10th Annual Summit Mt Washington breaks records

Wow! 2021 was milestone year for our annual hike up Mount Washington, and it did not disappoint! Many thanks to the hike organizers, leaders, sweeps, volunteers, hikers and their sponsors who all came through big time for our 10th Annual Summit Mt. Washington!

Special thanks to hike organizers Dana Kedziora and Suzanne Gould, who spent weeks before the hike planning and preparing to make a fun, safe, rewarding event for all. And judging from subsequent hikes, it appears they have now made the orange tutus a thing. But more on that later.

Again this year the weather this year was nearly perfect for the more than 70 hikers who joined our 5.2 miles trek up the Jewell Trail to summit of the highest peak in the Northeast.

We also want to thank the original founder of the hike, Sue Twombley, whose vision helped create the great annual event this has become. And also the hike leads, sweeps and other volunteers who helped to keep everyone safe, including Mark Langdon, Jeff Piekarski, Laurie Lawrence, Brandon Parenteau, Paul Huffman, and Donna Chapman.

And all of the hikers who encouraged each other and kept on going until the summit was reached!

The three-plus hour ascent of the peak challenged bodies and wills, but in the end, triumph!

Many more summit and scenic photos from this year’s amazing hike are in the gallery below.

Drumroll, please…

This hike is not only a great event for the hikers; it is also a tremendously important fundraiser for HIKE for Mental Health. 100% of the funds raised by the hikers will go to our mission. 80% funds brain & behavior research to drive better understanding of and treatments for mental illnesses. And 20% is a “give-back” to conserve wilderness trails.

This year’s hike reached a new record: $31,316, a twenty percent leap from the previous record!! Thank you to all the hikers and their sponsors!

Special thanks to those hikers who each raised $1,000 or more for the hike:

Kim McMahon ($1,000)
Paul Huffman ($1,050)
Christine Linehan ($1,120)
Regina Foley-Egan ($1,800)
Laurie Lawrence ($2,725)
Emily Gagne & family ($3,075)

And our top fundraiser this year and winner of the Hennessey Hammock sleeping system is David “Big D” Mohr with $3,475! Congratulation, Big D, and thank you!