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when you shop, bring your bag scan to learn more about our collective effort with anxiety. It’s a common misdiagnosis among those with hypoxia, and an understandable one, given that the two are connected: Not being able to breathe causes anxiety. Anxiety can also cause breathing problems such as hyperventilation. at’s a problem because doctors have to write a prescription for oxygen, said Mike Goldblatt, 67, of Evergreen. Goldblatt is hypoxic and doctors don’t know why. He was an arborist and guided y- shing trips and hikes. He also coaches and chases around his grandkids and plays golf and music in a band. Evergreen is at 7,400 feet and Goldblatt has no desire to move. Oxygen, which he uses when he’s active, makes his life far more normal than it would be otherwise.

“It feels a lot better,” Goldblatt said. But it irks him that oxygen is only available with a prescription. Patients also generally must choose between the portable tanks they use to hike and the large tanks that anchor many patients to their homes,

Goldblatt said.

“We are staying active,” Goldblatt said, referring to the hypoxic hiking group, “but 90% or more pulling oxygen aren’t. ey don’t realize they can get out.”

Insurance, he said, tends to restrict patients from portable tanks or limit them to a few per month, unless they ght. Medicaid doesn’t do this, at least for Shoaee, which is why she restricts her lifestyle to stay on it.

“Safety is what they call it,” Goldblatt said, “but it comes down to money.” ese are things that won’t be solved soon. But there are issues Shoaee believes she can address now. Carrying oxygen is a problem. A couple years ago she began talking to Osprey about designing a backpack speci cally for oxygen carriers.

“ e kinking is the most annoying part,” Lilly said. “Chantelle, can you x my tube? I’ve already been kinked up twice today.” e Osprey backpack, Shoaee said, solves both issues. ere are holes in the pack where hypoxic hikers can thread, and therefore secure, their tubes, and the bottom of the pack has more padding as well as straps to hold the tank in place and distribute the weight evenly. e nal version should be out by the end of the year. e pack is an a rmation that people are paying attention.

Kinking, of course, restricts oxygen ow, and the tubes get tangled. Lilly has a story about her tubes getting tangled while on a ski lift. She eventually had to be carried down by ski patrol because she needed the oxygen boost at the high elevation.

“I was so embarrassed,” she said. Tanks are heavy, with the mobile tanks weighing up to 15 pounds. e tanks alone make a daypack weigh more than if it were stu ed with overnight gear.

“It will be life-changing for people on oxygen,” Shoaee said. “We aren’t saying you have to hike a 14er. You can walk around the block now. is makes it possible. ere’s so much annoying stu about this illness. A backpack shouldn’t be one of them.”

Shoaee founded Always Choose Adventures because of her experiences, but the organization tries to break down barriers for all kinds of marginalized groups in the outdoors, not just the hypoxic. Gerry Roach, the mountain master and author of many guide books, including iconic versions for the 14ers, the Centennials, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks, is the board president. is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun. com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

But she hopes to use her talents to raise awareness about hypoxia and maybe one day solve some of the other issues oxygen carriers must face when they venture outdoors.

“Could we do a hypoxic 14ers day?” she asks her group.

First, though, she wants to go on a little hike to a lake near her property. e path is steep — at one point she protests to her friends when they leave some distance between them and her — but eventually they do reach the top. She puts her hands on her knees.

It’s hard to live so high up, but the views are spectacular, and the air is fresh.

She straightens up and breathes it in.

We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www.clearcreekcourant.com/ calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email dbrobst@coloradocommunitymedia.com to get items in the print version of the paper. Items will appear in print on a space-available basis.

Aug. 1-3 at 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs. Get childhood and adolescent vaccinations, sports physicals and more. Call 303-670-7528 for an appointment, though walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit www.clearcreekcounty. us/1474/Back-to-School-Days for more information.

Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival: e Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival will be Aug. 4-5 at the Shelly/Quinn ball elds in Idaho Springs. Friday night is free, though a limited number of tickets are available. Earlybird tickets for Saturday’s event are $25 until June 1. For more information, visit rapidgrassfestival.com.

Devil on the Divide 2023 50K and 22K will be Sept. 9, both reaching altitudes of 13,000 feet. Prior ultrarunning experience is required. For more information and to register, visit devilonthedivideultra.com/ sign-up.html.

