No Limits

2011-11-26T18:56:00.001-08:00

Make Sure it's Inspiring

As we near the end of November, I am reminded that besides being a month focused on turkey, leftover turkey (and even some pardoned turkeys) some extra days off and giving Thanks, I cannot forget that this is also diabetes awareness month.

The 'I Challenge Diabetes' race team at the Canadian Death Race

An excellent time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of diabetes prevention and control. With nearly 26 million children and adults in America living with diabetes, and another 79 million at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, the disease is taking a devastating physical, emotional and financial toll on our country.

Pumps Rock at the No Limits Sitka Sound Adventure Swim post swim dinner

Yet, most Americans don't consider diabetes a serious matter. They feel it is someone else's responsibility; someone else's problem. That someone else, just happens to include me. I am one of the 26 million. That bit of news hit me 36ish years ago. I had rocket high blood sugar (in the 500+ range), felt like I was in the walking dead club and got that very unwelcome news that I not only had diabetes but I somehow am striving for extra credit, with Type 1 diabetes, a lifetime chronic disease.

This tidal wave of news had a deep impact on me, of course, but also touched the core of the Nevins family. This disease would affect each member in the family in different ways. I am forever thankful for my loving and adaptable family and the support they have showered me with.

Our film, created on a kayak adventure, to inspire others

It made all the difference.

Receiving the Reifenstuhl Award for promoting community wellness

"Your life is your message to the world. Make sure it's inspiring."

~Lorrin L. Lee

I stumbled across this quote during late night Facebook manuevers. Life with diabetes has been a challenge but it has also been a truly amazing ride. I have chosen to chase and spread "inspiration".

Make sure you do the same.

Our sky diving event

Grinding Up Mt. Hamel

2011-10-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

Grinding Up Mt. Hamel

This is Canada:

Really good people reside here. Jaime said it best, "Canadians aren't faking, they really ARE that nice"
Overuse of the term eh!
An obsession with hockey, curling and Tim Horton's. Tim Horton's website sadly informs me that I am 253.5 miles from the nearest Tim Horton's (Whitehorse, Yukon Territory)
Creation of some rather cruel races
Home to the Canadian Death Race

My feet on Canadian soil, I was headed off to one of my more unique adventures. The Canadian Death Race is set on a stunningly beautiful course. The wilderness of Canada, the lofty mountains, glass blue lakes and a thick blanket of forest just screams, Adventure! The race is 125 kilometers and touches the sky while summiting three peaks. Using the conversion factor, a kilometer equals: extremely hilly, muddy and pain to follow. Using the complex conversion factor indicates that rain is a must. Eh!!!

I Challenge Diabetes - Team Shot

The route from the start line to our sleeping bags back at Tent City would scramble our two teams of 5 and two solo runners over hill and dale. Hill would be the insufficient, lacking term, that really means mountains, lofty peaks that this race makes no effort to avoid. The 3 summits tagged in the death race equate to over 17,000 feet of elevation gain

Dale (Tuck) would be the race founder and C.E.O. of Canadian Institute of Extreme Racing. With a title like that, and the creation of an event known as the Death Race, need I say more?

Starting the trek up Mt. Hamel

I was racing on the "I Challenge Diabetes" team. This is an organization created by Chris Jarvis (a Canadian Olympic Rower with Type 1 diabetes) for people with Type 1 diabetes. We had 2 relay teams of 5 and 2 solo racers. A truly amazing group of people. Inspiration has a home. We were here to inspire others with diabetes and to continue living the adventure that defines who we were. We had cool race shirts and we had diabetes and we were soon to become death racers....

I was on the 4th leg of the race and had much of the day to rivet into race mode. I went over my vital, required gear list, my recommended gear list, and my necessary diabetes items. Prepared for most everything except a Moose attack, I was off to the transition zone.

A team that planks together....Igor!

Late afternoon, the first drops fell from the heavens. Within a few minutes, Marco completed leg 3 with a hand off of the official timing chip and race coin. That coin would be payment for Anne's shuttle across the Hell's Gate Canyon, at the confluence of the Smokey and Sulphur Rivers. I am guessing that the ferryman is not in a very pleasant mode if you arrive without the required coin.

Game time and off I rambled. To work for a magical view means that you climb like hell. I would have about 5,000 feet of gain within 6 miles, before I reached the top of Mt. Hamel. It was quite the grind but well worth it. There were even nice Canadians running, hiking and crawling along the route. Suffering, but still nice.

One of my favorite quotes from the race came from Heather when she shared to the team one of our experiences.....that you all got to experience a real "Albertan summer" (rain, sun, wind, cold, sort of warm all within the same hour). I lived the Albertan summer experience only to find that the experience would evolve into 5+ more hours of rain

Grand Cache from Mt. Hamel

I was running well as I headed down Hamel. A heinous climb meant that there had better be a long, long downhill. Unbelieveable sights as we wove our way down the rugged terrain. Hamel Loop conquered, I zagged past the aid station and loaded up on H20 and began the last 6 miles to the end of this leg. Inventory time: H20 - check, food - check, working headlight - ok, not really, so I pulled out headlight #2 - check, trekking poles ------------------------trekking poles - uncheck. Yea dude, the expensive trekking poles you borrowed. Back up the hill to the aid station for poles and evidently to make up some wild dream that I needed more mileage on top of about 23 already.

For lack of a way to verbalize that sound that a insulin pump makes when it is not happy and there are issues, beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep, beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep, you get the idea. I had a dead pump and deader than dead continous glucose monitor system. Error message on the pump informed me that it was now retired and the latest victim of the 'death' race. Thank goodness that I was within about 1 hour of finishing and that I was spending my weekend with a bunch of people with type 1 diabetes, and extra pumps.

Time chip and race coin handed off to Anne, rain crashing down, mud pits beginning to swallow runners whole. It was near midnight, I was cold, soggy wet, blood sugar was creeping upward and I knew that this was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

You must live in the present...

2011-03-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

picture that Trever gave me after the kayak trip

A large framed picture adorns my cluttered office space. It is the picture above, while three kayak warriors camped at beautiful DeGroff Bay during our amazing 2010 No Limits Destination Alaska Sea Kayak Expedition. Those who know me, probably know that I plant inspirational and meaningful images in my living and work areas. This surprising gift was compliments of wisdom from Henry David Thoreau and the kind thoughtfulness and checkbook of fellow kayaker, bungee jumper, adventurer and card carrying diabetic, Trever Alters. Trev joined guide Scott Harris (Latitude Adventures) and myself on the kayak journey that took us into some secluded waters of Alaska.

Trev and I had crossed paths, amazingly, through bungee jumping when my casa resided in Boise, Idaho. He understands that people with diabetes can lead incredible and adventurous lives. And he lives and breathes it (scuba diving in Puerto Rico in two weeks is another confirmation!). He was a key component to No Limits and our many unique events. Bungee jump and sky diving fund raisers, an adventure racing team, rock climbing, ultramarathons, it was a grand time. Henry David Thoreau sought to rise above common thought and ideas. He would have smiled at our lifestyles.

While I was stoked to receive a lasting memory of our incredible 4 day kayak journey near Sitka, Alaska, it was the Henry David Thoreau quote that made the gift primo.

"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your element in each moment".

perfect. Thanks Trev.

Trever in Nakwasina Sound

A very non-scientific ratio that is in my notes from the trip and which I cannot prove or disprove, but I had noted that this year's weather was 234% better than the 09 trip of weather horror. Yes, we survived in 2009 and a bloody well yes, we had a good time but Miss Mother Nature was beasty at times.

