I have the privilege of working for an amazing nonprofit, the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado (BIAC), which is to the go-to resource for help and services for survivors of an injury to the brain, their families and providers. This work is fulfilling professionally, but equally so personally, as I, like so many others, have a personal connection to brain injury.
Members of my immediate and extended family as well as friends my age have suffered brain injuries and continue to live with the impacts each and every day. They’ve experienced physical impairments, some temporary, others chronic, as well as mental deficits impacting memory and speech. Because I have seen their struggles and believe they deserve to be acknowledged, and because I have seen their successes and believe they deserve to be celebrated, I am asking you to support me in honoring them as I take on the Pikes Peak Challenge.
I have chosen to participate in this event as a Summit Hiker on the Mind Over Dura Mater team alongside my dedicated co-workers and their families and friends. This means that I have committed to hiking the 13-mile Barr Trail up to the 14,115 ft summit of Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs (an elevation gain of 7,390 feet) on Saturday, September 9th.
Needless to say this is no small feat, and knowing that each and every one of you is supporting me may be just what I need to put one foot in front of the other and make it all the way to top (I’ve also heard there’s some amazing high-altitude donuts sold up there that shouldn’t be missed – but I digress).
I would be so grateful if you’d consider donating to my campaign and help me reach my fundraising goal. In case you need a bit more encouragement, I’ve enlisted the help of my very talented husband and home brewer extraordinaire to sweeten the deal. For those of you who choose to donate $25 or more (and live nearby), you can fill one growler (BYOG) at Sprokit Brewing – a.k.a. our garage – with our limited edition, super-exclusive Summit Saison! Mmmm…who can say no to that?
Finally, whether you choose to donate to my campaign or not, I would love for you to consider supporting me in another way by joining me on a training hike. Not all dates and hikes have been finalized, but my general plan is below. Let me know if a particular hike or weekend sounds good to you and we can finalize details together!
Training Hikes:
#1 – 6/17 – Mountain Lion Trail, Golden Gate Canyon State Park (6.8 mi, +1729 ft)
#2 – 7/1 – Green Mountain Trail near Chautauqua Park (6.0 mi, +2867 ft)
#3 – 7/14 – Bear Peak Canyon Trail from NCAR in Boulder (8.1 mi, +2983 ft)
#4 – 7/29 – Mount Beirstadt near Georgetown (7.3 mi, +2795 ft)
#5 – 8/11, 8/12, or 8/13 – TBD (8-10 mi, +3500-5000 ft)
#6 – 8/25 or 8/27, TBD (7-9 mi, +3500-5000 ft)
Thank you so much for your consideration!
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Gail Schott
$50.00 -
Anthony Fox
$25.00 -
April Nowak
$100.00 -
daniel nowak
$25.00 -
Karen Brehm
$25.00 -
Adam Engelsgjerd
$25.00 -
Brittany Calvert
$10.00 -
Laura Wade Jaster
$40.00 -
Finn Snow
$40.00 -
BIAC Manual Entry
$25.00