Seeking Donations to Seek the Peak

What’s an independent Mary Jane Mountain Farm Girl like me, (also known in these parts as the “Lodge Lady”) requesting donations for? A great cause, that’s what! Each year at this time we gear up for the Seek the Peak fundraiser, which helps raise money for the Mount Washington Observatory. This year’s annual Seek the Peak will take place on the weekend of July 23-24, when hikers of all ages and abilities from across the nation will converge on 6,288-foot Mount Washington, New Hampshire to participate in Mount Washington Observatory's Seek the Peak Hike-A-Thon fundraiser. Now in its tenth year, Seek the Peak has grown to become New England's premier hiking event.
Seek the Peak 10, presented by Subaru, L.L.Bean and Stonyfield Farm, will welcome as many as 500 hikers to the rocky trails of Mount Washington, each hiking in support of the legendary Mount Washington Observatory. I’ll be one of them! Over the event's history, Seek the Peak hikers, donors and sponsors have raised just under $500,000 to support the work of this important nonprofit institution, bringing in more than $117,00 in 2009 alone.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Seek the Peak, there will be thousands of dollars worth of prizes, goodie bags, a Kick-Off Party at the Weather Discovery Center, and the biggest addition for 2010... a Friday night Seek the Peak concert in North Conway featuring a national recording artist! (Curious? Come find out for yourself!). Combined with the awe and wonder of Mount Washington itself, Seek the Peak 10 will be an event to remember.

If you’d like to join in the fun, the first step in your journey will be to click the orange "Register" button at the top of the page at www.seekthepeak.org/ Complete the registration form, set up your own personalized pledge page and you're on your way. All hikers must raise a minimum of $100 to participate, and the more you raise, the more chances you'll have at winning incredible prizes! The first 400 hikers that raise the $100 minimum will receive a long-sleeve event t-shirt, a goodie bag, a ticket to the Seek the Peak Concert, admission to the Stonyfield Farm Kick-Off Party and after party, a free tour of our famous mountaintop weather station and more. The event is limited to 500 participants, so register today!

As seen in the February 2009 edition of National Geographic Magazine, Mount Washington is home to some of the fiercest winter conditions on the planet. In summer, it is the pinnacle of the New England hiking scene, with numerous trails to choose from, unique above-treeline tundra and stunning views to the Atlantic Ocean, Canada and Adirondack mountains.
Your support will help the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory maintain its famous outpost high atop Mount Washington, advancing its work in collecting weather data, performing scientific research and educating the public about the science of weather and climate.
Grab your pack and join me for Seek the Peak 10! If you can’t participate personally, perhaps you’ll consider sponsoring my climb up the mountain next month. You can pledge any amount to help me reach my goal! Go to the above Seek the Peak website, click on the “Support a Hiker” button, and click on my handle, MountainFarmGirl (Cathi Belcher). Any amount you pledge will help, and is for a great cause: The Mount Washington Observatory!