Cam Smith’s 2021 Grand Traverse Against Cancer

The Grand Traverse is a 40 mile backcountry ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen, CO. Teams of two leave Crested Butte at midnight to battle the elements, traverse across two 12,000 ft. passes, and with good fortune arrive in Aspen the next day. The race is an iconic annual event linking the two fun loving mountain towns. This year my race will serve as a platform to help raise support for Living Journeys.

Living Journey’s is a local non-profit that provides financial grants, emotional support, and enrichment programs to locals affected by cancer. My greatest friend and mentor has been locked in a 6 year battle with this awful disease. I’ve watched him go through the roller coaster of chemo, progress, treatments and setbacks. Living Journey’s has been there for him all the while to be a steadying rock at the most brutal time of his life. I’m sick of watching cancer take, supporting Living Journey’s helps us take back.

My teammate, John, and I will be racing from Crested Butte to Aspen as hard as we can. We’re each multiple time race winners that will be teaming up for the first time to push ourselves to the limit. Our personal goals may be winning and breaking records, but this time we’ll race knowing that the event has a purpose far beyond competition. The race will be a celebration of the community of donors we’ve rallied to help fight cancer here at home.

While the unfortunate truth is that LJ is only seeing an increase in demand for services, money raised will help LJ in their goal to make sure no one has to fight cancer alone. Small donations may help provide a dinner for someone that is recovering from chemo. Large donations might help cover a parent’s medical costs or keeps their kids on track for college. But ALL donations will provide for the deserving clients of Living Journey’s AND carry John and I through the mountains while we chase records!