Dennis Pinto, of South River, poses for a shot in front of Mount Rainier, Wash., which was one of two mountains he has climbed recently to raise more than $7,000 for the Big City Mountaineers charity organization. SOUTH RIVER – Dennis Pinto has climbed mountains for four years, and has been making meaningful use of his hobby for three of them.
On Aug. 14, he and 12 others will climb Grand Teton in Jackson Hole, Wyo., as part of the Summit for Someone series, a fundraiser for the Big City Mountaineers charity organization.
Pinto, 42, of South River, plans to raise at least $3,200 for this year’s event, after raising more than $7,000 over the course of his past two climbs.
The guided climb up the 13,770-foot peak will take three days.
“I love the outdoors,” Pinto said. “I love climbing, and I want underprivileged kids to partake in something I love.”
Summit for Someone, which is run by “Backpacker Magazine,” takes place on 24 peaks around North America.
For the past two years, Pinto climbed Mount Rainier in Washington and Mount Whitney in California for the event.
Last year, he was unable to reach the summit of Mount Whitney because of an illness, but the money was still donated.
Big City Mountaineers is a nonprofit organization based in Denver, Colo., and Castro Valley, Calif. Its mission is to provide urban teenage youth in need of positive adult mentoring with a challenging and safe wilderness experience led by qualified, adult volunteer guides.
Pinto decided to climb Grand Teton because it is a rock climb; his previous Summit for Someone adventures had been ice climbs. Next year, he plans to climb Mount Shasta, in northern California.
Along with asking family and friends for pledges, Pinto contacts local and national businesses for sponsorships.
“I send about 200 e-mails to outdoor retail companies, asking for sponsorship,” said Pinto.
Pinto’s biggest sponsor for the climb is 33’s, a bar and restaurant in South River. East Coast Customs, also in South River, and TracMe personal locator devices are other major supporters. Pinto plans to make a banner with all the sponsor names and take a photograph with it at the summit.
He believes his endeavor will enable young people to experience wild nature.
For more information, visit the Web site at www.summitforsomeone.org. Viewers can donate to Pinto’s climb by clicking on “Donate” and typing in his name.