This year I will be attempting a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT). This trail traverses 14 different states along the Eastern United States going from Georgia to Maine spanning 2,197.9 miles.
The reason I am hiking the AT is because of my dad, Layne Oliff. He instilled in me the love of nature. He was an avid trail runner, hiker, cyclist and an all-around lover of nature himself. He was diagnosed with PLS in 2017 and ALS in 2020. He passed in April of 2025. Watching him lose his motor function and go from someone who can run, jump, and climb to being in a wheelchair was incredibly difficult.
My dad and I spent time talking about life, nature and the Appalachian Trail. Hiking the AT was on his bucket list but one item he was never able to complete. I decided that if he couldn’t walk the AT, I would walk in honor of him. We had many conversations about this, and now I am attempting this thru-hike to honor his memory and as a fundraiser for ALS.
From diagnosis, my dad spent much of his time and energy advocating for those with ALS. This hike honors both his love of nature and his dedication to the ALS community. I have chosen to have donations go to Compassionate Care ALS. CCALS is a great organization that provides the much-needed support for those diagnosed with ALS and their families. This support includes equipment, support groups, and education. My parents received support from CCALS, and firmly supported and believed in the mission and the important work of CCALS.
Please consider supporting me, honoring my father, and supporting those with ALS by donating to this worthwhile cause. Follow my progress here and on Instagram @bmountains_23.
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$6,785.63Contributors
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Climbing with Compassion
July 23-26, 2026
Mont Tremblant
Jason Chorches has been working for CCALS for five years and as a volunteer at David’s Swim for well over a decade. If you have had equipment delivered or shipped to you, attended one of our many events or visited the Retreat, chances are you have met him. This year he is going to a different mountain to once again do something special.
Jason will be participating in 29029 Everesting at Mont Tremblant, Quebec Canada July 23 - 26, 2026. The event is simple (in theory), hike up the mountain, take the gondola down and repeat…15 times within 36 hours to reach 29029 vertical feet, the equivalent of Mount Everest. This is not a race, but an endurance challenge, something that challenges participants both mentally and physically.
When asked why he would want to do something like this again, Jason replies with ‘because I can’. Since his first completion of 29029 Everesting in 2024 in Stratton, VT, Jason has embraced the physical and mental challenges required in endurance events, participating in a number of other similar events since. Jason truly enjoys challenging himself, but more importantly he decided to do this to raise awareness and money to support Compassionate Care ALS, an organization that is dedicated to supporting people and families living with ALS. Your gift will ensure that CCALS can continue to support over 1,500 families.
To learn more about the 29029 challenge, please click here.
Sponsorship Opportunity
Sponsors
Steven Witt
Nancy Luke