In the winter of 2020, I am mounting cross-country skis at the Sweden/Norway border, determined to cross Norway in nine days. Hauling a pulk sled, I will ski nine hours each day. I am doing this for my daughter Tia who was born with the rare disease, PKU. I am doing this to help fund research for a cure for all people with PKU. I invite you to join this adventure with me!
Why Norway/About the Trek
Crossing Norway for a Cure is dedicated to three important people:
- My courageous daughter Tia, who inspires me every day to fight so she can realize her life’s potential, and to find a cure for PKU.
- My amazing mother Ginny Michaux, who has been by our sides from day-one, working relentlessly to support Tia’s health. As a key member of the NPKUA Scientific Advisory Committee, she has worked to identify the best possible avenues of research for a cure. She herself is an avid outdoor adventurer and instilled this passion in all of us.
- Finally, the reason I chose to cross Norway, the late Dr. Ivar Asbjørn Følling. He is the Norwegian biochemist who discovered and named PKU in two Norwegian children 85 years ago. His work was too late to save Liv and Dag from severe intellectual and developmental disabilities, but it has saved thousands of children since then.
Details About the Trek
The trek will begin along the Norway/Sweden border, and proceed northwest across Norway until we reach the coast in Stjørdal, Norway. This route is just south of the Arctic Circle and also just south of the farmland where Dr. Ivar Asbjørn Følling grew up.
- Cross-country/Nordic skiing
- Route runs east to west from Sweden to the west coast of Norway
- Crossing should take 9 days
- We depart February 20, 2020
- Average 21 km per day = 9-10 hours of skiing/day
- Average 20 degrees during day, average -10 to -20 night
- Pulling all supplies in 80lb pulk sled
- Tent sleeping on the snow each night
- Guide is Elise Koren from Hvitserk of Norway
