Living Journeys 2026 Summit Hike

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 25th at Crested Butte Mountain Resort as we celebrate 27 years of community cancer support. This special day is more than just a hike;  it’s a day to come together to support those currently facing cancer and remember the cherished family and friends we have lost.

Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking West Elk Mountains, Mt. Crested Butte offers a route for everyone , whether you want to conquer the full 9.9-mile trek from the base, take the chairlift for a shorter 2-mile hike to the summit, or simply enjoy the ride and join us for lunch. 

Every step helps fund essential support services, emotional counseling, and financial assistance for individuals and families navigating cancer right here in our community. Let’s lace up our hiking shoes, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and fill the trails with hope, love, and laughter. Together, no one in our community faces cancer alone.

The History of the Summit Hike

In 1999 Dana Zobs brought the Breast Cancer Fund’s “Peak Hike” to Mt.Crested Butte in 1999, which was a successful event from the San Francisco area that raised money for breast cancer advocacy. The Breast Cancer Fund (BCF) wanted to return a portion of the fundraising back to the community. At the time there was not a non-profit in the valley that worked with cancer. The decision was made to start a support group with the funds and, in 2000, Mary Mike Haley, Dana Zobs, and Cheryl Ryan formed Living Journeys.

When the support group was first put together, Mary Mike Haley was the primary therapist for the group. At the time the Breast Cancer Fund was running the hike and according to their mission statement they could only give money to a support group and research. No money could be given directly to individuals. Mary Mike was hired to run the support groups, and after a short amount of time, she realized people were really stressed about the financial burden that comes with this disease.

When the BCF stepped back from the hike here they offered Dana a job in California and she accepted it. Dana approached Mary Mike about continuing the hike which is now the Summit Hike that exists today. The BCF donated $10,000.00 to continue the hike that first year, and Alice Arnold put together a 501c3 pro-bono creating Living Journeys. Mary Mike selected Living Journeys’ first board and that board decided together Living Journeys' number one mission would be emotional and financial support for people, men, women and children, dealing with all types of cancer not just breast cancer. Living Journeys operated out of Mary Mike’s house for the first three years.

Cheryl Ryan, as a founder, had inflammatory breast cancer and wanted to create an environment for patients, survivors, and community members to come together for hope and comfort. Cheryl saw the need for a support system that dealt directly with the emotional and physical aspects of all types of cancer and those affected by the disease. The founders also discovered that many people struggled with balancing their normal responsibilities with their new battle for survival and how in almost all cases the astronomical medical expenses were met with a decrease in income due to the inability to work. This awareness expanded to Living Journeys’ grant program where clients could apply for a financial grant to experience a little financial relief.

Living Journeys helps individuals and their families in a desperate time of need and offers some relief from financial stresses and emotional support programs offering tools to manage emotions such as fear, anxiety and confusion that often accompany a cancer diagnosis. Patients with a calm, healthy mental state improve their quality of life, and may also enhance their chances for positive treatment results.

To learn more about Living Journeys current work, please visit our website: www.livingjourneys.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the schedule on day of the Summit Hike?

• 7:00 am             Registration opens under the Red Lady Stage at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area
• 7:30 am             Coffee and light refreshments available
• 9:00 am             Silver Queen and Red Lady chair lifts begin running
• 11:00 am           Brunch available at the base area
• 1:00 pm             Brunch wraps up
• 2:00 pm             Silver Queen chair lift last ride down
• 3:00 pm             Summit Hike event wraps up
• 5:00 pm             Red Lady chair lift last ride down

Where do I check in and pick up my swag bag?

Please check in at the Registration area located under the Red Lady Stage at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area. Follow the signs to the Red Lady chair lift. You will receive your swag bag when you check-in, as well as the opportunity to decorate your Summit Hike bib.

What should I bring?

Hiking at altitude means wearing layers, applying sunscreen, and bringing plenty of water. The low humidity and strong sun at this altitude make hydration and sun protection essential. At 12,621 feet, the weather can change rapidly, so be prepared for varying conditions. Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature of Crested Butte summers, so we encourage participants to get started early. Not only is rain inconvenient and can make conditions more dangerous, but mountain operations are required to shut down the chair lifts for lightning.

What if it rains?

The show must go on! No, really, we don’t close for rain. Be prepared for different conditions and bring a waterproof layer. Summer afternoons in Crested Butte often bring thunderstorms, so we recommend starting early to avoid rain and potential lightning, which can cause mountain operations to shut down the chair lifts.

What if I sign up and can't do the hike?

The 25th annual Summit Hike is a fundraiser dedicated to supporting those impacted by cancer in Gunnison County. Refunds are only available if you contact us at least three weeks before the event. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide refunds for inclement weather. Thank you for understanding and contributing to our cause.

What does it mean to be a fundraiser?

Level up your involvement and become a fundraiser! When you register for the Summit Hike, you can choose to join the Cancer Support Squad and become a fundraiser for community cancer support. You'll get some amazing perks and the chance to earn free registration and Living Journeys swag!

• VIP access at the event
• Your own personal fundraising page
• Step-by-step fundraising tutorials and templates
• Weekly emails with tips and tricks
• Earn free registration and awesome Living Journeys swag!
  • Raise $150 = free registration! Your registration fee will be refunded back to you.
  • Raise $300 = Living Journeys stainless steel water bottle
  • Raise $500 = Living Journeys baseball hat
  • Raise $1000 = Living Journeys hoodie

You will get help every step of the way and dedicated supporters to keep you on-track.

Create a fundraising team and invite your friends to celebrate 25 years of community cancer support!

How do you become a fundraiser?

Becoming a fundraiser is easy and can be done during or after registration. Click here for a tutorial video and instructions.

Check out our fundraiser toolkit for tips, inspiration, and to get templates.

If you have already signed up for the hike but would like to become a fundraiser, below is how you can set up your fundraising page:

1. Click here to sign In to RunSignup: https://runsignup.com
2. Go to your Profile.
3. Click My Registered Races.
4. Click Manage next to Living Journeys Summit Hike Registration.
5. Click Fundraiser in the left-handed sidebar to begin.
6. The “Fundraiser” tab will redirect you to the “Donate” tab of the race page, and if you scroll down to the section labeled “New Fundraiser Linked to Registration”, then you’ll find the personal fundraiser options available for you.