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| Waving to the last checkpoint before gaining the summit, Pat completes another Pikes Peak Challenge on September 14th, 2002 |
| "Survivors of brain injury, family members and community supporters start their assent up this magnificent 14,110-foot mountain at the base of Barr Trail In Manitou Springs, Colorado. Hikers crest the summit after 13.5 miles and 7400 vertical feet to the cheers of spectators and supporters" From the Pikes Peak Challenge website |
| Nine family members and supporters joined Pat in her challenge to reach the top of Pikes Peak for the second year. Her team, " 1 Step at A Time " started before dawn and climbed hard toward a treacherous summit. As the day progressed some teams turned back because of reports of ice and snow. Pat pressed on and the clouds parted just as her team reached timberline. Join us for a photo tour of the climb. Click on each thumbnails for enlarged pictures and details of the adventure. |
 Team Start |
 All smiles before sunrise |
 Dawn from the trail |
 Happiness is... a Team hike |
 2000 vertical down, 5,400 to go |
 Cousins talk before Barr Camp |
 Festive Greeting at Barr Camp check point |
Shelly and Drew,the newlywed team! |
 Drew and Shelly last of the aspens |
Pat & Pam at treeline |
 Near A frame checkpoint |
 Pat at "A Frame" best snack stop |
 13000 feet Rosie Cheeks |
 view at 1 mile, we see blue! |
 Greetings from the 1 mile (to go) check point |
 Summit Photo, Tired but happy! |
| Most of the group members were on the trail almost 11 hours with only brief rest stops. This was a difficult climb for everyone and we were constantly inspired by Pat's energy and strength. She had trained hard with Pam Cochran and Larry for the past months and her knee re-hab from surgery this spring was obviously successful. Because of some remaining balance issues Pat had to worker much harder than anyone else on the very difficult last two thousand feet. She did it and her "1 step at A Time" team enjoyed joining her in this huge effort. We are all looking forward to next year! The back story of this well organized event, not only Larry & Pat's neat team equipment, but the many men and women from the area military bases who staffed medical, water and transportation support along the way is yet to be told. The climb was hard but those who sat in snow and clouds at 14,000 feet to support the challenge members for much of the day were also heroes. We are hoping to add stories and some video from team members to this website in the coming days, send those stories to: Phil Huff |