Michael J. Ybarra facts for kids
Michael Jay Ybarra (born September 28, 1966 – died June 30 or July 1, 2012) was an American writer and adventurer. He wrote many non-fiction stories for national magazines and newspapers. In 2004, his book about a time called McCarthyism, titled Washington Gone Crazy, won an important award called the D.B. Hardeman Prize. Michael also wrote exciting articles about extreme sports for The Wall Street Journal. His stories helped more people learn about outdoor adventures.
Contents
Michael Ybarra's Life and Career
Early Life and Education
Michael Ybarra grew up in Los Angeles. He went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and earned a degree in political science in 1990. While he was at UCLA, he started writing for the Los Angeles Times. Later, he wrote for the Chicago Tribune. During his time at the Chicago Tribune, he even interviewed Barack Obama, who later became President of the United States. After UCLA, Michael moved to Washington, D.C. and wrote for The Washington Post. He then went back to school and earned another degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1992.
A Career in Journalism
Michael Ybarra worked as a journalist and author for 25 years. One of his articles for The Washington Post was even added to the Congressional Record by Senator Ted Kennedy. He also won awards for his story about Hurricane Katrina, a big storm that hit the United States.
Michael wrote about many different topics and people. He interviewed famous authors like Michael Chabon and Norman Mailer. He also talked to adventurers like Yvon Chouinard, who started the Patagonia clothing company.
Writing Washington Gone Crazy
In the early 1990s, Michael started working for The Wall Street Journal in San Francisco. During this time, he began researching and writing his book, Washington Gone Crazy. The book was published in 2004 and received great reviews.
The book was about Pat McCarran, a senator from Nevada, and a period in American history called the "Communist Hunt." This was a time when many people were worried about communism. Michael's book was praised for being fair and showing a new view on the topic. It was even listed as one of The New York Times Book Review's 100 Notable Books of the Year. It also won the D.B. Hardeman Prize for the best book about the U.S. Congress.
Adventures and Extreme Sports Writing
In 2004, Michael took his first climbing lessons during a trip to Peru. He quickly became a very keen climber and adventurer. He traveled all over the world, climbing, hiking, and kayaking. Some of the places he visited include Nepal, Peru, Switzerland, Italy, and Alaska.
From 2007 until he passed away in 2012, Michael wrote about his adventures for The Wall Street Journal. He was their extreme sports correspondent and published over 30 exciting articles.
Michael Ybarra's Death and Legacy
A Tragic Accident
Michael Ybarra died on June 30, 2012, in a climbing accident. This happened on the Sawtooth Ridge in Yosemite National Park. His family reported him missing when he did not return from a solo climb.
After his death, The Wall Street Journal shared a statement. They said Michael was an amazing journalist. They mentioned how his passion for the outdoors was clear in his writing and how he lived his life.
His Lasting Impact
Michael Ybarra left behind many published writings from over two decades. A collection of his climbing books is now kept at the California Institute of Technology library. It is called "The Michael J. Ybarra Memorial Collection."
A scholarship was also created at UCLA in his memory. This scholarship helps students studying humanities who want to study abroad. Michael's notes and papers for his book Washington Gone Crazy are kept at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.
