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"

Friday, July 29, 2011

Into the Whites

We entered the White Mountain National Forest Tuesday one man short. Sabertooth's knee has bothered him since the beginning. The wear and tear of 1800 miles has taken it's toll. With a knee that wouldn't support his own weight Saber reluctantly headed home Monday afternoon. Our "fearless leader" is gone but we must push on. And push on we shall into the formidable white mountains of new Hampshire. These mountains will be our biggest test. Huge steep climbs topping out well above treeline, sharp knee splitting descents and unpredictable weather lies ahead. In the middle of the Whites is Mt. Washington. It boasts "the windiest weather on earth," the possibility of snow all year and stands some 6200 ft above sea level (highest mt. in the north east)
Walking into The White Mountains tuesday morning, it didn't take long to realize what we were up against. Mt. Moosilauke rose in front of us as we walked out of Glencliff NH. 3800 ft of elevation gain over 4 1/2 miles. The trail was rocky and steep the whole way up. As we neared the summit, we passed by the last twisted trees. Above tree line everything changes. Without the protection of the trees the wind was having it's way with us. The temperature had dropped considerably since leaving the base of the mountain. Clouds obscured any possibilities of views but I wasn't upset. The wind was cutting thru us like a knife. Not long after touching the summit and doing my best "predator scream" in Sabertooth's honor, I rushed back down to the safety of tree line.
The next week will be much like this. Working hard to break into the alpine zone, hiking above tree line then steep descent down into low gaps. Fingers are crossed the weather will be good!
Posted by at

1 comment:

  1. CharliJuly 29, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    So sorry about Saber:( I know you all will miss him and he will miss you guys too. We really enjoyed meeting him at the camp. I hope he is feeling better soon. Your doing great, keeping on climbing!! You guys are on the last leg. You can do it, you have made it this far. I am very proud of you!! See you tomorrow on the trail.
    Love You.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)