Photo by Jim Surette

Bayard Russell is a 33 y/o mountain guide who lives in Madison NH with his fiance Anne.  He has been guiding for seven years and runs his own guide service, Cathedral Mountain Guides. He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, where he began climbing in 1996. Bayard is a AMGA certified rock instructor and Mountain Rescue service team leader and board member.

Q: When/how/why did you get involved with Kismet?

A: I got involved with Kismet in 2008 as a newly independent guide. I had worked with groups of kids guiding in the summer for years and Kismet offered an opportunity for me to continue doing so, but with the added satisfaction of reaching kids who would otherwise not have access to climbing.

Q: Is there a memorable story from a day out with the Kismet students that you wish to share?

A: I was walking out of Sundown Cliff’s Lost Horizon area on a day after a rain and kids were sliding around on the loose footing and wet leaves. It was a lot different than the paved sidewalks that a lot of the kids were used to.  There was one boy though wasn’t having a problem negotiating the terrain at all and I told him he was good at getting around. Hassan’s reply was, “It’s my Iraqi legs.”

Q: What do you like most about working with this organization?

A: What I like about Kismet is what I like about teaching climbing to teenagers in general.  It’s really satisfying to see them pick up the attitude and understanding of what climbing is and how it works, to watch them become climbers and to love it. That experience may help on some others levels back in their lives away from Kismet, it may not, but having experienced that satisfaction of proficiency, or just the experience of climbing is a great memory of a unique litttle world.

Q: Tell us a bit about your life when you are not working with Kismet?

A: I have focused a lot of personal climbing time in the last few years on developing new climbing routes and free time in general working on my fixer- upper where I live with my fiance Anne. In the past two years I have begun to guide independently and it’s been picking up. When I’m not guiding I build houses, something I really enjoy.

Q: Any parting thoughts?

A: Kismet is a great organization. If its therapeutic for the kids that pass through it that’s a wonderful thing, but simply providing an opportunity to experience something as vivid and beautiful as climbing and places it takes you is enough.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Janet Bergman, Executive Director, Kismet Rock Foundation, Janet@kismetrockfoundation.org, 603.986.9457

Black Diamond Equipment Sponsors Kismet’s 2010 Program Season

Climbing-Related Companies Sought for Additional Sponsorship Opportunities

North Conway, NH – May 12, 2010 – Black Diamond Equipment recently joined Kismet Rock Foundation as a 2010 program sponsor.

“Kismet’s educational mission aligns well with our company’s dedication to the future of climbing,” said Jonathan Thesenga, Content Manager at Black Diamond Equipment. “They are getting kids out there who otherwise might not have the opportunity to experience climbing, and we are happy to help make that possible.”

Black Diamond Equipment will add Kismet to the list of dozens of other climbing- and skiing-related nonprofit organizations that the company supports in the form of product donations, consulting services and monetary contributions.

“We are so happy to have the support of Black Diamond this year,” said Sasha Eisele, Kismet Board member and chair of the development committee. “Kismet is unique in its 100% climbing-focused educational programs, and we hope that climbing-focused companies recognize the value and opportunity their support provides to our program.”

Kismet seeks additional sponsors for this summer’s program season. All first time sponsorship donations will be matched 200% through the Power of Three Campaign (more information at www.kismetrockfoundation.org). Please contact Janet Bergman, Executive Director (603.986.9457 or janet@kismetrockfoundation.org) to learn more.

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Kismet Rock Foundation enhances the physical, intellectual and emotional development of well-functioning but economically disadvantaged children by providing access to the immense value of a comprehensive education in technical rock climbing. By developing students’ potential, Kismet prepares students to positively contribute to their communities and their culture throughout their lives. More information at www.kismetrockfoundation.org.

At Black Diamond Equipment it’s all about climbing and skiing. What began with a backyard anvil and a hammer has grown into a global company with offices on three continents that’s not just for rock climbers, but one that stands for the spirit of the sports we live, their values and goals, past, present and future. Since 1957, our innovative gear designs have set the standards in numerous areas. This is partly the result of dedication, desire and diligence on the part of an incredible team of people. It’s also the result of each of us being climbers and skiers ourselves. More information at www.blackdiamondequipment.com.

Related links:
Kismet Power of Three Campaign

Kismet Program Sponsor Listing

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Kismet Rock Foundation Launches ‘Power of Three’ Campaign

Friends of Kismet To Match First Time Donations 200% Between Now and September

North Conway, NH – May 5, 2010 – For every dollar donated by a first time donor to Kismet Rock Foundation, an additional two dollars will be contributed by friends of the organization. The Great Circle Foundation and Nelson Charitable Foundation, both long time Kismet supporters, have teamed up to offer this special ‘Power of Three’ matching campaign. Each foundation has pledged to match all new donations 100% for up to $10,000, for a possible total of $30,000, between now and October 1, 2010.

“Charities must be creative with fundraising in this economy,” says Jeannine Weinberg, Executive Director of the Great Circle Foundation, “so the Great Circle Foundation is glad to team with the Nelson Charitable Foundation to provide additional incentive for people to make that final step to becoming a Kismet donor.”

