New Pack, New Poles!

TURK MOUNTAIN -- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

This was my first hike with my new pack, hiking poles, and Asolo boots! As part of the Climb Against the Odds the Breast Cancer Fund gets lots of gear goodies donated to climbers :) The pack and the poles are from my first goodie box!

For this training hike I parked at Jarmna Gap on Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park and then hiked along the AT to the Turk Mountain Gap Trail that goes to the summit, elevation 2981 ft.

Trail the summit...

NEW OSPREY PACK! I really like the design and fit of this pack :)

-- NEW LEKKI POLES TAKE A BREAK AT THE TOP FOR LUNCH --

CHECK OUT THESE KILLER NEW HIKING BOOTS FROM ASOLO -- All the BCF climbers got an amazing discount on these Asolo Powermatic shoes! This we my first test drive in them and they passed the test with flying colors!

Lunch of champions on the summit... PB&J, Goldfish, and a banana! All my favs :)

I love a lunch with a view!

Concert for the Climb!

"CONCERT FOR THE CLIMB" - MARCH 13, 2009 - GALLERY 5 - RICHMOND, VA

I can not thank everyone enough that was involved in pulling this concert off!! I do want to give some shout outs though ... THANK YOU Allison for designing the poster, THANK YOU James River Press for printing the lovely posters and hand bills printed at a reduced rate, THANK YOU to the many wonderful musicians that showcased their talent at the show, THANK YOU WRIR 97.3 for helping get the word out and promoting the concert and BCF on the air, THANK YOU Gallery 5 for opening up your space to the show, THANK YOU Grant for bringing the bands together, and finally THANK YOU to all of you who attended the concert and helped me raise $900 in one night!

Here are some photos from the night... enjoy!

Me behind the BCF table...WRIR had a table as well and put purple ribbons on the WRIR buttons they gave out -- PURPLE for PREVENTION!

Herschel Stratego opened up the night with his always entertaining and very funny one man show of humor and lyrics....

Next was Zac Hryciak and the Jungle Beat ...a very talent group of young guys and gal -- I love the violin mixed in with the drums!

Next was Liza Kate with her beautiful voice, lyrics, and guitar...


Then....ekkk -- me! I took a moment on stage to tell everyone more about BCF, my part in their Climb Against the Odds, and the materials we had available on the table...as well as a few of the astounding facts about breast cancer.


Now for more great music!

Johnathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird was up next -- the instrument ensemble for this band is quite impressive! Guitar (a very pretty one I must add), banjo, chelo, accordion, harmonica, mandolin, and xylophone (or something like one)!


And then, for the grand finale -- David Shultz and the Skyline!


The girls --Kelly, Jess, Kristin -- up front and center during "Already There" (our fave).



I know it's a little dark, but check out the crowd....!

THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE!
YAY -- CONCERT FOR THE CLIMB WAS A SUCCESS!

Climb On,

Jess

www.breastcancerfund.org/climb09/Jbarton

Benefit Concert March 13th!

Study highlights links between breast cancer, environmental toxins (02/05/2009)
Sara Goodman, E&E reporter

Growing evidence suggests that exposure to industrial chemicals, pesticides and other toxic substances increases the risk of breast cancer, according to an article published in yesterday's International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health.
The authors looked at more than 400 studies and concluded that common chemicals and radiation, alone and in combination, are contributing to the increases in breast cancer incidence observed over the past several decades.

"The picture of breast cancer causation that emerges is complex," said Jeanne Rizzo, president of the Breast Cancer Fund, which presented the articles, in a statement. "While there is no single smoking gun, the trends that emerge lead us to stop asking if there is a link between breast cancer and synthetic chemicals, and to instead ask how to act to reduce our exposure, given the strong and compelling evidence we now have."

The complexity is one of the most important takeaways from the review, said lead author Janet Gray. "Being exposed to a single compound may or may not increase the risk for breast cancer for everyone," Gray said in an interview. "The complexity of exposure to multiple chemicals, the complexity of the interaction with genes and lifestyles is just huge. It shows we need to be more sophisticated in how we do our science and also how we think about risks for a disease." "We have a lot of work to do," Gray added.

Some of the research that suggests a strong environmental link looked at migrating populations. For example, one study showed that women who move from countries with low breast cancer rates to nations with higher rates soon acquire the higher risk of their new country.
And early-life exposure -- both prenatal and early post-natal -- puts women at an increased risk for later reproductive problems and mammary tissue damage, Gray said.Calls for increased regulation.

The scientific literature points to a need for revamped chemical regulations, said Janet Nudelman, who wrote a companion article in the same publication advocating increased oversight and regulations. "The first article stated the evidence -- it looks at the substantial body of scientific evidence linking common chemicals and radiation alone and in combination to increasing rates of breast cancer," Gray said. "The companion piece pulls out the policy and research recommendations that emerged from the science."

Some of the recommendations include overhauling the Toxic Substances Control Act, the 1976 law governing roughly 82,700 chemicals in the United States. Environmental and health advocacy groups have been calling for TSCA reform, saying the law does not establish the necessary authority or capability to regulate all of the chemicals being used commercially.
Additionally, Nudelman called for bans of individual chemicals that she termed "bad actors," including two controversial plastics additives, phthalates and bisphenol A, or BPA.

"The science is just emerging in leaps and bounds about phthalates and bisphenol A," Gray said. "For those two chemicals, we're saying loud and clear that we have enough science to act now to regulate them more strictly."

States around the country are considering bans on BPA and phthalates. Industry groups have said that there is inadequate evidence directly linking BPA to adverse effects in humans, especially at the small doses to which most people are exposed. The majority of studies look at lab animals to determine potential harm. The American Chemistry Council, a trade group, did not respond to requests for comment on the article.

Climb On,
Jess

www.breastcancerfund.org/Climb09/Jbarton

Jones Run Hike :Take Two!

So I enjoyed my Jones Run - Doyles Falls circuit hike so much I went back again, and brought friends this time! Me, Mike, Kelly, Stephen, Gibbs, McKinley, Anna, Hailey, and Daisy all make the 7 mile trek

(BTW can you tell which ones are dogs and which ones are people??)

Gibbs was the youngest hiker, a very cute puppy, who followed his older and wiser doggie hiker McKinley around and did just as he did. Little Gibbs was a trooper and did a great job hiking! He did get carried up the steep parts though, but he wanted to climb them himself!

The most amusing part of the day was the Jones Run crossing! Everyone made it across fine - except for Hailey. Hailey was not to sure about this river crossing thing and stayed on the other side... and looked at us like we were crazy! Finally Mike came to the rescue and manage to grab Hailey by the collar and carry her across a log! Hailey with a look of embarrassment...

Thanks for the great hike my friends!

Fundraising Challenge! FREE BOOTS!! :)

All the climbers on the Mt. Shasta Climb Against the Odds 2009 team have been issued a Fundraising Challenge! The climber with the most donations collect now until FEB. 20th will win a FREE PAIR OF SUPER SWEET hiking boots to use on their climb!

Donate today to help me win a pair of boots to keep my feet warm on the climb up Mt. Shasta, and 100% of your donation will go towards BREAST CANCER PREVENTION!

www.breastcancerfund.org/climb09/Jbarton

Thanks for you support!

Climb On,

Jess

Cancer in a can?

There's mounting concern that a chemical in the lining of food cans and in some plastic containers may cause health problems.... read this article in SELF magazine to learn how to protect yourself.

From the October SELF 2008 Issue:
http://www.self.com/health/2008/09/cancer-from-food-packaging




Climb On,
Jess