Carl Norquist first came to Village in October 2024 to serve on the Advancement team. Carl was evacuated on December 13 and has been serving Holden remotely since then.

Dear {First Name}

I’m back in Holden Village for the first time in six months. I was among the 42 people who evacuated on December 13, and since then I’ve been working remotely in Tacoma. My responsibilities for Holden Village remained mostly unchanged. I was still editing this newsletter, updating the website, and posting on the Village social media channels. When I was given the offer to return to the Village for two weeks, I jumped at the opportunity. 

People reading about Holden from afar will be glad to know many elements of Village life feel the same. Deer still walk unperturbed down Main Street, and marmots roughhouse at the bottom of Chalet Hill. Community life continues too, with shared mealtimes, dish team, and conversations on lodge porches. 

Still, an uncanny silence hangs over the Village. Throughout the past two weeks, I’ve been thinking about the friends I wish were here with me. I long for those connections made during previous summers and winters. 

Here’s the bright spot: even with the Village closed those connections don’t go away. When I return to my home in Tacoma next week, I know those friends I made at Holden will be waiting for me. That’s what Holden is. Holden is bigger than the Village itself—it’s not something that’s tethered to the physical. Remove the Village from the equation and the friendships, memories, and love endure. 

I count myself so lucky I got to return to Holden Village for two weeks. I count myself even luckier I got to be a part of Holden when I did because it allowed me to meet some truly wonderful people. 

There are still wonderful people in Holden Village. During the past two weeks it’s been a privilege to watch the in-village team at work. Staff here continue to demonstrate tremendous ingenuity, flexibility, and compassion. It reaffirmed to me that Holden Village is in good hands, and I know they’ll keep things safe until guests can one day return. 

The people are what make Holden Village. Community endures beyond the mountains, but I still look forward to the day when everyone can be welcomed back to the wilderness.

Carl Norquist

Advancement Partner

On June 22, the Holden Village operations team embarked on a major repair project to fix a leak in the penstock—the large pipe which directs water to the Village hydroelectric power plant.

Staff identified the leak back in May when they noticed water seeping from the ground. After turning off water at the diversion dam and shifting the Village to its backup diesel generator, the team started digging.

Roughly five feet underground and beneath a large boulder, the Ops team located the elusive pipe and a small ⅛-inch hole. Staff were successfully able to weld a patch and get the Village back on hydro power Tuesday morning.

Holden Village gets 74% of its energy from hydroelectric annually. (The rest comes from burning wood and the occasional use of the diesel generator.) The current penstock has served Holden faithfully since Villagers installed it in the 1960s and intermittent leaks are not unexpected. With regular maintenance, experts say it can continue to serve the Village for years to come.

Bravo to the operations team for excellent planning, knowhow, and Holden ingenuity!

Emer Kate

Planning in-village rotation for weeks ahead. Interviews with potential staff.

Tom

Fixing leaky pipes. Replacing floor dining halls.

Austin

Animal control, working to Marmot-proof the basement of Chalet 5.

Reference herein to any specific commercial products or services does not necessarily constitute or imply its

endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Holden Village.

PHOTOS: Carl Norquist

Newsletter edited by Carl Norquist