Called and Committed

Lorne Earl, a member of Holyrood Mennonite Church, Edmonton, is both called and committed to supporting the Camp Valaqua Hike-a-thon fundraiser, a yearly event since June, 2002.

Lorne and Tim Wiebe-Neufeld, MCA Executive Minister, discussing the upcoming 2025 Hike-a-thon at Holyrood Mennonite.

When the first hike-a-thon was advertised, Lorne, a long-time outdoor enthusiast, felt a distinct call to hike. At that time he was living in Smith, Alberta, attending Bethany Mennonite Church, and was the contact person for the Northwest Conference which also supported Camp Valaqua. Since then he’s participated for 24 years.

His participation hasn’t been tied to whether he made it to the mountain top or whether he was the top fundraiser — Ron Janzen got those prizes —  but to his consistency and commitment. Each year he did the best he could, even if that best varied from year to year. He was unable to go on some hikes and so he did a hike-in-lieu and considered it to be his contribution, a way of raising funds. Lorne didn’t particularly set a financial goal, but used the hike-a-thon to encourage himself to donate.

Lorne’s son-in-law Earl Ratz remembers the year when Lorne was unable to attend the actual day of the hike. He was disappointed but rounded up Earl and two other members of Holyrood Mennonite Church to hike the same mountain (Prairie View) the following weekend.

The years of Covid restrictions impacted the hike-thon but didn’t stop it. Participants hiked alone or in family groups and submitted photos. Lorne remembers being on one one of those photos!

Each year the Hike-a-thon is commemorated by a t-shirt. Many of those are on display in the Camp lodge. Lorne stated that he doesn’t own all of them but he does have most of them. Paul Neufeldt and Dave Neufeldt, both members of Lethbridge Mennonite Church, saved their 10-year shirts, using them to calculate how many hikes they have participated in. Although committed hikers, neither could quite match Lorne’s total.

Alberta’s variable weather has often impacted the hike-a-thon. Both Lorne and Paul Neufeldt remember the first one as one of the worst  — they were in wet snow up to their ankles. They stopped at the first lookout and the fog was so thick there was no view at all. They could barely see the trees and couldn’t even see the valley. They gave up and turned back. Fortunately that didn’t deter the committed hikers from going on a second and third hike-a-thon. And, more since.

Living in Edmonton, one of Lorne’s ’s challenges has been getting to the trail head for the start. The first years, he would stay at Camp Valaqua the night before but that didn’t work every year. One year he met Paul Neufeldt at a campground in East Kananaskis on the Friday evening and camped overnight so they’d be ready to hike the next morning.

Lorne’s favourite hike has been Moose Mountain which he has done twice. He describes it as getting a head start by driving up on oil company roads and then beginning with going down for 2 km. But it’s not all downhill from there. The hike goes up again and becomes quite steep.

Lorne smiles when saying that on hikes when he knew he wouldn’t get to the final destination he would time himself so he’d get back in time for the concluding wiener roast.

This year, 2025, he hiked with his son and grandsons and, at age 75, got the prize for being the oldest participant. His grandson got the prize for being the youngest. He admits that the rests get longer and walking distances shorter and when it’s wise to turn back. However, in spite of health issues, Lorne remains committed. He see the value of this fundraiser as he knows parents can’t afford to pay what camp actually costs. Therefore, if we want to have a camp for our kids and grandkids, we need to support it.

Jon Olfert, Camp Valaqua director, is grateful for Lorne’s having answered the call, “Lorne has been a steadfast member of our Hike-a-thon community for many years! Lorne offers a smile and a quiet joke to anyone who will walk with him for a moment. Over the years he found ways to participate even when recovering from an injury or struggling with illness. Lorne's commitment has been such a blessing for our annual event. He is always quietly doing his part.”

And so, next year, when you see the ad for the Camp Valaqua Hike-a-thon, considering lending your support. Sponsor a hiker or hike yourself, every dollar and word of encouragement helps.

written by Ruth Bergen Braun

Lorne with his friend Ron Janzen Cox Hill 2012

Moose Mountain 2015

2016 Mount Yamnuska

Ribbon Falls 2017

2018 hikers

(Thank you to Earl Ratz for supplying all the photos with the exception of 2018. Photographer unknown.)