Kolby Ziemendorf got the idea for the humanitarian group “46Climbs” after a friend committed suicide his senior year of high school.
His partner in the project, Catherine Zarnofsky, prevented the suicide of a high-school classmate by calling his parents, who intervened in time to save their son’s life.
Both K&Z are avid hikers and climbers, which inspired the idea of linking suicide prevention to a campaign to get people into the great outdoors—with the specific goal of promoting suicide awareness and fundraising.
46Climbs began in 2014 when Ziemendorf and Zarnofsky attempted to RUN all 46 Adirondack High Peak mountains in one week, to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
This year it’s YOU. If you wish. And you don’t have to run. You can walk. Backwards, if you wish. As a national event, it runs in and around Suicide Prevention Week, September 2-11. And it’s not just those 46 peaks. Anywhere you want, alone or with a group.
It’s $25 to register, and all the money goes to AFSP’s suicide-prevention work. What you get in return (in addition to helping with a hugely important campaign) is a dry-fit 46Climbs T-Shirt, a 46Climbs Bandanna, 46Climbs sticker, and a Leave No Trace Ethics Reference Card (good ethics for conscientious hiking and climbing).
Kolby says the gear is for you, and for the public. It’s to help you (and your good intentions) “be visually recognizable on the mountains to inspire others and spread awareness along with prevention.”
For more info: http://46climbs.com/