Saratogan hikes for a cause

If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, Saratogan Rick Whitacre would be traveling to New Hampshire next month to take an epic fundraising hike.

Whitacre and others who signed on as Champions for Camp Casco were to undertake the Presidential Traverse, a 23-mile hike reaching seven of New Hampshire’s 4,000-plus-foot summits. Instead, Whitacre will hike 40 miles from his Saratoga home to Waddell Beach in Davenport to raise money for Camp Casco, a nonprofit offering free camps and socials for childhood cancer patients, survivors and siblings in New England.

Whitacre is among 10 athletes from seven states chosen for the group’s inaugural challenge. Each Champion is sponsoring a returning camper for summer 2020. To complete the challenge while following social distancing recommendations, each Champion has opted to undergo a strenuous hike in their own state.

Whitacre plans to make the trek June 3-4. “Poison oak will be endured, shoes will be worn out, tears will be shed, and toes will be wiggled in sand,” he said in a statement.

Each Champion is tasked with raising $1,600, the cost of sending one child to camp for a week. Donations can be made at https://www.campcasco.org/rick-whitacre.

Source: The Mercury News