PCT hiker taking pledges for North Idaho Crisis Line

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff

NAMI Far North Board Member Kim Kempton is hiking 70 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail starting Aug. 18 and is accepting monetary pledges for each mile to support North Idaho Crisis Services and specifically the after-hours crisis hotline they offer.

“The idea was brought up to make my hike have more meaning,” she said. “I am hoping to inspire others and to bring attention to this much needed resource in our community.”

Kim Kempton. Courtesy photo.

The hotline (accessible at 208-946-5595) is staffed by licensed mental health professionals and is available 5 p.m.-8 a.m. Monday-Thursday and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays. Kempton said NICS is “very low on funds and is facing possible closure without additional financial support.”

Learn more about NICS and pledge toward Kempton’s hike by visiting northidahocrsis.org.