Giselle Field Recovery & Memorial Fund

**Thanks for the overwhelming support received through the original “Giselle Field Memorial Fund” on GoFundMe, which helped provide a beautiful funeral service for her in Camarillo, California on Thursday, August 6th. This fundraiser has been created in an effort to support her loving husband, Derek, with the costs associated with her repatriation to the US, her Sedona Celebration of Life on August 14th , and additional costs associated with her recovery in Peru. Even more, funds collected for this campaign will be used to produce a legacy fund to carry on Giselle’s passion for exploration in the form of annual grants to assist young wanderers in pursuing their dreams in the great outdoors.

On Tuesday, July 13th, 2021, the world lost an angel. While exploring the remote Carabaya range of southern Peru with her beloved husband Derek, Giselle ascended from Earth as a result of an unfortunate freak accident. They were descending from the first-ever ascent of an imposing rock peak that they, in the days prior to the ascent, had named Kawri Orcco (the local Quechua translation for “Monster Peak”). The previously unnamed 5,185-meter (17,012-foot) tower is the high-point of a jagged ridge that the two soulmates had spent four days exploring with much exuberance. Kawri Orcco occupies a dramatic position at the edge of the vast Amazon Jungle, in the shadow of the great Apu Allinccapac, the most sacred mountain deity in the region and protector of the people. The accident is mourned deeply by all who knew her.

Giselle leaves behind an indelible legacy in her wake, with countless loved ones who cherished her so deeply. She was taken from all of us too soon and there are simply no words adequate to duly describe the impact she had on all those who were lucky enough to experience her grace throughout her inspirational life. She brought happiness and faith to even the most insurmountable circumstances and she was an unmatched leader in the Arizona rock climbing community.

With a contagious smile that spread like wildfire wherever she went, and dimples that softened even the harshest critic, she was precious in more ways than one. She shared an unending passion for adventure, pioneered countless first ascents, and was an inspiration to all by virtue of her intrepid lifestyle and successful career as a creative designer. She was always the mentor of any room, without even speaking a word. She respected life and all those who lived it.

Giselle was an adventurist, a lover, a leader, an amazing friend, a creative genius, a bright light, an open book, a blooming wildflower, a rock climber, an inspiration for a generation, a business owner, a trailblazer, an incredible athlete, a loving wife, and hands down the most pure human one could ever meet. Her successful company Wander Design Co., helped countless companies expand their reach, grow, and develop – through her passionate spirit and endless care for others. She built the company from the bottom up, coring its values to synthesize with her own, and oversaw its growth, while managing a balance in life that most of us dream of having. She made being successful look easy, and most of all, she made it look fun. She was always open to offering advice to those who were seeking help, but she never judged those who thought differently.

Giselle leaves behind a legacy that will continue to change lives and push all of us to pursue our dreams without fear. She didn’t chase perfection; she pursued it methodically and with confidence in her work and her passion for life. She had wisdom beyond her years and she lived deeper than almost anyone ever could. Her genuine smile, cute giggles, tight hugs, and heartfelt love to all things will forever live on through the experiences she inspired and trepidations she helped others overcome in her pursuit of living every last day to its fullest.

Please help us support Giselle’s family during these challenging times to honor her spirit through an honorary memorial and associated fund to help other young wanderers become empowered in the outdoors. Funds from your donations will benefit her family directly, their difficult recovery from this tragedy, and help out with costs associated with getting her back to us in the United States. Additional funds will be used to provide financial grants to carry on her legacy of inclusivity to all, by empowering young adventurers to live our their dreams in the mountains, canyons, jungles, and most remote and inspiring places they can find.

Thank you for your love, consideration, and for taking the time to read how Giselle has impacted our lives and inspired all of us to become a better version of ourselves. Not just today, but for every day we live forward in her memory. Below we will explain how your donations will be used to help Giselle’s family.

Updated Allocation of GoFundMe Donation Funds

1. Memorial services in Sedona, Arizona on Saturday, August 14th at 2pm. We will be meeting at 1060 Verde Valley School Road before embarking on a hike to one of Giselle’s favorite places in Sedona at 4:30pm.

2. Adventure Grants ($500 - $1000) to annually fund a group of young explorers to do unique trips of their proposal after demonstrating how they expect the trip will inspire them, help in their personal growth/healing/empowerment/liberation, or allow them to strengthen their love with their friends/family/community.

3. Compensating the "unofficial" side of the Giselle’s recovery operation (i.e. compensating the travel and housing costs of friends Nate, Thomas, Patrick, and Ulysses who helped get Giselle back to us from the site of the accident in Peru). As beloved friends of Giselle & Derek, their incredible volunteer efforts were imperative in assisting local search and rescue teams. Their courageous efforts led to unexpected costs for extra hotels, missed flights, and other related travel costs they incurred while helping in the recovery and later supporting Derek in his return to the US.

4. Funding the costly repatriation effort to get Giselle back to the USA

5. Funding Derek and her immediate family with grief counseling beyond what's available to them via other grants/funds and insurance

Celebration of Life for Giselle in Sedona, Arizona

Join us on Saturday, August 14th at 2pm for a celebration of the incredible life of Giselle Field with all those who loved her dearly from Arizona & abroad. We will have time to share our best memories/stories of Giselle and later Derek will lead all those attending on a hike to an accessible and special place , which they both cherished together in Sedona. Please be ready to share your favorite memory of Giselle with those attending, as we recount her incredible life, and all the ways she inspired all of us. Margaritas and delicious food will be served before embarking upon a memorial hike; where we will observe silence in her honor, watch a glorious sunset, and howl at the moon. Bring a white candle, white shirt, or white daisies to the event to share your love. Come in casual light or white attire, appropriate for a short hike around 4:30pm.

Meeting Location

Please meet us at 1060 Verde Valley School Road at 2pm on Saturday, August 14th. The memorial hike will begin at 4:30pm and should take about 2.5 hours to complete. Bring a headlamp/flashlight.