Warriors Will Trek Over Mountains and Sleep Under Stars in the ASFs Next WIM Event

WINDHAM — The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) will continue its Warriors in Motion® (WIM) summer programming next week with its WIM Backpacking event, taking place June 24–26.

U.S. Army veteran Greg Rinckey, who participated in the event two years ago, is eager to return for the challenge.

“I really like getting into nature and also the friendships I’ve made with other veterans over the years participating in this program,” Rinckey said. “I’m looking forward to connecting with them again. We always have a fun time. It’s great to get out, forget about things and spend some time without a cell phone.”

Rinckey and three other U.S. military veterans are scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon at the ASF’s Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center for lunch and a backpacking tutorial. Participants will learn how to pack a backpack properly and effectively for a long camping trip.

After packing up, the group will be dropped off at the Batavia Kill Trailhead near Maplecrest’s CD Lane Park. From there, they’ll begin a 1.75-mile hike to the Batavia Kill lean-to, where they will spend the night.

On Wednesday, the group will hike 6.5 miles over Blackhead and Arizona mountains, taking in panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley. They will then continue on to the Colgate Lake Primitive Campsites via Dutcher Notch.

On the final day, participants will relax and swim at Colgate Lake in the summer heat  before cleaning up their campsite and being picked up by the ASF shuttle bus. Upon returning to the ASF lodge, they will enjoy a hot shower, lunch and goodbyes.

“The ASF’s Warriors in Motion program, and others like it, are important because they’re not the traditional type of talk therapy,” Rinckey said. “In my opinion, the best kind of therapy for veterans is getting outside and doing an activity with other veterans. That leads to conversations, which really helps in the healing process.”

Through grants and private donations, ASF provides all necessary equipment, meals, lodging, water bottles, sunscreen, bug spray, ponchos, and printed and digital maps—at no cost to the veterans.