Climbing for a Cause
Alpine Ascents is proud of our continuing involvement in partnering with non-profit organizations both in our community and abroad. From Seattle’s esteemed Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to the Sherpa Education Fund, we help non-profits reach their goals.
Please visit the following links to see the successful ways we have partnered with different organizations to fundraise and bring attention to their cause.
If you would like information on the above please contact Gordon Janow
Current Outreach Partners
Here are the outstanding organizations Alpine Ascents partners with in their fundraising efforts. See our history page for organizations we have worked with in the past.
Climb to Fight Breast Cancer
Contributions play a pivotal role in propelling the Hutchinson’s Center’s efforts to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer, saving countless lives in the process. Every year, outdoor enthusiasts join together to ascend some of the world’s most breathtaking mountains in honor or memory of loved ones who have battled breast cancer. The Climb to Fight Breast Cancer ® allows you to touch the top of states, countries and continents while raising vital funds and awareness toward finding a cure.
Climbs with Alpine Ascents include Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus and the Everest Base Camp Trek. Contact: www.fhcrc.org/climb, email: cfbc@fhcrc.org or call 206.667.1398
REI Climbs for Mount Rainier’s Search and Rescue
REI’s climb with Alpine Ascents, International was established in 2014. Their focus? To help Mount Rainier’s Search and Rescue rangers and volunteers. 2014 proceeds will fund a much needed telecommunication system at Rainier’s more remote Camp Schurman. For the first time ever, rangers and mountain rescue teams will be able to communicate to others as together, they work to save lives and help those in need. Funds flow through Washington’s National Park Fund. For more information, call 206-623-2063.
KEXP
Alpine Ascents was proud to have a 100% donation climb for the new KEXP offices. While we always want to be involved in great causes, we loved being helping the best radio station in the world and our new neighbors build their new – and awesome – home in lower Queen Anne. Our fundraising climb up Eldorado proved a fantastic experience for all.
The Climb for Cancer Foundation
Created to help end cancer and to improve the lives of individuals fighting this deadly disease. The Climb for Cancer Foundation is now forming a team for their Kilimanjaro 2013 expedition and looking for partners for other climbs. View the website at: www.cfc-foundation.org or call 352-333-9663 for more information.
Summit4stemcell
Summit4stemcell is a grass roots group of individuals commited to funding Parkinsons research where a patient’s skin cells are converted to IPG cells and then reprogrammed to become dopamine producing neurons. With FDA approval these cells will be transplanted back into the brains of the eight chosen Parkinson’s patients in our project. This is a joint project between Dr Melissa Houser at the Scripps Clinic and Dr Jeanne Loring from the Center of Integrative medicine at The Scripps Research Institute.
We are looking for climbers that either have Parkinson’s Disease or are related to someone who does to join our team as we trek to base camp of Everest in October of 2013. All funds raised through our efforts will go directly to the Summit4stemcell project. Please email: summit4stemcell@gmail.com for more information.
The Alpine Ascents Sherpa Educaton Fund
The Alpine Ascents Sherpa Educaton Fund would like to partner with climbers or trekkers to raise funds to finance a first-class education for a group of Sherpa students who hearken from the rural, mountainous areas that surround Mt. Everest in Nepal. Please visit www.sherpaedfund.org or email info@sherpaedfund.org for more information.
Fundraising with Alpine Ascents
Over the past 20 years, we’ve been hosting discounted climbs for non-profit organizations. Climbers raise money for their organizations (often finding donors that give a flat rate or per foot rate), and then hire Alpine Ascents to lead the fundraising climb. In turn, Alpine Ascents discounts the climb so a larger portion of the money raised can stay with the non-profit.
This has been a very successful fundraising tool for many groups. Many of our non-profits have commented that this is a more satisfying fundraising experience overall.
Past successful climbing events have taken place on such diverse trips as:
- Kilimanjaro
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Mt Rainier and Mt. Baker
If you would like information on the above please contact Gordon Janow
For the non-profit
- Limits the resources your organization dedicates to event planning.
- Receive assistance with fundraising development.
- All trip logistics, training and personal equipment planning is done by Alpine Ascents.
- Personal attention from our Specialty Travel division and staff.
- World-class guiding expertise, group gear and equipment, and camp food and dining of the highest quality that our trips are renowned for worldwide.
For The Participants
- Raising awareness.
- Opportunity to be part a team experience in a unique mountain environment.
- Combine the thrill of climbing on one of the world’s greatest peaks with the satisfaction of helping those in need.
Raising Awareness Climbs
Setting up an awareness climb is a simple way to bring attention to your non-profit organization or cause. Our Awareness Climbs have received excellent media attention and have the unique quality of naturally creating a meaningful group experience centered around a cause.
If you have a group of friends or colleagues who want to climb for one cause, let us know and we can set up a program that matches your group’s needs and handle all of the trip logistics. We have created custom experiences for groups of varied backgrounds, abilities and group sizes.
No climbing experience needed just the desire to climb or trek for a cause.
Ideas for awareness climbs we have done in the past:
- Survivors or people affected with health issues: Cancer, MS and Parkinsons
- Military groups and wounded vets
- Family members and friends raising awareness of water sanitation issues
If you would like information on the above please contact Gordon Janow
Auction Donation
Each year Alpine Ascents donates climbs, such as a 3-day climb of Mt. Baker, to non-profit organizations for auction to the highest bidder. If you are interested in applying for a donated climb to auction, please submit the proposal by August 31st to Gordon Janow
Donations will be awarded by October 1st, for the following summer season.
Outreach History
Our history with fundraising climbs:
For over twenty years, Alpine Ascents has been working closely with non-profit organizations in an effort to support community-based programs. As of 2012, we have helped raise $4 million for worthwhile causes. Our endeavors have included climbs to Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Olympus, Mt. Baker Glacier Peak, Denali, and Everest Base Camp Trek.
We are proud to have worked with:
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
The Climb for Cancer Foundation
The Survivor Fund
The Red Campaign
The Susan G. Komen Foundation
The Emily Griffith Center
KEXP
Roots
She Climbs
The Ronald McDonald House
Team Survivor Northwest
Passages Northwest
C.A.N. (Cure Autism Now)
Hats Off For Cancer
The American Red Cross
Generous Adventures
Seattle Academy
PAWS, King County Search and Rescue
The Center for the Prevention of School Violence and S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violence Everywhere)
Through these climbs, Alpine Ascents works to transform the individual goals of mountaineering to positively affect the lives of many. Alpine Ascents is proud to be affiliated with such outstanding organizations and we will continue to expand our work in this area.
If you are interested in any of these programs, or have an organization you support, please contact us about fundraising and awareness ideas: Gordon Janow .
Climbs Donated by Us
Each year, Alpine Ascents donates a climb to a local charity, where 100% of the amounts paid by the climbers goes directly to the organization.
2014 Climb of Eldorado Peak for Roots
2015 Climb of Eldorado Peak for KEXP
2016 Climb of Mount Shuksan for SheJumps
2017 Climb of Mount Shuksan for New Horizons
As I have mentioned, the biggest strength of the Alpine ascents programs are the skills, enthusiasm and dedication of the guides. Vern is an exceptional guide because he is interesting and interested, yet always commands respect with a wicked sense of humor and a laugh.
