The Camel’s Hump Challenge planning committee, in conjunction with the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, is excited to announce the recipient of the 2023 Champion Award – Jim Sadler. The Champion Award is presented to an individual, team or group that has provided major contributions to the Challenge during the 30 plus years of the event’s history. Jim has participated in the Camel's Hump Challenge since 2015 and has collectively fundraised over $18,000 throughout that time. We're so appreciative of Jim's incredible support and are grateful to have him as our Champion this year. Jim will have his name forever etched into history on the side of the Challenge’s legendary Golden Boot Trophy.

"I’m not exactly sure when I first heard about the Camel’s Hump Challenge. I have lived in VT off and on since my first years at UVM in the late 80s. Though, I suspect I didn’t hear about the CHC any sooner than my stint at ski retail in the early 90’s, or perhaps not until I had moved back to the area in the early 2000’s. By then, I had spent a fair bit of time in the backcountry, some while testing for brands in the snowboard & outdoor industry, as well as for fun.

What originally nudged me into my first participation in the CHC, was an offer by former participant Chuck Bowen, to sponsor me with my first entry fee in 2015. At this point, I had already had my introduction to life touched by Alzheimer’s disease. His sister-in-law, with whom I had become very close myself, had been diagnosed several years prior, so I was there to experience that, already in-progress. It was heartbreaking to witness. And shortly after her passing, we came to know that my father was also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

I have been very fortunate to have an outstanding collection of supportive friends and family to help me raise funds for this great cause. I take some solace in knowing what awareness I’ve been able to bring to this disease, and seeing the progress that has been made in recent years toward finding treatments. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve participated, but I believe it’s been at least 6 times, one time finishing just before dark. Conditions vary each year, sometimes having been pretty sketchy, including sliding down a glazed-over, off-camber trail, while other years luck would have us skiing over perfectly fluffy snow on a sunny spring-like day. As I’ve said several times, the event name is appropriate, it IS often a challenge, but always very gratifying. And it was even better on the few occasions that I managed to raise the most contributions that year.

Best of luck to all participants, and a big thank you to all the volunteers and contributors!"