This year the animals came out to play. Lots of them. This is Alaska! The critter log:

Grizzly Bears - 4

Eagles - vast quantity

Harbor Seal - at least 1

Mink - 1

Commorants - ok I am not a bird person so don't know the count

Porpoise- 1

Sea Lions - a few of the big guys

Jelly Fish - enough for any horror film

Jelly fish touch contest - many close encounters

Trever explores the Neoga near Hallack Point

I set up the video cam to allow each person an opportunity to share their thoughts on the trip, life, diabetes, current girl fiascos, etc. It was just the cam and their thoughts meeting on the shore as daylight slowly faded.

Much after the trip, life settled a bit and I made way to view the footage collected from an excursion awash with excellent company, stories and many kodak moments.

Before the trip, Trever had shared that he was excited about kayaking and that he had wanted to come visit me and to see the Last Frontier. I knew that he had just returned from a trip from Hawaii and in the back of my mind I was slightly jealous of a summer that included Hawaii and Alaska. Little did I know....

As darkness crept foward and the sea slowly lapping the shoreline of DeGroff Bay, Trev would share his angle on life as a person with diabetes, Alaska, etc. The footage rolled forward but Trev took a left turn from his usual fun, optimistic, humorous mood. He would bare his emotions as he dug deep to share the recent loss of his brother Nate. Nate had been hit by a car on March 18, 2010. Trever had planned on visiting him in Hawaii in May or June but that would never happen. He made the trip despite Nate's passing, as a memorial. He spent most of his time in Hawaii hanging out with Drew, Nate's closest friend. The Alaska trip was good timing for Trev as he had to deal with Nate's death amongst other circumstances that made the year a challenge. It is my guess that Trever did not want to share the tough details of what he was going through so that it would not hover or drag down our trip.

My heart fell.

Photo by Scott Harris

In the 35 miles of sea that we paddled through, we explored a shipwreck, went snorkeling, beachcombing, exploring, ate some incredible feasts created by Scott, our great cook/guide, compiled footage for a future film, saw animals galore, managed to get growled at by a bear, tree climbing and absorbing information on diabetes and the great outdoors, in a classroom called Alaska.

We did our best at living in the present....

launching ourselves on every wave.......

finding our element in each moment..... May it continue for a life time.

Scott and I are working on our the next expedition which will be July 16-19 (with a possible extension to July 21). If you are interested and have diabetes or are involved in diabetes care please consider joining us. Contact me at runalaska@yahoo.com.

L to R - me, Scott Harris, Trever Alters at DeGroff Bay ps- Trever is living in the present as he spent this last weekend in remembering Nate. He traveled to Boise, Idaho to unite with family and friends as it was the 1 year anniversary of the accident.

Inspiration, Caving and a Montrail hat

2011-02-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

Inspiration to write can come from many sources. Usually an approaching deadline seems to encourage me to slap words onto a page. A buzzing due date forces me to put on the writing cap (currently a Montrail hat worn backwards). These ugly deadlines seem to arrive when I am at my busiest, laziest or least creative status. Or to make my life way more interesting; all of the factors come together to create the perfect storm. But deadlines do work. I am basically dead with lines to put on blank pieces of paper. I was dwelling at the minimum allowable quota of writing inspiration so when PBS aired a program about caving onto the airways, I was inspired.

I spent many years living in Tucson, Arizona, just a hop, skip and a rappel, from a screamingly large amount of passageways that see very little traffic. I often dwell to the crazy trips we made. I still have planted in my mind my second journey into the depths, suspended about 20 feet above the cave floor, working my way along a ledge that was so small that we were jamming our knees into the jagged limestone wall, inching along the wall with each handhold I could secure. This was at the beginning of one of the most spectacular and technical caves in Arizona.

Clinging to walls, zipper tight passages, technical ropework and 15 hour journeys into the bowels of the earth were not the norm. Most trips were for the faint of heart, hanging out with great friends and exploring. Exploration took us along the ridges of limestone looking for any place that a “normal” human being would rather avoid. The true highlight of our caving world was finding caves that we did not know about. A few of these had never been entered or had only entertained a few lucky souls. We exercised extreme caution in this delicate world of speleothems. A speleo universe of soda straws, cave pearls, stalactites, stalacmites, flowstone, baconstrips, columns, cave popcorn and helictites.

Having T1 diabetes and spending vast amounts of time in the underground arena are not what the doctor or the parents recommend. I hit the subterranean zone well prepared with xtra food, sugar cubes, glucagon, insulin/syringes (for myself and a set for someone else to carry), blood glucose monitor and I shuffled some cubes/food to others in the party. I give many diabetes 101 speeches to alert those who were in the adventure zone.
What an amazing time in life!

Tina Carson on rappel

Finding Adventure at Work?

2010-10-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

Finding Adventure at Work?

What do you get when you mix adventure with work? As a rule of thumb, I usually escape work to get out of town to locate the needed realm of adventure. In my long list of occupations I have managed to track down one job where I was paid for adventure. After a long duration in Tucson, Arizona, I was seeking a change in routine and life for me and the family as I jumped online to find what opportunity had in store for us. I came across a job listing that caused me to laugh. Bicycle Messenger? No, not a listing for Chicago, New York, or some other huge cement jungle. Shaking my head, I found myself heading north to Boise, Idaho with the prospect of my new career(?) being the driving force. Ok, maybe a short lived career. Does someone in their mid 30’s, married with a child, with diabetes make a major move to be a Bicycle Messenger? Haha guess at least one of us does. The manager, Tealdo, even held the job till I could arrive.

I would find myself as the only bicycle messenger in town. I worked for Fleet Street Couriers, a courier company that made deliveries via the automobile with one lone dude on a bike. This was a September arrival so fall and winter were looming for this unprepared desert rat. I will note that it does help one’s transition into a new climate when you are in the elements most of the day. I can largely credit this occupation as being a key step toward my transition into becoming a spastic gear junkie. One confession out of the way. The transition had taken me from my desert attire to a world of microfleece, gore tex , synthetic layering, booties, lined gloves and a thermos to carry the necessary caffeine and a very large courier bag that I soon found could carry a granormous amount of "stuff".

I am looking over a small, tidy pile of notes I had taken during the courier season as I waited for urgent calls to to send me in 4 directions at the same time. Seems to be that most of notes them were taken during the memorable winter zone. Imagine that? As I scan a page of the courier lifestyle, it is 9:03am on an overcast day in January and snow is forecasted for the evening. Weather had been a real fascination of mine, especially since I had spent many years in the lightening zapped, monsoon skies of the Southwest. I soon adapted morning sessions with the weather radio predicting whether Dave would get seriously cold, frostbitten, drenched, hit by lightening, blown off the road by raging winds, or wilt in 100+ degree heat. Mother Nature...will you be my friend today? Further down the notes, I read that it is 1:30pm and the snow had unleashed, and my day had become way more interesting, and slippery, but I am so very glad to be out pushing the pedals and being removed from 4 walls, lousy lighting and emails messages screaming my name.

The jumbled notes and my memory bank would reveal a time in life that was new, unique and exciting. What a cool job? Dang that was awesome, but there were some really tough, weary and drag down demanding days.
The toughest days were the days that I was sick or feeling the dome of sickness crowding my little world. Rugged times for a sick and weak courier on 2 wheels. Especially when your work day on the bike would cover 25-50 miles. Much of the mileage was delivering "Rush" deliveries.
Point A to Point B as fast as I could pedal with there often being a pick-up and delivery to Points C,D,E,F already lined up. The other grinding days were when the blood sugars were difficult, or impossible. Glancing through my notes I had described an unusual day with strange weather. My next line referenced that my blood sugar was on a parallel line with the weather. Ugly, non-sympathetic and out of season. The challenges of diabetes.

I would see all of the glory of Boise’s four seasons as my days as a bicycle messenger ended one year after I had arrived on the scene for a job that would challenge me and reward a person with diabetes who wanted adventure, found it, got paid for it, and brought diabetes along for the ride.

