351.6 Miles Hiked and Run and More than $11,000 Raised
It was my most successful Hike-a-thon, ever!
Wow! I am still catching up on my rest and trying to catch up with my work after an amazing August. Since 2012 I have participated in the Washington Trails Association’s annual Hike-a-thon as a way to have a little fun and help give back to the trails that have enhanced my life. And trails have not only helped me with my livelihood as a guidebook author and outdoors writer, but as a refuge from the pandemic, political rancor, despair, and my own personal challenges.
Since being diagnosed with PMR in 2020 during a time when I was questioning if my best days were over—I have been managing my condition (through medication, diet, and intense physical activity) as best I can and trying to do as much as I can realizing that tomorrow may bring an end. This year I really pushed myself physically beating my monthly mileage record by 1 mile. I hiked or ran on the trail everyday but one in August and did three 30 mile days! Covered some great ground too-Mount Rainier’s Northern Loop, Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and Washington, British Columbia’s Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, Glacier Peak Wilderness, North Cascades, Mount St Helens’ Mount Margaret Backcountry, and plenty of local parks and trails around Skagit and Clark counties.
And you my wonderful friends and readers outdid yourselves again with donations that will directly benefit our trails and enhance our outdoors lifestyles! I am overwhelmed by your generosity-especially during the last two days of Hike a thon when $1700 came in helping me far exceed my fundraising goal of $10,000 by more than $1,000. Thanks so much to the 126 of you who made a donation! You all rock!
Hiking with Hike-a-thoner Lu Martin and her family at Park Butte
This whole process has once again recharged me and has given me reasons to stay hopeful while the outside world remains gloomy. I empathize with my fellow hikers and runners who are stressed, anxious, and depressed. These are indeed difficult times. Consider setting some goals for a greater good for yourself and community. It will help you stay positive and focused. We will persevere —and I believe that ultimately it will make many of us better people.
So a big thanks to all of you who donated to my hike-a-thon, accompanied me on the trail, and provided support. And big thanks once again Oboz Footwear, Browns Outdoors in Port Angeles, Green Trails Maps and From the Ground Up Socks for your generous donations of great gear that I was able to give away to help motivate you all to donate!.
Thanks again and see you on the trail!!
