My Xtreme Hike Story

Thanks for visiting my page, welcome! I hike to end cystic fibrosis and that is what Xtreme Hike 2023 is all about. Last year, I hiked through the beautiful, but stormy, trails around the Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, VA, to honor my sister Catherine, and brothers Tim and John. Stormy, because we hiked in the coat tails of Hurricane Ian! Ian made sure the hike lived up to its name. The course was wet, slippery, and with many obstacles for me and my cousin John McCafferty to negotiate. Thanks to all that provided the OUTSTANDING support I received before, during, and after the hike! Together, we raised over $3000.00 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and CF research to overcome this terrible disease and, for a 4th year in a row, we led the MAS Mileage team in donations. Let's do it again! Catherine is always with me and still visits in my dreams, always positive and always suggesting something new. Her energy and enthusiasm for life, adventure, and family have always been an inspiration to me and have helped keep me focused. Hurricane Ian couldn't stop us last year because we Hike Until It Is Done, until there is a cure!

The first picture shows Catherine with Clara on a regular run to Findlay Market in Cincinnati. She loved biking to the market whenever she could. Clara is now in her second year at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, studying Industrial Design. The second picture shows Catherine in our living room in Fort Collins Colorado with an infant Oscar on her lap. During that visit, we took many daytrips up into Rocky Mountain National Park where Oscar was “baptized” several times in the Cache La Poudre River. Oscar continues this honorable service in the USMC and is stationed around Miramar, CA. Catherine would be very proud to see them today. They are wonderful tributes to her life.

This year we return to hike in Massanutten, VA. Catherine will be watching over us all and urging me, eternally, to "Go! Mojo Jojo!". Through the hike we continue to love and honor her and work to help others who still struggle with CF. Please consider making a donation or providing some encouragement in support of our efforts this year.

Thanks,
Joe