The Mountaineers
Meet Our Parks | Your Adventure's Mary Hsue. She plans to hike to a peak in each of Washington's 3 National Parks to inspire others to donate to support the next generation of adventurers and stewards of our public lands.
HER adventure
Mary's goal is to hike to the top of a big peak in Mt. Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic National Parks. She hopes to raise $2,500 for Mountaineers youth programs to get kids outside.
her connection
In 2009 Mary climbed Mt. Rainier. "I was the smallest team member and one of two girls. Climbing Mt. Rainier was the biggest challenge I'd undertaken," she said. "It was scary to climb in the dark, with the frigid wind howling, and with little sense of how long it would take to get to the summit. I really had to suck it up and focus to quiet the doubt that filled my mind," she added.
The team reached the summit, but it's the lessons Mary learned from the climb that still resonate today. "Overcoming doubt and learning to manage fear has helped me become more confident, willing to set big goals, venture into the unknown and accept risk knowing that I have the ability to persevere through any challenge."
The climb also connected Mary to Mt. Rainier in an unexpected way. She explains, "I no longer sees it as the big mountain in the distance -- I see Mt. Rainier as a friend that needs my care and protection."
Why it matters
These are the same lessons kids learn in The Mountaineers youth programs. The littlest girls learn they can be just as strong as the boys, and that the National Parks and wild places need their love and protection.
SUPPORT Mary's ADVENTURE
Make a tax-deductible donation of any size before September 5 to Adventurer Mary Hsue and show her your support!
BONUS!
Give before August 25 and your donation will be matched 1:1 up to $10,000 thanks to a generous matching gift challenge from Rich & Martha Draves.
Click here for more details about this adventure-based peer-to-peer fundraising eventand learn how you can help us get more kids outside!
