Gorham, NH student Connor

Check out the info in the White Mountain Cafe’s newsletter, The White Mountain Expresso.

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CONTACT: ALYSSA WALKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
603.730.2715

Kismet Rock Foundation thanks supporters for the 3rd Annual Cliff Run

North Conway, NH – September 23, 2011 – Over 40 runners gathered at Echo Lake State Park on Sunday morning, September 18, for the third annual Cliff Run to benefit Kismet Rock Foundation. Race director Gabe Flanders designed the challenging course, where runners gained over 1,100 feet of elevation in just five miles.

Leslie Beckwith of North Conway was 1st female overall with a time of 51:42, breaking the previous record by nearly two minutes. Dawn Heinrich of Wolfeboro was 2nd woman overall and 1st in her age group. Colleen Ryan of Danvers, MA was 3rd female overall.

Tim Livingston of Conway was 1st male overall with a time of 44:05, breaking the previous record, held by Carl Swenson, by over four minutes. Carl came in second, and first in his age group, still faster than his own old record. Brent Perdrizet of Lyme was 3rd male overall.

Winners received unique, hand-made trophies in addition to prizes from La Sportiva representative Doug Madara. “It’s great to have such a wonderful race sponsor like La Sportiva,” Flanders said.

Kismet Rock Foundation is a non-profit that serves economically underprivileged students who might otherwise ‘fall through the cracks’ of their highly stressed public school systems. By developing their potential, Kismet prepares students to contribute to their communities and their culture throughout their lives.

Kismet serves seven public schools in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts; offering students one week per summer of programs for up to four years. To make a donation, volunteer or learn more about Kismet Rock Foundation and its climbing programs for New England youth please visit www.kismetrockfoundation.org, email info@kismetrockfoundation.org or call 603-730-2715. Kismet Rock Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.

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Contact:
Alyssa Walker
Executive Director
Kismet Rock Foundation
PO Box 1744
North Conway, NH 03860
603.730.2715

2011 Cliff Run Results

Kismet Cliff Run – 2011 Results Press Release (PDF)

Check out some photos of the 2011 Kismet Cliff Run on Kismet’s Facebook Page.

2011 Kismet Cliff Run on Active.com

2011 Kismet Cliff Run Registration Form (PDF)

2011 Kismet Cliff Run Press Release (PDF)

La Sportiva will sponsor the third annual Cliff Run to benefit Kismet Rock Foundation on September 18, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Echo Lake State Park in North Conway, NH.

The Kismet Cliff Run is a challenging, five mile race around beautiful Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges in North Conway, New Hampshire. Come for the steep climbs and descents, technical singletrack, and stunning views, with approximately 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Starts and finishes at Echo Lake State Park. This event is USATF sanctioned, and part of the Eastern New England Trail Running Series. There is also a non-competitive walking division!

La Sportiva is again offering $200 to a runner who can break the course record! There will be prizes for top finishers including La Sportiva shoe gift certificates for 1st place men/women.

Contact: Alyssa Walker, Executive Director, Kismet Rock Foundation

603.229.7043

Email Alyssa

Slide Show to Benefit Kismet Rock Foundation at the White Mountain Cafe in Gorham, NH, June 10: Wild Stone – Climbing the Unclimbed from the Arctic to Arabia

Kismet Rock Foundation Board member Sasha Eisele will host Sarah Garlick’s slide show at the White Mountain Cafe in Gorham on Friday June 10, 2011 at 7 PM. Garlick’s multi-media presentation will feature new free climbing routes from the fjords of Greenland to the deserts of Jordan. Donations accepted at the door will support summer scholarships for Gorham students to attend Kismet in 2011.

With professional photography, audio clips, and short videos, Garlick tells stories from her latest two expeditions: a journey to the granite big walls of South Greenland, and an exploration of the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan. Garlick’s presentation focuses on the common core of both expeditions: a quest to find—and climb—untouched cliffs in some of the world’s wildest locations. Garlick talks about what it takes to be an expedition climber in the modern era, from discovering an objective and putting together a team, to the inevitable ups and downs of the journey itself.

“Wild Stone” shares stories and images of Garlick’s 2010 expedition to Greenland, where she and her three teammates established a new, 2,000-foot free route up a remote granite wall. This expedition was supported by the prestigious Copp-Dash Inspire Award.

The presentation also premiers new photography and video footage from an expedition to the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan this winter, where Garlick and fellow climber Caroline George established a new sandstone adventure route called Uprising.

Sarah Garlick is an avid rock, ice, and alpine climber from the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she works as a science writer and educator. Garlick is the author of an award-winning book, “Flakes, Jugs and Splitters: A Rock Climber’s Guide to Geology,” and her climbing adventures are supported by Outdoor Research and La Sportiva.

