Sign-up fills fast for 36th Camel’s Hump Challenge

Dec. 7, 2022  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

Brad Moscowitz (left) of Waterbury on the trail during the Camel's Hump Challenge. Moscowitz was the 2022 Camel's Hump Challenge champion. Courtesy photo

Just days after opening registration, the 90 spots have already been filled for the 36th Camel’s Hump Challenge wilderness Nordic ski tour event to be held Saturday, Feb. 4.

A waiting list is available for those who would still like a shot at a spot in the popular event and organizers are encouraging supporters to take part separately by designing their own “challenge” where they can fundraise for the Alzheimer's Association and get outside. 

The Camel’s Hump Challenge planning committee along with the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association organize the annual event where backcountry skiers traverse the perimeter of Camel’s Hump – the third-highest peak in Vermont’s Green Mountains – to raise funds and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. 

This year’s Challenge is limited to 90 participants and the list was full as of Tuesday, Dec. 6. “People can still sign-up for a ‘virtual option’ or rather a challenge on their own to both raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer's Association,” said Kirk Rankin with the Alzheimer's Association, Vermont Chapter. “There is also a waiting list that we encourage folks to sign up for that is already starting to fill up!”   

Originally founded by the late Dr. Warren Beeken, the Challenge supports the educational programs and services offered free of charge by the Vermont chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Planning Committee member Jared Poor reflects on the growth of the event over the years. “We seem to work together effortlessly, everyone pitching in as much or as little as they are able. What I enjoy most about the event is the passion and enthusiasm that both organizers and participants bring year after year,” Poor said. “As a fundraiser for the Vermont Alzheimer’s Association, we have grown from an event that raised $20K per year to an event that raises almost $100K a year – a pretty amazing feat for a group of 80-90 participants.” 

This year, the Challenge raised an unprecedented $94,086, far exceeding its fundraising goal of $65,000. In 2021, due to COVID-19, the Challenge was held as a virtual event where participants created their own “challenge” in support of the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Participants around Vermont found unique ways to continue being part of the Challenge community.

Given the participation and success of the virtual option, organizers are continuing to offer it as an option to take part again this year. The event website explains it as “a personal challenge of any sort” that participants can tell family and friends about in order to ask for contributions. “Maybe it's a promise to get out on skis every weekend, or ski that backyard hill 10 times, or maybe it's a plan to learn how to nordic ski - whatever it is it can be your own Camel's Hump Challenge that raises precious funds for the Alzheimer's Association and gets you outside and in the snow.”

The route of the in-person event takes place in Camel’s Hump State and adjoining lands in Huntington. The event opens at 8 a.m. and takes most skiers five to seven hours to complete. 

The tour trail begins at approximately 1,350' elevation with a climb that puts most of the loop at 2,500-3,000’. The course is clockwise circumnavigation of Camel's Hump that crosses the Monroe Trail. Given its rugged forest conditions and remote location, participants are advised to be experienced and well-prepared with clothing, gear and food. 

The event information puts it this way: “The trail can best be described as a goat path – lots of ups and downs, and often quite narrow. As a side note, it is also one of the most scenic backcountry routes around, winding through terrain not easily accessible via any other route.”

Participation is at the skiers’ own risk and all participants are required to sign a waiver of liability. The finish has hot soup, sandwiches, cider and a fire pit where skiers can gather at the end of the day.

To learn more about the Challenge, to sign up for the waiting list or virtual option, or to donate, visit camelshumpchallenge.com. 

Visit the Alzheimer's Association, Vermont Chapter website for more information about the Alzheimer's Association, a worldwide organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research.