Team Kidney plans 3-day community hike at OMSP

Before taking off for Mount Kilimanjaro, Bob Kuykendall and his son Cade Kuykendall are planning a three-day hike a little closer to home.

The pair is inviting the community out for a 20-mile hike at Oak Mountain State Park as a way to spread awareness for the Kidney Foundation, a cause they are raising money for through their trip to Mount Kilimanjaro. The trip was inspired by a desire to spread awareness about the Kidney Foundation and to help encourage people no matter the journey they are on, Kuykendall said. He became involved in fundraising for the Kidney Foundation after donating his kidney to friend Greg Hasberry, who will also go to Mount Kilimanjaro, in 2015.

The hike at Oak Mountain is free, and people are welcome to meet them on the night of Feb. 17 or the morning of Feb. 18 before hiking the North Trailhead to Saturday night’s camping spot and to Peavine Falls for lunch on Sunday. 

While there is no charge for the hike, Kuykendall said they will accept donations for the Kidney Foundation. And for those not in for a full three days of hiking, Kuykendall said Oak Mountain State Park has agreed to leave the gates open Feb. 20 so people can enter free.

To donate to Kuykendall’s fundraising page for the Kidney Foundation, go to teamkidney.org and search “Mountain.” All money raised on that page will go to the Kidney Foundation.