My niece, Brianna, was just 21 years young. She had traveled to 48 out of the 50 states by her 20th birthday and hiked several national parks. She lived to see the world, was a beautiful artist, and a beautiful soul. Her smile could light up any room she walked into.

On Wednesday morning, Brianna decided to leave for a hike at her favorite mountain, Mount Marcy. She had just visited this mountain in November and wrote a post on AllTrails about how she couldn’t wait to go back. This was a spur-of-the-moment trip because she had three days off work. She drove up to the mountain on Wednesday, just her and her dog Fezco. They embarked on their hike up to the summit Thursday morning.

Tragically, Brianna slipped off the trail and called 911 at 3pm. Despite her efforts and the quick response, extreme conditions at the summit made the search difficult, and rescuers were unable to reach her in time. We received the devastating news Friday morning that Brianna is no longer with us. Her dog Fezco was rescued unscathed and is back home.

Our hearts are broken, and we are asking for help as we navigate the days ahead, planning her funeral and celebrating her life the way she would have wanted. The funds raised will help cover Brianna's funeral and memorial expenses, allowing us to honor her memory and the incredible life she lived. Any support is deeply appreciated as we come together to remember her beautiful spirit.