Athletes Of All Abilities Summit Mt. Washington For Adaptive Sports Partners Of The North Country
Photo courtesy of Shannon Dunfey-Ball
PINKHAM NOTCH, NH – Athletes of all abilities summited Mount Washington this past weekend for a great cause. Sunday was the 9th Annual Sunrise Ascent on Mountain Washington to benefit the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country. Sandy Olney, ASPNC Executive Director said that 14 adaptive athletes supported by 280 “mules”, or people who assist them up the mountain, climbed the tallest peak in the northeast early Sunday morning. Before sunrise, teams led by an adaptive athlete ascend the eight mile Mount Washington Auto Road, to summit 6,288-foot Mount Washington. Each team pledges to raise at least $6,288. This year, 13 athletes have signed up for the challenge and ASPNC has just put out the call for volunteers to join them in this inspirational adaptive journey.
Teams pledge to raise $6,288, a dollar for every foot for Mt. Washington’s peak. Olney said every large team far exceeded that goal with one team raising over $23,000. All together the event raised a record setting $120,000, which will account for over one third of ASPNC’s operating budget for the year.
Photo courtesy of Shannon Dunfey-Ball
The ascent is for athletes of every ability from those who can make the climb under their own power to those who have to ride on specialty hiking chair called a trail rider which is pushed and pulled by a team of climbers.
Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country (ASPNC) is a community-based, not for profit organization with a mission to ensure the enrichment of the quality of life for people with disabilities. ASPNC accomplishes this through the provision of year-round opportunities for sport, recreation, and wellness through the Franconia area, North Country of New Hampshire and Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. ASPNC is dedicated to enriching the quality of life for people with disabilities, providing over 20 different sport, recreation and wellness activities for people of all ages and any ability.
Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country’s office is located in the Franconia Marketplace, 297 Main Street, Franconia, NH. For more information please visit www.AdaptiveSportsPartners.org or call the ASPNC office at 603-823-5232.
