Amyloidosis‏

In 2007 my father, Dennis Blake, was diagnosed with a rare blood disease, Amyloidosis. After years of battling the disease, the correct diagnosis was finally given less then a week before he passed. Amyloidosis is a rare blood disease that can affect one or more organs when abnormal deposits of the amyloid protein are produced. It is debilitating and life threatening. The disease meant nothing to my family weeks before we first heard the word, and then it defined the rest of our lives. It is only in the last 25 years that physicians have started to understand the disease. I have been hiking the Appalachian trail for a little more then a month. Hiking 8 to 12 hours a day, I have had plenty of time to think of my father and what kind of differences I could make in his name. I would love to make this epic adventure about more then myself. The amyloidosis foundation's mission is to increase education and awareness in hopes that it will lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment. My goal is to raise $1,000 in the name of my father. I have roughly 200 miles left. Just one penny per mile adds up to $20 when I complete the trail of 2,000 miles. If anybody would like to donate a small amount per every mile I complete, then I am confident that I can reach my goal. Here are the directions and the page link for the donations: Check "In memory of" and add my father's name "Dennis Blake"

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Long day today! Hiked 14 miles today across some tough terrain. Cold, muddy and wet most of the day. So happy to be in Russell field shelter! Bluegrass got the fireplace rockin but we can still see our breath in here and it's sleeting outside now. Probably wake up to some snow! Last temp reading was 34! Rocky top mt. tomorrow
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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Nantahala River to Fontana Dam

3 days out of Nantahala we walked into Fontana this morning. It was 28 miles of steep terrain, thru old growth poplar, maple, hemlock and oak forest. The mountain sides are sprouting white and purple wildflowers everywhere. We spent the days scrambling across rock falls, spring fed streams and hiking high on ridges. Yesterdays climb up "jacobs latter" was tough, 800 ft over 1/4 mile. The views have been obscured by fog most of the time. but on Tuesday morning when we reached the highest mountain tops we popped thru a blanket of clouds that was covering the valley floor, only the highest peaks were visible.

Tonight we are staying at the "Fontana Hilton." its defiantly one of the nicer shelters I've seen. But I'll still be closing my mummy bag tight tonight. The mice in these things are brave. Last nights stay at Rock Bridge shelter I heard mice scurrying under the floor all night. We try to avoid shelters but when it's raining they are a welcome sight.

We enter the SmokyMts tomorrow. 75 miles of tough hiking. They contain the highest summit on the A.T. Clingmans Dome(6630 ft) I've heard the bears in the park are becoming more of a problem. They are not hunted in the national park and many have learned that campers carry food. Theres also a good chance of snow and subfreezing temps thru mid April. No worries though! Just received new down jacket via mail-drop from my wonderful girlfriend. So tomorrow, Bluegrass, Shutter, Squirrel, Sabertooth(Sgt. Slaughter) and I head into the great Smoky mountains. We've heard about a fire tower a mile off trail we can camp in and have the best sunrise in the smokies. That is if the rangers don't catch us! Wish us luck! Resupply in 7 days

I'll try and post pics when I get some decent service!

Sent from my iPhone

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Monday, March 28, 2011

Stayed in my bag till nearly 10 this morning! Forgot what it was like to sleep in. The rain eventually let up but the fog blocked all the views on our way to Locust Cove campsite. 9 mile day. Slacking big time, 15 miles tomorrow! Livin the dream!
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Well it's raining and cold....I refuse to leave this sleeping bag until the sun comes out!
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Sunday, March 27, 2011

Back to the woods!

Well, finished the laundry, resupply is done, mailed package home, and ate the biggest cheeseburger I could find. There's nothing left to do but hop back on the A.T. The six mile hike straight up to our campsite on the Swim Bald will be slow as usual after a taste of civilization. There's rain in the forecast but were not to worried. It's just a short three day trip to Fontana Dam for resupply before the formidable Smokie Mountains.
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To blog or not to Blog?!

It seems I underestimated the intrest in my daily progress on the trail. I know everyone at home is following Buschs blog and He dedicates LOTS of time to it out here. Ive decided I will try to keep everyone posted on my personal experience out here. I'm not sure I will be able to post as much as Shutter(Busch) but I will try my best! Thanks for all the support, it keeps me going on the hard days!
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