Turning 50 is a milestone and it’s usually one of those birthdays that is marked in a special way.
Michael Meinig of Kimberley turned 50 this past November and when a couple of friends asked him how he would celebrate it, he sat down and really thought about it.
Meinig used to do a lot of climbing, before family and work obligations began to take up a lot of time.
“I mulled it over,” he said. “And I thought I haven’t climbed a mountain in a long time.”
That idea grew and before he knew it, Meinig had challenged himself to climb three mountains in three days, with each mountain dedicated to one charity.
“I’ve chosen Cranbrook Shelter, which helps women going through hard times, providing them with support and a place to stay; Children’s Wish because I have known children who have battled leukemia and they help to fulfill their wishes; and the Good Samaritan becasue they provide ongoing care to seniors and adults with development disabilities.”
Meinig has chosen three mountains in the Banff, Canmore area, Mt. Lady Macdonald, Mt. Rundle and Ha Ling Peak. He chose these mountains because they are difficult but doable hikes (about 3,000 m total vertical elevation).
“I picked them mainly because of access, you can drive right to the base and then snowshoe up.”
That’s right, snowshoe. Meinig is not waiting until summer, he hopes to do the climbs in March.
“I like snow,” he said.
He has been training by snowshoeing up North Star Mountain every morning, long before the lift starts to run.
“Don’t want to get in the way of the skiers,” he said.
Meinig’s goal is to raise $1000 for each of his designated charities. He has already surpassed that for the Children’s Wish Foundation (Mt. Rundle).
He has a number of sponsors from around town: Northstar Motors, Kootenay Mountain Works, RM Events, Kootenay Granite, Grizzly Mountain Events, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Wolfpack Signs.
You can donate on Meinig’s website www.3for3.net. Links on the website go directly to the charity of your choice so the money goes directly to them.