Ongoing

Georgetown Plein Air Event: e sixth annual Georgetown Plein Air art event will be July 28-29 in downtown Georgetown. e event includes a Quick Draw in historic downtown. e exhibit and sale will run through Aug. 13. Artists can register at www.eventbrite.com/e/ plein-air-2023-artist-registrationtickets-466470875947.

Painted Ladies and Victorian Secrets Historic Home Tour: Georgetown’s historic home tour will be July 29 and includes a tour of eight private homes, historic museums and a private Victorian-style garden. Pick up tickets starting at 8 a.m. at Strousse Park, and homes open at 10 a.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/painted-ladies-andvictorian-secrets-home-tour-tickets.

e Clear Creek High School alumni reunion: e Clear Creek High School alumni reunion will be Saturday, July 29, at the Idaho Springs Elks Club. For more information, visit clearcreekhsalumni. org.

Back to School Days: Clear Creek Public Health and the Mountain Youth Network are hosting Back to School Days from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Free legal clinic: A free legal clinic will be from 2-5 p.m. ursday, Aug. 10, at both the John Tomay Library in Georgetown and the Idaho Springs Library. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions and explain the process and procedure for all civil issues, including family law, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law, small claims, veterans issues, and civil protection orders. Call your local library to be added to the sign-up sheet. Idaho Springs Library 303-567-2020 or Georgetown Library 303-569-2620.

Summer Fun at the Rock House: e Clear Creek Rock House is o ering Summer Fun at the Rock House for sixth through 12th graders from 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Dinner is provided. Some of the activities include paddle boarding, boating and use of our full activity court for badminton, basketball, volleyball and more. All activities are free. For more information, call Cheryl Holmberg at 303-519-0144.

Mountain Jams: Mountain Jams concerts start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays through Sept. 16 at Library State Park in Georgetown. is year’s acts, sponsored by Georgetown Cultural Arts and Georgetown Heritage Center, include a mix of jazz, bluegrass, rock, folk and country. Artists include local favorites and internationally recognized touring artists. For a complete lineup and additional details, visit www.eventbrite.com/ cc/eorgetown-mountain-jams.

Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and exible schedules are available on new construction sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed. Contact volunteer@bluesprucehabitat.org for information.

Resilience1220 counseling: Young people 12 to 20 can get free counseling through an Evergreenbased organization called Resilience1220. Comprised of licensed therapists, Resilience1220 serves individuals and groups in the foothills including Clear Creek County. ey also facilitate school and community groups to build life skills in wellness and resilience among youth. For more information or to schedule a counseling session, visit R1220.org, email Resilience1220@gmail.com or call 720-282-1164.

Dental clinics: Cleanings, X-rays, dentures, tooth extractions and more. Most insurances are accepted including Medicaid. Sliding scale/ low-cost options are also available. No appointment necessary. is is a mobile dentist that comes once a month. Call program manager Lauralee at 720-205-4449 for questions.

Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meetings: Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Marion’s of the Rockies. 2805 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs. For more information, email loe er806@comcast.net.

Support after suicide loss: Heartbeat and Resilience1220 o er Support After Suicide Loss from 5:30-7 p.m. the fourth ursday of the month for ages 14 and older. Join inperson or online. Suggest donation is $15. For location, visit R1220.org.

Storytime with Miss Honeybun: Storytime with Miss Honeybun is at 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays at the Idaho Springs Public Library and at 11:15 a.m. ursdays at the John Tomay Memorial Library in Georgetown.

Georgetown to Idaho Springs

Half-Marathon: e 45th annual Georgetown to Idaho Springs HalfMarathon will be Aug. 12, hosted by the Clear Creek Booster Club that supports high school and middle school students. e race starts at 7 a.m. at Georgetown Lake and ends at the Idaho Springs ball elds. Register at www.gtishalf.com.

Devil on the Divide 2023: e

Walk-in vaccine clinics: Walkin vaccine clinics for adults and children needing u and other vaccines are available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays at the Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center, 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs. No appointments required for the vaccines, though you can pre-register by calling 303-670-7528.

Sensitive Collection: Resilience1220 o ers a monthly workshop for highly sensitive people to help them live healthy and empowered lives from 3:30-4:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month via Zoom. Visit R1220.org for more information.