What’s in a name?
You don’t get the trail name «Cinco Vidas» unless you’ve been through some things. Despite doing all the “right things,” I have avoided death several times. Some examples: At age 41, I had a SCAD stroke. SCAD primarily affects women who previously had no health problems. At age 49 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which required five surgeries and a year of strength. I spent my 52nd birthday in the hospital, crazy on painkillers, after being rushed into surgery for a ruptured appendix.
Did I mention this is a partial list? I still exercise every day and eat a healthy diet, but there are times I consider buying a pack of Marlboro and 40 ounces of Schlitz, because what’s the point?
The birth of a trail name
The name of my trail came about quickly and naturally during my hike last year. On a cold spring morning in the NOC, we were anxiously waiting for the restaurant to open so we could carb-load. We had a very long and steep climb ahead of us to leave the NOC and bad weather was approaching. My friends were worried about possible exposure to lightning and the chances of being struck. In response, I muttered, «I don’t know about you, but I’ll be fine. I still have five lives left.» Immediately, everyone shouted, «Five lives! That’s the name of your path!» It’s a name I love, because it’s a reminder that while the road is difficult, so am I.
The positive side of avoiding death
The enormous advantage of life and death threats is that you confront very starkly the fact that life is fragile. None of us are guaranteed more time. I have spent long, lonely nights in hospitals wondering if, in fact, everything will be okay. Having a heart attack at age 41 changed me fundamentally:
I became a “hell yeah!” person instead of a person who says «let me check my calendar.»
I decided to start saying “yes” to every possible invitation and opportunity.
– Road trip to Maine with a coworker? Of course!
– Backpacking in Yosemite to get to the top of Half Dome with women you’ve never met? Sure!
– Return to whitewater kayaking after a 25-year break? You betcha!
My heart attack was 15 years ago. Since then, I have accumulated multiple lives in those years. I will go to the grave knowing there is little left in the tank.
The AT hiking section has been on my bucket list since I was 25 years old. I covered over 600 miles in last year’s LASH and hope to cover more ground in 2026. Let’s go for it!
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