1 Stage, 3005 miles and a pillow waiting for me back in Sitka

2010-10-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

1 Stage, 3005 Miles, and a Pillow waiting for me back in Sitka

The Race Across America (RAAM) is considered by many to be the most difficult bicycle race on the planet(If you are seeking adventure and tremendous suffering this may be the event for you). When the cyclists roll out of Oceanside, California the stopwatch will not stop until they cross the line in Annapolis, Maryland. Pedaling east, the 3,005 mile stage will include over 100,000 feet of climbing, temperatures that can range from freezing to 105+ degrees, physical exhaustion, illusions, wicked weather and yes, a major overdose of insomnia.

This past summer was my third RAAM as a crew member. It is a very novel way to spend a vacation. So much for a normal holiday time on the beach. Our RAAM train will zip through 14 states, take lots of cool pictures, assist heroes on bikes, make new friends, promote a cause and stash some wonderful memories en route. The crews are a vital link for the riders survival. We take care of the details so that they can crank the pedals 24 hours a day.

Team Type 2 consisted of eight riders with Type 2 diabetes. Eight dedicated, determined men cycling with a mission & a purpose. There would also be a Team Type 1 with cyclists who had Type 1 diabetes. I am hard wired to the cause of both teams as I have Type 1 diabetes and run events through my diabetes adventure group – No Limits.

This year was the largest field ever. 30 solo riders and 210 racers on 39 teams. 19 countries were represented. Solo riders found some of the worst weather in RAAM history as storms seemed to follow them across the country. On the other hand, teams, which left 2 days after the solos, were blessed with excellent weather.

For the solo crusaders, if you choose to sleep then you are losing time to the competition. Grinding the pedals for 22 hours a day is not unusual for the soloists. The teams are able to alternate riders and snatch a little bit of zzzzzz’s, but as the RAAM t shirt so aptly states, “This Ain’t No Tour”. 24/7 for the crew and the cyclists who a putting their sweat and heart on the pavement of backroads America while dealing with a rather challenging disease.
Our crew, assembled from all parts of the country, gathered in Oceanside, CA for a crash course in RAAM 101. Not stated, but soon to be evident, it would not be unlikely to piece together only about 20 hours of sleep during the week that we are bouncing down the roads. It is a challenging task, but it is an opportunity that I cherish and I will catch up on some sleep………later.

19 crew members, all volunteering their time, seems like a small army but we are all on the game board as the pieces move along the route. We all have important tasks to do that need to happen. In the 5 vehicle procession there are drivers, navigators, a massage therapist, 3 nutritionists, a crew chief and many assorted, vital tasks to be done by all to make the race as doable for the troopers of Team Type 2.
Team Type 1 would win the 8 man category for the fourth time in 5 years with a time of 5 days 10 hours and 48 minutes. Team Type 2 would span the country in 7 days 14 hours and 53 minutes. Just behind the time posted in 2009, but just ahead of the dog chase that was created by the 8 man team Friar’s Club who were nipping at our heels and tires. 3005 miles and it was decided by 2 minutes. This definitely ain’t no tour. Not a chance.

Hey, I Don't Have to Swim if I am the Race Director

2010-03-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

(Lake Tahoe)

Last November I stood on the banks of beautiful Lake Tahoe. I was taken by the setting and was thankful for this quick escape from the business world and meetings that were awaiting me back in Reno. Some deep breaths, a few snaps of the camera, site seeing, some monstrous pine cones thrown in my bag and we scrambled back on the bus to roll back to Reno. I was unsettled. My own scrambled mind filled with goals, dreams and plans of Dan Baier and myself to run around the Lake Tahoe the previous August.

This dream settled atop my dream bank a few years ago and this past summer, reality and some suffering were due to take us 165 miles around the lake in 8 days. The run was to have started in King's Beach, California, where I had stood just a few minutes ago and the view of a dream that had dissolved.

As the Tahoe Run loomed, an injury to my left knee had called my name. Loud and Clear. I can be a stubborn, determined person who has learned that diabetes can be demanding. To achieve some of my goals I have to possess a mind-set that goes well beyond demanding.

As the injury screamed at me and began to curse at me, I developed an agonizing limp and I realized that that strong determination was not going to sail me through 25 mile, rugged and difficult days in the Sierra's. The white surrender flag went up and the dream was shelved.

A trot around Lake Tahoe for diabetes, has been re-assigned to my "bucket list" but for the time being that bucket appears to have a hole in it. My story will transcend from the trails in the Sierra's to the 54 degree water in Sitka Sound via an ultra swimmer by the name of Claudia Rose. I would learn about Claudia and her proposed swim across Sitka Sound from John Dunlap, who would provide boat support, Ralph, would follow her in kayak support, Al would be her moral support, Claudia would provide 4.5 hours of swim strokes and I would provide some pictures and an open canvas to continue to etch new experiences.

(Claudia Rose on her swim across Sitka Sound)

Those 5 months of knee assault, averaging 2 miles of running a month, were probably the most difficult time in my life. I would move on (with a limp) and unbeknownst to me, this swim across Sitka Sound would open some doors and present some opportunities that were very different for this adventure seeker. Whether I was able to run or not. Living outside the box and outside the brain.

Ok, watching someone swim for 4.5 hours is not super exciting. Inside Dave's mind though I am thinking "this is amazing!". Endurance-based, 54 degree water, numerous jelly fish stings, no wet suit, 8.5 miles of cold conditions, shifting current . How awesome and impressive is this! I am forever an endurance junkie but for those who might ask, "Hey, I don't have to swim if I am the race director". And I could not. I don't swim. Period.

This swim lane has opened up and I am excited to offer a new event for the world swim community. This is a new experience for me. I seek crazy, unique, ridiculously long, challenging, out-there events to get involved with. This swim covers all the bases and is for a great cause, diabetes. No Limits will put the swim on while the American Diabetes Association will host the race and be the beneficiary.

Claudia has helped immensely with details and I have hooked up with the only other open water swim in Alaska (that I am aware of), the Pennock Island Challenge in Ketchikan. Race Director, Willie Schulz has been very helpful in assisting this new race director.

The Sitka Sound Adventure Swim is 6.2 miles and will be held on August 8, 2010. I am thinking now of actually acting outside the box, outside the brain and donning a pair of goggles. Information on the swim are at www.sitkaadventureracing.org.

Can You Pick Me Up Some Climbing Boots?

2009-10-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

From Camp Schurman, Mt. Rainier

It is another amazing weekend in Sitka, Alaska. I am a world away and a pile of years removed from this story. I have a major swim race to organize but the guilt demons are rattling my cage and many years later I think it is finally time to jot this story into print. My final reminder was the picture above, which I posted yesterday as my FaceBook profile pic. My story sits at 14,440 feet, an icon of the Seattle horizon. I spent half of my growing up with the glorious image of Mt. Rainier out our front window. I would step out the door, glare at the peak, think cool, someday....and make a mad sprint to catch the bus.

Not the highest lump of rock and ice on the globe, nor the most technical, scaling Mt. Rainier is still a worthy goal and the mountain is an excellent site for climbers who have Himalayan Peaks on their agenda. Rainier is the largest single-peak glacier system in the lower 48 states. Over 35 square miles of ice and 26 officially named glaciers. It is also the highest peak in the 48 conterminous states.

Lacking notes from my 4 trips on Rainier and a memory that actually retains little, I am promising a short blog entry.

Timing can be everything in life and my first attempt at Rainier would be a glaring example of lousy timing. My high school cross country team, headed by Archie Blakely would decide to

take on the challenge of Rainier. I thought I might approach my folks, get a kind denial and I would go on to the next adventure. Didn't quite happen that way as I stated my case, the fact that none of my friends had died climbing Mt. Rainier and that if I could find my teen bucket list, I was sure it was on there, somewhere. 3 days before the climb I would get the green light. Yes, 3 days to train, I don't think so. 3 days to pack, scout down gear and come up with a game plan with my doctor on dealing with the climb and diabetes. This last measure was done with a lot of ???? and one more ?. It was new territory, climbing with diabetes. Bigger issue at the moment was gear. I had kmart gear. Yes, I had issues. Surprised the climbing group didn't "show" me the first crevasse we came across. Also lacking were climbing boots. Never fear, I gave someone some money to rent a pair of boots from REI (I was unable to escape school for this). Who climbs a major mountain in a pair of rented, untried boots? Hey, in this case, I do. Remember a life of adventure! It was my only option and lady luck was on my side (on my feet) as the boots fit perfectly.

