Team in Training

Rocky Mountain National Park – Rainbow Curve

May 14, 2009 By Neil

In September 2008 I hiked in Rocky Mountain National Park as part of Hike for Discovery, which is now Team in Training. Both of these raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Spending a couple an extra day at Estes Park I headed up towards Bear Lake for the morning but when I realized I was in the clouds decided to change those plans and quickly headed up to Trail Ridge Road. Just before Rainbow Curve, I broke out of the clouds and was treated with the following scene at sunrise.

Rainbow Curve - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado — Rainbow Curve – Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

This image is available in the Rocky Mountain National Park gallery and is titled Rainbow Curve.

Hiking in the Rain

May 6, 2009 By Neil

This past weekend was the final hike I will be on for the summer season of the Team in Training – Hike program. The finale hike for the group is in two weeks and the kickoff for the Fall season is this coming Saturday. For the hike this past weekend, once again for the fifth weekend in a row the conditions were less than ideal as it had rained overnight and was raining during the start of the hike. For this hike we were just outside of Boulder and as finale hike is Grand Canyon we started hiking from the top to simulate a trip into the canyon.

Starting along Flagstaff Mountain Road we made our way on the Green Mountain West Ridge trail prior to starting to head down towards Boulder and the main trail heads. Due to snow in the recent weeks there were quite a few trees which had fallen along the trail making it an interesting day either getting through the trees or dispersing around the downed trees to minimize the trail impact. Upon reach the parking lots we headed back up towards the top along Gregory Canyon which was in good condition but then it started raining once again. It was a good hike to end the season, and would like to thank Kelly for the following images since I didn’t have my camera with me on this hike.

The view along the trail while hiking outside of Boulder.

I am trying to avoid a picture taken by Cristy as documented by Kelly.

I now start hiking for the Fall season at Rocky Mountain National Park, and will begin the fund raising process.

Team in Training

April 23, 2009 By Neil

Earlier this year I mentioned I am helping on trail support for Team in Training as we raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Over the past couple of months we have hit the trails along the front range of Denver to get the participants for the Grand Canyon event ready and over the next few weeks we will be finishing up this season. It has been interesting with the weather this year since winter along the front range of Colorado has really taken shape in the last four weeks. During the true season of winter we had minimal snow and more so wind this year. In the past few weeks I brought my camera along and have the following images to show of the hikes.

Button Rock Preserve (Thanks to Shawn for letting me use her camera)

Apex Park – Jefferson County Open Space

Apex Park Trails - Jefferson County Colorado

White Ranch Open Space – This was probably the most fun due to the fact there was three feet of snow. Fortunately a couple of us had our snowshoes to help with making a trail.

April snowstorm at White Ranch Open Space in Jefferson County

Didnt take long for Cristy, Kelly, Mary, Mike, Shawn and myself to make this snowman — Didn't take long for Cristy, Kelly, Mary, Mike, Shawn and myself to make this snowman

With this season almost over the next season of Team in Training is being planned and scheduled to kick off on May 9th. I will be hiking again this summer and doing fundraising this time around. If you would like to contribute to my efforts you may learn more at the Neil Corman Team in Training page.

Bid to Beat Blood Cancers

April 9, 2009 By Neil

On Friday April 10, 2009 the silent auction event, Bid to Beat Blood Cancers will take place. For $17 you receive one drink, unlimited appetizers, the opportunity to bid on many great items at a silent auction, fun and knowing you are raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

One of the items which will be available to bid on at the silent auction is Winter in Washington Park which is a photograph I took earlier this year in Washington Park here in Denver. With a starting bid of $25 for a matted 16×20 print there is a great value available.

The event which takes place from 5:30-8:30PM is being held at Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar which is located at 1 Broadway in Denver. I hope to see your there!

Doudy Draw – Boulder Open Space

February 23, 2009 By Neil

This past weekend marked the first training hike for the Rocky Mountain region of Team in Training Hike program summer season. As I mentioned before, I am a captain for this season and will not be fund raising, but will support the hikers who are with their training and fund raising. While running out the door to get to the meeting location, I realized I did not have a camera with me so there are no images from this hike, but in the upcoming weeks I will be sure to include some.

With the first hike for the group, we started off with a local hike at Doudy Draw which is part of the Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks system. It was a little chilly at the start as a weather system moved into Colorado overnight leaving a dusting of snow which would soon melt with sunshine filling the sky. Fifteen hikers headed out of the trailhead parking lot and up the trail enjoying the peaceful morning as we got to know each other during the hike. From the trailhead off of Highway 93 we headed across the Flatirons Vista North trail, and met up with Doudy Draw as we descended down the ridge. From there we did the Springbrook loop and then headed back towards the trailhead. After completing the loop you could tell that the snow was melting quite quickly as areas which had snow on the trail was now either muddy or even dry as we retraced our route. At the end of the hike we had covered around seven miles on a perfect February day to kick off the hiking part of the season.

In addition to some information about the hike, each week I will also provide a link to one of the hikers participating this season in case you would like to donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Team in Training program. This week Janet Hukill is the featured participant. Janet was my mentor last season when I hiked at Rocky Mountain National Park and has been involved with the Hike program for a couple of years. To learn more about why Janet is hiking and support her efforts with a donation, please visit Janet’s fundraising page.