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Writer's pictureWade Balmer

May Update! big Wade's XL Adventure

Updated: May 25

Howdy:

 

A lot has been happening since last month’s update. And here's a refresher about all my little goals, in case you forgot what this is all about.


Here we go! 

 

Hike 40,000 Feet of Elevation of Elevation Gain in 40 Days

  • This goal is now complete! I was able to grind it out on hikes, the StairMaster and even climbing my stairs at home (x100 times = 1,000 feet). Boy am I glad it’s over, and boy were my yams tired at the end. :)

  • What does it look like to hike 40K of elevation? Here’s a goofy little recap video for your enjoyment, or as I call the film, “Wade’s torrid love affair with a StairMaster”.

  • A chunk of this goal (around 6,000 feet, specifically) was completed alongside an awesome group of humans on April 20 when we took on the Boulder Skyline Traverse. My buddy Keith organized an amazing group and day of fun – especially with some spring snow in the mix. View photos of the adventure!

  • I also want to thank my many other hiking buddies who were along for the ride. You can see them in the film. I couldn’t have done it without you!

 

 

Climb 40 Pitches

  • This goal had a rocket start filled with guest stars and supporting players! On May 10, Conrad Anker (yes, that Conrad Anker) offered to kickstart the climbing goal with me on the second Flatiron in Boulder. Alongside friends Cedar Wright (who photographed the entire thing through a magic crystal), Euni Figi, Justin Moreng, Trè Goode and Forrest Hersom, we had a rad afternoon climbing 6 pitches filled with countless stoke. Some amazing core life-long memories were formed that day and I could not be more grateful and appreciative. You can view some photos of the party.

  • Conrad, Euni and I (plus others) are talking about another climbing expedition this summer – and you’ll hear more about that soon!

  • Now, the goal continues. Lots of very kind folks have reached out to climb with me and I am excited to keep this goal going. See you out there and up there.

 

 

Provide 40 Small Kindnesses to Friends & Strangers

  • This is going to be another fun target to take on! If you have an idea for a small kindness you want to sprinkle into someone’s life, please fill out the form below. This is a great goal for the non-local folks to be able to take part in, too. Fun times all around!

  • Thanks to Peter Mintz for being the first recipient of a drop o’ kindness (we gave him a block of his favorite cheese, Dubliner, which he then kindly shared with his coworkers and volleyball team).

  • Conspire with me to give a small kindness!

 

Raise $40K for the Adaptive Climbers Festival


  • If you’d like to make a gift towards my goal and all of our bad ass climbers at the Adaptive Climbers Festival, here is the link to share some love.

  • Speaking of ACF, thanks to all those who voted for the Adaptive Climbers Festival as part of the American Alpine Club’s Community Changemaker award. Turns out, we won!

 

 

Hike 400 Miles of the Colorado Trail

  • I’m building a cool pledge site for my time on the Colorado Trail. Folks will be able to make a pledge to show support for every mile I hike. More to come very soon!

  • If you are interested in joining up with me on some of my section hikes of the Trail this summer, now is the time to reach out. Planning is fully underway!

  • I’m hiking the CO Trail at least two fulls weeks this summer and will be parsing out the rest over weekends. Because snow in the high passes only melts around July/August, I’m trying to grind at as much of the trail as I can over those months.

 

Complete 40 Hours of Acupuncture & Therapy

  • Especially last month during all the elevation gaining, acupuncture was vital to recovery. Shawn worked his magic on my tight and sore calves a lot, and even busted out the muscle scraper to give relief.  

  • Therapy Steve is also still the bestest therapist around, really good at his job and also at calling me out on my BS. I am super appreciative for all the gains.  

 

 

Take the Blue Zones Challenge Over 4 Weeks

 

Involve 40+ Friends in the Shenanigans

  • I feel so lucky to have already received the support of so many. So much so that I’m wondering if I can up this goal to 400+ friends instead?

 

 

See you out there!

 

Thanks for reading,

Wade

 

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