We would troop up the Ingraham - Disappointment Cleaver route. It is the most popular route. The route takes one to Camp Muir, which makes a great spot to kick off the rented boots and hide your kmart ish gear, crash before your alarm clock would rudely jolt you awake at about 1am to start the seriously long day before you. Being on a dangerous mountain, jumping crevasses, walking across glaciers and being in the exercise mode gear all morning and day I was very cautious about the amount of insulin I had in the system and having low blood sugars. My extra caution would kick me in the behind as I would strive through some high blood sugars. Attempts to get the sugars down were not great and I struggled finding gears in the engine. Namely put, I called it a day at Disappointment Cleaver at about 11,000 feet. I would be back.

Some life gears began to shift as the first Mt. Rainier climb came to a close. Disappointment, but my life would spin in a direction toward my passion of adventure and challenges. I was not going to let the diabetes put me in neutral or reverse gear. I would kick into a new chassis when I would later take my first bungee jump. Live outside the box. There is so much more from a different perspective.

Another shift would be the relationship I had with my mom and dad. They were now realizing that their son was cut out of a different fabric. New adventures, challenges and more dreams to go beyond and to achieve, even with the diabetes card I was dealt.

The next year would allow more time to train, plan, make changes in the diabetes regimen and pick up gear that would make me feel like a part-time mountaineer. Hey, I am still in high school. This year the group would be a different cast of characters and the man with the lead ice axe would be Dick Deal. Our route would be the Emmons Glacier route. It was an extra 1/2 day route starting from the White River Campground and would take about 21/2 days. The Muir route is a 2 day excursion. On this route we would spend the night at Camp Schurman. I enjoyed this climb much more than the previous year and this route did not have "Disappointment" anywhere on the features listed on the climbing map. About 2am or so we had crampons affixed and ice axe in hand. It was almost a full moon that evening. Words fall into a deep crevasse in trying to describe the beaming white glow from the heavens splashed across the icy white, rough and rugged and outstanding landscape set before us. One of the beauties of Camp Schurman (at about 9500 feet) is being able to watch the climbers trod along the broken path high above you. The headlights would bob slowly upward into the morning until they turned a corner at about 11,000 feet on the mountain. It was like a scene from a movie but the lack of sleep, excitement, danger of mountain climbing and the constant monitoring of the diabetes was real.

This climb would be successful. I had learned a thing or two about climbing mountains and the insulin issue.

My third journey on the mountain would be the next year. This time I did the climb right. I climbed with my doctor. That usually doesn't happen, but when your doctor is Graham Reedy it is possible. Graham is an experienced mountain climber and was the trainer for the Oakland Raiders (I think that was when they actually had a team). Improvement had been made in the realm of diabetes and climbing and I was gaining good climbing experience and adding stock to the amazing life I had been leading.

One climber had professed that he had been "weathered" out on Rainier 12 or 13 times in a row. Rainier can create it's own weather and is often hampered by horrific weather. I was on my third year where I suffered from being overdressed and sunburned. I was baked. It was a blessing to lead the group on part of the route. That was a position I never envisioned.

We reached the summit and I came home with pictures that did not come out. The camera had overcompensated the brightness. We would make the long trudge back and roll into Enumclaw, not far from Mt. Rainier, where Graham hung his ice axe, sit in the hot tube and look out at such a dominant feature out his back door. It had also become a dominate feature in my life.

My fourth trek onto Rainier's flank would not be a summit affair but would still have significant etchings in my life. This trip would only be to Camp Muir, about 1/2 way up the mountain. This would have meaning as it was with my father. He did well and we were both surprised that it was not as difficult as we thought it would be. I value that time that we spent on the mountain that had special meaning to me.

Murray Lawson

I had the pleasure to meet Murray Lawson and share with him my Rainier climbs. Murray also lives in Sitka, Alaska and has diabetes. In August 2009 he was standing on top of Mt. Rainier. Way to go Murray. On to Everest?

2009-09-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

Article printed with permission from the Sitka Sentinel

Hope printing it out works better than reading it online. The swimmer who covered the distance from Kruzof Island (Inner Point) to Baranof Island (Halibut Point Rec. Area) is Claudia Rose. Claudia is an accomplished distance swimmer who has completed the 21-mile English Channel, the 21-mile Catalina Crossing (Catalina Island to Los Angeles) and a race around Manhattan Island. She was interested in another Alaskan swim and was recommended Sitka Sound by the race director of the Pennock Island Challenge, Willie Schulz.

Another story is beginning to weave together...

Swimming naked (without a wetsuit) Claudia completed the first-ever recorded swim of Sitka Sound. This was on Saturday August 22, 2009. One week before, she had swam in the Pennock Island Challenge (Ketchikan, AK) which is 8.2 miles. Pennock is a fund raiser for the American Diabetes Association.

Weaving more connections...

Claudia was supported by John Dunlap with Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures. I was also on that boat and that is creating its on story. That is why it has made it on the No Limits page being typed by the ultimate non-swimmer on the planet!

The swim would take her south of Bieli rocks and Middle Island and through a jellyfish armada. At times she felt like she was "swimming in a jellyfish tank." She endured several painful stings along the way, but arrived safely at Halibut Point Rec. Area. In the 54-degree water she had kayak support from Ralph Lufkin. After 4 hours and 36 minutes and 8 miles, she triumphantly stepped onto the rocky shore of Baranof Island. Rose hopes news of the swim will inspire others to swim in Alaska.

I love the endurance angle and being a part of those achieving great things. "It's an amazing thing to hear or read about," Dunlap said. "Having actually seen it, I marvel at what a test of endurance it was." Well said. I was impressed at the achievement and of the stories that would follow as I spent a lot of time with Claudia, Ralph and Al (her mate). Through the discussion would take a side-stroke toward a possible Sitka open water swim next summer. That is where we are at right now. I am in discussion with many in the swimming community about having an open water swim in Sitka to benefit diabetes. I will keep posting as this unusual but exciting story continues to come together. A little thinking outside the box helps the non-swimmer see a wave of possiblities.

I am still behind on adventure updates. Will try and share some more tales soon.

Please let me know if you have any interest in participating as a swimmer, volunteer or donor for the coming(?) Sitka open water swim.

No Limits Destination Alaska Sea Kayak Expedition

2009-08-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

August 14-16 - 2009

Adam Howard, Scott Harris, Kate Petraborg, Amy Chrest and myself loaded our gear onto the Sitka Sound Ocean Adventure transport boat to the Tom Young Cabin about 18 miles from Sitka, Alaska. The plan was to paddle the area around the cabin, enjoy some great food (always tastes better out in the wild!), soak in the local hot springs the first day.

Throw in some chatter about diabetes and spend the next 2 days kayaking the outrageously beautiful Alaska coast back to Sitka. In the meantime, with 3 camcorders, 3 helmet cams and 3 digital slr cameras and a box of somewhat unknown, yet to be used cam equipment packed into the 4 kayaks for future use we were set on making a film to document and share our adventure. A true learning and stretching experience.

A story, surely to follow, will be on the prep for this filming experience.

Drop off at the Tom Young Cabin

Not a bad place to spend an evening in the Alaska backcountry

We enjoyed the scenic setting as we discussed diabetes, food, the "Amy face", filming, kayaking, Alaska, and of course our infamous brown bears.

That evening we would see a humpback whale from the cabin window and head down to the beach to watch the whale chase food right in front of us.

