David T. Connolly Outdoors

Sept. 12, 2011

Yes it has been 5 years and a few weeks since the diagnosis. That means I have officially beaten cancer. Those 5 years came at a high price but during those years I met some of the greatest people I've ever met. I've done some of the most personally rewarding things in my life during that time as well. Thank you Dr. Coopwood, Seton Oncology Clinic, Breckenridge Hospitol, Medical Assistance Program of Austin and all my friends. I love being alive and trying to make everyday count. So excuse me if I don't get upset when you do. I'm trying hard not to sweat the small stuff, and... well I bet you know where I'm going with this.

Colorado 2010 Expedition 11/08/2010 - 11/27/2010

The Colorado 2010 Expedition went very well. Summited Mount Bross @ 14,172 feet on November 20, 2010. It was just icy enough to be fun. Met some great fellows. In the photo below taken by Derrick Quilling, left to right we have Alexander Damien Knight, David T. Connolly and Ranjit Thapa on Bross. We also hiked the ridge connecting Bross to Cameron where we hit 14,238 ft above sea level, a new altitude record for me.

July 27, 2010 I set a new personal record climbing to 14,000FT above sea level reaching the "Home Stretch" on Longs Peak. Failed to summit though.

March 2010: I had a great time in spite of being unable to acclimate. Set a new personal record for number of nights spent winter camping at semi-high altitude, 10,200 ft. above sea level. Conditions were great and I never needed the face mask and goggles.

Photo by Britian Luthy

These shirts are on sale through Cafe Press. The $1.00 profit made from the sale of each shirt will go directly towards supporting the hospital visits. $9.99 plus s&h.

The narrows on Longs Peak.

Photo above posted on www.14ers.com by MN teleMARKer. Posted here with permission.

Click to enlarge.

The route Mark Phillips and I are working on. "It's A Wiggle Butt" (5.8+). From the guidebook: The crux is figuring out how to maneuver the polished rock to the 4th bolt. I didn't! Only to the third bolt. It was my first try at lead climbing and also the first time Mr. Phillips had belayed a climber. Everything went very well.
Jan. 26, 2010