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FAQs
Info you need to know to climb Mount Rainier with the American Lung Association® in Washington's Climb for Clean Air.
Q: What is the Climb for Clean Air?
A: The Climb for Clean Air is an annual climb up Mount Rainier with the guides of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. and hosted by Lou Whittaker. It is a fundraising event for the American Lung Association® in Washington that raises money to combat air pollution, promote tobacco prevention among teens and find a cure for lung disease.
Q: What do I have to do to participate?
A: Register online and pay your registration fee. This gives you access to information to be part of the Climb team and allows you to begin fundraising immediately. On our website, you'll find sponsor sheets and all the information necessary to make your fundraising a success.
To secure your spot on the team, you'll need to reach the $3,500 minimum. There are 2 fundraising deadlines. By March 31, a minimum of $1,500 must be secured. By June 30 all participants must have reached the $3,500 mark. Once the minimum is reached, participants are able to secure their choice of climb dates. Note: Each climb has 45 spots on a first-come first-serve basis.
Q: You say that the Climb spots are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. What happens if I finish raising all of my money just as the last spot fills up?
A: We have 45 spots available for the 2010 Climb: 18 on the first and second climb dates and 9 on the third. The first 45 people to reach the $3500 minimum fundraising requirement will be given one of those spots. Anyone who reaches the minimum fundraising levels after the 45 spots have been filled will be placed on our 2010 wait list. Spots often open up one to two weeks prior to the climb due to injury or other circumstances. If you are not allotted a spot on the 2010 Climb, your registration fee and fundraising dollars will be automatically transferred to our 2011 Climb where you will be guaranteed a spot on a climb team.
Q: When is the Climb for Clean Air and how do I get ready to climb Mount Rainier?
A: The Climb for Clean Air is in July. Each climb consists of a 4-day period. These
dates will be out by early September.
In addition to your personal training, you will have the opportunity to attend practice hikes with our volunteers. There are many hikes throughout the months leading up to the climb. The practice hike schedule can be found on the website under the registered climbers link at www.cleanairadventures.org.
Q: Is Mount Rainier a technical climb and what sort of equipment and clothing do I need?
A: Mount Rainier is the most glaciated mountain in the lower 48 and requires lengthy training, mental toughness and a long list of equipment. However, don't let that scare you away!! Every year we have people who have never done anything like this before but have always wanted to climb this spectacular mountain. We provide you with vast knowlege and training opportunities to prepare anyone for this climb. After registration, we will provide you with the equipment lists that you will need to follow. Rainier Mountaineering provides the American Lung Association Climbers with a great discount off any rentals for the training hikes and for the actual summit climb. It you are in for a life changing adventure - this is it!
Q: What exactly does the American Lung Association® in Washington provide me?
A: We provide training opportunities with our volunteers, meetings to discuss all aspects of the climbing experience, the professional guide services of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc., Climb School, accommodations for you and a guest at Mt. Rainier, a celebration dinner hosted by the American Lung Association® in Washington and the opportunity to meet Lou Whittaker . Rainier Mountaineering provides a rental discount on the technical equipment necessary to climb and a discount on purchases in the shop. Not to mention the adventure of a lifetime and the personal satisfaction of helping everyone breathe easier!
Q: How much money do I need to raise and what does the American Lung Association® in Washington do with the money?
A: Each climber needs to raise a minimum of $3,500. The American Lung Association® in Washington uses these funds to educate the public about the increasing problem of air pollution and its damaging effects on lung health, to heighten public awareness and to continue its commitment to air-quality legislation. Air pollution-related illness and lost productivity costs Washington State almost $1 billion annually.
Q: I've never raised this much money before. Does the American Lung Association® in Washington provide information or tips on fundraising?
A: The average climber raises more than the minimum -- even those who have never fundraised in the past! The American Lung Association® in Washington has sample letters from successful climbers' fundraising campaigns to help you design your own letter. You can also be teamed up with a past climber for fundraising tips. On our website, there are links to great materials which include sponsor sheets and other suggestions helpful to your fund raising. Fundraising can be easy and we are here to help you along the way with website navigation tools, new ideas and motivation to be successful.
Q: Can I ask my company or other corporations to sponsor me?
A: Some companies will sponsor an employee for the entire fee; others will match your fundraising efforts; still others will partially sponsor you if you have an established business relationship. Many sporting companies like Eddie Bauer and REI to name just two seem like natural sources of fundraising but are asked by hundreds of individuals each year. However, if you have a business or personal connection with any company, ask them early in their business year. Check out our Sponsor Benefits that you can offer potential sponsors.
When applying for a sponsorship, please make sure the company is aware that the donation you are requesting is for your individual fundraising efforts and is NOT an overall event sponsorship. Additionally, Climb for Clean Air participants MAY NOT represent themselves as an employee of the American Lung Association when approaching businesses or individuals for fundraising support. If you have any questions, please contact our event manager.
Q: Can a Climb participant donate stock?
A: Yes. Donating stock is a great way to support the work of the American Lung Association. Contact the Climb event manager, Carna Lapping, and let her know the amount of stock you are interested in donating. She will provide you with the account information you will need to give to your broker.
Q: Can people donate to me through United Way?
A: Yes. Please keep in mind, however, that United Way deducts a small processing fee so the actual dollars donated to you will be less that fee. Individuals donating through United Way should be instructed to specify your name and the Climb for Clean Air 2010 event name.
Q: Once I register for the climb, how do people donate to me?
A: There are two ways for people to donate:
Online Donating: Donors wishing to donate online using a credit card should go to www.cleanairadventures.org/climb_for_clean_air and click on “sponsor a climber”. They fill in your first and/or last name and, after clicking the search button, your name should appear. They click on your name which will bring them to your personal fundraising page and they can follow the directions from there to donate online.
Donating by Check: Donors can send checks directly to the American Lung Association in Washington. Please have them make out the checks to: American Lung Association in Washington. In the notes line of the check please put: Climb - <climber’s name>. They can also write us a note telling us which participant is being sponsored, and mail it in the same envelope as the check, if they prefer.
Please do not send cash. If a donor hands you cash, please write a check to us and mail it in. In the same envelope, you can include a note with the name of the donor you would like us to recognize along with their email and mailing address to send the tax receipt.
All checks can be mailed to:
American Lung Association in Washington
Attn: Carna Lapping – Climb for Clean Air
2625 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
For answers to any additional questions, feel free to call event manager, Carna Lapping at 206-441-5100 or email at clapping@alaw.org.