Adam would reveal his talent at setting things on fire and we would call it a day after lots of conversation. Some of this would be a little more personal and would detail the challenge of having diabetes how difficult the disease can be. I know, I live it. Best advice I can muster up is to keep livin' life as best as possible and to not let it rule your life. Easily said but not always easily done.

Amy Chrest - saving us to memory via mini dv tapes and memory cards

The Race Across America by the numbers

2009-07-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

The reality of RAAM can be shared by some of the numbers involved in the world's toughest cycling event. 200 riders (solos and teams included) and over 600 crew members taking care of the details. This year the route is 3,021 miles and will go through 13 states. Climbing over 100,000 feet. Low point is 170 feet below sea level and the high point is over 10,000 feet. Solo riders will get less than 4 hours sleep a night and will eat over 8,000 calories a day. RAAM is 50% longer than the Tour de France. Collectively, the Solo and Team finishers will travel a combined distance = to circling the earth at the equator 7 times.

Team Type 1 - 8 riders

20 crew

Team Type 2 - 8 riders

18 crew

RACE ACROSS AMERICA 2009

2009-07-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

RACE ACROSS AMERICA 2009

It doesn't seem very long ago that I got on the phone and called Dave Eldridge to secure the last spot on the support crew for Team Type 2. I had crewed with Dave for Team Type 1 in 2006. I had to cancel the Tahoe Run scheduled for this August so had an adventure slot to fill in. I had a wonderful experience as a crew member in 2006 so why not? I had almost totally forgotten the new level of insomnia I had attained on that trip and the shear craziness that it offered. It is a race that goes 24/7. I will be focused on going 22/7 and catch some zzzz's after the race. Both teams would convene near the start of the Race Across America in Oceanside, CA. We would have numerous tasks as we prepped the vehicles, worked on the bikes, sketched the details of a cross country bike race, bought supplies, had meetings, and whatever else fell on the list of 1001 things to do when you participate in RAAM. Vehicles prepped and onto the race.

The Race Across America

2009-05-30T17:32:00.001-07:00

TEAM TYPE 2 AND THE RACE ACROSS AMERICA

On June 20, 2009 Team Type 2 will begin the Race Across America in Oceanside, CA. Team Type 2 consists of 8 dedicated cyclists with diabetes who will be riding for the cause. I will help crew the team as they cross the country and finish in Anapolis, MD.

I was a part of the crew for Team Type 1 in 2006. What an incredible event and an unbelievable effort from the riders and the crew. It was a wild experience and I am looking forward to this year's version of adventure. More to follow.....

Trek to Green Lake

2009-02-28T11:42:00.000-08:00

The drive to the end of the road system to start my run to Green Lake. All of 14 miles from one end of the road system to the other. It has been years since I shifted into 5th gear. My car might fall apart going above 45 mph. Not much of a classic story here; no stalking brown bears, falls on the icy road, no staggeringly low blood sugars or search and rescue calls. Actually, it was uneventful but was extremely beautiful. This is simply a story so I could post some nice pics.

Yes, the road was snow and ice. Thank goodness for the way overused Nike's that have climbing rubber on the tread. They work well on ice but I am longing to throw them deep into the closet and emerge with my beloved Teva's that have seen minimal use this winter. Abounding ice conditions have dominated the running scene.

Blood sugars were perfect and I ran well and reasonably fast. Trip to Green Lake is 6.5 miles on a dirt road and is the best option if a runner wants to get some decent miles in w/o pavement and w/o running on the shorter trails that are generally uphill and more technical. Some rolling hills on this route keeps your attention but most of my attention was on the fact that we had a clear day with unbelievable terrain. Views down into Silver Bay were stunning.

2 Trips to Green Lake this weekend and I am ready to let the Nike's sit idle for a day.

A frozen Green Lake. End of this adventure.

The Banff Film Festival rolls through Sitka

2009-02-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

Those involved with the Banff Film Festival: L to R- Kate Petraborg, me, Stefanie Gignac, Natalie Sattler, Robin Grewe, Stephen Van Derhoff

My nonprofit group No Limits had the honor to be selected by the Banff Film Festival Sitka to receive the proceeds from the

from the Festival. This funding will be applied toward the No Limits Kayak Expedition Alaska, which will be for people with diabetes. I am working with Scott Harris at Alaska Coast Wilderness Expeditions. No date has been set but we are looking at some possible dates and are talking with a few people who may be participants and seeing what may work for them. We are leaning on a 3 day trip and we will have some kayak training before the trip.

More to follow......

50 Miles Through the Lens (Old Pueblo Ultra Marathon)

2009-01-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

Dan Baier

50 Miles Through the Lens

My desire was to run the Old Pueblo 50 mile race. Registration day I was at my computer ready to punch my application in. I was at my computer, but not on it. Our office is known to get less than adequate internet connection. I just had to be persistant and have patience. I have both but they had little effect on a computer that did not work. No fear, last year the race took 3 days to fill. We were now on hour 3 and I would wander to the library at lunch and enter my first 50 miler. You can see where this story is going. Lunchtime and the only option I had was the waiting list. Nearing race day and I had moved up the list but was still not in. My training was not going well and I was challenged in training for a long race that I was not yet a participant. I considered my options. Thankfully, I would be near the race while on business.

My folks would provide free housing and a friend (Dan Baier) would help keep the Sitka honor.

Looking for new experiences, if I wasn't going to suffer through a 50 mile run, I thought, hey, I can capture the others suffering through the lens. I knew Duane Arter, the race director, and asked to be taken off the waiting list and put on as the race photographer.

The race started about sunrise and it was quite the scene. Headlights and jackets were common but would soon disappear as the sun ebbed over the horizon. After the runners took to the trail I drove to one of the aid stations. I had the Canon Rebel in hand and I would organize my thoughts and shots as the runners neared.

The runners were great. We had terrific conversations in the 8 seconds that they were within my realm, and then they were gone. They epitomized some of what is so grand about ultra running...not just excellent 8 second conversations, but they were very supportive of each other and the camaraderie was excellent. All while in the beauty of the Santa Rita mountains, not on pounding pavement. I love dirt. For most people this race was about forward motion and not repeated looks at their stopwatch.

I got my miles in as I sought better shots and unique angles. I was getting a feeling for the race and was snapping hundreds of pictures that were capturing their sweat and survival in the Old Pueblo 50.

Dan was on his way to completing a challenging and long first ultra marathon. He did this while training through an Alaskan winter and enduring 75-80 degree temperatures on race day.

Keep in mind our warmest day for the year was about 70.

Dan went home with the cherished buckle for all finishers and lasting memories. I made my way back to Alaska with a very positive new experience, a renewal of interest in the ultra scene, many thanks from the runners and Duane for spending time capturing their special moments on the course and I did abscond with one of the cool cloth race numbers that the OP 50 is known for and a OP t-shirt. That race number still graces my frig, to remind me not to binge and to focus on some goals that are long and require some of that patience and persistance and to enjoy the journey along the way.

Tahoe Rim Trail Run - August 10-17, 2009

2009-01-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

Photos by T.J. Jeffries - APEX Photography

Tahoe Rim Trail Run

August 10-17, 2009 (Due to an injury the Run has been scheduled for 2010)

168 Miles

8 Days

A Run for Diabetes

There are currently 5 runners and 1 crew that will be involved in the Tahoe Rim Trail Run.

We will have car support. Our days will range from 12-32 miles. Since we will have car support we are looking for more crew members and possibly 1-2 more runners (preferably with diabetes). It will be a group decision, but we may do some filming for the adventure.

We are also looking for sponsors.

More to come.....

