Trekking Teacher: Kelsey Climbs Mount Rainier

My Dream and My Students:

Did your elementary school teacher ever do something that inspired you? Did you ever dream of taking on a challenge because an adult showed you it could be done? My name is Kelsey Hoffman and I have been an elementary and middle school Special Education teacher for 11 years (5 years in Louisiana, and 6 years in Washington). I am an out Queer teacher and a Special Education student myself. I try to bring my whole self to my work, this means that I am open with my students about who I am, where I come from, and what my dreams are.

This year I will climb Mount Rainier. This Go Fund Me will help cover the cost of my expenses to climb Mount Rainier, my students will supply the motivation and pep talks!

Photo: myself on the first day of the 22-23 school year in my classroom.

Climbing Mount Rainier is a goal that my students have inspired me to take on (and yes, we can see Mount Rainier from our classroom window). My goal as a Special Education teacher, and a person with a learning disability is to model goal-setting and lifelong learning for my students. Climbing this amazing mountain is my way of showing my students what it means to learn new skills in adulthood, and it is my way of showing my students the power of goal setting.

Photo: myself and my dog at the finish line of the Mountain Lakes 100-mile ultra-marathon in September of 2022. This was the first big goal I accomplished with my student’s support.

My students are a big part of my Mount Rainier dream. Together we work on strength and conditioning (I keep challenging them to plank and push-up contests, but there are few takers!), and discuss the skills that are needed to break down big goals into small, bite-sized parts. As a class, we are a team, and my students are cheering me on every step.

My “big why” for climbing Mount Rainier is to show my students what goal setting, perseverance, and hard work can do for their dreams, no matter how seemingly impossible.

Photo: myself on a Trail Crew working to improve the Pacific Crest Trail through the Pacific Crest Trail Association.

Why am I asking for help?

I am a career Special Education teacher. I have most often worked in Title 1 schools in hard-to-staff positions. Teaching Special Education in high-need areas is a career that I am incredibly proud of. As a Special Education teacher with more than 10 years of teaching experience, I make less than the median annual income for a Seattle resident. My income goes most directly to my living expenses leaving little left over for gear, let alone, expensive technical gear. I need your help to make my dreams a reality. I know that asking for donations will allow me to continue to do the job I love and explore the mountains that surround our beautiful city.

Photo: A student drew this for me after we recently moved classrooms!

My Climbing Experience:

I joined the Seattle Mountaineers and enrolled in the Basic Alpine Climbing Course (BACC) to prepare for this climb. I have a strong outdoor skills resume, including completing the Mountain Lakes 100-mile ultramarathon in 2022. I have extensive experience in backcountry backpacking. The Mountaineers have awarded me a substantial scholarship towards the cost of BACC, wilderness navigation and wilderness first responder courses. The scholarship does not cover the cost of the mountaineering gear or other associated costs needed to train for and climb Mount Rainier. I am a strong climber and I am prepared for the physical challenges this trip will present.

Photo: myself getting hosed down during the Squamish 50/50 ultra marathon.

The Gear:

The specialized gear requirements for Mount Rainier are not only expensive but also necessary for one’s safety. I have reached out to gear companies, gyms, and other potential sponsors and have received some assistance and discounts. I will continue to reach out for gear donations. I still have a long way to go toward collecting the gear that will help me succeed in my dream of climbing Mount Rainier.

Photo: Myself at the top of Tiger Mountain on a recent training hike. Disguised in that pack is 50 lbs of bird seed.

The funds needed for this goal are as follows:

Climbing-specific gear:

• Total: $4728.75 for non-food gear (39 items).

• Total: $364.10 for food purchased from REI.

• Total for gear and food: $5092.85

o Why the Wishlist? Below is a link to my REI Wishlist that includes most of the major items that are needed for the Rainier climb and the training and conditioning climbs (i.e., the trad gear is for conditioning, the crampons and ice axe are for conditioning and the Mount Rainier climb). Check out the gear and the prices. You can sponsor individual items (say you want to sponsor the National Park Pass, you can do that, if you want to sponsor the helmet, you can do that too). Check out my Wishlist REI Wishlist : (https://www.rei.com/lists/417624834)

Gym membership for training: Total: $660.00

• $110.00x6 months

Gas for training trips: Total: $400

• 8 Trips to the Cascade Range: $25x8

• 4 Trips to the Olympic range: $25x8

Dog daycare: Total: $800.00

• 8 Trips to the Cascade Range: $50x8

• 4 Trips to the Olympic range: $50x8

Permits and Fees: Total: $189.00

• Rainier Wilderness: $26.00

• Annual National Park Pass: $80.00

• Discover Pass: $30.00

• Annual Climbing Fee at Mount Rainier National Park: $53.00

Fees/Services from Go Fund Me: 2.9% ($0.30) per transaction: Estimated Total: $310.00

Total Ask: $7,451.85

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Plan?

I will reach my fundraising goal by April 1st, 2023. From April to July I will purchase gear and condition. My Mount Rainier climb will take place in August/September of 2023, permits allowing.

Photo: myself on a 1-day circumnavigation of Mount St. Helens’ Loowit trail.

Where will the money go?

• Less than full funding: $2,000-$7,000, The trip is still on, but success might be impacted by the pack weight and limited access to training opportunities.

• Full funding: $7,000-$7,500, Great news! I will take photos at the summit!

• Over-funded: $7,500-$8,000, Wow! My two wishlist items are a new SpotX device with greater capacity to send longer texts so that I can send updates to all of you! I would also love to purchase some Mount Rainier-related books for our class library. Any extra funds would be put towards these items.

Is this a guided trip?

No, I will be climbing Mount Rainier with other mountaineers from the community, it is not a guided trip.

Photo: myself on a 6-day solo trip in the Enchantments. Taken at the top of Aasgard Pass.

What if you don’t get permits for the 2023 climbing season?

No permits, I will pivot to another climb for the season and re-apply for permits next year.

Can I send you something offline?

Any and all donations are appreciated. If you would like to donate offline, please reach out to me directly using the "contact" button.

What is next?

Mount Denali! After climbing Mount Rainier, I dream of attempting the Mount Denali climb.

Photo: myself on a 6-day solo trip in the Enchantments. Taken at the top of Little Annapurna.

Ways to check out the progress and stay involved in the climb:

Coming Soon: Facebook and Instagram pages to keep you involved in the climbing and classroom adventures!

Follow me on Instagram! Username:

Facebook:

Photo: myself heading up Aasgard Pass on a recent through-hike.

Photo: myself on a training hike with my dog, Bodoque, when he tuckered out he became extra “training weight.” Total pack weight for that last mile, 65lbs.