1000 x 90

Mountain Ninja Warriors Raise More Than $11,000 for Local Nonprofits at HGA

Mountain Ninja Warriors descended upon the High Country on Saturday, August 20, conquering a challenging ground and aerial obstacle course and helping to raise over $11,000 for local nonprofits.

The first Mountain Ninja Warrior Competition, hosted by High Gravity Adventures and Appalachian Mountain Brewery, put competitors to the test as they raced against the clock to reach the top of High Gravity Adventures’ aerial ropes course. Each team was comprised of one male and one female competitor representing a High Country business, and all competitors were on a mission to raise money for their team’s selected nonprofit organization.

In all, the teams raised over $11,000 for local nonprofits including Carolina Climbers Coalition, High Country Local First, Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Appalachian Ski Patrol, Hunger & Health Coalition, Inc., Kay Yow Cancer Fund, Special Olympics NC for Watauga County, and Middle Fork Greenway.

All nonprofit teams took home the amount that was raised for them in the time leading up to the event, and the winning team of Appalachian State University Athletics and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund received the grand prize for having the largest amount raised at the start of the event. In addition to their monetary prize, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Appalachian State University Athletics will work with Appalachian Mountain Brewery to create a collaboration beer, proceeds from which will be donated back to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

A prize was also awarded to the team from Triple Crown Bouldering Series and the Carolina Climbers Coalition for having the fastest course time. This team’s competitors took home engraved wooden plaques from Chestnut Forge and Furniture to commemorate their victory, and Triple Crown Bouldering Series was awarded with a free group outing to High Gravity Adventures for their employees.

Adventure-seekers in the community were able to experience the excitement of the course during the day of the event. High Gravity Adventures opened the competition course for amateur competitors in four age brackets: youth ages 11-14, youth ages 15-17, females ages 18+ and males ages 18+. The winners of each age bracket were awarded plaques from Chestnut Forge and Furniture, along with other prizes donated by local businesses.

“The first Mountain Ninja Warrior competition proved to be a great success for the local nonprofits it benefitted and a fun experience for all involved in the event,” says Carson Rivers, Vice President of High Gravity Adventures. “We look forward to making this event into a High Country tradition in the years to come.”

Ninja Warrior Racing

Winning Team

HGA Course