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Rappelling Down Portland Skyscraper Raises $100,000 for Outward Bound

This event supports Northwest Outward Bound School's Wilderness Programs, Pinnacle Scholarships, as well as our Portland Center scholarships and programs which serves middle school and high school students in the Portland metro area.

Portland, OR. Supporters rappelled 242 feet to raise money for Northwest Outward Bound. A total of 64 people tackled the 1000 Broadway building in downtown Portland and in the process raised over $100,000. Participants were required to raise a minimum of $1,000 to dangle 24-stories up in the air. The first annual City Skyline Challenge, on June 17th, raised funds for NW Outward Bound programs and scholarships, providing opportunities for low-income youth to access Outward Bound experiences in the Northwest.

The event supports Northwest Outward Bound School’s Wilderness Programs, Pinnacle Scholarships, as well as Portland Center scholarships and programs which serves middle school and high school students in the Portland metro area.

The Portland Center brings both physically and mentally challenging experiences and benefits of Outward Bound courses to low-income, underserved youth.

Blaze, the Portland Trail Blazer mascot joined in the fun.

With over 50 years of innovation in experiential and outdoor education in the Pacific Northwest, Northwest Outward Bound School continues to change lives through challenge and discovery.

From Outward Bound:

Our courses traverse world-renowned rock climbing sites, the longest undammed river in the country, volcanic landscapes, world-class kayaking waters, and some of the only glaciers in the continental United States. While kayaking, backpacking, rafting, canoeing, or climbing in the Cascade Mountains, the Puget Sound, northwest rivers, or Ross Lake, Northwest Outward Bound School students test their strengths, challenge their fears, and discover that they are capable of far more than they ever thought possible.

Whether a student discovers a leadership style, physical fortitude, a love of whitewater, options for the future, the majesty of the outdoors, or compassion for their teammates, these discoveries change the participant, the community, and the world. No education is complete without Outward Bound.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.