Our Legacy

$1,287,723

raised for charities by everyday Canadians on the world's great treks

Eight years of Dream Teams

2011
Kilimanjaro
April · 19 climbers joined Shawn · $104,672 raised
The first annual Dream Team trek.
2012
Everest Base Camp
May · 13 climbers · $72,460 raised
2013
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
June · Two groups · $121,030 raised
2014
Kilimanjaro
April · 30 climbers · $147,866 raised
Kristi Johnston becomes assistant team leader.
2015
Everest Base Camp
20 climbers · $163,670 raised
On April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal and all trekking expeditions were cancelled. Every team member returned home safely, and the funds they raised still went to the charities.
2016
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
May · 21 climbers · $155,018 raised
2017
Kilimanjaro
April · The seventh annual team · $233,420 raised
2018
Everest Base Camp
From May 1 · A team of past alumni · $147,473 raised

In 2009, one person decided a mountain could change lives far beyond its slopes. Shawn Dawson founded the Dream Mountains Foundation "with the goal of climbing the Seven Summits of the world while supporting Seven Charities." Starting in 2011, Shawn led an annual trek, alternating between Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp and Machu Picchu. Each team member selected one of the Seven Charities, with the goal of raising $5,000 or more. Every dollar went directly to the charities.

Shawn Dawson holding the Dream Mountains Foundation Everest Quest 2010 banner on the summit of Everest — Shawn Dawson on the summit of Everest, 2010

Where it began

Seven Summits Program

Shawn Dawson set out to stand on the highest peak of each of the seven continents, pairing the climbs with seven organizations dedicated to giving a hand up. His goal was to raise one dollar for every foot of their combined elevation: $142,114.

01
Everest
Asia
29,029 ft · 8,848 m
02
Aconcagua
South America
22,841 ft · 6,962 m
03
Denali
North America
20,320 ft · 6,194 m
04
Kilimanjaro
Africa
19,340 ft · 5,892 m
05
Elbrus
Europe
18,510 ft · 5,642 m
06
Vinson Massif
Antarctica
16,050 ft · 4,892 m
07
Carstensz Pyramid
Australasia
16,024 ft · 4,884 m

Honouring past leaders

Shawn Dawson on the trail — Shawn Dawson
Founder and Team Leader
$213,937 raised personally
Shawn led the Dream Teams from 2011 to 2018, bringing more than 100 climbers on the experience of a lifetime while supporting a great cause.

Kristi Johnston at camp on Kilimanjaro — Kristi Johnston
Assistant Team Leader
$40,271 raised personally
Kristi trekked with the Dream Team from its very first year in 2011 and served as assistant team leader from 2014, helping carry the team, and the mission, to the summit.

Continuing the Tradition

Brett Starke

Executive Director
& 2027 Team Leader

Brett Starke is the Executive Director of the Dream Mountains Foundation and leader of the 2027 Dream Team. He knows these trails well, having trekked with the Dream Team to Kilimanjaro in 2014, Everest Base Camp in 2015 and 2018, and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2016.

Above all, he is grateful to the Dream Mountains alumni and supporters whose generosity built this legacy.

In 2027 he leads a team of 16 back to Machu Picchu.

The charities we lifted

SOS Children's Villages	$204,680
ONFE / Ottawa School Breakfast Program	$189,423
Habitat For Humanity	$186,507
Dreams Take Flight	$182,494
CARE Canada	$146,107
Ride For Dad	$144,891
Ottawa Senators Foundation	$113,732
Canadian Aid for Chernobyl	$50,392
Colon Cancer Canada	$37,530
WaterCan Foundation	$31,967

Dream Team Alumni Network

More than 100 people have joined the ranks of Dream Mountains Alumni. Every name below trained through long winters, asked friends and family to believe in a cause, and carried it to some of the highest places on earth. This is our thank you.

