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In 1893 Katherine Lee Bates wrote a poem called "Pikes Peak" shortly after summitting the iconic Colorado mountain. The words to this poem later became "America the Beautiful".
In 2010, 117 years after Ms. Bates wrote that poem, something else happened on Pikes Peak. Granted, it did not inspire the next America the Beautiful to be sung by Ray Charles or referenced in a presidential inauguration.
In 2010 yours truly, 15 years post MS diagnosis, stood at the top of Pikes Peak. No, I did not take the very convenient road up. I had just hiked up with 4 wonderful college friends all of us with varying degrees of physical fitness (from not very good to very good). For myself, two years previous to this I had lost all function on my left side and had been using a walking cane. I honestly did not know at the time this happened if I would be able to ever regain the function I had lost. I was very fortunate, I did. And hiking up Pikes Peak was part of proving to myself that I still could. It was also a fun experience, with just amazing views!
I am in the early efforts of planning a repeat of this hike up Pikes Peak, this time in the summer of 2015. I am hoping that I can persuade fellow MSers and their families and friends to participate in the venture and set the goal of reaching the summit of Pikes Peak....and prove to yourself that you still can do something like this despite living with MS.
For planning purposes, below is some initial (subject to change) planning information:
- Plan for a total of 4 days over a weekend (probably the weekend of July 4, 2015)
- Arrive in CO on a Thursday, camp beginning Thursday at 10,000 ft in Divide, CO (to acclimate to the altitude), summit on Saturday, depart Sunday
- Distance: about 13 miles round trip on planned route, with a 4,000 ft elevation change
- gear to bring: tents and food will be provided - you will need to bring personal stuff such as hiking boots, rain gear, clothing etc..
- cost: your travel costs to Divide, CO (nearest airports are Colorado Springs or Denver), plus a share in the cost of camping and food (which will likely be in the range of tens of $ per person
- The hike will be accompanied by someone very experienced in hiking 14,000 ft mountains in CO
- We will also be accompanied by either a neurologist or a primary care doctor
- A training program will provided to help you physically prepare
NOTE: This is a hike NOT a climb. By hiking standards, the route is reasonably easy with much of distance being a gentle incline on wide hiking trails.
If this idea remotely appeals to you and you would like to be kept informed about this going forward - let me know through responding to this forum post or send me an email at msthrivers@gmail.com. I will be creating a google mailing list for those who are interested.
In 2010, 117 years after Ms. Bates wrote that poem, something else happened on Pikes Peak. Granted, it did not inspire the next America the Beautiful to be sung by Ray Charles or referenced in a presidential inauguration.
In 2010 yours truly, 15 years post MS diagnosis, stood at the top of Pikes Peak. No, I did not take the very convenient road up. I had just hiked up with 4 wonderful college friends all of us with varying degrees of physical fitness (from not very good to very good). For myself, two years previous to this I had lost all function on my left side and had been using a walking cane. I honestly did not know at the time this happened if I would be able to ever regain the function I had lost. I was very fortunate, I did. And hiking up Pikes Peak was part of proving to myself that I still could. It was also a fun experience, with just amazing views!
I am in the early efforts of planning a repeat of this hike up Pikes Peak, this time in the summer of 2015. I am hoping that I can persuade fellow MSers and their families and friends to participate in the venture and set the goal of reaching the summit of Pikes Peak....and prove to yourself that you still can do something like this despite living with MS.
For planning purposes, below is some initial (subject to change) planning information:
- Plan for a total of 4 days over a weekend (probably the weekend of July 4, 2015)
- Arrive in CO on a Thursday, camp beginning Thursday at 10,000 ft in Divide, CO (to acclimate to the altitude), summit on Saturday, depart Sunday
- Distance: about 13 miles round trip on planned route, with a 4,000 ft elevation change
- gear to bring: tents and food will be provided - you will need to bring personal stuff such as hiking boots, rain gear, clothing etc..
- cost: your travel costs to Divide, CO (nearest airports are Colorado Springs or Denver), plus a share in the cost of camping and food (which will likely be in the range of tens of $ per person
- The hike will be accompanied by someone very experienced in hiking 14,000 ft mountains in CO
- We will also be accompanied by either a neurologist or a primary care doctor
- A training program will provided to help you physically prepare
NOTE: This is a hike NOT a climb. By hiking standards, the route is reasonably easy with much of distance being a gentle incline on wide hiking trails.
If this idea remotely appeals to you and you would like to be kept informed about this going forward - let me know through responding to this forum post or send me an email at msthrivers@gmail.com. I will be creating a google mailing list for those who are interested.
If nothing else, it's a great excuse to get out of the Arizona summer heat.
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