The 2024 Seek the Peak Stewards program is a collaborative outreach effort with an aim to share information and excitement about our largest fundraising event, as well as share resources and experiences on and off the trail. Learn more about this year’s Seek the Peak Stewards below, and be sure to tag @mwobs and #SeekthePeak on social to share your adventures.
Supported by
Mel Elam
Mel is an avid hiker from the White Mountains of NH and works as a Surgical Technologist at a local hospital following seventeen years as an AEMT. She has completed the NH48 twice and has enjoyed summiting many of them and others with her cat, Floki. Currently, her and Floki are working their way through the NH 52 With a View and New England 115. They have also completed half of The Devils Path in New York and the Mahoosuc Traverse in Maine. This is Mel’s sixth time participating in Seek the Peak, and third year hiking with Floki. We love this NHPBS feature of Mel, Floki, and their fundraising on Windows to the Wild! You can follow along on their adventures on Instagram at @adventureswithflokicat. She is also currently an ambassador for Oboz Footwear. To join or support Mel’s team, visit her fundraising page here.
Chris Nichols
Chris is a husband, father, and grandfather from Massachusetts who climbed Mount Washington for the first time in 1978 with his Boy Scout Troop. Many years later, on a summer vacation in North Conway in 2005, he had the familiar feeling of longing to “get back into the woods.” The following year, he began tackling the 4,000 footers. It was on a Mount Washington hike in 2008 with his younger brother when Chris learned about Seek the Peak and wanted to get involved. “2009 was my first year participating in Seek the Peak, and I have participated every year since,” Chris explains. Learn more about Chris and his recent adventures section hiking the Appalachian trail here, and follow along on his YouTube channel and fundraising page. He’d also like to thank Eastern Mountain Sports for supplying him with some AT gear!
Elyse Robertie
Elyse is a Graphic Designer and adventurer from NH. She is the owner of 603stix, a custom and novelty sticker company. She is also the Creative Manager at LGA Media Group. She grew up exploring the White Mountains, which have remained her home and become her inspiration. When Elyse is not working, you will find her hiking with her adventure pup, Kylo, or relaxing at home with her 2 dogs and fiancé. Visit Elyse’s fundraising page here.
Riley McGurn
Born and raised in Southern New Hampshire, Riley feels fortunate to have been able to experience the joys of the mountains, the ocean, the small-town feeling, and the city of Boston with ease. Growing up, Riley and his family would frequent campgrounds with trips to Maine, New York, and New Jersey, but it wasn’t until about 5 years ago that a patient of Riley’s inspired him to start running. “Working in a psychiatric inpatient unit, my job is not easy on the body or the mind. Walking all day long, assisting patients, and potentially restraining them too. I needed an outlet, so I started running, and hiking,” Riley explains. “Now that has taken me all over New England, through the high peaks of New Hampshire, and I am working towards running my first 100mi ultramarathon! I am now working towards my nursing degree, as I will be able to have a bit more of an impact on each individual and their treatment plan. My patients inspire me to get out and try challenging things, and often I come back and inspire them with my pictures and documentation of my adventures.” Support Riley and their Seek the Peak journey here.
Kally Abrams
CeLynn Siemons & Bradley Elliott
Ryan Shepard
Originally from Western New York, Ryan moved to Conway, NH in 2021 to work for REI. He has a background in English Literature and Creative Writing, and also currently works for the town of Conway as a member of the Select Board. A self-described “huge weather geek,” Ryan finds the wild weather of the Mount Washington Valley fascinating. Last year was his first Seek the Peak, and he’s excited for the challenge to surpass his 2023 fundraising total! “I’m working with some of my teammates to hike other 4000-footers leading up to StP, and I enjoy helping non-profits.” Visit Ryan’s fundraising page here.
Fawn Langerman
Fawn is from Cleveland, Ohio but realized a lifelong dream to live in New Hampshire when she moved to North Conway in late 2019. Her first White Mountain National Forest hike was on the 19 Mile Brook Trail in 1987; she stayed at the Carter Hut with family and friends, and they hiked Carter Dome and Mt Hight. She was hooked! She then spent her summer and fall vacations, for more than 30 years, visiting NH to hike and camp in the White Mountains.
Since moving to NH, Fawn has completed the Hiking the White Mountain Guide project (hike every mile of every trail in the AMC Guide) solo, the regular, Winter and Seasons 48, the 52 With A View and the Terrifying 25. She is currently 68% completed with the Grid (392/576). She hikes year-round and particularly likes sunrise hikes! In addition to hiking, she volunteers with the US Forest Service in two ways. She works as a Trailhead Steward, providing hiking information and advice at trailheads, and is the trail adopter for the UNH Trail, which is the loop trail to Hedgehog, one of the 52 With A View.
This will be Fawn’s second time participating in Seek the Peak and she is planning a sunrise hike to Mt Washington, if the weather forecast permits. She will also be one of the summit volunteers on Mt Washington in August! To learn more about Fawn, visit her Instagram and fundraising pages.