Shawn DawsonFounder & Past Dream Team Leader$213,937
Kristi JohnstonPast Dream Team Leader$40,271
Brett StarkeExecutive Director & Dream Team Leader$18,307
Aaron MorrisEverest Base Camp 2012$1,575
Allison BurtonKilimanjaro 2017$6,990
Amanda McCambleyKilimanjaro 2017$2,880
Andrea HughesKilimanjaro 2014$5,635
Anne ColeMachu Picchu 2016$5,489
Anne KirbyMachu Picchu 2013$1,900
Augustina DunevKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$10,526
Bob ConnollyMachu Picchu 2013; Kilimanjaro 2014; Everest Base Camp 2015; Kilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$18,712
Bob Van BlitterswykKilimanjaro 2011$4,275
Brad SpeckEverest Base Camp 2012$6,165
Brandy Van GelderEverest Base Camp 2015$12,941
Brian NoletKilimanjaro 2014$6,000
Brittany GawleyMachu Picchu 2016$5,000
Brynn EwenKilimanjaro 2014$5,395
Byron JohnsonKilimanjaro 2017$5,982
Campbell TooheyMachu Picchu 2013$1,415
Carol WilliamsKilimanjaro 2014; Everest Base Camp 2015$13,995
Carrie IrvineMachu Picchu 2016$6,390
Cherie ColeKilimanjaro 2011; Everest Base Camp 2012; Machu Picchu 2013$19,610
Christine LakeEverest Base Camp 2012$6,395
Crystal BorutskieKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$12,908
Dan AllastonEverest Base Camp 2015; Machu Picchu 2016; Everest Base Camp 2018$19,485
Danielle RobinsonMachu Picchu 2016$20,068
Darren PrashadEverest Base Camp 2012$500
David LesueurEverest Base Camp 2015$5,000
Dayna MacDonaldMachu Picchu 2013$2,640
Diana MurphyMachu Picchu 2013$7,300
Don PenneyKilimanjaro 2011; Machu Picchu 2013; Everest Base Camp 2018$19,500
Donald LanouetteKilimanjaro 2011; Machu Picchu 2013$7,975
Doug DuncanKilimanjaro 2011$9,550
Emilie LangMachu Picchu 2013; Everest Base Camp 2015$7,605
Emily FiskMachu Picchu 2016; Kilimanjaro 2017$13,410
Eva Marie NymanKilimanjaro 2014$3,390
Fern StarkeMachu Picchu 2016$7,205
Fram EngineerEverest Base Camp 2012; Machu Picchu 2013; Kilimanjaro 2014$10,708
Garry TutteKilimanjaro 2011$1,995
Gillian BarthKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$13,200
Greg JanesMachu Picchu 2013$6,474
Greta DounevKilimanjaro 2017$1,985
Harry BinksMachu Picchu 2013; Everest Base Camp 2015; Kilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$31,571
Heather BenoitKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$10,369
Heather DouglasKilimanjaro 2011$6,690
Henrietta SouthamKilimanjaro 2014$3,520
Jamie StrawKilimanjaro 2017$5,195
Jan WoodEverest Base Camp 2012$425
Janice LeclairMachu Picchu 2013$5,650
Jann SmithKilimanjaro 2011$1,350
Jason ColleyMachu Picchu 2013; Kilimanjaro 2014; Everest Base Camp 2015; Machu Picchu 2016; Kilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$53,290
Jeff WilsonKilimanjaro 2014; Everest Base Camp 2015; Machu Picchu 2016; Everest Base Camp 2018$16,559
Jennifer VenturaMachu Picchu 2016$6,023
Jeremy PostKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$12,580
Juli BairdKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$15,205
Julie KurasMachu Picchu 2016$5,870
Julie McKenzieMachu Picchu 2016$5,612
Karen CorstenKilimanjaro 2014$6,760
