Summer Hikes 2022

We’re recruiting Hikers with Parkinson’s and Support Hikers for Summer 2022 (you can send contact us forms at any time).

Donations pay for the llamas and most hike expenses; there is no registration fee. Participants are expected to supply their own gear and food. Transportation help can be provided to trailheads from Sea-Tac or Portland airports for out-of-state hikers who are flying in. PD hikers do not need a support hiker, however, if you wish we can match you with one of our volunteer support hikers. For more information, contact us at passtopass.org/contact.

FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ- Support Hikers

FAQ- Trip Leaders

2022 Trip Details

Trip 1 GREEN DOT- least difficult- July 12-14 WA Mt. Rainier area Day Hikes-no llamas

Trip 2 GREEN DOT + least difficult- July 18-23 OR Lolo Pass to Columbia River

Trip 3 BLUE SQUARE – moderately difficult- July 28-August 2 WA Central Cascades TBD

Trip 4 BLUE SQUARE +-moderately difficult- July 30-August 4 WA White Pass to Chinook Pass

Trip 5 BLUE SQUARE- moderately difficult- August 4-9 WA Chinook Pass to White Pass

Trip 6- BLACK DIAMOND- difficult-August 10-16 WA White Pass to Walupt Lake

Trip 7- BLUE SQUARE- moderately difficult- August 16-21 WA Walupt Lake to Berry Patch- CURRENTLY FULL, taking alternate backup hikers only

Trip 8- DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND- most difficult- July 26-August 5 CA John Muir Trail Bishop Pass to Kearsage Pass- invitation only- January permit pending

2021 Hikes

We successfully completed seven 2021 hikes on four trails in three states. Congratulations to all our hikers! As this year’s T-shirts say:

27 “Parkies” (people with Parkinson’s)
32 support hikers
1,937 total miles
… with 10 loveable yet sometimes cranky llamas

2021 Trip recaps

See the blog for day-to-day reports from the 2021 hikes and a big thank you to our many supporters. Also:

2021 Trip 7 compilation video (John Muir Trail section hike in California): Hike for Elite Hikers in High Sierras video compiled by support hiker Eric Matson (23 minutes, MP4 – H.264 format, file size 2.51GB)
2021 Trip 1 compilation video (White Pass to Chinook Pass in Washington) compiled by support hiker Eric Matson (27 minutes, MP4 – H.264 format)
2020 Trip 2 compilation video (White Pass to Chinook Pass in Washington): MP4 video by Eric Matson

Testimonials and Stories

PasstoPass.org History

In early 2016, Bill Meyer met with Ken Kisch to discuss how to make it easier for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) to backpack. We decided to use pack animals to carry some of the gear and have support hikers to help as needed. We knew we would need sponsors and donors to fulfill our mission and keep it affordable.

The first year (2016) our hike was from Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass with pack train, wranglers and horses.
The second year (2017) we hiked from Rainy Pass to Suiattle River trailhead with llamas and the llamas were more flexible and still carried enough weight to ease the packs of the people with PD.
The third year (2018), we did two hikes: Harts Pass to Rainy Pass and Rainy Pass loop through Stehekin and Rainbow Pass.
The fourth year (2019) we had a spring trip at Joshua Tree National Park and three relay hikes from Chinook Pass southbound, 124 miles through Goat Rocks.
Year 5 (2020) had three loop hikes from Chinook Pass to White Pass then back to Chinook then back to White for a total of 90 miles.
Year 6 (2021) we expanded our offerings, organizing seven hikes on four trails in three states.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Raise awareness about Parkinson’s Disease and its symptoms
Demonstrate the benefits of exercise in managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Provide opportunities for people with Parkinson’s’ Disease to participate in backcountry activities