Friends of the Mad River, the Mad River Backcountry Coalition (MRVBC), Sugarbush, and POW (Protect Our Winters) have united again to bring an entire season’s worth of uphill fun to the Mad River Valley community. Following the success of last year’s inaugural uphill skiing events, Climb It For Climate returns this October 12th to the slopes of Lincoln Peak. While there isn’t snow blanketing the hills just yet, this fall edition will feature a group “rally” hike. The hike will be followed by a riveting keynote by Carolina Rubio MacWright- a POW ambassador, ultrarunner, lawyer, and immigration activist.
Carolina will speak about her work combining her passion for trail running with the need for engaging and supporting refugee populations in New York City. Her non-profit, Touching Lands, partners recent refugees and immigrants with local mentors and allies, and uses running as the platform for creating community and teaching people their rights. This effort is but one of a long list of programs and events that Carolina has spearheaded, all with the aim of pursuing social and environmental justice for underserved populations. If you are looking for inspiration in a time of concern and anxiety, you won’t want to miss her talk.
Winter Uphill Rallies
The fall rally is just the first of numerous planned Climb It For Climate events on the docket for this year. There will be two more uphill skiing “rallies” on December 5th and March 28th to provide bookends to the ski season. These events will follow a similar format as the well-attended events last ski season, which featured a climate-related ski film festival and an expert panel discussing ways our community can engage as climate activists. Both upcoming events will partner an uphill tour with inspirational presentations and community conversations. The goal of these events is to help people in the recreational community recognize their power to take collective action on issues related to climate change.
Winter Challenge Series
New for the 2025-26 ski season are a series of Uphill Challenges! There will be two timed uphill events, where participants will see how quickly they can climb from the Base Lodge at Mt. Ellen up to Walt’s. Those events will take place on January 31st and February 28th, with more details to come as the events approach.
We’re also launching an uphill challenge series that focuses on consistency and resilience more than speedy ascents. Participants will skin up any of the mountains on the Monroe Skyline (Mt. Abraham, Lincoln Peak, Mt. Ellen, and General Stark’s Mountain) as many times as they can throughout the winter season. While they are at it, they have the option to help us fundraise money for Mad River Valley climate resilience education and projects. Any funds raised will help provide climate education to local schools and community members, and help us undertake critical projects to support a more climate resilient future. More details will be shared at the upcoming rallies on October 12th and December 5th. Get ready for some winter fun!
October 12th Logistics
The hike on October 12th will start at 3 pm and will meet outside of Castlerock Pub. All are welcome with a “make it as far as you want” approach to the hike. Upon returning from the hike, there will be free pizza and salad, as well as a cash bar. Rubio- MacWright’s talk will start around 6 pm. You don’t need to hike to enjoy the keynote talk, and all are welcome! Please register at here.