Nashua, NH – Randy Pierce and his climbing team successfully reached the summit of NH’s Mt Washington according to plan on Monday, July 5, at 11:15 am. Led by his guide dog (The Mighty) Quinn, Pierce was able to conquer steep and uneven paths, cross mountain streams over slippery rocks, scramble over boulders and even navigate narrow ledges. They reached the top of the 6,288-ft peak – the tallest and among the most dangerous mountains in the northeastern US – all the while carrying a 50 pound pack on his back.
On a mission – for others
Pierce called the hike “an astoundingly rewarding experience” and noted both the superb performance of guide dog Quinn on the trail, as well as the camaraderie of his 10-person hiking team. (Read Randy's blog entry.) Pierce’s goal is to climb all 48 mountains in NH over 4,000 tall, both as an inspiration to others and as a means of raising funds to support services for the blind community. He has founded a charitable organization named 2020 Vision Quest as a means of capturing and distributing donations, which will support Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an organization that trains guide dogs and pairs them with the blind at no charge to them, and the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, that provides rehabilitation and other services in every community in New Hampshire.
About the hike
The climb was a two-day affair, which started early the morning of July 4. Randy, Quinn and Team 2020 first summited Mt Monroe, the fourth highest peak in New Hampshire at 5,372 feet, 1.4 miles southwest of Mt Washington on the same ridge. Reaching the peak just after 5 pm, the grueling 3 mile, 8-hour trek had brought them more than 2,500 vertical feet from the trailhead where the climb began. At just before 8:30 the next morning, the team set out for Mt Washington, reaching the summit in just under three hours. The team had spent the overnight at the Appalachian Mountain Club shelter at Lakes of the Clouds, located in a gap between the two peaks.
The hiking pair of Randy and Quinn’s training for the Washington hike included a six-day traverse of the Pemigewassett wilderness with a backpacking class from the University of New Hampshire, Randy’s alma mater. Traveling over some of the most rugged terrain of the White Mountain National Forest, Randy and Quinn’s perseverance inspired their nine companions through some tough days – including one that Pierce would cite as one of the toughest days of his life.
Rising above adversity, repeatedly
Shortly after graduating from UNH in 1989, Randy (now age 44) abruptly lost his sight due to an unknown neurological disorder. Through all of his physical challenges, Randy did not allow adversity to stop him. After going blind, Randy achieved the rank of black belt in kempo karate, and has earned local fame as the New England Patriots Fan of the Year 2001. He has also been named to the NFL Hall of Fame, and was the subject of an Emmy-nominated documentary.
Yet remarkably, in 2004 the same neurological disorder destroyed his sense of balance, confining Pierce to a wheelchair. Once again he fought back, ultimately regaining his ability to walk, and more: he recently earned his second-degree black belt, and has now embarked on his quest to put the 48 toughest peaks in New Hampshire behind him.
For additional information on 2020 Vision Quest, contact Randy Pierce at 800-2020-54-1 or visit www.2020visionquest.org
About 2020 Vision Quest
2020 Vision Quest inspires people to reach beyond adversity and achieve their highest goals -- personal, professional, and philanthropic. We believe in leading by example, in climbing the highest peaks, and in sharing our successes and challenges with each other. Funds raised through these endeavors will be given to two remarkable organizations that benefit the visually impaired community: Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and the New Hampshire Association for the Blind.
On a mission – for others
Pierce called the hike “an astoundingly rewarding experience” and noted both the superb performance of guide dog Quinn on the trail, as well as the camaraderie of his 10-person hiking team. (Read Randy's blog entry.) Pierce’s goal is to climb all 48 mountains in NH over 4,000 tall, both as an inspiration to others and as a means of raising funds to support services for the blind community. He has founded a charitable organization named 2020 Vision Quest as a means of capturing and distributing donations, which will support Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an organization that trains guide dogs and pairs them with the blind at no charge to them, and the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, that provides rehabilitation and other services in every community in New Hampshire.
About the hike
The climb was a two-day affair, which started early the morning of July 4. Randy, Quinn and Team 2020 first summited Mt Monroe, the fourth highest peak in New Hampshire at 5,372 feet, 1.4 miles southwest of Mt Washington on the same ridge. Reaching the peak just after 5 pm, the grueling 3 mile, 8-hour trek had brought them more than 2,500 vertical feet from the trailhead where the climb began. At just before 8:30 the next morning, the team set out for Mt Washington, reaching the summit in just under three hours. The team had spent the overnight at the Appalachian Mountain Club shelter at Lakes of the Clouds, located in a gap between the two peaks.
The hiking pair of Randy and Quinn’s training for the Washington hike included a six-day traverse of the Pemigewassett wilderness with a backpacking class from the University of New Hampshire, Randy’s alma mater. Traveling over some of the most rugged terrain of the White Mountain National Forest, Randy and Quinn’s perseverance inspired their nine companions through some tough days – including one that Pierce would cite as one of the toughest days of his life.
Rising above adversity, repeatedly
Shortly after graduating from UNH in 1989, Randy (now age 44) abruptly lost his sight due to an unknown neurological disorder. Through all of his physical challenges, Randy did not allow adversity to stop him. After going blind, Randy achieved the rank of black belt in kempo karate, and has earned local fame as the New England Patriots Fan of the Year 2001. He has also been named to the NFL Hall of Fame, and was the subject of an Emmy-nominated documentary.
Yet remarkably, in 2004 the same neurological disorder destroyed his sense of balance, confining Pierce to a wheelchair. Once again he fought back, ultimately regaining his ability to walk, and more: he recently earned his second-degree black belt, and has now embarked on his quest to put the 48 toughest peaks in New Hampshire behind him.
For additional information on 2020 Vision Quest, contact Randy Pierce at 800-2020-54-1 or visit www.2020visionquest.org
About 2020 Vision Quest
2020 Vision Quest inspires people to reach beyond adversity and achieve their highest goals -- personal, professional, and philanthropic. We believe in leading by example, in climbing the highest peaks, and in sharing our successes and challenges with each other. Funds raised through these endeavors will be given to two remarkable organizations that benefit the visually impaired community: Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and the New Hampshire Association for the Blind.