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My Ultimate Explorer Journey Ends One Round Short of the Final

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Friends, I regret to share that my journey in Outside Magazine’s Ultimate Explorer competition ended one round short of the Final last Thursday. I placed 4th in my Semifinal Group despite the incredible support from all of you and giving it my all. Gretchen and I are truly amazed and humbled by how many of you worked so hard to take me from 80,000 competitors to the final 64—and almost to the final eight! Just realizing that we have so many people who love and care for us– friends and family who would commit so much to try and will us to victory, means more to us than winning ever could.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who invested their time, energy and resources to help us. Know that all donations were directed to the National Parks Foundation, as worthy an organization as you will find, and one that happens to be in serious need now.

We also want to thank all of you who’ve supported us throughout my healthcare journey this year in so many practical and encouraging ways. Please continue sending your prayers—this is a challenge that I am winning, one in which I will prevail.

I entered this competition as an idea for how Gretchen and our family might celebrate the end of my chemo treatment in December and our 30th Anniversary in May. Rest assured, we still intend to commemorate these milestones in a very special way. This year has been unforgettable for so many reasons, and we’re so grateful to have all of you by our side this entire time.

Almost There – Top 5!

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I received confirmation on Thursday that I had made it into the Top 5 in my Group in Outside Magazine’s Ultimate Explorer competition and I’m still leading my Group. If I maintain the lead and win it this week, then I move on to the Quarters against other Group Winners on Sept. 23rd. The votes reset at that time as they do for the Semis and Final from Sept. 23rd – Oct. 17th.

Thank you, again, EVERYONE, for your overwhelming support! Here’s the link if you’d like to vote for me (still free, every day) or just to follow my progress: https://ultexplorer.org/2024/tim-hamby-yIWY. As I‘ve maintained, there’s an option to purchase “extra” votes with funds going to the National Parks Foundation (it’s a fundraiser for them), but don’t feel like you have to do that for me (only if you have a heart for NPF!). Also– if you do wish to contribute, then it is probably best to hold off until Sept. 23rd or the two weeks following when the votes reset for each of the final three rounds. It is also always best to wait for one of the many days when “purchased” votes are 2 for 1.

Thanks so much again, all! – T&G

TOP 15 – Movin’ On!

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TOP 15 – MOVING ON! THANK YOU, AGAIN, FRIENDS! – Gretchen and I want to extend our heartfelt appreciation for all of our friends and family who have propelled me to first place in my Group in Outside Magazine’s “Ultimate Explorer” contest.  Thank you for voting, re-voting (you can vote again every 24 hours), and sharing my profile (https://ultexplorer.org/2024/tim-hamby-yIWY). Some of you have even generously purchased votes (funds go to the National Parks Foundation). 

I wanted to share a little insight on how the contest works.  Each week, the 5 competitors in each Group with the lowest votes are eliminated.  The rest move on until there is only one competitor left in each Group.  The winner in each Group (along with a wildcard winner) advance to Quarterfinal Groups where the VOTES RESET!  Top competitors in each Group advance to Semifinals. VOTES RESET! Top Semifinal from each Group advance to Finals.  VOTES RESET! Grand Prize Winner is determined October 17th. I’m in a great position now, but the competition heats up as we approach the Quarterfinals on September 23rd, when votes reset.  Each time the votes reset, things get more challenging.  So, if you’re feeling like you’d like to contribute, then Sept. 23 – Oct. 17 would be the best time for that. But we appreciate all of your votes, time and energy!

Ultimate Explorer Update 8-24-24: I’ve Advanced to Round 2!

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Friends,

THANK YOU, THANK YOU! IT’S OFFICIAL!

Round 1 of Outside Magazine’s “Ultimate Explorer” contest concluded yesterday, and I finished in first place in my group of 107 competitors! Gretchen & I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote and re-vote for us (you can vote again every 24 hours); who shared my profile (https://ultexplorer.org/2024/tim-hamby-yIWY); and those who did exactly what I asked them not to do– buy us extra votes! (You guys are nuts!). That said, I’m sure the National Parks Foundation appreciates it as much as we do, as the whole thing is a fundraiser for them.

My next challenge is to try and continue to hold my lead against the 20 others who advanced from my group. There’s a couple of more rounds to go, and near the end, votes reset. So, Gretchen and I would just humbly ask that you continue to re-vote for us to win this dream vacation as often as you think about it. Thanks again, everyone for your love and support! We are so excited to be in the running to potentially win this!