Despite losing his eyesight shortly after college, Randy Pierce has pursued a full life, with countless friends and interests -- and was even honored by the New England Patriots as their Fan of the Year.
But in 2003, Randy was stricken suddenly once again by a neurological condition that destroyed his sense of balance, rendering him wheelchair-bound.
Never one to quit, Randy fought his way back, and today is
climbing the highest mountains in New Hampshire as a way to raise
funds for the services that helped him cope with blindness:
The New Hampshire Association for the Blind, and
Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
Winter NH 48? Check!
36 of the NH 48 also in non-winter? Check!
Schedule set for summiting the remaining 12 peaks this spring and summer? Check! It starts for this year on May18th right where the Winter 48 ended in celebration in March of 2012-on historic Cannon Mountain, longtime home of the Old Man. That afternoon the crew will cross the Franconia Notch Parkway and ascend to Greenleaf Hut, taking on majestic Lafayette and Lincoln the next day.
Then in the summer, in scheduled order, the group will tackle North and South Tripyramid, Moriah, Middle Carter, South Carter, Carter Dome, Isolation, Jefferson, Carrigain, and then Flume for the grand finale in late August.
In 2010 when 2020 Vision Quest began, the official goal set was that Randy, Quinn and crew would complete the full round of the non-winter 48 peaks by the year 2020. If good fortune prevails and things go essentially as planned, that goal will be achieved in August of 2013--seven years ahead of schedule. Adding this to the already-completed epic single winter season, it will make their second full round of the grand 48 peaks!
While we realize that not everyone can join us for the actual hikes or post-hike celebrations, we'd be delighted to have as many of our friends as possible join us for another major event, just below:
2020 Vision Quest has begun building a team that will participate, on June 8th, in the NHAB Tenth Annual Walk for Sight. Over 100 joined our team last year, and we're hoping for another big group of friends, family, and supporters to join our 2013 team and raise funds for us and NHAB at the same time. Please join us as we walk the 3K together from the NHAB headquarters to the State House and back!
This fun event includes a barbeque lunch, live music, and door prizes to go along with our rallying together and spending time as a team. The entrance fee is just $15 for adults, and children under 12 register for only $5. Please visit our page for more information on the walk itself. We hope you'll support us by becoming part of our team directly or through your donation supporting any particular walker.
New incentive for team fundraising: Walkers are always encouraged to raise funds and we've had outstanding support from our walkers in the past. This year, the top fundraiser on our team will win a single free ticket-or a pair of tickets for the price of one-to 2020 Vision Quest's Fourth Annual Peak Potential Dinner and Auction on November 16th. The winner and guest will have the option to join Tracy, Quinn and Randy at a table for the dinner. So for joining us on this fun and affordable walk event, you gain a chance to attend at no charge the November dinner and auction as well, helping us to continue the quality work we believe we're doing with 2020 Vision Quest.
Quinn and I are hopeful but the choice is yours. Will you be part of our team?
