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"

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

Posted by at

4 comments:

  1. CourtneyMarch 31, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Miss u bro!! Glad u got ur jacket :) I'm envious of the visions your writing about, they sound breath taking! Take it all in and remember life is short! Oh yeah-and don't feed the bears lol xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. anneMarch 31, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    perfect! thats just right!! keep it real, keep it u and you'll have no worries. thanks for the opportunity to follow along. everyone here is so enjoying it!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. michelleMarch 31, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Sounds incredible! I can't wait to see pictures :) Stay safe! We love to get these updates too btw!

    ReplyDelete
  4. LesterMarch 31, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    Great Post, Red Oak. We enjoy reading about your fabulous journey and the spectacular scenery. Hope you stay dry and warm with your new jacket. Anxious to hear about fire tower experience. LTA

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)