Links:
www.kismetrockfoundation.org
www.whitemountaincafe.com

Downloads:
Wild Stone press release (MS Word document)

Meet Alyssa at Flatbread Company Benefit Night on May 19

Alyssa Walker, Kismet's Executive Director

May 17, 2011 – North Conway, New Hampshire – Kismet Rock Foundation is thrilled to welcome Alyssa Walker as executive director. A public educator for the past 10 years, Alyssa is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature and an MAT from Tufts University. Alyssa has taught in Philadelphia, PA and most recently in Gorham, NH. In addition to teaching, Alyssa has also worked as a nonprofit grant writer, guided teenagers on month-long backpacking trips, and spent time learning Spanish. Alyssa lives in Jackson with her husband Brian Walker. She enjoys running, backpacking, hiking, skiing, and anything else in the outdoors.

Alyssa will be attending the Flatbread Company North Conway benefit night for Kismet this Thursday, May 19th. A portion of every pizza purchased will be donated to Kismet and a variety of exciting items and services will be raffled to help raise funds as well. All friends of the organization are encouraged to attend to welcome Alyssa to the team.

Kismet will also be hosting a yard sale this weekend, May 21-22, from 8am-2pm each day. The yard sale will be at 2017 West Side Road in North Conway. If you have items you would like to donate please contact Lisa at 603-730-2715.

Kismet Rock Foundation (Kismet) is a North Conway, New Hampshire based non-profit that 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 cultures throughout their lives.

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Relevant links:

Bio for Alyssa, Kismet’s new Executive Director

Photo of Alyssa

Flatbread Company North Conway Website

Yard Sale information

This Word Document

North Conway, New Hampshire – April 25, 2011 – Flatbread Company, Frontside Grind Coffee and Espresso, and International Mountain Equipment, three exemplary local businesses, have teamed up to offer an innovative, rewarding way to raise funds for Kismet Rock Foundation.

Donors of $100 or more to Kismet’s summertime educational programs and/or those who sign up for Kismet’s monthly giving program at any amount will receive a coupon for a free large pizza from Flatbread Company, a free 12- or 16-ounce espresso-based drink from Frontside Grind and 10% off all shopping until September 1 at International Mountain Equipment.

“Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges are the premier cliffs for North Conway rock climbing,” said Brian Post, Kismet Board Chairman. “I can’t think of a better compliment to a day on those cliffs than morning coffee at Frontside Grind, stocking up on gear at International Mountain Equipment, and finishing the day with pizza at Flatbread Company. These local businesses are already big supporters of Kismet’s educational climbing programs, so we really appreciate their additional contributions to this special campaign.”

The Kismet Board of Directors is adding leverage to encourage donor support with their own challenge; the board will be matching all donations until June 1, 2011 up to $6,300.

The Village Variety Pass is available to donors until August 1, 2011.

Please visit www.kismetrockfoundation.org to donate to Kismet Rock Foundation today!

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 their potential, Kismet prepares students to positively contribute to their communities and their cultures throughout their lives. http://www.kismetrockfoundation.org

The Flatbread Company story begins in 1998 in Amesbury, Massachusetts, when
we opened our minds and then the doors, to the Flatbread Company. At “Flatbread”, the food is sacred. More often than not, the first bite of one of our flatbreads, for a first time customer, is very nearly a spiritual experience. http://flatbreadcompany.com/2007Home.htm

Frontside Grind Coffee and Espresso: really good coffee and espresso. http://www.frontsidecoffee.com/

International Mountain Equipment was founded in 1974 by Frank Simon, Bill Aughton and Paul Ross. In August 1979 RickWilcox purchased I.M.E. from its founders. Since that time I.M.E. has become a legend, and the number one outdoor shop for serious hikers, climbers and skiers in Northern New England. http://www.ime-usa.com/

Flatbread Company is one of our most consistent supporters, hosting annual benefit nights that typically bring in $1,000+, donating gift certificates to all of our events and fundraisers and hosting meetings as well.

Our students’ favorite meal of the week is often the one on Sunday, the first night they arrive, when we finish cooking half-baked flatbreads made fresh that day at the restaurant and eat together, family style.

On the May 19 benefit night, Flatbread Company will donate a portion of every single flatbread sold to Kismet. Kismet crew will also be there at the restaurant with some silent auction items and other activities to help raise money for this summer’s programs. Hope to see you there!

Thanks to the Flatbread Company crew for everything you continue to do to support Kismet!

Photos by Brian Post from Week 1 of 2010. View the rest of the Week 1 photos here.

Read it here