With the recent slew of early season avalanches in Utah, we received a tragic reminder of just how vital our local avalanche forecasters are to the backcountry community. They are the first ones getting out in the backcountry, every day, doing their jobs and helping us stay safe. Every member of the backcountry community should try and give back to the local avalanche centers that provide us with such an essential service.

In the spirit of giving back, Alpenglow Sports is presenting The 2011 Lake Tahoe Backcountry Vertical Challenge. The event is a fundraiser for the Sierra Avalanche Center that you can participate in for no cost. In what is likely the most fun fundraising scheme ever devised, all you have to do to help raise money is get out and ski in the beautiful Tahoe backcountry and record your human-powered vertical at www.tahoevertical.com.

Alpenglow has challenged the entire backcountry community to cumulatively climb and ski 15 million vertical feet. If that goal is reached, the folks at Alpenglow will donate $3,000 to the Sierra Avalanche Center. Since it is a communal goal, every foot of uphill travel counts. You are already going to be out there, so make your hiking count this year. Whether you are a diehard backcountry fiend, a weekend warrior, or a resort skier who only hikes a couple times a year, the Tahoe Backcountry Vertical Challenge just provides a little more inspiration to get up on those cold mornings and do what you love.

This one of a kind event aims to bring the backcountry community of Lake Tahoe together to achieve a common goal that will benefit everyone involved. But if you are the type to really get after it, the three men and women who hike and ski the most vertical feet will be awarded podium prizes. For you artistic types, the person who makes the best video edit based on their Tahoe backcountry adventures will also receive prizes. To sweeten an already tasty deal, every person who registers and records their vertical will be entered to win prizes in a free bi-monthly raffle.

All the backcountry enthusiasts need to get behind this, its free, and a bunch of major sponsors already have: Black Diamond, Scarpa, G3, Marmot, Suunto, Clif Bar, Smith Optics, Rottefella, and Honey Stinger. The challenge starts on November 15, 2011 and ends on April 30, 2012. There is already snow on the ground and your local avalanche centers are churning out avalanche forecasts, so grab your skis and get hiking. - Tony Gill

For more information about the event call Alpenglow Sports at 530-583-6917, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .