Coalition Staff and Friends Demonstrate Courageous Commitment at Over The Edge

Hilton Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey

April 20, 2024

Thirty-six bold conservation allies took environmental awareness to new heights at the New Jersey Highlands Coalition’s first-ever Over The Edge fundraiser on April 20. Staff, trustees, partners, and friends gathered at the Hilton Meadowlands to complete a 200-foot urban rappel from the roof of the 21-story hotel in East Rutherford. Executive Director Julia Somers, donning a full body harness and a blue climbing helmet, kicked off the event around 10:30 a.m. as she was secured to a rope and leaned back over the edge of the roof to begin her rappel. 

Throughout the morning and into the afternoon, other rappelers steadily made their way down the hotel's sleek glass exterior. Among them were David Budd the President of the Coalition’s Board of Trustees, and fellow trustees Michael Henderson, Wynnie-Fred Victor Hinds, Jessica Murphy, Laura Oltman, and Michael Soriano. Several of the Coalition’s partner organizations helped raise funds to send a rappeler over the edge including Sparta for Responsible Development, Highlands Glacial Lakes Initiative (HIGLIN), Passaic River Coalition, Morris County Historic Trust, Morris Park Alliance, and the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. Mendham Alliance for Preservation and Conservation also supported the Coalition’s Over The Edge efforts.   

Some rappelers learned about the event through social media and word-of-mouth and were simply intrigued by the opportunity to rappel a building. Over The Edge had not been held anywhere in New Jersey since 2018, and the Coalition appropriately chose Earth Day weekend to bring the event back to the Garden State.   

Throughout the event, three professional rope access technicians facilitated each aspect of the experience with support from eight trained “Rope Volunteers” who assisted at the rooftop rappelling station and belayed from the ground. The volunteers included employees from Gravity Vault climbing gyms and REI of East Hanover. Over The Edge was made possible with generous support from:  

Hilton Meadowlands – Building Sponsor  

Performline – Rope Sponsor  

PSE&G – Helmet Sponsor  

Peapack Private – Swag Bag Sponsor  

Shoprite and WRNJ – Landing Zone Sponsors  

Wegmans and Jersey Mike’s - Hospitality Sponsors