Words about science and hiking
Cathy finished her chemotherapy treatments in August. Imaging showed a complete response–the tumor was gone. Although there is a 30% chance that it could return, her oncologist said that a “watch and wait” approach was appropriate, meaning that she could choose whether or not to undergo surgery.. She didn’t have to be asked twice whether Read More …
I woke to clear skies after a deep sleep, still feeling good. There was no rush to get going as I was planning to take two days to hike the 16 or so miles back to the trailhead. I enjoyed a cup of coffee on a sunny lakeside rock, watching the shadows roll back to Read More …
Despite the drought and dry soils, my meadow campsite turned wet as soon as the sun went down. My tent was sogged with condensation which froze around midnight. But the morning was clear and bright. I felt a little better, managed to eat a couple bites of breakfast (scrambled eggs with veggies), and set out Read More …
East Fork back to Big Sandy TH then out to Dad’s Lake Rain continued through the night and was joined by hail and snow, as well as plenty of lightning and thunder. It was still raining and thundering in the morning as I packed up to head to the car and retrieve my AquaMira. I’d Read More …
Cathy completed her last round of chemo (yay!) and her sister came to visit, so I had time for a multi-day backpack trip, and thus also had the pleasant task of deciding where I wanted to go. The mountains of the Front Range and the rest of Colorado are very beautiful. They are big, broad-shouldered Read More …
Another quick overnighter at the end of Cathy’s chemo cycle. One of my favorite day hikes in RMNP is Bear Lake to Moraine Park, taking the shuttle to complete the loop back to the car. It is about 10 miles, is net downhill and goes through the spectacular gorge holding Odessa Lake. Once you get Read More …
There was a permit available for Sunday and Monday night at the end of Cathy’s chemo cycle, so I snapped it up and texted my friends. Dan was able to arrange his schedule and we were set to go. Getting to the Hessie trailhead on a weekend is usually a logistical challenge. Especially if you Read More …
I was planning to do another short trip, this time to Woodland Reservoir in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. But the forecast was not great, with snow predicted at higher altitudes (Woodland is at 10,800 feet). A check of recreation.gov showed RMNP backcountry permits available for walk-ups at sites along the North Fork of the Big Read More …
Another quick overnighter at the end of a chemotherapy cycle. I was a bit surprised to find a permit available for Finch Lake, but I jumped on it, as I am always happy to spend some time in Wild Basin. There was also a permit available on one of the Wind RIver sites along the Read More …
Hiking opportunities this summer will be limited by Cathy’s chemotherapy schedule. Every two weeks she gets infused with two drugs (leucovorin and oxaliplatin) at the cancer center, then is sent home with a pump that infuses 5-fluorouracil over 46 hours through a port. She is pretty wiped out by this regimen for about a week, Read More …