SUNY Potsdam Wilderness Education Students Tackle Mountain-A-Thon 2016

Wilderness Education Students Climb Azure Mountain with Rock-Laden Packs in Mountain-A-Thon Fundraiser

Related Media

SUNY Potsdam wilderness education students are raising funds toward a summer expedition through Mountain-A-Thon 2016. Students from the Leadership II class are seen in an earlier trip here.

POTSDAM, NY (04/19/2016)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam wilderness education students are going the extra mile again this year to train and raise money for their upcoming expedition. On Saturday, May 7, a group of nine Leadership II students will each attempt to climb Azure Mountain four times in one day -- with their backpacks loaded with 50 pounds of rocks, ascending 1,000 feet up the mile-long trail each time.

The students taking on Mountain-A-Thon 2016 include: Keagan Anderson, Kayla Austin, Matthew Cameron, Alaina Dochylo, Brandon Keough, Noah Primus, Eli Smith, Natalie Stark and Rachel Topf.

Along with the nine Leadership II students, several other SUNY Potsdam students and faculty members will also take part in Mountain-A-Thon. They have all set a goal of each making a minimum of four trips to the summit of Azure, bringing a total of 200 pounds of rocks to the top, and completing eight miles of climbing and 4,000 feet of elevation gain. In sum total, the group hopes to carry more than 2,000 pounds of rocks to the summit in a day.

The Mountain-A-Thon event will serve multiple purposes. Students will not only raise funds and train their bodies and minds for their expedition through the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico-they will also help with erosion control at the summit of the Adirondack peak, while practicing "leave no trace" principles.

The Friends of Azure Mountain have for years maintained a pile of rocks at the base of the mountain, so that hikers can carry up loads to help with erosion control at the summit. The group also leads stewardship for the fire tower and trail, provides scholarships and offers a steward volunteer program. Students and faculty from SUNY Potsdam's Wilderness Education Program regularly take time to perform trail maintenance on Azure Mountain.

Mountain-A-Thon will help the students to gain much-needed endurance and mental strength for their expedition to the Gila Wilderness, where a 4,000-foot trek is normal and a typical day can be close to 7 miles, as well as providing an opportunity for them to work as a team.

The SUNY Potsdam students have been preparing for the Mountain-A-Thon since they exited the field from their very first extended trip in August 2015 with the Leadership I class. By repeatedly climbing the eight flights of stairs with loaded packs in SUNY Potsdam's Raymond Hall, each student has agreed to work through three benchmark exams to keep them on track in preparing for their 21-day Gila excursion. This type of workout most closely resembles what this group will encounter over the course of their travels.

The 3.3 million-acre Gila Wilderness covers eight mountain ranges, including the Mogollon range, which rises out of the Gila river canyons to mountain summit elevations of over 10,000 feet. The expedition to this remote area will be resupplied via pack stock halfway through the 21-day trip. A typical day in the Gila will involve up to several thousand feet of elevation gain, while carrying backpacks over rugged terrain that has been slowly recovering from past floods and fires. Most trails that will be traveled on have been turned into bushwhacks, as they lack any maintenance. This expedition is the capstone experience for students who are enrolled in the Leadership Track of the SUNY Potsdam Wilderness Education Minor.

The students are seeking pledges through Mountain-A-Thon 2016, to raise funds for their summer expedition. By making this experience possible, donors can help students achieve their dreams of becoming successful wilderness leaders.

To make a gift, please visit secure.potsdam.edu/giving, and designate your donation to "Wilderness Leadership II."

Supporters may also assist by donating $20 to receive an original Wilderness Leadership II T-shirt or $12 for a Nalgene water bottle with the Wilderness Education logo.

You can follow the students' journey on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/leadership2gila.

The SUNY Potsdam Wilderness Education Program offers specialized preparation for motivated individuals to become tomorrow's leaders. The minor offers a Leadership Track, which prepares field instructors to lead extended backpacking trips and culminates in a student-planned 20-day expedition, as well as an Adventure Education Track, which prepares ropes course, rock climbing and ice climbing facilitation instructors. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/wildernessed.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges-and the oldest institution within SUNY. As the College marks its bicentennial in 2016, SUNY Potsdam will celebrate a 200-year legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and leadership in the arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community is nearing the completion of Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which has already raised $32 million for scholarships and programs.

###