Karen Blackhall of Norway began climbing the hill’s cement steps in August 2020, along with her husband, Steve, to strengthen her leg muscles.

In January 2020, the National Ski Patrol member who volunteered at Pine Mountain Resort in Iron Mountain had just completed toboggan training on the hill when she realized she’d left her poles at the top of the mountain. While riding the chairlift back up, she suffered a stroke that severely affected her entire left side.

Blackhall regained some use of her leg, but not without challenging physical therapy sessions.

“I started out doing 50 steps and ended last year at 350,” she said. “This summer I said, ‘I got to get to the top — 500 steps.'”

A view of the scope of the 500-step climb that Karen Blackhall will do Sunday as a fundraiser for the Pine Mountain ski jump upgrades. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Blackhall climbs the steps on average a couple times a week. “It’s good exercise,” she said. “I feel like I accomplished something.”

It does takes her a little while, she added, but her supporters remind her that slow and steady wins the race.

A couple months ago, she and her husband thought her stair-climbing efforts might be a good fundraiser for the new $3.8 million ski jump tower.

“I approached Susie Fox and she was all in support of the idea,” Blackhall said.

“This is the most unselfish act I have seen anybody do,” said Fox, Kiwanis Ski Club corresponding secretary. “This is a challenge for her and for her to do it to benefit someone else is unbelievable.”

“I get my inspiration to do this from my husband, Steve, and my physical therapy team, Sarah Gunville and company at U.P./DCH Rehab,” Blackhall said. “I wouldn’t be as progressed without them — they truly turned my life around.”

She hopes this not only raises money for the Kiwanis Club but inspires others to keep moving and reach goals.

Blackhall will start climbing the steps at 11 a.m. Sunday, and expects to take about two hours.

Donors can pledge money based on how many steps she takes or make a flat donation. Pledges can be made up until her event at the hill or online at http://www.kiwanisskiclub.com.

Those attending can celebrate her accomplishment after the climb at about 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Pavilion atop Pine Mountain.

Ski jump tours will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday as well. While Kiwanis Ski Club requests a donation of $10 per person, those who pledge to Blackhall’s stair climb can tour the facility for free.

“Steve and I want to thank everyone for supporting their desire to help the Kiwanis Ski Club,” Blackhall said.