2012 Bataan Memorial Death March

Bataan Memorial Death March

White Sands Missile Range, NM

March 25, 2012

I've completed the last three (2009-2011) Bataan Memorial Death Marches. Every year, I set two goals for myself. First, I wanted to finish no matter what. Second, I set a target finish time in my mind. I did not carry a watch or time myself in any way, I just knew how prepared I was each year and hoped for the best. The march is 26. 2 miles across the rolling hills of the New Mexico desert. Depending on who you talk to, there are two cruxes on the course. There's a mountain to traverse and approximately 3/4 of a mile of ankle deep sand after mile 21, fondly known as the "sand pit".

Elevation of the course:

My timing goal in 2009 was to finish under 9 hours. My time: 8 hours, 59 minutes and 19 seconds. In 2010, all I wanted to do was finish better than the year before. My time: 8 hours, 17 minutes and 28 seconds. My goal for 2011 was to finish in under 8 hours. My time: 7 hours, 59 minutes and 55 seconds. I'm 3 for 3 in finishing under my target finish time. My goal for 2012 will be to finish in under 10 hours. Why am I adding 2 hours and 5 seconds to my target time? I plan on completing the 2012 march with Kellisa!

The march has a strict no strollers policy. I wrote to the race director and pleaded my case. I explained that Kellisa was a disabled 12 year old girl who can't walk, weighs 80 pounds and is a patriotic supporter of our troops. I described the Advanced Mobility Independence Push Chair that Kellisa would ride in as I pushed her along the course. To further my case, I mentioned that I am a three time completer, so I know what I'm getting us into as far as understanding the difficulty of the course. I also promised to be 100% self reliant. They had a few questions and warnings, but on January 20, 2012, we received special permission to participate in the 2012 march.

I've been working on adapting custom rear wheels for Kellisa's chair:

Kellisa traveled to White Sands Missile Range to support my march in both 2009 and 2011 since it fell on one of her spring break weekends. Luckily, the 2012 march also falls during her spring break.

Lisa and Kellisa in the early morning cold before the start of the 2009 march:

Kellisa looking for me at the finish line:

Approaching the finish line:

I didn't want to get up, so Lisa and Kellisa joined me on the ground:

Participating in my first Bataan Memorial Death March was a life changing experience and I made a vow to myself to participate every year that I was able. I'm excited to take the march experience to the next level and share the course with Kellisa. I don't know if 10 hours is realistic considering I will have to stop and help Kellisa, including giving her water through the g-tube. Hopefully we will finish and claim to be the first "pushiking" team to complete the Bataan Memorial Death March.

Maybe we will inspire a team of soldiers to push a fellow veteran that lost a leg or two and can't complete the march under their own power???

Cheaha Mountain

Kellisa's 13th State Highpoint

Cheaha Mountain, AL

2,407ft.

August 2009

Everything I read stated that the summit was wheelchair accessible. Notice the stone stairs to the right of the sign. The actual highpoint is just beyond the stairs. Not a big deal for us, but I could see the stairs stopping some people in wheelchairs, especially if they don't have anyone with them that can help. Another case of able bodied people having no idea what "accessible" really means.

Summit pictures: 



Woodall Mountain

Kellisa's 12th State Highpoint

Woodall Mountain, MS

812ft.

August 2009

We just returned home from our vacation to Crater Lake National Park and we wanted to summit Mississippi and Alabama before the new school year started. Still tired and a little jet-lagged, we over slept and missed our flight to Birmingham, AL. No worries as we were booked on Southwest. It ended up working better to reschedule our outbound flight to Nashville, TN while keeping our return flight from Birmingham. Unlike all other airlines, this last minute change did not cost us a penny in fees.

Kellisa enjoying the drive:

Most people probably don't think of mountains in Mississippi:

The rise from the surrounding area is more impressive than most of the "low" highpoints:

A dirt road leads directly to the summit:

Summit pictures:

The only real view from the summit:



Jerimoth Hill

Kellisa's 11th State Highpoint

Jerimoth Hill, RI
812ft.

June 2009

View from along the road to the highpoint:

We arrived later than expected for two reasons. First, I had a 2+ hour phone interview with an adoption worker in Oregon who was helping us in our efforts to adopt. Second, I drove through rain and fog most of the day. The highpoint was on private land in 2009 and the owners requested that all highpointing activities be conducted during daylight hours. Having no idea when we might be back in the area and the fact that we had plans to visit Block Island the following day, it seemed like it was now or never.

We hurried down the short trail in the rain and darkness:

Summit pictures:



Mount Greylock

Kellisa's 10th State Highpoint

Mount Greylock, MA
3,491ft.

June 2009

Mount Greylock in the clouds:

Driving through the clouds to reach the highpoint:

The War Memorial Tower on the summit:

Highpoint picture:



Mount Washington

Kellisa's 9th State Highpoint

Mount Washington, NH

6,288ft.

June 2009

Highpointers have three options for gaining the summit of New Hampshire: hike, drive or ride the Cog Railway. Since Kellisa loves trains, we decided to ride the railway up Mount Washington.

Kellisa with Mount Washington in the background:

We just missed the purple train:

Kellisa waiting to board the blue train:

The beginning of the train ride:

Alpine views in the Northeast:

The steepest section of track:

Enjoying the ride:

As far as you can go with a wheelchair:

Not satisfied with close, I carried Kellisa up the rocky trail to the true highpoint:

Short video from the summit:

Mount Washington is known for its weather:

Weather during our visit:

Mount Washington is also known for its fatalities:

A list of known deaths:

Enjoying the ride back down:

After a long day, Kellisa is asleep in our Northwoods cabin:

Clingmans Dome

Kellisa's 7th State Highpoint

Clingmans Dome, Tennessee

6,643ft.

August 2007

Clingmans Dome is in the middle of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail is wide, paved and steep. There is an observation tower on the actual summit. The trail gains 332ft. in only a half a mile and the top of the tower adds an additional 54ft. to your ascent. Both the highpoint and the observation tower can be reached with a wheelchair or stroller. However, assistance and great care is advised because the trail is steep and an out of control wheelchair could be deadly. To be safe, I always tether Kellisa to my body. That way, even if I slip or let go of the chair (it only takes a second), it would only roll a couple of feet before coming to a stop.

 Trailhead views

 

Observation tower at the summit

 Highpoint picture

Mount Mitchell, NC from Clingmans Dome