Gravity Testers

2008-12-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

Published in "The Challenge" put out by DESA (Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association)

"Gravity Testers"

The countdown begins and the anxiety meter rockets upward as the rope crew sends out a booming 5, 4, 3...My mind fights the battle to resist the urge to step off the narrow railing I had cautiously inched on to. A nervous glance downward and I catch a heart pounding view of the Snake River flowing 500 feet under my tenuous perch. There is a lot of air space between my frame and the water far below. I take one more look at the array of crazy characters that have joined me in this unique sport of bungee jumping.

Our take off point is the Perrine Bridge near Twin Falls, Idaho. At 1500 feet in length, it is the longest span bridge in the West. However, I am much more aware of the vertical qualities.

My confidence in the gear and the experience of the crew puts me at ease in a sport that few venture into. Today I am joined by some of my dearest friends who I trust will remind me to disconnect from my life support before the final countdown. I doubt that my insurance would cover an insulin pump donation to the Snake River.

My leap of faith draws near. Marcos Rojas of Over the Edge Bungee, a close friend, is in charge of today's operation. He spots the bungee as he echoes ..2...Fellow gravity tester Matt Score also joins us on the bridge. Matt does a whirlwind of work with our No Limits group that was formed to promote, educate, and inspire an active, healthy lifestyle for all people with diabetes. Bungee jumping is a unique fit to this equation.

The Biggest Danger in Life is Not Taking Adventures

I am constantly approached with the question of why a person would leap off of a perfectly good bridge. Yes, the question has surged through my mind and fear is definitely a factor. However, the fear of falling pails in comparison to the fear of missing opportunities to live life more abundantly. George Mallory (of Mt. Everest Fame) stated it in terms that adventure seekers can relate to. "The biggest danger in life is not taking adventures."

People tend to live life inside the limits of their designated "boxes". Like many of you I deal with the barriers that diabetes can impose. We are faced with physical, mental and emotional challenges that we must overcome to break the barriers the disease inflicts on on.

Letting Go

The count reaches..1...Despite firing nerves, jumbled thoughts and a nano second prayer, I dive off into space. Gravity is now my partner as I accelerate towards earth at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Despite some earlier reluctance and thought, I am now immersed in the moment as I put my arms to my side and do my best imitation of a torpedo. I reach a split second where I am motionless then the stretched out cords recoil, sending me back toward the under carriage of the bridge. After a number of rebounds I slowly reach a point where I am handing upside down and loving the moment, dangling about 250 feet above the river. I can only smile as the retrieval rope is lowered to me.

More...Over the Edge

Further adventure took us to the Navajo Bridge near Page, Arizona where we connected with a film crew working for the Discovery Channel. They took some great shots of our flights into Marble Canyon above the Colorado River. A couple night jumps off a local bridge in Idaho added a different spin to our memories. Leaping into a "black hole" was a novel experience for this gravity tester.

No Limits had their second fund raiser of the year (other fund raiser was a sky dive event) with a bungee jump off the Hansen Bridge (400 feet) near Twin Falls, Idaho. We were fortunate enough to be featured in the Times-News newspaper (Twin Falls, Idaho) and had a very successful day with 13 jumpers, many of whom were first timers. I especially love helping first timers. What an experience for them!

Bungee jumping is not for everyone, but if you can muster the courage to escape your box for a little air time, you too can become a gravity tester.

Over the Edge Bungee - www.overtheedgebungee.com / 208-731-1648

Helicopter Bungee Jump

2008-12-18T18:25:00.000-08:00

Heli-Bungee Jump with Over the Edge Bungee

January 30, 2009

Over the Edge, Inc. Bungee has scheduled for Friday, January 30th a Heli-Bungee event at Lake Elsinore, California. (Exact location to be announced). Sharp Entertainment will film the event for the Travel Channel for their series television program called "Extreme Adrenaline".

Each jump costs $700. Reservations must be booked in advance only prior to January 9th by check or money order to Over the Edge, Inc. P.O. Box 386, Stanley, ID 83278, or by online credit card through PayPal

(earnestweatherspoon@yahoo.com) payment for half the total. Upon receipt of deposit Over the Edge (OTE), Inc. will confirm payment and the balance will be due on jump day. Please contact us by email or phone to schedule a tentative jump time.

The Jump:

Over a grassy field the A350 helicopter will hover approximately 1200 feet in the air at the moment the jumper exits the open door while attached to a four-hundred foot bungee cord. The cord will double in length at furthest stretch.

The last Heli-Bungee in Toronto, Canada was a huge success which has been televised on the Travel and Discovery Channels and other syndicates worldwide. Recently, OTE was the sole bungee company at the "Go Fast Games 2008" at the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City, Colorado. There on the world's highest suspension bridge amidst jetpack pilots, rock climbers, BMX riders and BASE jumpers from around the world doing what they do, a record number of bungee jumpers leaped off the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Over the Edge, Inc.
208.731.1648
http://www.overtheedgebungee.com/
bungeejumps@yahoo.com

And yes, Dave does plan on being there with harness in hand.

Dream Big and Take Action

2008-12-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

This was published a few years ago but the encouragement still applies and the the dreams are still larger than life.

published in "The Challenge" put out by DESA (Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association)

"Dream Big and Take Action"

I made a commitment several years ago, because of my diabetes and the incredible life that I have been able to lead, that in spite of this disease and a busy schedule I would dedicate time to the diabetes community. The decision has reaped abundant rewards.

I am what you would describe as "outdoorsy" and "adventurous". I love physical activity. Trail running, mountain biking, cycling, climbing, bouldering, bungee jumping, sky diving, and slacklining are some of the pursuits I enjoy. No shock to anyone's system that my degree is in Exercise Science. Many of the listed activities are part of a diabetes outdoor group I started in Boise, Idaho called "No Limits". Our mission is to promote, educate, and inspire an active, healthy lifestyle for all people with diabetes.

I had been a card carrying member of the "you have diabetes" club for about 30 years and I finally decided it was time to take action. It was high time, after having Type 1 diabetes for a long time and having been assisted by others who had diabetes, that I stepped forward to assist those who could use a little extra help or encouragement in dealing with this sometimes difficult disease. No Limits has been an excellent venue for my background in diabetes, my passion to lend a hand and to my slightly crazy lifestyle.

We organized a No Limits skydive event fund raiser called "Dive for Diabetes". The event was a soaring (pun intended) success and surpassed our wildest expectations. We put our lofty hopes on having 60 jumpers and ended up with 134. We were 3 tandem jumpers from a Guinness Book of World Records. It appears to be the biggest skydive event in Idaho history. The day was jammed with activities for everyone.

Although, I missed out on seeing all those bodies falling to terra firma and catching the huge smiles, I managed my own smile as I was in West Chester, Pennsylvania attending the DESA (Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association) North American Conference to receive a DESA Athletic Achievement Award honorable menion.

The conference also triumphed in flying colors. Spending time around other athletes with diabetes and learning how they were using their talents to assist others and to hear about their goals and dreams helped reaffirm my desire to be of service in the diabetes world. I went home with many new, interesting and extreme ideas for athletic events/activities to organize on behalf of diabetes awareness.

On a personal note, I am still dreaming big. Really big. One of the dreams is to do a 50 State Bicycle Tour for diabetes.

I just returned from a 500 mile ride from Arizona to Idaho. The B-BAD (Border to Border Against Diabetes) Tour was a great warm-up and promoted diabetes awareness and No Limits.

Afterwards we presented our trek at the ADA Salt Lake City Diabetes Expo.

My dream (shared with my friends at Over The Edge Bungee-OTE) of doing a bungee jump off the highest suspension bridge in the world just came true. The Royal Gorge Bridge (1,053 feet above the Arkansas River) in Canon City, Colorado is rarely jumped and OTE was asked to be the sole bungee company on the bridge for the Go Fast Games. It was an unbelieveable experience.

Embracing the challenge that diabetes presents by striving for those dreams and by volunteering your time toward a local diabetes group, local hospital, health club, medical clinic, etc. can be an experience of a life time.