Kismet Rock Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in North Conway, NH, enhances the development of economically disadvantaged children by providing access to the immense value of a comprehensive education in technical rock climbing. By developing their potential, Kismet prepares students to positively contribute to their communities and their culture throughout their lives. Kismet accepts students from Bartlett, Gorham and Manchester, NH, Boston, MA and Portland, ME, with the summer program season kicking off on July 11.

“We are so grateful for the commitment of these two foundations in helping Kismet build a strong basis of individual donor support,” says Sarah Garlick, Chair of the Kismet Board of Directors. “We hope that this campaign helps illustrate the value of every single dollar contributed in helping Kismet serve deserving children.”

To participate in the ‘Power of 3’ campaign, first time donors can visit http://www.kismetrockfoundation.org or send a check to Kismet Rock Foundation, P.O. Box 1744, North Conway, NH 03860. Kismet Rock Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and all donations are fully tax deductible.

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Northern Revival by Matt McCormick
Matt presents a multi-media look at the next generation of New England climbers pushing the limits year round on ice, rock, and mixed terrain.

Learn more about Matt’s most recent adventures at his blog.

Wednesday, April 14 at 8pm (perfect timing for you to climb at Rumney all day!)

Boyd 144 on the Plymouth State University Campus.

Free for students with current PSU IDs
$5 for all others

Raffle for a brand new Sterling rope, a rope rug, vintage crampons and other sweet swag!
100% of proceeds donated to Kismet Rock Foundation
Sponsored by the Plymouth State University Outing Club

See you there! Please spread the word!

Richard is married with 2 daughters. He holds an undergraduate degree from Middlebury College, a Master’s degree from Dartmouth, and a Doctorate from the Univ. of Pennsylvania. Richard has climbed for 36 years and has been a part time guide for 33 years; working both in the eastern and western United States and in the Alps. He currently is a rock and ice climbing guide for Mooney Mountain Guides. Richard taught at Proctor Academy, Chestnut Hill Academy, and the Holderness School. He held the position of headmaster at Chestnut Hill, and while at Holderness he taught English and ran the climbing program. He holds AMGA Rock Instructor, TR and Single Pitch Instructor certifications. He is also a Wilderness First Responder. 

Q: When/how/why did you get involved with Kismet?

A: Climbing Magazine published an article about Kismet in the spring of 2005, and I was impressed to hear about a program to help city kids learn about rock climbing.  During my career as an educator, I had raised money to make independent school education accessible to students who normally could not afford it, so I was immediately attracted to Kismet’s mission.  A few days after reading the article, serendipity was in play as I was finishing a route at Cathedral and met a man 30 feet away belaying his partner, also to the top of the cliff.  After chatting for a few minutes, he introduced himself as Mike Jewell, and recognizing his name from the magazine, I made the Kismet connection.  We had a great chat and a few weeks later, Mike agreed to hire me for some guiding that summer, and I have been with him every summer since.

Q: What makes Kismet unique?

A: Kismet is unique because of the amazing educational opportunity afforded our students over the four year program.  This is possible because of the generosity of our many supporters.  I am always amazed and inspired by the many folks in the Mount Washington Valley who donate to Kismet, as well as the many folks from further afield who support our program.  Whether it is goods, services, or money, the “Kismet Community” invests in the lives of our students.  The fruits of this investment can be readily perceived any time one speaks with a Kismet graduate.   They are confident, articulate, appreciative, and knowledgeable about rock climbing!

Q: Do you have a particular memory from a day out with the students you would like to share?

A: One of the pleasures of guiding for Kismet over many years is developing relationships with the students.  Because this is a four year program, we are in the privileged position of being able to watch our students develop as people and climbers from the ages of about 14-17.   Last summer I was with a group of third year students whom I had worked with since their first summer.  On our second day we went to Echo Crag, a placed we had climbed with this group the year before.  What a day this was!!!  The students showed their competence in setting up rappels from the top of the cliff (with direct supervision!), and they climbed with energy, skill, and delight for the entire day.  During our visit to the same crag a year before, they had struggled, were a bit intimidated by the crack climbing, and did not take in the lesson of the day all that well.  You can imagine my delight last summer of seeing the incredible progress from one summer to the next.

Q: What drew you to climbing and to teaching climbing?

A: The joy of movement, the beauty of the cliffs, and the partnering with friends drew me to climbing in 1973, and this attraction has never waivered.  As a young man, I was drawn to guiding more for what it offered me…time in the mountains and a little remuneration.  As I became older, teaching climbing was more and more about the person I was teaching.  To understand why I like teaching climbing now, one only need read the passage above.  Like all teachers, my payoff is in seeing the students learn, grow, and enjoy something that I also value.

Q: What do you like to do with your free time?

A: Anything that involves being in the mountains…hiking, biking, skiing, running, backpacking, doing trail work, climbing, even just looking at the mountains from my home in Plymouth is a joy.  I am incredibly fortunate to live in the White Mountains and to be able to be in them every day of the year.

Q: Any parting thoughts?

A: For those who support Kismet…thank you.  For those who have not yet supported Kismet…please consider doing so.

Meet the rest of the Kismet Team