Summit Seekers

This hike is difficult, with a lot of elevation gain as you summit the highest peak in the Northeast. Our ideal candidates are already regularly physically active, and have some demonstrated experience hiking, biking, climbing, running, or similar.

In the application, you’ll be able to tell us more about any experience you have, as well as how you plan to train in the months leading up to the hike. We’ll reach out if we have any questions!

Not sure this program is for you? Check out our Trail Blazers program for another way to hike for kids with cancer!

How you need to train for this hike will depend on how frequently you are already hiking, running, climbing, etc.

At a minimum, a combination of aerobic and resistance workouts are your best option, with a focus on stair climbing as you prepare for a steep ascent for most of the first half of the trek.

In addition, especially for newer hikers, you should plan to take several training hikes of increasing difficulty levels. Get comfortable hiking for several hours at a time, to ensure you have the right gear, hydration, and nutrition to sustain yourself for a whole day of hiking. Practice carrying a full backpack to help your body get used to the weight.

In your application, we’ll want you to provide a sample training plan you plan to follow based on your background, hiking experience, and lifestyle. If accepted, we’ll work with you to discuss your suggested training plan, and will help keep you accountable through our virtual meetings and team hikes.

We expect this hike to take one challenging 10 hour-long hike day. Hike duration will ultimately depend on the pace of all of our hikers.

We expect our hikers to prepare appropriately through months of hiking. Some of those hikes should be longer and require 8-10 hours to help you get accustomed to being on your feet for an extended period of time, and understand the types of fuel your body needs to sustain itself.

When you’re unable to hike (weather, life circumstances, etc.), you should be training regularly through running and other cardio workouts designed to increase your VMax. Stair climbers are a great way to strengthen your legs for a steep climb.

Ultimately, you should be prepared to commit several hours a week to training for this hike from December 2023 through May 2024 to ensure a successful hike experience.

• Sept. 8-Nov. 10: Applications open

• Nov. 30: All applicants will be notified of their status in our 2024 program

• Mid-January: Summit Seekers announced publicly!

• January (date TBD): Virtual Team Meeting

• March (date TBD): Virtual Team Meeting

• May (date TBD): Virtual Team Meeting

• June 1: Hike Day!

The safety of our hikers throughout the hike is our #1 priority. We have a number of precautions & procedures in place to keep you safe leading up to, and throughout, the hike.

• Clearly Defined Path: We strictly adhere to a pre-determined hike path, which we encourage you to familiarize yourself with prior to the hike. Knowing the exact trail the team should be taking will help you reorient yourself in case you find yourself separated from the group.

• Regular Check-Ins: At designated waypoints along the hike path, our hikers check in with our support crew via text. This allows the support crew to keep tabs on general progress and assist if needed.

• First Aid Certification: Our Team Captains are all certified in First Aid/CPR. These team members are prepared to assist in case of injury.

• Emergency Communication Devices: Multiple Garmin devices are provided to the group by Camp Casco to ensure your access to a hike map throughout the trek, and allow your Support Crew to see your location at any time. These devices can also be used to send text messages and check oncoming weather, even when out of cell service.

• Resources At The Summit: Mount Washington is one of the best equipped summits, with food, shelter, and a hiker shuttle available. While we plan to have our Summit Seekers hike down Mount Washington for the second half of the hike, hikers who cannot complete the trek back down the mountain for any reason will have resources and transportation available at the peak.

• Emergency Rescue Preparedness: In the worst-case scenario that an emergency rescue is necessary, we are well-equipped to work with local authorities to assist in this process. Additionally, voluntary Hike Safe cards are purchased by Camp Casco on behalf of each hiker to provide financial protection if a costly rescue is required.
  

While we have never needed an emergency rescue and hope to never need one, we are committed to being as prepared as possible to ensure the safety and well-being of our hike team, and respecting the limited resources of the White Mountains.

Bad weather is a natural risk of any hike program, especially when you’re exploring the Whites. In general, we will attempt to complete the hike if our Team Captains agree it can be done safely. This may mean hiking in rainy, icy, very cold, or hot conditions, and hikers should be prepared for any type of weather.

Hikes will not take place if our Team Captains agree weather conditions are too unsafe to proceed. This may mean that we are unable to hike on June 1. Whenever possible, we will identify alternative nearby hikes that can be completed safely instead. In addition, Summit Seekers who exceed their fundraising goal and earn lodging at Joe Dodge Lodge on the evening of 6/1 may have the opportunity to hike on Sunday 6/2, if weather permits.

Yes! Please visit our Sponsorships page to learn more about sponsoring our 2024 hike programs.