Cruisin Alaskan Water

2008-12-16T21:07:00.000-08:00

Ethan gazing at Annahootz

"Cruisin' Alaskan Waters"

Touching down in the far outpost of Sitka, Alaska, I exited the plane and snagged one of the two bags from the conveyor belt. The other bag? The one filled with the most vital items for this new adventure? Missing, perhaps sitting idly in the Juneau or Ketchikan airport.

I had approached Sheldon Jackson College (SJC) in Sitka with a proposal to run a kayak trip for people with diabetes. Kayaking was new to me. Unless an adventure involves swimming or riding camels, I am generally game to give it a go.

I was here to ace the kayak route and plot the coming trip. I would be on the water with Ethan Ring from the Sheldon Jackson Outdoor Center. My goal (other than the already mentioned "swimming"), was to absorb knowledge on the fascinating sport of sea kayaking and plan the trip for a group to take place next summer. Ethan would learn all he could about diabetes (I just had to be my usual diabetes self) and what it would take to run a course for people with diabetes. It was a trial run, or shall we say trial paddle.
We would put our minds together during and after the expedition to organize a quality event.

My Perception Eclipse Kayak sat on the shores of Old Sitka a few days later, aimed at the incoming tide of Sitka Sound. The day before had been a scurried one as we shorted gear, filled out paperwork, purchased groceries, discussed plans, and yes, dumped Dave out of the kayak a few times for practice (and laughs). Thank goodness SJC has a pool, as Sitka Sound is on the frigid side.

I pulled the kayak forward and carefully deposited both legs into the bottom of the boat. I had previously done some "bunny slope" kayaking with someone else in a beast of a boat, on a calm lake. This would be different, way different.

I was quite amazed at all the storage the kayak possessed. I should not have been suprised when Ethan pulled out a huge 12-ounce container of Parmesan Cheese. Don't get me wrong, I love Parmesan Cheese, but living with a "lightweight" backpacking mentality, I was thinking more about throwing a couple packets stolen from Pizza Hut than including a 233-day supply.
Ethan had planned a route with some options depending on weather conditions, fatigue and diabetes management. Our first day would cover about 7 miles, the second woud be either 13 or 18, and the third would encompass 4. Sounds like decent mileage if your a strapped into a pair of running shoes, running or hiking or trails, but paddling? With my legs now useless, tucked into the bow of the kayak and unable to save me, I would rely on muscles that I knew about from anatomy and physiology, but had found little use as an athlete involved in leg-dominant activities.
Immersed in the moment and the stunning beauty of the Alaskan wilds, I got into a good rhythm with a dip of the right paddle, stroke, a dip of the left paddle, stroke. Ethan was an excellent teacher and I was feeling comfortable in my new H2O environment.
Our expedition participants were not just limited to both of us. We had a backdrop that provided lots of wildlife. There were numerous bald eagles, along with porpoises, seals, salmon, ravens, crows, cormorants, Sitka black-tailed deer and an occassional load of bear sign.
We pulled into an established site on Magoun Island to finish our first day. The setting was incredible, with a huge bald eagle commandeering a large tree at the entrance to the cove. He was very visible despite being almost 1/2 mile away. Ethan had me so impressed with his mastery of hanging a bear bag, that it became a Kodak moment.
Day 2 would be our day of decision, with two different mileage options, depending on circumstances. We reached Olga Point, a fork in the water, and made the bold choice to go the longer, more scenic route around Hallack Island. It was a glorious day with almost zero signs of civilization. Conditions can change quickly while roaming the sea and today would unveil choppy seas, wind in our faces and at our backs, changing currents and crystal, glassy waters. At the southern end of Hallack Island sits a beautiful kayak campsite. End to a perfect day, Ethan executed another bear bag trick. Dinner was devoured and life was being enjoyed in backwaters Alaska.
Day 3 we slipped out of our idyllic cove and into Sitka Sound. A short but scenic route would complete our loop. As we cruised along the shoreline, admiring the vast life attached to and floating within a few feet of the shore, we stroked past our first kayak-bound travelers. With the sound of pebbles grinding the underside of my vessel, the journey had come to an end. Less than one-half hour after exiting the kayaks,, conditions quickly deteriorated. The safe return of two adventurers and a 230 day supply of Parmesan Cheese.

Go Fast Games 2008

2008-12-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

unknown jumper @ the Go Fast Games

Over the Edge Bungee

An Opportunity at 124 Miles Per Hour

2008-12-15T22:22:00.000-08:00

Josh Krancer

me on deck, still smilin'

"An Opportunity at 124 miles per hour"

A dramatic, inspiring site perched high above the Arkansas
River, the Royal Gorge Bridge is a popular spot for tourists
to death-grip the railing, and take a heart thumping view to
the river 1,053 feet below. I have a special fondness for
bridges. For four days every year adrendaline seekers descend
upon this special bridge for base and bungee jumping, slack
lining, rock climbing with a few jet pack flights thrown in for
good measure.

With a call at 3 am I received the invite to participate in the Go
Fast Games by my friends at Over the Edge Bungee. I wanted
to be part of the unique experience by working on the bungee
crew. Of course, I was also there to jump. The crew and I have
shared the long-lasting dream to leap off of what is probably the
ultimate gravity experience on the planet. So, when Over the
Edge Bungee was invited to be the sole bungee company
working the festival, I knew this was my ticket to adventure.
Ticket punched and harness in my suitcase, I made my way to
Canon City, Colorado.

This was not the first time I had spent time on the Royal Gorge
Bridge. As a child, the Nevins family had made an excursion
to the bridge. I don’t remember much about the visit except that
there was a definite cloud of fear while on the bridge. Never
did I envision (nor did my poor parents) jumping off the
highest suspension bridge in the world. Come to think of it, I
have spent a large chunk of my life doing things that would not
be on most people’s lists. Sometimes life presents unusual
opportunities and sometimes we need to say yes.

Not wanting to loaf around and allow fear to permeate, I made
sure that I would be dangling from bungee cords on the first
day. The Go Fast Games are four days of intense craziness
held at the end of September. You have to be invited in order
to participate in all the activities except our bungee gig. It
was a real highlight to assist over 80 people make the leap of
a lifetime. It is my guess that almost half of the group, who
were from distant points all over the globe, were first-time
bungee jumpers. In my jumping career, I had started off
slowly (all of 95 feet on my first jump), working up to
loftier bridges. These participants weren’t messing around.
The novelty of the event truly hit home when I found out that
less than 100 people had ever bungee jumped off this structure,
before we had arrived. It is illegal to jump the bridge unless
it is during the Go Fast Games.

Early on the first day of the Games I climbed over the railing
and onto a platform that had been created for our time on the
bridge. What an amazing place to be! Was I nervous?
Standing at the end of a platform over 1,000 feet above the
River, ready to do my best imitation of a torpedo and fall at
Terminal velocity (124 miles per hour), I had some anxious
Thoughts. But thankfully the anxious-meter was low and I
was smiling. Gravity works exceptionally well at the Gorge
and I had a grand leap. Another phenomenal memory
forever stored into the brain bank.

That's What We Do

2008-12-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

Sitka Mountain Rescue doing what they do on Gavan Hill - Sitka, AK

I have been a member of Sitka Mountain Rescue. The life of a search and rescue person can be quite interesting. Below is another of Dave's experiences.

"That's What We Do"

That was the response by Don Kluting, captain of the Sitka
Mountain Rescue Team (SMR) after another successful mission by the SMR
(Sitka, Alaska) and the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard and SMR combined to rescue a 16-year-old girl who had become seriously ill while hiking with a group on the local Gavan Hill trail. She was hoisted by a helicopter off of the heavily wooded slopes of Gavan Hill by the Coast Guard's Air Station Sitka and flown to the airport where Emergency Services personnel were waiting to take her to Sitka Community Hospital. She was released that evening by the hospital.

