On June 27th, 2006, Dustin and Kristen Yoder, along with a friend and fellow climber, Brennan Larson, lost their lives in a tragic mountain climbing accident on Artesonraju, a 6015 meter peak in the Cordillera Blanca Mountains in the Andes of Peru. As brother and sister, Dustin and Kristen shared a passion for outdoor adventure. They grew up hiking and backpacking in the Southwest and spent much of their spare time rock and ice climbing together. Over the years they scaled multiple peaks together in Arizona, Colorado, Alaska, Washington State, Mexico, and South America.

Both Dustin and Kristen were very involved with the Parks and Recreation Management Program at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Dustin graduated in 2005 and minored in Recreation Management, and Kristen, a senior majoring in Recreation Management, was a trip leader for the NAU Outdoors Program. They enthusiastically shared their experiences and outdoor adventures with people of all ages, leading wilderness trips, teaching outdoor skills, and educating about the environment.

The Dustin and Kristen Yoder Memorial Foundation, Inc. is an Arizona non-profit corporation tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code §501(c)(3). The Yoder children's family and friends established the Foundation in their memory and honor to provide financial assistance to children and young adults for outdoor leadership education courses which focus on developing life skills and leadership ability through outdoor activities.