Jeff Patterson:

Pikes Peak Challenge

by David Sherman

Jeff participated in the 24th annual Pikes Peak Challenge on September 12, 2009, a hike of over 7,000 feet to the summit of Pikes Peak Mountain in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Jeff has participated in this event four of the last five years. The event raises money for the Brain and Injury Association of Colorado and Memorial Health System’s Think First for Kids Head & Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program.

Jeff first learned about the event while working at an REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) store in downtown Denver in 2005. Having always wanted to hike up Pikes Peak, this looked like the perfect opportunity for Jeff to do just that, while also raising money for a very worthy cause. After about 6 hours of hiking, Jeff reached the 14,110-foot summit and completed the 13-mile hike to the top along with another team of hikers whose spouses are currently stationed in Afghanistan.

If you would like more information about the Pikes Peak Challenge, please visit www.pikespeakchallenge.com.