34. Preparation Starts for the next Challenge

In four months, I will be going to Guatemala for another fundraising event for the Michael J Fox Foundation. This time I will be climbing three volcanoes on mostly day treks. The first volcano we climb will be Pacaya and it will be the easiest day. We will start around 6,100 ft. elevation and climb to 7,100 ft. elevation. We only hike 3.75 miles so this will be very doable for me. The second day we climb Acatenango Volcano where we start at 8,400 ft. and ascend to 11,700 ft. with 4 miles distance. There we overnight on the trail and resume the journey the next day. We will continue to the peak at 13,405 ft. before descending 4.5 miles back to the foot of the volcano. Fortunately, we get a day off before tackling the hardest day when we climb 5,600 ft. elevation gain and 4 miles to the top of Atilan Volcano. We then go back to the bottom, all in one day. The thought of doing this intimidates me more than climbing to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

So why am I doing this trip! I think I might be crazy. The number one thing that motivates me is that 100% of funds raised goes to research to find the cure and better treatments for managing Parkinson’s Disease. This seems even more important with government funding for research being cut in so many places including research for PD. But I’m driven for even more than that. I have found a valuable community in the Michael J Fox Foundation. The friends and support group I have made are very important to me. Also, I have found that having a goal gives something to strive for and the impetus to stay in shape. I have not found anything to contradict the research showing that vigorous exercise is the only proven way to slow the progress of PD. I want to inspire others with my experiences, raise awareness and be a part of the solution by supporting needed research.

My need to be in shape and get ready is already under way. I have been to our local REI to purchase new boots and a few other items I will need. I was hoping Keen would sponsor a new pair of hiking boots, but their outreach program replied with an automated message that their program didn’t include requests like mine. Oh well, didn’t hurt to try.

I am doing core exercises including sit-ups, pushups, planks, and more 4-5 days a week. I’m going on vigorous power walks around the neighborhood or greenways. And of course, I’m still hiking with my committed group of hikers who take on more difficult challenges to local waterfalls or beautiful views of the mountains ridges and valleys that are abundant in the mountains of western North Carolina. We always see beautiful flowers on these outings too. The summer heat and humidity have been a deterrent, but we still get out there and put in the work of getting to our destination. It is so rewarding to breath the fresh air, have companionship, lunch by waterfalls or mountain streams and see the beauty of nature that manmade objects can’t compete with. Sometimes we take a dip in the cold water flowing over rocks and boulders which often make inviting swimming holes.