Karinka RomanowskaKilimanjaro 2011$2,725
Karlie ReinbergerKilimanjaro 2017$5,105
Katie MartinEverest Base Camp 2012$2,550
Katrina KurasEverest Base Camp 2015; Kilimanjaro 2017$7,105
Kelly BrowningMachu Picchu 2016$5,550
Kelly HammondKilimanjaro 2011; Everest Base Camp 2012; Everest Base Camp 2015$20,170
Kevin PrestonMachu Picchu 2013; Kilimanjaro 2014; Everest Base Camp 2015; Kilimanjaro 2017$22,346
Kevin WhalenKilimanjaro 2011$3,330
Lana NikonorkinaKilimanjaro 2014$4,420
Lara MarjerrisonKilimanjaro 2014; Machu Picchu 2016$3,979
Leah MowersKilimanjaro 2014$3,395
Leanne CusackEverest Base Camp 2015$17,300
Leta PearsonKilimanjaro 2017$6,175
Lianne LaingKilimanjaro 2014$8,950
Lisa KirkbyKilimanjaro 2014$180
Lou GrecoEverest Base Camp 2012$6,166
Lou HaddadKilimanjaro 2011; Machu Picchu 2013$3,925
Malcolm PrestonKilimanjaro 2017$6,000
Marissa ZurbaKilimanjaro 2014$1,775
Mark StrawKilimanjaro 2017$6,830
Mary Anne IvisonKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$35,991
Matt CarsonKilimanjaro 2014; Everest Base Camp 2015; Everest Base Camp 2018$14,627
Megan BenoitKilimanjaro 2017$5,075
Melissa BourgeoisMachu Picchu 2013$3,050
Michael HannasEverest Base Camp 2012$11,465
Michelle Anne OlsenMachu Picchu 2013$4,025
Mike BaineMachu Picchu 2016$6,125
Mike BeveridgeKilimanjaro 2011$2,145
Mike ZiolaEverest Base Camp 2012; Machu Picchu 2013; Kilimanjaro 2014$7,071
Natalie SheaKilimanjaro 2017$5,205
Nicole AsselinMachu Picchu 2013; Everest Base Camp 2015$15,562
Patrick FitzgeraldKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$37,509
Paul McGuireKilimanjaro 2017$9,455
Randy McCaughertyMachu Picchu 2013; Kilimanjaro 2014; Everest Base Camp 2018$17,354
Ray WheelerKilimanjaro 2011$6,040
Rebecca Phillips LesueurEverest Base Camp 2015$5,049
Rob AndressKilimanjaro 2014$3,583
Rob ScaifeKilimanjaro 2014$7,535
Robert ButlerMachu Picchu 2013$1,399
Roberta BrownKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$10,101
Robin MorganKilimanjaro 2014$10
Rodney ThiessenMachu Picchu 2016$5,501
Sarah DiMarinoKilimanjaro 2017$1,110
Sarah FreemarkMachu Picchu 2016$5,362
Scott KirbyMachu Picchu 2013; Everest Base Camp 2015$8,161
Scott SleightholmMachu Picchu 2013$5,350
Shelley McGoffKilimanjaro 2017$420
Stefanie MooreKilimanjaro 2014$215
Stephanie KarlovitsKilimanjaro 2014; Machu Picchu 2016; Everest Base Camp 2018$10,646
Steve BeveridgeKilimanjaro 2011$3,727
Stuart SpurrellKilimanjaro 2011$6,100
Susan BristerKilimanjaro 2011$6,150
Susan SabistonMachu Picchu 2013$6,140
Tamara DraperEverest Base Camp 2015$6,060
Terri HoddinottKilimanjaro 2014; Everest Base Camp 2015$14,572
Timothy FreemarkMachu Picchu 2016$5,000
Timothy RossKilimanjaro 2011; Everest Base Camp 2015$8,896
Tina FrailKilimanjaro 2014$5,305
Trish NesrallahMachu Picchu 2013; Kilimanjaro 2014$17,825
Troy PearsonEverest Base Camp 2012; Machu Picchu 2016; Kilimanjaro 2017$18,075
Vicky CastledineKilimanjaro 2017; Everest Base Camp 2018$15,091
Virginia GluskaKilimanjaro 2017$6,017
Wendy HillierMachu Picchu 2016$7,146
YK WangMachu Picchu 2013$600