Our Story

How one child’s battle with cancer and a life-saving National Park rescue led to the creation of Hopeful Heights.

Rooted in Compassion. Driven by Impact.

Rooted in Compassion. Driven by Impact.

Hopeful Heights continues to carry both stories forward by:

  • Funding equipment, training, and resources for search and rescue teams

  • Providing cost-free stays for families facing childhood cancer

Every part of Hopeful Heights exists to support those who show up in life’s hardest moments and the families walking through them.

Learn More About Search & Rescue Support
Learn More About Families Facing Cancer
Stay at The Retreat in Yosemite

In April 2019, a hiking trip in the San Bernardino Mountains took an unexpected turn when my son went missing.

For five days, volunteer search and rescue teams worked tirelessly to bring him home. Many of these individuals were volunteers, giving their time, energy, and resources to help someone they had never met.

That experience left a lasting impact and revealed the incredible selflessness behind every rescue mission.

Group of four people standing in front of an orange emergency rescue vehicle with green trees in the background. The group includes three men and one woman, all smiling.

A Rescue That Changed Everything

In the aftermath of the rescue, Karen felt a deep calling to share what had happened. Not just the fear and uncertainty, but the hope, faith, and overwhelming generosity shown by the search and rescue teams.

She wrote a book to tell both sides of the story: a son’s fight to survive and a mother’s journey of trusting through the unknown.

That story became a way to honor the people who made the rescue possible and to ensure their impact would not be forgotten.

Front cover of a book titled 'Two Trails' by Karen Ziebarth. The cover features a hiker walking on a trail in a forested mountain landscape.

A Story That Had to Be Told

Through it all, one thing remained constant — a love for the outdoors.

That love led to building a home near Yosemite National Park, a place that would become more than just a retreat.

Modern house with a combination of wood, stone, and black exterior, surrounded by trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

A Return to the Mountains

A young girl with a shaved head smiling and walking outside. She is wearing a pink jacket, a purple dress with small blue patterns, white socks, and brown shoes. In the background, there is a white house with horizontal siding and a large white outdoor lamp.

Years earlier, the family walked through the reality of childhood cancer with her daughter, Tara.

Tara’s life was marked by courage, compassion, and a deep care for others — even in the midst of treatment. The way she showed up for those around her continues to shape this mission today.

A Life That Shaped the Heart

Group of rescue workers inside a cave, lifting an injured person on a stretcher.

What started as personal experiences became a purpose.

Hopeful Heights was created to:

  • Support volunteer search and rescue teams

  • Serve families facing childhood cancer

A Mission Comes to Life

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