Birmingham resident organizes hike for Nepal

Kent Stewart was at base camp on Mt. Everest when the 7.8 magnitude hit Nepal in April.

More than 8,000 lost their lives to the earthquake, including 19 hikers. After seeing the devastation caused in villages and homes first-hand, Stewart wanted to help however he could.

“I’ve got friends I was hiking with over there, and I just wanted to try and help them any way we could,” Stewart said.

To raise money, Stewart has organized the Seven Summits Hike for Nepal at Oak Mountain State Park for Saturday, June 6.

Participants will hike the Green Trail, Oak Mountain State Park’s shortest but steepest trail. But Stewart said no one should be intimidated by the hike.

“I see little kids go up this trail every weekend,” he said. “It’s not that difficult. It’s less than a mile to the top and less than a mile down.”

Stewart, a Birmingham resident, has hiked the Green Trail countless times, he said, and used it to train for Everest. The hike can be made within an hour, even at a moderate pace.

The hike costs $25 for adults, $10 for students and is free for anyone 12 and under. With their entry fee, participants get a T-shirt, and all of the money raised will go toward helping victims of the Nepal earthquake. So far, more than 200 people said they are coming, and Stewart believes turnout will be high thanks to good weather.

Registration is available online at active.com until June 5 at 9 p.m., or hikers can register at Oak Mountain State Park starting at 8 a.m. the day of the hike. Payment through cash, check or credit card will be accepted.

Although the hike is advertised to start at 9 a.m., Stewart said hikers can come at any point of the morning and hike at their leisure.

“Everybody will go at their own pace, so people can show up at 10 a.m. and hike or 11 a.m. and hike. We’ll be out there until at least noon,” he said.