First post - For First Descents !

Just a little re-cap

Over the past two months I've been volunteering for an amazing cause . First Descents, a non profit organization who's purpose is to bring together young adults who have / have had cancer , for a week of adventure therapy. Whether its climbing in Estes Park , CO , whitewater kayaking on the Salmon River , ID or hiking up Mt. Hood in Hood River , OR.

(Wallaby, Mamma Bear, 8 ball, Toque, Bugz, Miss Robinson and Beef Eater

The participants come  from all over the country and some even further afield . Los Angeles, CA ( Shawn John Won Ton) , Portland, OR (Squirrel Gurl and E Paso), Alberta , Canada (Beef Eater and Touque) and even Melbourne , Australia (Dory) .




Now I can tell, your sitting there at home , and thinking, who in there right mind would call there child 'Squirrel Gurl' or 'Beef Eater'. This is one of the first things the campers get met with when we pick them up from the airport , nicknames. Other than being a great conversation starter (how'd you get yours) , its main purpose is a start over, a clean sheet. I really believe it allows the campers to begin to leave the strains and stresses of there life back at home , behind.

The weeks generally shape up like so .

Does this boat make my bum look big ?

Day 1 , Settle in , get to know everyone and a BBQ =]

Day 2-3, Getting to grips with the basics of the sports .

Day 2 - Hood River - Rollan Lake . Games of polo rarely stay peaceful

For the kayakers - Wet exits, eskimo rescues, paddling technique and crazy games such as 'All in' Kayak polo, the slightly hazardous, but totally hilarious Piano Keys and huge Tug of war contests.

For the climbers - Belaying, Abseiling (Rappeling for the yanks among us) and an intro to climbing technique.




 Mid week gives the campers a day off , however the adventure doesn't slow up with camper, Whitewater Rafting, Hiking and Horseback rides before walks around the local town and some actual down time.

Rafting the rather big 'Little White Salmon'

  After a few days of learning the ropes ( pun totally intended ) the final day brings together all the campers have learned to a day of graduation . This part always blows me away. After less than a week doing the activity the participants are launched into the fray. For the kayakers a they are faced with a grade 3+ rapid scouting potential lines and picking their own way through the rapid. The climbers tackle a 5-6 pitch climb without the assistance of the instructors or volunteer staff.

Cussing Crack- Sustained 5.7 with some 5.8

 Now for people who have just started kayaking or climbing this would be impressive.

At the T.O.P. with my climbing partner for the day , Panda

   But from my experiences at camp these are no ordinary people. Many of these campers are mid way through chemo treatments and dealing with all that comes with that- nausea , fatigue, sleeplessness etc. Others are just in remission and have changed dramatically  putting on or losing considerable weight and losing coordination. In short they are the strongest, most inspirational people I have had the pleasure to meet.

Squirrel Girl here , showing us how the nutters do it...

The B.A.M.F. herself

(Mother may be reading) So EFF! impressive. How about bloody astounding to see and mind-blowingly (screw you dictionary) game changing to be a part of.


 Yes. I said game changing. If you come truly open to the experience at First descents , campers and volunteers alike, it will change you . The way you think, the way you go about everyday business and for me the way I throw myself ( previously not so ) into the sports I love. If a blind man can throw himself down rapids , with no second thoughts and complete trust in the people around him. If a women who has had over 15 brain surgeries , losing a lot of her coordination can climb her first multi-pitch screaming (sorry mother) 'BAD ASS MOTHER FUCKER !!' , then what the hell am I doing being tentative and anxious about climbing and kayaking.








At the end of each trip, the campers must leave. I hate it. Over the space of a week we have laughed together, cried together and kicked ass together. Yes the kayaking and the climbing is great and extremely valuable to the campers experience. It equips the campers with a new found confidence, a realization of their mental and physical strength. But , and this is a huge but. The activities are secondary, to the family that is formed. Every night camp fires are lit and the participants and staff gather round for a bit of a get-together. This is where the community is really formed, campers share there experiences with cancer , what the camps have meant to them, their hopes for the future. Many of the things discussed at the camp fires , the campers have never discussed with anyone. But within a few days of laughs , sweat and tears the communities formed at the camps offer a safe and supportive environment for both campers and staff to get it all out there and leave it at the fire. This , I feel is the real magic of FD.

Me, Dory, Jwana, Ames and Spring Roll

I asked a few of the campers some questions about FD , heres what they had to say . 

1. 5 words to say to someone who needs to get their asses to FD ?

Cancer doesn't mean you're beaten

It will change your life

You will never stop smiling! 


2. 4 ingredients that make the perfect FD recipe ?

One cancer warrior/veteran. An unthinkable challange. Positive energy. Friends who understand the fight 

Compassion. Strength. Laught​er. Adventure.

Awesome people. Adventure. Laughter. Understanding. 
 

Ain't no party , like a Van roof party !

 If your 18-40 and have or have had cancer , I urge you to sign up. For everyone else do what you can, give up a week of your summer and volunteer, run and race and get sponsored or simply donate.

I promise you , You will never look back 

To everyone that has made my summer with FD the best ever, you know who you are. Thankyou.

Some of the Beasties at the T.O.P.