Pastor reaches new heights

[Stan]

Troutdale resident Gene Heinrich fought through wind, snow, glaciers and high elevation, all to help kids who haven’t had the chance to do the same.

The Rockwood Seventh-day Adventist Church pastor climbed to the peak of Mount Rainier on July 28-31 as part of a fundraising venture to help inner city, underprivileged teens have a chance to experience nature.

The climb, which included Heinrich and seven others with a guide team, was organized through Summit for Someone, which is the fundraising branch of Big City Mountaineers, a group that provides outdoor summer programs for at-risk, urban teens.

Big City Mountaineers’ core program is the Relate Expedition, which pairs kids ages 13-18 with mentors and takes them on an eight-day backpacking trip.

Heinrich raised more than $4,000 for the program this year, which was enough to sponsor 10 kids. Of the 47 donations he received, the largest was almost $525, he said, while his lowest was 75 cents from a 12-year-old girl.

Heinrich says in the future he hopes to become a mentor, but for now, he’s dedicated himself to raising money and encouraging other members of his church to become mentors for the expeditions.

Heinrich has lived in Troutdale for two years after moving from Oklahoma and living in Vancouver for two years. He lives with his three sons; Ethan, 5, Alex, 7, and Nicholas, 10, and his wife, Sarah. From camping trips to weekly hikes, the family is very involved in outdoor activities.

“I take my boys backpacking every year before school starts. It’s a really special time for us, and I thought about these kids who have never had an opportunity to do things like that,” Heinrich said. “I’m hoping (the expedition) can really make a difference in their lives.”

The Mount Rainier trip was not Heinrich’s first experience with mountaineering; he has also climbed Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood.