Bears = Avoided

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SkiFletch
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Location: Buffalo, NY

Bears = Avoided

Postby SkiFletch » Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:22 pm

We've dealt with some serious rough news on the board lately in very short succession. At times like these I always have a little trepidation posting thread like these. As I've said time and again, we all need the good news as well as the bad, especially for new members. A cancer diagnosis, even one of Stage IV, does not mean you can't still do some of the things you love. With that I'm honored to share with everyone being able to do something I love.

By now most of you know about this years' climbing in the Adirondack High Peaks aka "Into to Bear Avoidance." Two of my best friends and I went on this 2-day backpacking adventure with the goal of climbing Basin Mountain (4,827'), and Haystack Mountain (4,960'). Both of these mountains are some of the more remote in the ADK high peaks, accessible from "The Garden" parking area. Given their remote-ness (around 9 miles one-way for Haystack), we decided to backpack in with heavy packs and camped at Slant Rock, about 6.8 miles in. Alas, the lean-to there was taken, so we were happy we brought our tent. Se set up camp, squared away our bear canister, un-packed our heavy packs and strung them up for a "quick" jaunt to the top of Basin. We collected and sterlized some nice cold stream water, grabbed a sandwich, and headed out.

On our way in, the weather frankly sucked for climbing mountains. It was low and overcast and if you know what the term "Cloud Forest" means, that's basically what we were in. The Ranger we encountered on the way in warned us that the peaks were all shrouded in low clouds, which was of course not what we wanted. But we set out anyway hoping. The climb up from Slant Rock was steady at a moderate grade for the ADK and climbing about 1000 feet up. Typical granit rocks everywhere in the trail acting as steps, and a few streams here and there. As we were getting up above 4000ft the clouds started lifting up and the sun came out, emboldening us further. From there, the trail decends off of the base of Hastack down about 400ft to move over to the foot of Basin mountain. I HATE the whole up-down thing when climbing mountains, it's demoralizing knowing you have to just go back up all that you just came down :). But, still good weather abounded with sun and mid-level clouds, so up we went.

The climb to the top of Basin was decently technical actually. Some serious rock scrambles, a little bonafide climbing, and a few ladders for assistance. Ultimately we reached the summit and while the sun went in, the clouds stayed mostly mid-range and we enjoyed a fantastic view. The GoPro took a fantastic panoramic shot with the fisheye lens, so please enjoy :) (full-HD if you want it)

http://youtu.be/LZUoPCDRlJo

Ultimately we returned by the same route and made it back in time to relax, make some dinner, and have a relatively early to bed. I was personally GASSED coming down off Basin and was really worried about my ability to hike the next day on Haystack. Luckily, through the magic of a good nights sleep and plenty of Naproxen, I woke up the next morning refreshed enough to do Haystack, the real goal of the trip.

Mercifully the trip up Haystack was much steadier than that up basin, altough there was one really tricky part where we had to descend bald rock faces at a 60% grade for at least 100feet and just switch-back on it. It was totally a "don't look down" moment and I had a mini freak-out in my head, only continuing by knowing that thousands had done it before me. Most of the last few hundred feet of the ascent to Haystack is bald, with views all around. The mountain itself offers SPECTACULAR views as it is out all-alone at the end of the great range and STEEP on 3 sides which really gives you that top of the world feeling. Weather was similar to the day before, a little sun through medium clouds and both days it was calm on top. No raging winds. Up atop Haystack the battery on my camera was dying as I at some point during the hike managed to turn it on and take an hour of video of the inside of my pack :roll: :lol:. But, I was able to squeeze just enough juice out of it for almost the 360 panoramic view. Please enjoy :D

http://youtu.be/jQ7Rhh1oYuc

The hike out was pretty grueling to be honest. Coming down off Haystack wasn't too bad, but once we geared-up at camp and put those heavy packs back on, I knew it was gonna be tough to make it all the way out. Much pain, cursing, and dreams of a bacon cheeseburger and a beer helped me get through it. In the end, the accomplishment and the top of the world moments were totally worth it. I feel exceptionally blessed to have been able to have succeeded at climbing these guys. Perhaps, climbing the top-10 might be possible. A full-fleged 46er, maybe not so much as I do live pretty far away.

If you've read this far, give ourself a pat on the back :). And then whether you're a newbie or an old vet, I hope my story can be an inspiration for you to go out and do what you love. Giving cancer the middle finger and doing something amazing and outrageous is empowering to be sure. Thanks for letting me share with you guys.
11/13/09 5cm Stage IV 9/25 lymph nodes w/2cm peritoneal met at 29 YoA
12/15/09 LA right hemi-colectomy
6/16/10 Folfox FINISHED
8/10/10 Prophylactic HIPEC
10/9/10 got Married :D
Still NED and living life to the fullest

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life."

NWgirl
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Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:24 am
Facebook Username: Belle Piazza
Location: Battle Ground, Washington

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby NWgirl » Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:25 pm

Beautiful - I am SO HAPPY you were able to do this and enjoy every moment. Okay, ALMOST every moment! Thank you for sharing - and you're right, we need some good to help balance out the bad. What an amazing experience!
Belle - "Don't Retreat - Reload"DX 10/07 Stage III Rectal
Surgery 11/07; 27 of 38 nodes
Perm Colostomy 8/11
12/10 recurrence lungs & LN's
VATS Jan 2011
Radiation Oct 2013
Chemo for Life
2012 Colondar Model

Laurettas
Posts: 1606
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:49 pm

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby Laurettas » Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:27 pm

Thanks for sharing, Ski. The videos were beautiful. Looks like it was worth the hike!

I was going to complain after the first video because the was no view of Ski and no voice but you did redeem yourself on the second video!

Too bad you didn't get acquainted with any bears--they are so affectionate!!
DH 58 4/11 st 4 SRC CC
Lymph, peri, lung
4/11 colon res
5-10/11 FLFX, Av, FLFRI, Erb
11/11 5FU Erb
1/12 PET 2.4 Max act.
1/12 Erb
5/12 CT ext. new mets
5/12 Xlri
7/12 bad CT
8/12 5FU solo
8/12 brain met
9/12 stop tx
11/4/12 finished race,at peace

michelle c
Posts: 1929
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:58 am

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby michelle c » Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:49 pm

I always love to hear about your adventures! You are one amazing guy! Thank you for sharing and well done! Glad you managed to avoid the bears! :lol:
May 25 2009 Dx with CC (sigmoid colon) 2 days after my 44th b'day
CEA prior to surgery 4.7
Jun 3 2009 LAR - Stage III 3/10 lymph nodes
Jul 6 - Dec 10 2009 - 12 cycles FOLFIRI
Genetic testing - inconclusive for Lynch
Jul 2012 port removed & hernia repair

ammthere 4mom
Posts: 218
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 8:37 pm

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby ammthere 4mom » Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:52 pm

AWESOME TRIP! I am thrilled you had such an amazing time and the videos are incredible. Rock on!
Daughter and caregiver to mom, 72 @ dx in 7/09
Stage IV with mets to liver and lung
8/09-7/12: 24 rounds of Folfiri + 12 rounds Folfox
2013: Zeloda and Stivarga, then 36 rounds of 5FU
10/2014 back to Folfiri

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Phuong
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Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:43 pm
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Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby Phuong » Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:33 am

Amazing. I know plenty of people who haven't gone through any of what you have endured that couldn't make that hike. Thank you for flipping off cancer! :twisted:
Phuong
http://sonofamotherlessgoat.net/
dx'd Stage III Rectal (T3 N1 M0)
Now Stage IV mCRC

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mysweetgrace
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:15 am

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby mysweetgrace » Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:46 am

Great videos SkiFletch! Thanks for sharing with us!
Dad diagnosed 10/11 (56 y/o)
Colon Resection w/ Temp Colostomy 10/11
Stage 2C t4b N0 M0
Xeloda Feb '12 - April '12
New mass 4/12
Folfox 8/12 - 2/13
Resection & Reversal 3/19/13
Clean Scan 7/13 & 10/13
http://reachingoutwheninneed.blogspot.com/

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Bev G
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Facebook Username: Bev Golde
Location: Quechee, VT

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby Bev G » Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:40 am

Wat to go, and go and GO, Fletch. For so many, you ARE the light at the end of the tunnel!

I'm so glad you got to go, sans bears (even though they're really cute!)

Love,

Bev
58 yo Type1 DM 48 years
12/09 Stage IV 2/22 nodes + liver met, colon resec
3 tx FOLFIRI, liver resec 4/10
9/10 6 mos off chemo, Neg PET&CTC CEA nl
2/11 finished total 10 rounds chemo

9/13 ^17th clean PET/CT NED for now

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pollo65
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Facebook Username: pollo2
Location: central valley, calif

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby pollo65 » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:20 am

Thank you, thank you. I am glad you know that you are climbing for all of us vets.
pollo 65
CC 1/6/09
r. hemi-colectomy 1/7/09
32Ln biopsied, 28 positive
met to aorta
chemo 12 rounds
done 9/09 3 scans clear
1/11 1 met to aorta
micro cluster to peritoneum
4/11 / 9/11 scan clear
4/12 scan clear
10/12 scan clear
Iri+avastin
chemo break

SMR
Posts: 631
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:20 pm

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby SMR » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:23 am

Ski- that sounds simply amazing! Congrats, and continue to be a leader of good news on this board.
DH DX 10/11 st IV unkown prmry
FFOX 12/11
HIPEC 3/12
FFOX 5/12
7/12 FFIRI
12/12 xeloda
1/13 resection
2/13 FFIRI
4/13 5FU/Avastin
9/13 recurrence, failed surgery
Abdominal fistula
11/13 gemzar, heart attack
12/13 Carbo
2/14 Radiation
3/28/2014 passed

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BrownBagger
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Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
Location: Central NYS

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby BrownBagger » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:37 am

Awesome vids, Fletch. You look great.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.

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Anji
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Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:07 pm
Facebook Username: pray for larry edge
Location: Kentucky

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby Anji » Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:59 am

Love the videos! Keep on climbing and sharing.....
Anji
Wife to Larry, Stage IV Colon Cancer, with mets to liver
Diagnosed 1/10 at age 44
Folfiri + Avastin 2/10 to 7/10
Liver resection and ablation 9/10
Numerous mets to lung and liver 1/11
Folfox + Avastin 2/11 to 6/11
Folfiri + Vectibix 6/11 to ???

SoConfused
Posts: 1027
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:40 pm

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby SoConfused » Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:01 am

Glad you had a great time ... hope better days are ahead for everyone on this board.
Stage IV CC

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Guinevere
Posts: 3358
Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:19 pm
Location: NE TX

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby Guinevere » Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:51 am

Phuong wrote:Amazing. I know plenty of people who haven't gone through any of what you have endured that couldn't make that hike. Thank you for flipping off cancer! :twisted:

These were my thoughts exactly so I'm seconding them!! We all need inspiration and thank you for providing it, Ski!
Hrt atk - Feb 11
CRC4 DX - Apr 11
APR liver rsct, procto - Jul 11
Folfox/Avastin - Sep 11
Xeliri - Nov 11
Iritux - Jun 12
Break - Jan - Mar 13
Iritux - Mar 13
Stivarga - Aug 13
Folfiri - Oct 13
Exhausted treatment options - May 14

Patricia Ann
Posts: 168
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 8:24 pm
Facebook Username: Patti Flaig Stippich
Location: Wisconsin

Re: Bears = Avoided

Postby Patricia Ann » Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:14 am

SkiFletch,
You are truly an inspiration. Take that cancer!!!! And I must say, You are one handsome dude 8) - it's so nice to put a face with a name.
Thank you for the great story - I really enjoyed it. The scenery was just breathtaking.
Patti
Age 57 DX 6/07 Stage IIIC RC
Resection 7/07; 8/16 nodes
Folfox, 28 Rad Trtmnts w/5FU pump 24/7
NED 6/08
CT Scan 6/09, 6 mets to lungs Stage IV
Folfiri w/Avastan
Lung surg 2/10
Add'l mets to lung
Xeloda, Avastan & Oxi
Chemo stopped
Cyberknife


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