Later this month I will be traveling to the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, to participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March. Tina will come with me as well as her cousin Sharon and Sharon’s husband Bruce.
The Genesis of this adventure is my High School (The New Mexico Military Institute) alumni association. They send a group to the march every year. Although the official march is quite a challenge (run a marathon with a 35 pound pack on a course that includes loose sand), I am planning to do a less challenging activity. I will walk a 15 mile section of the course with no 35 pound pack. That will be quite enough challenge for me. Also, I plan to walk with Bruce not my high school team. Hopefully Tina and her cousin will find a place to enjoy margaritas while Bruce and I walk.
I did participate in the marathon (but walking) a few years ago during Covid. I was able to participate in a virtual mode with a tracking app. I have recently learned that some 5000 people will be participating in the event at White Sands this year, mostly military. So, Bruce and I will have a lot of company.
I found out recently that the reason my alumni association participates is because there were a number of graduates in the original march in the Philippines.
I am trying to get ready for this adventure by walking and, alternately, working out at the gym. Yesterday I did 8+ miles. The gym director has suggested a number of exercises to get me ready. I have a way to go but little time to get in shape. We leave for New Mexico on the 18th.
Backpacking Bill 