Meet the 2007 HFD Team Aileen Goss Andrea Hoffman Brianna McMullen Cindy Kiamko Cindy Vogelberger Clint Reach Deb Donofrio Ellen Brooks Erin Noseworthy  Greg Palmer Heather Mitchell Heidi Sowers  Jessica Koman Joel Shalowitz  Kate Brotman  Kate Greenberg Kendra Plemmons Kevin Pearson ‡ Kim Guercio Kyle Bray * Lisa Fronc * Lauren Allen † Olivia Darden Patti Harden ** Paula Finkelstein Terrill Esposito Tracy Kight Rosamaria Somarriba Samuel Somarriba

** Hike Leader * Mentor † LLS Staff ‡ Honorary Team Member

Hike Hero - Gary

A Hike Hero in the Hike For Discovery program is a person that is currently fighting a blood cancer. The members of each group hike in honor of this individual.

The Hike Hero for the Maryland Chapter is Gary Todd. He first discovered he had enlarged lymph nodes during a visit to the hospital after having chest pains during a hike in late November 2003. In June 2005 he began feeling tired and experiencing night sweats. At first he thought he was worrying unnecessarily because of his impending retirement the next year. However, after a number of tests it was diagnosed with Stage 4, Non-Hodgkin’s spleenic lymphoma.

Gary underwent a chemotherapy treatment in six cycles over eighteen weeks and on January 1, 2006 went into remission. Unfortunately in late March of 2006 he began to feel sick again and in mid-May he began treatment with Rituxin*. He has been diagnosed with chronic lymphoma and will be taking Rituxin every ninety days for at least the next two years.

www.HikeForDiscovery.org

Time of Hike: 9:00 AM
Distance Hiked: 5.0 Miles
Temp During Hike: Low 60.8 °F   High 68.0 °F
Elevation Change: 900 Ft

We returned to Sugarloaf Mountain hoping to get some views this time instead of the dense fog from last time and we were not disappointed. It was a perfect day for hiking; temperatures in the 60s and partly cloudy with a breeze. We shortened the hike this time to only 5 miles; we didn’t want to overdue it since we will be leaving for the Grand Canyon in just a couple weeks.

A large Rock Pile on one of
the minor peaks of
the Mountain

As expected, the views were fantastic. There are 3 overlooks along the trail we hiked. The first stop was White Rocks at around 800 feet in elevation. It offered a nice view of the farmlands below and the Appalachian Mountains in the distance. The second view was from the Bill Lambert Overlook located at 1000 feet in elevation just before the ascent to the top of the mountain. The view here was more North and this is where we stopped to eat lunch. After lunch we climbed another almost 300 feet to the top. The views from the top of the 1282 foot mountain were the most spectacular. The top is made up almost entirely of large rocks and cliffs with views to the West and North.

Everyone was in the same mood during the hike. Excited that we are almost done with our training and soon leaving for our big adventure in the Grand Canyon but at the same time surprised that the time has gone by so fast and a little sad that it all has to end. We have all gotten used to seeing each other for our weekend hikes, sharing ideas and keeping each other motivated. There is really something special about a group of people all dedicated to the same cause pushing to reach an important goal.

  About Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain is a Registered Natural Landmark and is privately owned by Stronghold, Incorporated; a non-profit corporation that was organized in 1946. The mountain is open for the public’s "enjoyment and education in an appreciation of natural beauty."

Sugarloaf came by its name because its shape reminded early hunters and pioneers of the sugar loaves common in those days. Throughout its history the mountain has seen millions of visitors, the earliest known map dates back to a Swiss explorer in 1707. Later Northern and Southern forces alternated in posting lookouts at its summit during the Civil War.

Geologically, it is known as a monadnock, a mountain that remains after the erosion of the surrounding land.

For more information visit:

• Our last HFD hike at Sugarloaf - Very Foggy
• Photos of Sugarloaf in the Summer
• Sugarloaf/Stronghold Official Site

  Photos

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