Colorado Rockies thru-hike

Seaton Trail Hikers Martyn and Marina Lewis say they will hang up their hiking boots on treacherous routes once they complete their Rockies adventure this summer.

The pair from West Acres, hiked the whole length of North America in 2023 when they completed the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexico to Canada border.

Now, at 61 years old, they will attempt The Colorado Trail, a 486 mile trail (782 km) high altitude, trail running from Denver to Durango, most of it above 10,000 feet (3,000m). Most of the challenge lies in the difficult climbs at high elevation, stormy weather and the six week duration of the feat. In all, there is 89,000 feet of elevation gain, as it passes through eight mountain ranges, six National Forests and six wilderness areas. And that’s if you don’t get caught out by mountain lion, or bear!

The couple carry all the equipment they need, including tents, a bear cannister to prevent animals eating their food, and filter their own water from steams, river and waterfalls. Every item they carry is carefully considered before being added to their load and they buy food at tiny mountain towns on the way. They have to complete the trail averaging at least 18 miles a day, before the Rockies start to get covered in deep snow again.

Now they want to make this swan-song trip count for others, and are keen to raise funds for an essential and vibrant community service in Axminster, called The Hub.

Based at Pippins Community Centre, Lyme Road, The Hub is a drop -in centre and service centre for those in Recovery and is three -way partnership between Axminster Neighbourhood Police Team, Together Devon Drug and Alcohol Service and Local Churches Café Team. The Hub has been going for almost 9 years, centred around its own café, offering food and dignity to local people who have the bravery to ask for help.

Revd Kay d’Albertanson, Centre Director told us, “Addiction shows no favours and is across all strands of society. Now we have lots of lovely stories of people recovering and going back to work and flourishing, but we also have tragic stories of people going around the cycle of addiction again. What is amazing about our clients is that they are brave enough to come off the substances and look at the trauma that they used to numb. As far as we know, we are the only partnership that centres recovery around food and nutrition as well as all the other counselling, support and liaison services we offer”

Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of PIPPINS COMMUNITY CENTRE CIO and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.