Meet 8-year-old Rylan, our Youngest Summit for Someone Climber

It’s our pleasure to introduce you to one of our newest (and youngest!) Summit for Someone climbers, Rylan Griffin! For Rylan’s 8th birthday, she is preparing to summit the tallest peak in the Northeast, Mount Washington (6,288 ft), to raise money so that under-resourced youth can have outdoor explorations of their own. Let’s encourage her toward a lifetime of adventure and helping others, while wishing her a happy birthday! Read her interview below, then show your support by donating to her SFS campaign.

Why did you decide to do an SFS custom challenge?

“My dad climbed Mount Rainier last year to support Big City Mountaineers and I thought that was great. I wanted to do something like this to support underprivileged kids and asked my dad if we could climb a mountain for my 8th birthday.”

Why did you choose Mount Washington? Can you tell us a little bit about your trip plans?

“We take a lot of family trips to New Hampshire near Mount Washington and I always ask my dad about climbing it. It’s also the biggest mountain near us and I really want to stand on top it! I will do my climb in August with my dad and climb to the top which will probably take all day. After we summit, we will stay at the Lake of the Clouds hut, a place I’ve always wanted to stay at because it’s so high up in the mountains. For my trip I’ll bring my pack, sleeping bag, a puffy, my camera and lots of really yummy snacks and water.”

How will you prepare for the hike?

“I play soccer in the spring and summer so I’ll be running a lot. I’ll also go on a lot of hikes with my dad on the trails here in Connecticut.”

What are you most nervous about?

“It’s a big mountain to me so I am a little nervous about making it to the top. The weather also changes a lot on Mount Washington so I’m hoping we get a really nice day.”
 
What are you most excited about?
 
“Reaching the top with my dad and getting that great view. I’m also excited to do this because all the money I raise helps kids experience the outdoors.”

What’s your favorite outdoor memory?

“Hiking with my mom, dad and little sister in Glacier National Park last summer. It was so big and pretty. I liked being next to those really big mountains.”

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