ESSIE'S LOG BOOK

MONDAY, JULY 26, 1999

A small alarm clock was one of the few modern conveniences that ultra-marathon runner Essie Garrett packed in her backpack before heading up a narrow trail toward the top of the Continental Divide. Waking on Monday, July 26, at 4:00 am, Essie, Tonya Ciarochi and Mary Reaves loaded their survival gear on two pack donkeys and began a 250-mile journey through the Rocky Mountains toward the Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver, Colorado.

Outfitted in pioneer dresses reminiscent of the 1850's, Essie's Continental Divide Run represents a historic departure from present day fundraising marathons. Not only are the women traveling a great distance in seven days, they are also climbing peaks that tower over 11,000 feet above sea level. Using tablets to purify water, wearing laced boots and straw hats to ward off bugs, sun overexposure and protruding branches, the women find themselves faced with the same perils as their ancestors over a century ago. Guided by a full moon, they have placed their trust in months of preparation, each other and the endurance of the donkeys, "Mr. Zippo" and "Abigail."

Traversing narrow passages first mapped by settlers, miners and immigrants, Essie will experience the same suffering, courage and resilience of those who went before her. In addition to raising money and awareness across the state about hunger in today's society, she plans to later take her stories to area school children so that they, too, will understand history.

"This run is very special," said Essie, as she left camp the first day. "There was so much hunger and death during the 1800's when the pioneers were coming across the Divide. There was no food or clean water. It is very important for the children growing up today to know, at least on a small scale, how our ancestors had to travel. We have a great advantage. We have marked trails and topography maps to guide us. The pioneers didn't have that. We will be out here for seven days hoping to keep the history of the 1800's and the pioneers alive. If we don't we will get caught up in allowing our children to not believe or understand what happened. We have two young boys, Alex Palmer, 10, and Alec Gilbert, 7, journeying with us. We want them to go into the 21st century always remembering this. They will tell their children and their children's children about this. This is very important, because we can't have a present or a future with out a past."

The first day of Essie's journey promised to be arduous and painstaking. Far away from any 4-wheel drive trail, mountain road or highway, she would travel over 40 miles, much of it at night, while encouraging Tonya, Mary and urging the donkeys onward. On the second day of the journey, July 27, the group will complete its way up and over their first passage over the Divide. They will travel near Rabbit Ear's Pass and Muddy Pass in Routt National Forest at an elevation of 9,426 feet. The day will wrap up at Kremmling, Colorado and total 42 miles.

Send Contributions to:

Food Bank of the Rockies
10975 East 47th Avenue
Denver, CO 80239-3007
Tel.: (303) 371-9250
Fax: (303) 371-9259

E-mail: FBRINC@aol.com

Or visit the Food Bank of the Rockies Website.