Matt Thompson succeeded in his Watermelon 100 Project—an incredible 103-mile trek up, down, and around the Sandias—and has raised almost $9,000 for FOSM in the process. 

With the aim of encouraging more people to discover the unique Sandia trail system, Matt created a 40-minute movie summarizing his amazing adventure and explaining the reasons for choosing FOSM as the beneficiary of the proceeds. On July 14, he gave FOSM members an advance opportunity to see the movie. We were awed by Matt’s creative talents. He skillfully merged portions of interviews with Kerry Wood and several FOSM members with outstanding GoPro and drone video recordings to create a movie that allows us to follow along as he and his dozen-plus pacers make the arduous 45-hour trek around the mountains. We cheer him on as he leaves the Tram on Friday evening, celebrate with him as he reaches Chimney Canyon Trail two hours ahead of schedule early Saturday morning, feel his pain as he pushes himself during the final miles on Sunday afternoon, and share his joy as young son Cameron leads him back to his starting point Sunday evening.