Hubert A. Allen, Jr. was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1958. His younger brother, George, was just 15 months younger and became an important climbing partner. His younger sister, Lisa, was al...view moreHubert A. Allen, Jr. was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1958. His younger brother, George, was just 15 months younger and became an important climbing partner. His younger sister, Lisa, was always supportive but a non-climber. The family moved to the Chicago area in the mid 1960s. The first taste of climbing came on vacations in Scottsdale, Arizona, scrambling up Camelback Mountain. During the summers of 1969-1972 he learned outdoor skills at Camp Nebagamon in Wisconsin. The author attended New Trier High School West between 1972-1976. The summer of 1973 he toured the American West with a group called Man and His Land - and discovered rock-climbing in the Tetons of Wyoming and mountaineering on Mt. Rainier.view less