"","address8":"","city8":"","state8":"","zipcode8":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case\/23235","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/case"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}