Cancer Takes A Hike

I know many of you have already asked if I will be keeping a journal and taking pictures while on the trip.  The answer is an emphatic "YES!!"  As a matter of fact, all four of us will be compiling our thoughts and pictures and will be posting them right here.  There may be only a handful of posts seeing as how it is only a 14 day trip, but I promise to keep adding to this site as the hike goes on.  Thanks to those who have shown in interest in what this hike is all about and continue to keep checking back over time.  As we get closer to the start date there will be a lot of new stuff for your viewing pleasure!

9/21/08  Check out Andy Thompson's Outdoors article from the Sunday, Sept. 21st Richmond Times-Dispatch.

11/8/08

 At 2pm on Sunday, October 12, Cancer Takes a Hike officially began.  After watching my wife's car drive out of sight, Steve, Dan, and I were left staring down 160 wild miles to the north.  The trail started with a terrible climb, gaining 700 feet of elevation in barely even a quarter mile, but we were greeted by beautiful weather.The leaves were bursting with color, the sky was a magnificent blue and the Autumn air was cool and crisp. 

 That evening we were joined by Mark Montgomery, Stu Burton, and Susanne Smith.  The next morning Kevin White and Hilary Lufkin met us at Jarman Gap and our group was now up to 8.

(clockwise from bottom left corner:  Me, Steve "Duck Call" Roberts, Stu "Sparky" Burton, Dan "Pack Mule" Stevens, Mark "No Buns" Montgomery, Kevin White, Hilary "Sunshine" Lufkin, and Susanne Smith)

On Tuesday, Mark, Stu, Susanne, and I hiked out .  Unfortunately for me, I had hurt my back and left hip the day before and needed to come off of the trail in order to have a chance at finishing the trip.  Kevin, Hilary, Steve, and Dan continued north where they met my dad on Thursday at Hightop Hut for lunch.

 After a robust lunch, Hilary and Kevin left the trail, but Dan and Steve were joined by Tyler Meader later that night at Pocosin Cabin, which was generously donated to Cancer Takes a Hike by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.  Tyler wowed the boys with his cooking abilities both that night and the next morning for breakfast.

From Pocosin Cabin, Tyler, Dan, and Steve hiked over 30 miles in two and a half days where I met up with them at Elkwallow Wayside to drop off supplies, drive Tyler back to his car,and hang out with the guys I so desperately wished I could be hiking with. 

The next day Dan and Steve would hike into Front Royal, VA to enjoy two nights in actual beds.  There they could shower, wash clothes, and rest up for the final week of the trip.

On Tuesday, October 21st,  Dan and Steve got back on the AT for a three day push until I could meet them on Friday at Bear's Den Hostel.  

Friday, we hiked into the David Lesser Shelter, where we'd meet up with Mark and Lawson Montgomery and Bobby Efird and where we'd be spending the last night out on the trail.  Bobby made everyone spaghetti dinner to celebrate the hike coming to an end and Steve built an awesome fire.                

 The next morning we awoke to a torrential downpour of rain on the final day - the only day of rain on the entire hike.  Steve father and sister met up with us to finish the hike.  When we finally made it into Harper's Ferry, we were greeted by family and friends and soaking wet.

   (Mr. Roberts drying out in Harper'sFerry)

 In Harper's Ferry, we took over the upstairs room of the Canal House to eat lunch, catch up with loved ones and tell our favorite stories from the trail.  The trip didn't go as planned for me, but it ended up being the perfect metaphor for my ongoing battle with cancer.  I have a great desire to defy my disease, but I have to rely on the love, support, and selflessness of my friends and family to do that.  All in all, the trip was a huge success and raised over $2700 and all of it was donated to the Colon Cancer Alliance.  Thanks to everyone who participated by hiking, making a donation, or just keeping up to date on the hike!

More Trail Pictures

 Thanks to Hilary Lufkin, Mark Montgomery, and Steve Roberts for use of their photos