Big City Mountaineers: Climb A Peak, Help Kids In Need

Book a summit adventure, gather pledge donations and sponsors, and help fund wilderness training for kids.

Whether you’re planning a technical climb, or considering your first summit, you can raise big bucks for a good cause.  Big City Mountaineers (BCM) just announced its 2018 lineup of guided climbs that benefit low-income and underserved youth. And it’s still accepting participants for its 2017 climbs, which launched in March.

BCM, a 501c non-profit, has gear sponsors and certified guides lined up for this year’s adventures, from Grand Teton to Everest basecamp. By signing up for one of its expeditions, you help raise money to fund wilderness mentoring expeditions for kids across the country.

Big City Mountaineers

Based in Golden, Colo., BCM performs two objectives: It partners with youth organizations across the U.S. that get kids outdoors to teach life skills and build confidence. It also coordinates with major brands like Black Diamond, Mammut, and others to pull off major summits for interested clients every year.

Anybody in need of adventure can sign up for a mountaineering expedition and BCM provides guides, gear, and planning. In return, clients fundraise and take pledges that go right back into BCM’s youth programs. In total, around 1,000 kids take to the wilds each year thanks to BCM’s initiatives.

Each year, BCM coordinates summit trips of more than a dozen big-name mountains. The program is called Summit For Someone, and according to BCM, it’s the most popular mountaineering fundraiser in the U.S.

Summit For Someone

The Summit For Someone trips are led by certified guides and professional guide services. They vary in difficulty from beginner to advanced. Clients who exceed their fundraising goals are awarded with extra gear.

This year, BCM offers summits of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Mt. Shasta, Grand Teton, Mt. Olympus, Mt. Whitney, and Longs Peak. There’s also an expedition from Everest Base Camp — not summiting Everest — a three-day trek of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire, and a summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in February 2018. Check out the full list of dates and pledge amounts below.

In general, clients make an initial donation of $150 and must raise between $1,800 and $8,800, depending on the climb. What’s more, if clients either can’t take on one of the arranged expeditions, or they prefer to do a different challenge, BCM accepts individual “Create Your Own” adventure pledges.

According to BCM, your custom expedition doesn’t even have to be climbing. You can accept pledges for anything from cycling to kayaking, to running, or “whatever your heart desires.” And BCM helps set you up with a Crowdrise page and gear to make fundraising easier.

Check out BCM’s Summit For Someone page for more info on custom and group supported adventures. You can also sign up to help volunteer mentor in locations around the country.