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A stairclimb for cancer
Published
10 years agoon
Local firefighters to represent Big Sky in Seattle
By Joseph T. O’Connor Explore Big Sky Senior Editor
BIG SKY – At 605 feet, the Space Needle dominates Seattle’s skyline. It’s just not tall enough for firefighters.
In its 23rd year, the Scott-sponsored Firefighter Stairclimb is held in the 788-foot-tall Columbia Center, the second tallest building west of the Mississippi, and requires firefighters to climb 1,311 steps – 788 vertical feet – in full turnouts and carrying oxygen tanks.
Two new hires at the Big Sky Fire Department, Mike Bakke and Mitch Hamel, are participating in the event on March 9, which last year raised $1.44 million dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. With 1,800 participants this year, it sold out in 14 minutes.
Bakke has been involved in the competition for four years, and it’s his third year racing.
“The first year, I was the junior guy in the Marietta Fire Department [in Bellingham, Wash.] and replacing oxygen tanks for senior guys,” said Bakke, 26, who started at BSFD with Hamel last October. “You got guys trying to haul ass, so it’s a stressful little operation.”
Racing up 69 flights of stairs in gear weighing roughly 65 pounds, competitors have to be in top physical shape. Bakke says training at altitude in Montana is a big advantage.
“I think this will be the best year of all,” Bakke said. “Last year I was competitive and [training] at sea level. The guys who have won the last five years have been Montana guys, which is pretty impressive.”
Missoula City firefighter Andrew Drobeck won the last two, coming in 2013 with a time of 10:48. “That’s incredibly fast,” Bakke said. “He’s not human, but we’re coming for him. The goal is obviously to win.”
Bakke and
“[The stairclimb] is exhausting, but [finishing] is an amazing feeling – just the accomplishment,” Bakke said. “And you can enjoy the view at the top for a couple minutes before you take the elevator down.”
Hamel, in his first year competing, has only an idea of how shredded competitors are after reaching the top of Columbia Center. But he’s eagerly anticipating the event.
“I was looking at photos the other day of past years’ events,” said Hamel, 31. “It looks like they’re worked at the end of it, sucking wind pretty hard. But it’ll be worth it. I’m looking forward to it no matter how I feel.”
This is the first year BSFD is sending representatives to the all-firefighter competition, which requires participants to pay a $55 entry fee and raise at least another $300. But most firefighters don’t cap their fundraising there.
Last year Bakke raised $1,500, he said, and the goal this year is $5,000. As of EBS press time, Feb. 5, Bakke and Hamel had raised $1,500.
The Boise Fire Department led all fundraising efforts on Feb. 5, having raised $28,650 since registration opened on Nov. 14, according to firefighterstairclimb.org. Last year Boise topped out at $44,900, the most ever for the event.
Donations to the Firefighter Stairclimb are accepted until March 25, and booths are out in Big Sky at The Cave, Grizzly Outfitters, Gallatin Alpine Sports and the Hungry Moose. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For more information and to donate online, visit firefighterstairclimb.org.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
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Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
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Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
Time
(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Location
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT