August 2019 – Fox and Burrow Journey to End MS

Look At US!

August 25, 2019August 25, 2019 by Erin

A huge shout out to all those who responded to my last post and rallied to help meet (and SUCCEED) Koreen and David’s $10,000 fundraising goal! You did it! They did it!

We will CRUSH MS together!

If I had access to all the names of each of the donors, I’d thank you personally. But know that YOU, and all of the supporters, that have backed this dynamic duo along the way are WELL appreciated. I knew we could do it, I’m proud to be apart of such an encouraging and engaged group of advocates, and I can’t wait to hear from the couple personally when they see how generous you have all been!

Unfortunately that personal recognition will have to be sweetly anticipated, because our MS power team are currently traversing the “100 Mile of Wilderness” portion of the Appalachian Trail, and it could be a while before they are able to properly check in.

Until then, we have upped the ante and raised their goal another $5,000. Because why stop now? And because they still have half the Appalachian Trail to conquer!

You are all amazing, and they certainly couldn’t do what they do without you.

During this stint of the hike, Rabbit and Greyhound (Koreen and David) will have even less contact with the outside world then before. As they cross over the northern most point of their journey that, you guessed it, is made up of 100 miles of trail. Of that 100 miles, they will be without any pit stops or towns to resupply in. That means they have to be prepared to hike the full 100 miles on what they have on their backs as they enter into this section of their hike. All of there tenacity, training, and hard work thus far has prepared them well for this formidable portion of the trail. Because if you can’t hike 10 miles a day, carrying at least a 40 lb pack, including 10 days of food supply, or be prepared to eat toads (just kidding that’s just Dave), than you’re not ready for this round of the dice game. As always, Rabbit and Greyhound are at the mercy of Mother Nature’s whim. It’s bound to rain, there may be bears, and if you truly want to start panicking about their well-being, check out this lovely side note of a blog post, 5 Dangers That Could Kill You Hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness.

The AT does not mess around with their “BEWARE” signs …

But don’t worry too much. This is one of the busiest times to hike this portion of the trail, so there will be plenty of folks around should something go wrong. Hopefully. This however, will also have its own pro’s and con’s. Some sections of the trail may be busy, especially the shelters and campsites. So they will have to plan their day wisely and get to the shelters early, or be willing to tent it. But, it also means they will be adding to their growing list of “Tramily” (trail family), so we’ll get to see some great new faces and get a kick out of each of their trail names.

So, yes. Pro’s and Con’s.

(Let’s hope Greyhound can “con” their way into a sleeping space inside the shelters more often than not.)

Here’s their last message from a few days ago as they crossed over the Bigelow Mountain.

Thanks again for all your continued support.

As always, take advantage of the opportunity to support Koreen and David in their fight against MS by donating here.

A Challenge To You

August 17, 2019 by Erin

It has been … 110 days, since these two amazing souls have embarked upon their quest to hike the Appalachian Trail. This trip was not a bucket list item, it wasn’t to prove they could do it, and it certainly was NOT a retirement plan. This adventure was set forth for the singular purpose of raising funds, in support of the research, to end the world of the crippling disease, Multiple Sclerosis.

And one hell of a job they are doing.

We’ve followed along as they have plunged their way through the wilderness, one mile at a time. Each story bringing us closer to them, and bolstering our admiration of their commitment and dedication to each other, and to their cause.

As they are steps away from reaching the half way point of this flip flop thru hike (and currently out of touch in the 100 miles of wilderness in Maine), I put forth a challenge to their followers …

As of today, Koreen and David have raised an impressive $9,334 of their lofty $10,000 goal.

To that I say, Thank You. And Thank You. And Thank you. It amazes me what we can do when we combine the giving hearts of soo many generous souls.

My challenge however is thus:

Can we as a community of supporters, pull from our collective resources and surprise them by capping off this goal before these two have the chance to pass their 1095 mile (and half way point of their 2190 mile long journey)!?

To this, I supply a resounding YES. I whole heartedly believe we can. I also whole heartedly believe it would be the best way for us to congratulate them on their success and to kickstart them into the rest of their journey.

So please, consider today the day you choose to put in your donation, or add to the one you’ve already made! Without sounding too much like a televised prompt (but also taking a page out of their book), consider that a donation could be as simple as $5. Because it would only take 133 of us to forego our coffee or latte today and instead use that $5 to donate toward this awesome couple, for them to reach that goal. Heck. Let’s be bold. Let’s surpass it!

Now, they would never ask this blatantly on their own. They know that you care. That you give what you can when you can, and in any way that you can. I however am shameless enough to ask this boldly on their behalf! Let’s make this happen! Throw a coffee their way. (I’m sure they wish they could also have the real thing.)

And Thank You, also on their behalf, for all that you have already done, for all your continued support, and all the loving ways you show it.

As always, take advantage of the opportunity to support Koreen and David in their fight against MS by donating here.

Another Mile in The Name of MS

August 14, 2019August 14, 2019 by Erin

“We made it through the famous Mahoosuc Notch and up the Mahoosuc Arm. The notch is known as the most difficult OR the most fun mile of the AT, making your way through, around and under a huge jumbled pile of boulders. The Arm is one of the steepest continuous climbs on the AT. After making it through the Notch, the three of us voted it fun, but the SLOWEST mile of the trail!” – Koreen (Rabbit)

Rabbit and Greyhound have made it unscathed through the Presidential and Carter-Moriah Ranges of New Hampshire. They crossed their 900 mile mark on August 5th, and are now well into their path through Maine. There are more adventures to come, and while a lot of the climbing challenges are over, they are still on their way through the notable 100 mile wilderness of ME, followed by the intense climb of Katahdin Mountain, and sooner than you know they will have hit their half way point! Keep them in your thoughts and send them extra love in the next few days so they can feel the support along the way.

As always, take advantage of the opportunity to support Koreen and David in their fight against MS by donating here.

Out of the Whites and into the Wildcats

August 11, 2019August 11, 2019 by Erin

The White Mountains of the AT, apart of the Presidential Range, are nothing short of gorgeous and provide for some pretty spectacular views. They are also no joke and require a lot of heart and grit by AT hikers to cross over. For example, known for some of the worst weather on Earth, Mt. Washington at 6288 feet is home to the highest recorded wind record at 231 mph! Average wind power at it’s peak is 35 mph and it is covered by clouds 55% of the time, with snow falling every month of the year. Rabbit and Greyhound didn’t make a big fuss as they where reporting in, but check out this description of the Whites to get a good idea of what our power couple just plowed through.

I mean, when you see a sign like this … any sane person would start to second guess …

Included below, are some innocent pics of the Cog Railroad that Rabbit and Greyhound came across during the hike of Mt. Washington. They have not admitted to it (and picture proof could have them held to charges for it), but I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both of them took part in this AT tradition of Mooning the Cog.

The most notable summits of the White Mountains are named after American Presidents, i.e. Mt. Washington, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Monroe, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Quincy Adams. Of which, Koreen and David will have to label for us later from these photos they shared. For now, simply enjoy some of the beautiful views they have been witness to that prove that some of this hard work is worth the reward.

After their exhausting but satisfying trek through the White Mountains, Rabbit and Greyhound underwent an equally taxing adventure of the the Wildcat Mountain. This Mountain is apart of the Carter-Moriah Range, and is actually made up of multiple peaks, conveniently labeled, A, B, C, D, and E. Here David and Koreen are atop Peak E at 4046 feet, one of many 4k mountain peaks our daring hikers summited during their trails of the NH mountain ranges.

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) generously maintain multiple huts or tent sites along this portion of the trail. Some of which are like remote mountain hotels. Here a few AT hikers are selected daily to Work For (their) Stay, and Koreen and David have been picked a few times. It’s a pretty good gig. After you put in a couple hours of hard work (of which, thanks to Schlotzsky’s, David has been well prepared for) you earn a free nights sleep and a piece of the pie (part of the meal they helped prepare for the paying guests). And while I don’t believe a big enough piece of pie exists to convince David to spend any amount of hours laboring in a Schlotztky’s again, here are some pictures of them being put to more welcomed labor at one of the AMC huts. Also, doesn’t David look great in yellow?

There is more than 300 miles of mountain terrain the AMC helps to maintain. You can see some of the trail maintenance being undergone below, of which much of the proceeds earned by the AMC helps provide. It’s good hearted people and organizations like this that keep the Appalachian Trail alive and safe for these adventurous hikers.