Cancer to 14K is a 10-week hiking-based conditioning program for cancer survivors and caregivers. It includes 10 weekly hikes plus recommendations and coaching for exercising in between the weekly hikes. Hikes get progressively harder over the 10 weeks, culminating in YOU standing on top of Mt. Lincoln, a 14,293' mountain!
The first few hikes will start around 9 am, but start times will get earlier as it gets hotter and the hikes get longer. Hikes are on Saturdays. We'll use Sundays as rain dates. We'll hike Mount Lincoln on Friday to avoid weekend crowds. A "makeup date" will be scheduled if the hike is canceled due to weather.
We know summer is busy. You don't need to be able to attend all the hikes in the series to join. But you should plan to attend at least 6 of the 10 hikes -- both because that will improve your chances of success, and because this program is also about building connection with other cancer survivors and caregivers. If you can't attend at least 6 hikes, please consider joining our virtual series of curated hikes instead.
Because the 14'er track of Cancer to 14K is strenuous and encounters a lot of challenging terrain, it is generally not appropriate for people who are will be on chemotherapy or in radiation treatment. Not all medications prescribed by your oncologist are "chemotherapy," and not all radiation treatments would be contraindicated. Please speak with your physician first, and contact us if you have questions. You are welcome to join our regular hikes or walks until you are ready for the bigger challenge of Cancer to 14K.
Here is a list of the Southern Region hikes in order, dates, and general locations:
May 3 Fremont Peak – this is south near Canon City.
May 10 Muscoco Peak – southwest of downtown Co. Springs
May 17 Hike on your own, our leaders will provide tips on distance and elevation
May 24 Chautauqua Peak – near Palmer Lake
May 31 Section 16 – between Co Springs and Manitou
June 7 Heizer Trail – just northwest of Manitou
June 14 Kineo Mtn – southwest of downtown Co Springs
June 21 TBD – make-up hike or hike on your own
June 28 Raspberry Mtn – near Divide
July 5 Holiday weekend – hike on your own
July 12 Pancake Rocks – south of Divide
July 19 Crags to Devil’s Playground – south of Divide
July 25 (Friday) – Mt. Lincoln – northwest of Alma
Once we have a signup list we’ll work on carpool options and as we get closer to Mt. Lincoln we come up with options for driving, hotel stay or camping.
Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 pm for a virtual orientation session. We will cover necessary hiking gear, general safety, and nutrition. You will receive a link to join from Dan Miller closer to the date.
When you register, you will be required to submit a self-assessment form covering medical and fitness issues. You will also need to obtain a medical clearance from your physician's office, prior to attending any hikes.
After we have your forms, we'll invite you to register for each of the individual hikes on the calendar. The individual hike postings will have additional details about meeting location, time, etc.