But Los Gatos resident Rick Barringer is taking on the feat. Barringer, who was born and raised in Los Gatos, is asking fellow citizens to help him in a "physical challenge" fundraising project from Oct. 24 to 31 in Beijing, China. The endeavor is called "Trek Asia for amfAR" and benefits the American Foundation for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Research, a nonprofit group that funds AIDS research, prevention and treatment education and advocates AIDS-related public policy.

"It's a way for me to give something back globally," Barringer said.

But the 1967 Los Gatos High graduate and Vietnam veteran isn't new to raising funds for AIDS. He's participated in the sixth, seventh and eighth annual California AIDS bicycle ride, and he said those events put him in contact with people and the dynamics behind the disease. Barringer also completed a 2002 AIDS trek in South Africa, where he hiked through the Cedarberg Wilderness and saw the villages affected by AIDS.

"It touched my heart," he said.

But the eight-day hike along the Great Wall, at about 10 miles per day, will be a new kind of accomplishment for Barringer, even though he's already been to the Great Wall once. The guided hike features talks from medical experts working to stem the developing AIDS crisis in Asia—the new epicenter of the global AIDS epidemic. The trip takes participants beyond the regular tourist trails and onto parts of the Great Wall infrequently visited by Westerners.

"I'm training to do this," he said. "This is not going to be a walk in the park."

The expedition is designed for a group of 30 to 100 people who must each raise a minimum of $10,000.

"It's important to know this fundraiser is not specific to China," Barringer said. "It's a global effort for AIDS research."

Barringer said he has exhausted the generous donating capacities of his friends and family, and now he's turning to the community for help. He was hopeful corporate sponsorships would pan out, but they have yet to come through. Barringer has about $5,500 left to raise.

"I decided I was going to do everything I could to ask Los Gatos to support me," he said.

Barringer can be seen at the farmers market, in front of grocery stores, at the Los Gatos Creek trail head and throughout the community handing out fliers for his mission. Barringer said his crusade differs from other campaigns because it's "a humanitarian effort," which if not researched could destroy the world.

"It's just something good to be passionate about," he said. "Even in Los Gatos, it's hard to find anybody who has not been touched by this disease."

Every dime Barringer raises goes to amfAR and is tax deductible. Barringer is paying his own airfare and travel expenses to and from Beijing and may take out loans to pay the remaining amount if necessary. There are matching programs and corporate and local business sponsorships available, and Barringer is planning a presentation to the community upon his return.

To make a donation online, visit www.trekasia.kintera.org and then click on the sponsor participant link. Enter the participant's name: Richard Barringer. For more information, contact Barringer at 408.309.5003 or email rickinger@hotmail.com.