I am a new addition to SMR and as my first mission, the Gavan Hill
rescue was an eye-opening experience. I had received a message on my
pager for volunteers to assemble at the Fire Hall. Teams, gear, and
directions were already in progress as I stepped into the Fire Hall
about 20 minutes after the initial page. Being on my first call, I
wrangled with what I needed to throw into my 24 hour pack. A gear junkie at heart, I had plenty of "stuff" to choose to ride with me on the mountain. Did I pack the right things? Having diabetes causes one to be prepared and to analyze(and over analyze) what to bring on
different outings. I loaded first aid supplies from the Search and Rescue command center(Fire Hall) and was sent out as part of the first team. We arrived with needed medical items and began clearing the
area for a helicopter rescue.

As the U.S. Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter arrived, it began to look like something out of a Hollywood script. Truth was that this was reality and our semi-coherent hiker needed to take the first bird out of there. A litter was dropped and the hiker was hoisted up, loaded into the helicopter and transported to Sitka Community Hospital. Mission accomplished.

As I finally connected with a computer to plunk out a story on the
incredible helicopter rescue, my pager pulls me from the MacBook and
into a frenetic shuffle to prepare and fly out the door for the next
search and rescue mission. A hiker has been injured on Gavan Hill and
will need to be carried down the mountain. It is a different set of
circumstances than last week and a litter, litter wheel, a large
number of volunteers, and good ole muscle power will be needed to see this rescue through. Finesse and rope will also be involved as the hiker is hauled down a rugged, winding trail etched into the Alaskan hillside. This will be the second successful mission in one week and was another eye-opening (in more ways than one)experience.

The SMR is a group of volunteers dedicated to providing wilderness
safety education to the public, and prompt, professional emergency
services for people who are lost, injured, stranded, or in need of
rescue primarily within the City and Borough of Sitka. I have
diabetes, but my active lifestyle creates a good fit with being a member of the team. I joined the team to help the community, forge new
experiences, and learn whatever I can cram in. Have you considered
being a part of search and rescue?

Below is a Thank You letter written from the hiker who rode our litter
taxi service.

Used with the writers permission.

I just want to again thank all the men and women of the Sitka Mountain
Rescue in assisting me off Gavan Hill last Sunday. I would especially
like to thank Dave Patt, Nils & Lucie for staying with me and
convincing me it was not a good idea to come down off the mountain
without the help of the Rescue team. I tore my ACL and probably have
damage to the meniscus in my right knee. I know now I would have done
much more damage to the knee and possibly sustained other injuries if
I had tried to get down on my own. I will have to go through therapy,
wear a knee brace, and eventually have surgery but it could have been
much worse. It is a very humbling experience having to ask for help
and being strapped into a litter to be carried down, but everybody was
the utmost professional. I felt totally safe in their care and their
upbeat attitude made the trip down much more bearable. The Sitka
Mountain Rescue provides an invaluable service to the community and
you should all feel proud.

Sincerely and always in your debt,

(name withheld)

Navajo Bridge (AZ) Bungee Jump

2008-12-13T18:28:00.000-08:00

Sita Vaughan in flight

With some encouragement from the Discovery Channel a few of us headed down to Arizona for a bungee jump off the Navajo Bridge. I jump with Over the Edge Bungee. Terrific group of people who know their business and know what friendship is all about. http://www.overtheedgebungee.com/.

Race Across America Team Type 1

2008-12-13T18:22:00.000-08:00

Steve Holmes on Team Type 1 during the Race Across America - photo by Joseph Linaschke

I was fortunate enough to be a crew member for Team Type 1 (http://www.teamtype1.org/) during the amazing Race Across America. It was a great experience and I would like to ride in RAAM in the future.

By Mile 33

2008-12-13T18:04:00.000-08:00

After the Peterson Ridge Rumble Race - Sisters, OR (35 miles) with Matt Score
A story I wrote on the Peterson Ridge Rumble experience:

"BY MILE 33"

In a quest for new adventures, I pulled out the current Trailrunner magazine and
scanned the list of races that would challenge me, travel through terrific scenery, take me
one stop beyond the marathon and provide me with that all important, valued race
t-shirt. A $35 check in the mail and I was on the registered list of suffering
wannabees for the Peterson Ridge Rumble, a 37-mile ultra marathon run on the trails
near Sisters, Oregon. Due to a generous supply of snow, the course was rerouted and
shortened to 35 miles. They did promise that suffering would not be in short supply
and as luck would have it, race t-shirts would also be in short supply.
I ended up working the day before the race, so Matt Score, my partner in
extreme adventure, and I would slide into Jamie’s home in nearby Bend after midnight.
Jamie, who also has diabetes but may possess more sense (he did not run), would
have his own adventures this day working backcountry ski patrol on Mt. Bachelor.
By 5 a.m. we were up and…well…we were at least awake.
The snowy, jagged peaks of Central Oregon were at their grandest as we sped toward escapades unknown. The Rumble is a low-key affair for those who like to run a really
long way and are not overly concerned about receiving a cotton prize at the end. These
are truly the diehards of the sport. If I did finish, I would receive a pair of screaming, loud socks. Very loud. But first I had some miles to cover.
Our friend and supplier of our secret carbo stash (Pear and Paley Energy Bars), Jeff
Warren, shook his head, wished us well, and shook his head again as we strolled to the
starting line. With little fanfare, we were on our way, and I would start my 34-mile “kick.”
A threatening evening and dismal forecast had us wondering what the conditions
would throw at us. Throughout the day, we would encounter snow, rain, hail and cloudy
conditions--but all-in-all it was a great day to be running (and running and running).
I was continually encouraged by the ever-present camaraderie of these incredible
individuals involved in their self imposed battles of physical ability, emotions, will power, conditions, mental challenges…not to mention the cute blond (Christel) who kept passing me. One extra battle I would be dealing with: my blood sugar was not coming down very quickly. Not the start that I had hoped for, but this disease has often presented extra me with obstacles and I chose to keep moving forward.
By mile 26, I had found my gear. I was still stalled in second gear, but I had the blood sugar where I wanted it and I continued to dig a little deeper. As the skies unleashed, we pulled into the only checkpoint that I had arranged for a supply drop. Considering myself lucky, I pulled a jacket on and continued ambling toward the finish. Cramps would kick me back to first gear and I encouraged Matt to run his own race. Christel would painfully pass me one last time.
Hours of striding through a beautiful forest allowed for some deep reflection.
I thought about how fortunate I am to have chosen a life of participation. To live
life as full, big, and fat while seeking those challenges that stretch me, pull me,
and transform me.
The last 300 yards were on a running track. Coming upon a pair of hurdles, which were set up in the outer lanes, I contemplated an impressive act, but realized that I had had a stellar day and did not want to end it sprawled out on the ground in lane 4, 100 yards from those prized socks.

No Limits Blog

2008-12-13T17:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the NO LIMITS blog!

My name is Dave Nevins and I have Type 1 diabetes. Living with diabetes can be a challenge, but this blog was created to encourage those with the disease to live life to the fullest. No Limits.

I have been blessed with participating in many exciting races, events, unique opportunities and creating a few of my own paths. It is my strong desire to share some of those tales, encourage those with diabetes and to possibly connect with other adventure seekers.

BBAD Tour (Border-to-Border-Against Diabetes - Arizona to Idaho)

No Limits Blog

2008-12-13T16:13:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the NO LIMITS Blog. My name is Dave Nevins and I have Type 1 diabetes. If you have diabetes you are aware of the challenges it can present. This blog was created to encourage those with diabetes to live life with No Limits, to pursue your goals, and to hopefully be a means for fellow adventure seekers with diabetes to cross paths.

I have been very blessed to have been able to participate in many exciting races, events, unique opportunities and to create some of my own paths.

(Picture) After the Peterson Ridge Rumble in Sisters, OR (35 mile running race) with Matt Score

2008-12-13T16:10:00.000-08:00