Triumph To The Summit 2018
0 Comment
Each summer, Triumph Cancer Foundation trains a group of cancer survivors and supporters to "reach new heights" through a series of hikes, culminating in a mountain top hike.
Celebrating Triumph to the Summit
10 Years of Hiking with Survivors - 2015-2024
We trained. We hiked. We triumphed.
For 10 wondrous years, our Foundation offered the Triumph to the Summit summer hiking program. While this special program ended in 2024, we still celebrate the achievements of the dozens of hikers that joined us from 2015-2024 as we explored trails in our region – from sea to summit!
Part of our goal when creating this program was to demonstrate that Survivors can Triumph over cancer! Our team members served as an inspiration to other hikers we met on the trails, where we shared our stories and our mission with fellow hikers. Many hikers recognized us over the years due to our signature blue Team Triumph shirts that we wore on every hike.
While Triumph to the Summit is no longer offered by our Foundation, many of our former team members continue to share their hiking exploits with us. It gives us great joy to know that the spirit of this incredible program lives on!
For 10 memorable years, our team discovered wildflowers, crystal clear lakes, and endless views in the Sierra Mountains!
The Joy of Triumph to the Summit
Capturing Memories on the Trails from 2015-2024
For 10 amazing summers, our team hiked to some of the most beautiful high elevation lakes in the Sierra Mountains. We ventured across meadows filled with wildflowers and cross mountain streams as we trained. And just for good measure, a few of our hikes took us along coastal trails with stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean!
We celebrated each year on a final summit hike after 3 months of training – Mt. Tallac, Freel Peak, Thunder Mountain and Ralston Peak all served as our celebratory final summit hikes over the years. Team members festooned their backpacks with ribbons representing those touched by cancer and on the summit, we honored those special people in our lives
Triumph to the Summit 2018
In 2018, we decided to revisit Mt. Tallac. The hike was beautiful and challenging. The trail took us by unforgettable views of both Fallen Leaf... Read More
Triumph to the Summit 2017
In 2017, our team climbed to the top of Freel Peak. This mountain is the tallest in the Lake Tahoe basin topping out at over... Read More
Triumph to the Summit 2016
For 2016, we decided to move the climb closer to Sacramento so that more Triumph alumni, friends, family, and supporters could join us on this... Read More
The Story behind Triumph to the Summit
It started with one Triumph Fitness Graduate who wanted to “Pay it Forward”. Crystal Rowland had been an avid hiker, scaling peaks throughout the Sierra Mountains and Pacific Northwest. Then cancer struck. After treatment, her body was so weakened that walking upstairs was a challenge. Hiking became just a dream. When Crystal found Triumph, she found her way back. And as graduation neared, she hatched a plan. She was going to lace up her hiking boots again. She began training with her ultimate goal being to summit Mt. St. Helens. She chose this peak because it had been decimated by the volcanic eruption, and yet survived. And life began returning to its mountain slopes. It felt very much like her cancer journey and her reemergence to life thanks to Triumph Fitness. This hike was going to be her way to celebrate her newfound strength while paying it forward so other cancer survivors might benefit from Triumph like she did. She roped in a few friends, and even our Board Member Paula Plesha, to join her on the inaugural Triumph to the Summit hiking season.
What began as one incredible summer of hiking, rippled into a hiking program with Triumph Cancer Foundation that took place for 10 seasons, with our Executive Director Pam Whitehead taking over leading the hikes for many years.
And thanks to Crystal’s dream, Triumph to the Summit raised well over $110,000 over the ten years it was offered by our Foundation.
Watch the video that Crystal created of 2015’s inspiring day.
Celebrating our Many Triumph Hikers
While we no longer offer Triumph to the Summit, we hold the memories close of all the incredible hikers who joined our team over the years. Each year, we were joined by new faces, along with some returning hikers. Our team was comprised of Triumph Fitness graduates, other survivors, along with friends, family, and our own Instructors. Many team members were new to hiking, and their courage and commitment inspired us.
We celebrate the women and men who joined us on our weekly hiking adventures!
Supporting Triumph
While we no longer offer Triumph to the Summit, we are still providing our signature program Triumph Fitness at no cost to survivors in the Greater Sacramento area. We encourage you to consider donating to support this program that has been available to survivors in our community since 2005.