As of today, nearly $1000. in checks have come in to the Eden Fund, and hundreds more have been pledged. Altogether it adds up to $1390. It is a great start.

When my wife participated in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in Chicago last year, she raised $2500, so I am hopeful to get close to that amount.

My wife walked 27 miles in two days, but none of it was uphill, and she weighs much less than me, so, by comparison, my physical challenge will be greater. I can see that look of skepticism, so let’s put it another way: which one of us would be more likely to (medical term alert) croak in the middle of the challenge, my wife while walking on the streets of Chicago surrounded by thousands of fellow walkers, or me, hanging by my fingertips on a granite precipice of Monadnock, surrounded by my sons and a couple of non-CPR certified friends?

In other words, this challenge is certainly worthy of your money. And, if NBC10 ends up making the climb with me, as they initially indicated, think of the possible story lines: “Large man collapses while making an ill-advised mountain climb for charity, film at eleven.”

Oh the humanity!