Stories from the field.

Preparation Before the Climb

In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, one thing remains clear: young people need mentorship, challenge, and opportunities to grow.

When the Cold Tested Them, Leadership Was Forged

Temperatures plunged well below zero. Wind chills reached levels many of the students had never experienced. Flights were delayed, plans shifted, and every participant was pushed far beyond their comfort zone. And that is where the transformation began. When our alumni team stepped into the frozen landscape of Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, they expected ice climbing. Every student came prepared with the best equipment they could get.

Ice at Crawford Notch

A Wilmington team flew north in January, picked up ice tools in the White Mountains, and spent three days climbing frozen waterfalls in minus ten with veteran guides.

Stepping Into the Granite State: Why Place Matters in New Hampshire

As we prepare to head north for our upcoming ice climbing expedition, we’ve been talking a lot about the environment we’re stepping into, not just the cold, but the place itself. Because New Hampshire isn’t just a location on a map. It’s a landscape with a story. A story shaped by granite, wind, mountains, and people who have learned to survive and adapt in some of the harshest conditions in the Northeast. And that story matters.

27 x 27 x 2.7k: Turning Grief into Purpose

There is a quiet satisfaction that follows the completion of a difficult task. You clean your home before guests arrive, and there is pride in being able to welcome them fully. You finish your work before the weekend, and the freedom that follows feels even richer. The reward is the work itself. For Katrina Brittingham, the reward was never just finishing a 27-mile run. It was honoring a life, preserving a legacy, and transforming grief into purpose.

Forging Leaders on Ice: High School Students and Veterans in Ouray, Colorado

In late January, the breathtaking landscapes of Ouray, Colorado, became the stage for an unforgettable adventure. Several high school students from the JROTC unit, alongside several military veterans, embarked on a transformative ice climbing and wilderness experience. This wasn’t just a trip; it was a journey designed to inspire leadership, forge resilience, and provide a renewed sense of purpose for both the students and veterans.

Longs Peak and Climbing Toward Leadership

The pinnacle of the trip, both literally and figuratively, was Day 4’s summit attempt of Longs Peak, one of Colorado’s most formidable 14,000-foot mountains. This challenge was more than just a hike—it was a mental and physical battle against exhaustion, extreme altitude, and harsh weather conditions.

An Experience of a Lifetime: An Alpine Adventure in Estes Park

This month, the Britt Foundation hosted an unforgettable alpine expedition in the breathtaking winter wonderland of Estes Park, Colorado. Seven college students from across the country came together for a four-day journey that blended raw adventure with deep personal growth. Surrounded by towering peaks, frozen waterfalls, and endless snow-covered trails, these students stepped into an experience that would challenge them physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Britt Challenge 2023

Christmas Gala

It’s hard to believe it has been two months since the very first Britt Foundation Christmas Gala. While the holidays have come and gone, and a new year has begun, I find myself constantly reflecting on that magical evening—December 1 at the Gala 417 venue.

Skyline Trail: Cactus to the Clouds

Reflecting on my 13-hour mental and physical journey.