New Social Enterprise, Peaks Foundation, Launches Offering Mountain Challenge Trips for Women

27 April 2011
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Peaks Foundation is a new organization that offers global mountain challenge trips for women who seek a sense of personal achievement and an opportunity to make a positive difference in the world through travel adventures.

For 2011 there are a number of ‘1 Peak 1 Week’ challenges offering participants 7 -10 day trips to destinations including Nepal, India, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Kenya. Funds raised by participants on each challenge will support one local organization that focuses on the advancement of women and girls through initiatives such as education, maternal healthcare and community-led conservation.

For example:

19 - 29 August 2011 Tajikistan

Depart 19th August to climb Peak Energia in the heart of the Fan Mountains in Tajikistan. The challenge raises funds for Saodat, a nonprofit organization based in the north of the country focused on the advancement of women and girls. The hike is along the ancient silk route, past stunning peaks and high-altitude lakes. The cost to register is $500 per person, in addition to an expedition charge of $1230 per person which covers all transportation and accommodation requirements once in Tajikistan and all meals. Note this fee does not include international flights. Each participant has a fundraising target of $2000 which will go directly to Saodat.

10 – 21 September 2011 Ladakh

Scramble the slopes of the Golep Kangri in support of girls education in Northern India. Trek along the snowy slopes of the Indus Valley to support the Druk White Lotus School, an award-winning project, inspired by the vision of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa, a spiritual leader of Ladakh. After a registration fee of $500 the expedition costs are $3366 per person, covering all transportation, accommodation, guiding and most meals, as well as the fundraising target of $2000. Again this does not include international flights.

The Story of Peaks

Australian born Chloe Chick and American, Laura Hartstone founded the Peaks Foundation in December 2010 following the success of running an annual 3 Peaks 3 Weeks trip to Africa www.3peaks3weeks.org) between 2007 - 2010.

These all-female expeditions recruit climbers from many countries including UK, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand. They aim to summit three of Africa’s highest peaks in less than three weeks raising funds and awareness for three local non-profit organizations.

Since the first 3 Peaks 3 Weeks event in January 2007, 44 women have completed the challenge and a total of USD $685,000 has been raised for three East African non-profit organizations.

After such a successful project, Chloe Chick and Laura Hartstone decided to dedicate themselves full-time to organising challenges, thus forming the Peaks Foundation which now offers the new shorter adventure challenges, as well as a number of 3 Peaks 3 Weeks trips, the first one departing in January 2012. The Peaks Foundation is a 501c3 not-profit organization based out of the United States and additionally will be set up as a UK Charity.

Why Peaks is different from other charity challenges

There are two main points of difference, the first being that the challenges support causes of a very specific and local nature. In most cases the climbers will get the opportunity to visit the organizations they are fundraising for as part of their trip. Secondly, the fundraising and costs of travel are totally transparent, and the actual cost of travel is covered separately and personally by each climber.

Peaks Fundraising Assistance
Once participants have signed up to the Peaks challenge they will be provided with a fitness training program, fundraising tools and templates and access to a climber forum. Also, a personal donation page will be set up on their behalf.

For further information and a full listing of Peak challenges go to the newly launched website: www.peaksfoundation.org

Case Studies on past participants, images and footage from challenges is available.

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