Help a Veteran Climb Denali

My name is Kathryn Bertine and I'm fundraising for Captain Catherine Nuar, US Marine Corps, to join me in climbing Denali, Alaska, the tallest mountain in North America. Full disclosure, my trip is covered. But I’m bringing a female veteran with me, and I could use your help in making that happen. Here’s the story…

For years, my father Peter K. Bertine, and I were on a quest to climb the highest point in each state. We started "highpointing" in the 90s. Sadly in May 2020, my Dad passed away rather suddenly. I was pretty broken. What helped me heal was the decision to finish our highpoint quest. I’m almost done but Denali remains, and so too does another step: Helping Veterans & Shattering Stereotypes.

Did you know only 10 percent of Denali’s climbers are women? Did you also know it costs over $10,000 even to attempt summiting? Yeech. The only way I could justify this expense for myself was by helping someone else who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it. And to honor my Dad, I knew that person had to be a woman in the military.

My father, a Navy lieutenant, used to take veterans fishing and camping through the Wounded Warrior Project. He was also a huge supporter of women’s equality. So I started searching for the right vet to join me.

Thanks to friends & networking, I found Captain Catherine Nuar, US Marine Corps, who served five years stationed in Okinawa with the aviation logistics squadron, making sure our troops could safely get where they needed to go. An avid trail runner and ski mountaineer, Captain Nuar is the perfect partner for Denali. Fun fact: The Marines are part of the U.S. Navy. I can hear my Dad cheering.

I wish I could cover Captain Nuar’s trip myself, but I could only afford the deposit. So friends, If you see the value of assisting a female Marine and shattering the stat of 10% women on Denali, we will be forever thankful. This is bigger than climbing a mountain. And, if we’re lucky enough to raise over $9,000 there will be a big fat donation to Wounded Warriors Project. That one’s for you, Dad. ❤️

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Let’s do this for Captain Nuar, USMC!

Captain Nuar’s remaining expenses for Denali: $9000

-Mountain Trip guide fees ($8700)

-Denali Nat’l Park mountaineering fees ($300)

-(GoFundMe deduction fee is ~$300. Would be great to cover that, too!:))

Already donated:

Trip Deposit ($2000)

Flights ($800)

Extra Gear ($1000)

If we go over $9,000, a donation will be made to Wounded Warriors Project in honor of my father, Lieutenant Peter K. Bertine, US Navy.