SUCCESS! I made it in under 20 hours. The great weather, friends, support staff and organizers made it possible to do it even with a shin splint starting on mile 17.  More details to come. Supporters will be getting a note soon! It is never too late to pitch in. Thanks again.

 

Hello Everyone, 

Thank you for visiting Rob Anderson’s 100km One Day Hike for Warblers site!

Who Am I?  My name is Rob Anderson. I live in DC and among other things I enjoy birding and hiking.

What Am I Doing? On April 29^th 2006 I plan to hike 100km from Georgetown, Washington, DC to Harpers Ferry, WV along the C& O canal. Yes, 62 miles in LESS THAN 24 hours. Start: 3am. Finish: before midnight. It sounds crazy (it is), but dozens of people attempt this Sierra Club-organized event every year and many make it!  Click on www.onedayhike.org.

I am proudly working hard to raise over $4000 in donations to conserve wild birds and their habitat.  Specifically, my efforts will go to purchase more land around a new Columbian nature reserve that the American Bird Conservancy and conservation group, Fundación ProAves manage (see links to article on bottom & they have kindly posted my effort on their websites).  This is South America's first protected area for a songbird that breeds exclusively in North America.  Opened last year this reserve is a critical wintering habitat for the beautiful and threatened Cerulean warbler. Go to: All about the Cerulean Warbler from Cornell Labs    

Why Would Anyone Do This Hike? This is my first attempt at this fast-paced, extreme hike; a physical and mental challenge. It is extra special for me since it takes place where I grew up and currently live, Washington, DC .  But the100 kilometers pales in comparison to the journeys that these 1/3 of-an-ounce (9g), 5-inch birds cover twice a year only to find fewer places to breed and winter due to habitat loss and migration hazards.  My hike is along a stretch of park where these little guys have nested.  By raising funds to protect this particular South American, Important Bird Area (IBA), we work toward stemming this threatened species' decline.

How You Can Help Me Finish. Please consider making a donation here today before the hike, as it would mean a lot to me, to the people working to preserve this bit of the Andean forest, and ultimately the Cerulean warblers.  Donating here through Firstgiving’s site is simple, deductible, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution straight to the fundraising effort. Every bit counts. ABC is an extremely lean nonprofit ranked by Charity Navigator as one of the most operationally efficient with 4 out of 4 stars. Use your credit cards, get the points, ask your company to match and help Rob!

While I realize this cause may not be as compelling as curing cancer, it is a worthy effort that will motivate me to push through the dark, rain, blisters, heat stroke and mild insanity.  I will send a note chronicling; the weekly training, the hike, and fundraising results….I also plan on counting bird species (without binocs) during the hike and hope to hear some Ceruleans (note: they are very small and live in the tops of tall trees).

Other Benefits for You.  Besides the satisfaction of supporting family, a friend or fellow birder/hiker there are other benefits.  Donations are tax-deductible and each gift over $40 allows the giver to become an American Bird Conservancy member, (if desired). Gifts over $21 allow you to receive Bird Conservation magazine. If you would not like to be a member and/or to get their publications with updates on projects, email me at robertanderson1@hotmail.com.  Note: For tax purposes, membership and receiving publications does not lower the donation value of your gift.               

So please give what you can; $1 per kilometer , 50 cents per km or 25 cents per km will help. If you have any questions (including where that bearded photo was taken), please call or email me.

Many thanks for your concern and support -- please FORWARD THIS (via Tell a friend above) to anyone who may be interested in:  a)      doing something for the warblers, b)      an American Bird Conservancy membership, or c)      a tax-deductible donation opportunity.

All will receive a post-hike thank you letter/story from me!

Thank you very much!

Rob

Article on First South American Reserve For North American Songbird

Colombian Reserve and Warbler Map: Range map for the Cerulean Warbler

 Hike Map: C &O Canal Map