The challenge seems daunting – even a tad crazy.
But spend a few minutes with Nathalie Long and one quickly realizes she has the drive to accomplish what she starts.
While most people are planning some form of Thanksgiving weekend gathering, Long, an event coordinator and race director with Penticton’s Hoodoo Adventure Company, will be participating in an Everesting for Kids fundraising initiative.
The fact Nathalie Long is doing it for youth should make her climb easier – even if there is 8,848 meters in total elevation gain – or the height of Mount Everest, earth's highest mountain above sea level.
“I had the opportunity this summer to work with kids. And I loved it. Just seeing the kids discovering the outdoors is something really great. I love to put on an expedition and take those kids who can’t afford it to go out on canoes,” said Long. “So I wanted to do a fundraiser. And I needed to find something that I would not normally do on a weekend.
“I wanted something that challenged me.”
Long found her challenge in Blue Grouse Mountain, located in West Kelowna off Bear Lake Main Road.
Beginning Friday morning at 11, and accompanied by a support crew, she will climb the mountain 11 times to accomplish the Everesting goal of 8,848 meters.
“I didn’t want something small because I would have to do too many laps of it,” said Long, who will be transported down after each ascension of the mountain. “I chose Blue Grouse Mountain because the route I’ve chosen is about 800 meters of elevation, so 11 laps will give me the 8,848 meters I need to achieve."
Reaching the mark is estimated to take around 24 hours without stopping.
“I’m a little nervous,” she admits. “It’s over eight thousand meters just climbing. I’ve been going out almost every weekend and doing 30 or 40 K with a lot of elevation. I’ve got people going up with me, and through the night, so I won’t be alone in the dark.”
So, has she considered climbing the real Mount Everest?
“I’ve done some high elevation races. I'm not super good with high elevation, so climbing Everest is not really appealing to me,” conceded Long. “But I love being in the mountains”
Hoodoo Adventures, which was recently named Business of the Year at the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, is excited to see Long accomplish her goal, and help youth get involved in outdoor activities.
"We are so excited to use the sport of adventure racing as a tool to show kids how they can challenge themselves and learn more about the amazing area they live in through outdoor experiences and expeditions," said Lyndie Hill, co-owner of Hoodoo Adventures, "She wanted to do something that would make a statement and inspire kids and we think this is just amazing."
Long is an avid adventure racer and recently took part in the TV Series, The World's Toughest Race on Amazon Prime. Next year Penticton and area will be hosting Expedition Canada in the Adventure Racing World Series with Nathalie and the Hoodoo Adventures team at the helm.
The goal through this adventure racing and fundraising initiative is to be able to take 100 kids on canoe expeditions or excursions next season.
To support the Everesting for Kids fundraiser and help Hoodoo Adventures and the Youth Outdoor Recreation Society to get kids away from their screens and into the wild, you can donate by clicking here.
The fundraiser has already surpassed it's goal of $1,200.
“If I could double that I would be super happy,” said Long. “But obviously I’ll be happy with whatever I can raise. Every bit helps.
“I’m also raising awareness that I can help kids discover the outdoors early on,”
Everyone will be able to follow Nathalie's progress live on the Youth Outdoor Recreation Society website.
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