My Xtreme Hike Story
Jeremy Spooner
Fundraising for Grand Canyon Fall Xtreme Hike 2026
Jeremy Spooner
Welcome to our Xtreme Hike Fundraiser!
Let us remind you of Nicole’s famous last words last year when Jeremy got this wild idea about doing something EXTREME to continue raising awareness & funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Nicole said, “I will do it ONCE & ONLY ONCE.” Yet here we are, having talked not just ourselves, but a TEAM of people, into heading to the Grand Canyon on behalf of Struttin For Sutton. (It’s not too late…you TOO can join us, and we’d LOVE to have you!)
Let’s be honest, the second we got to the top of that canyon, brought to our knees and overcome with emotion for the challenge we just completed in the name of those with CF, we knew we’d be back. After meeting the incredible people that take on this Xtreme Hike for their loved ones, we were reminded, once again, that this passion and determination inside us to find these warriors their cure, is so much bigger than Sutton’s story.
After finishing the first Rim To Rim CF Hike in May of 2025, hiking 22.28 miles, with 6,000 feet of gained elevation (5,000 feet of descent) in 8 hours and 2 minutes (10 hours total time in the canyon), we realized that this journey didn’t start at the South Rim that day. It also definitely didn’t end for us at the top of that North Rim that day. What it did was make us realize we still have work to do. We refuse to give up our fight for those that endure this disease every day. Until It’s Done.
As we head into our 14th year of fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, we have group of AMAZING friends that have decided to join us in the canyon for their opportunity to do something XTREME to help this cause so near and dear to our hearts.
The Grand Canyon gets over five million annual visitors each year, but roughly 1% of those people attempt to hike it rim to rim…and some would say the craziest of them all…hike it in ONE day. We are that kind of crazy.
This is a reminder of what lies ahead…
The Cystic Fibrosis Grand Canyon Xtreme Hike is like no other Xtreme Hike. Its HOT. It’s HARD. It’s LONG, and it can be dangerous. The Xtreme hike starts on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where participants will descend 4,380 feet in 9.3 miles, and then ascend another 1500 feet over 7 miles through “The Box” of the Canyon. After 17 miles of hiking, the most challenging stretch still lies ahead with the last 7 miles climbing an additional 4000ft to the North Rim…totaling almost 24 miles. The paths are extremely narrow in spots, and some of the hikers we were with last year, took 16+ hours to get back out of the canyon. BUT…the sense of pride at the finish line makes it SO worth it.
We are excited to, once again, embark on this physical and mental challenge. It will be an adventure of PASSION, DETERMINATION, STRENGTH, and PERSONAL TRIUMPH all in the name of fundraising, raising awareness, and continuing our mission to help find a cure for all those living with Cystic Fibrosis.
Sutton continues to live a VERY healthy life with minimal complications from his CF related disease. He has even been able to wean off some of his inhalers. However, not all those whom we have come to know and love over the last, 14 years since his diagnosis, are as fortunate. There is still no cure, and many are still losing their battles at far too young an age. When we heard the WHYs from fellow hikers last year, it validated that we don’t do this for US, but for those who need hope for a happy ending.
During our last hike, we told ourselves over and over to embrace the discomfort…to “Hug it.” As we start to train again, we feel such gratitude for the opportunity to bring people along with us on this journey. This is something so special we can physically and mentally do for the CF Warriors we carry in our hearts each day.
Over the years, Struttin For Sutton & Puttin For Sutton’s unwavering supporters have made a significant impact on the advancements made by the CFF through our fundraising. We are asking for your help once again. Whether it is your prayers, a donation, or sharing our story, YOU play a VITAL role in our mission efforts. The philanthropic commitment we are hoping to achieve is $4000 per hiker, with 100% going to the CF Foundation. It is a BIG financial goal for a BIG mission. We are blessed to continue to have one of the greatest tribes. Thanks to all of you that continue to stand beside us until the day CF stands for CURE FOUND.
Let us remind you of Nicole’s famous last words last year when Jeremy got this wild idea about doing something EXTREME to continue raising awareness & funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Nicole said, “I will do it ONCE & ONLY ONCE.” Yet here we are, having talked not just ourselves, but a TEAM of people, into heading to the Grand Canyon on behalf of Struttin For Sutton. (It’s not too late…you TOO can join us, and we’d LOVE to have you!)
Let’s be honest, the second we got to the top of that canyon, brought to our knees and overcome with emotion for the challenge we just completed in the name of those with CF, we knew we’d be back. After meeting the incredible people that take on this Xtreme Hike for their loved ones, we were reminded, once again, that this passion and determination inside us to find these warriors their cure, is so much bigger than Sutton’s story.
After finishing the first Rim To Rim CF Hike in May of 2025, hiking 22.28 miles, with 6,000 feet of gained elevation (5,000 feet of descent) in 8 hours and 2 minutes (10 hours total time in the canyon), we realized that this journey didn’t start at the South Rim that day. It also definitely didn’t end for us at the top of that North Rim that day. What it did was make us realize we still have work to do. We refuse to give up our fight for those that endure this disease every day. Until It’s Done.
As we head into our 14th year of fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, we have group of AMAZING friends that have decided to join us in the canyon for their opportunity to do something XTREME to help this cause so near and dear to our hearts.
The Grand Canyon gets over five million annual visitors each year, but roughly 1% of those people attempt to hike it rim to rim…and some would say the craziest of them all…hike it in ONE day. We are that kind of crazy.
This is a reminder of what lies ahead…
The Cystic Fibrosis Grand Canyon Xtreme Hike is like no other Xtreme Hike. Its HOT. It’s HARD. It’s LONG, and it can be dangerous. The Xtreme hike starts on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where participants will descend 4,380 feet in 9.3 miles, and then ascend another 1500 feet over 7 miles through “The Box” of the Canyon. After 17 miles of hiking, the most challenging stretch still lies ahead with the last 7 miles climbing an additional 4000ft to the North Rim…totaling almost 24 miles. The paths are extremely narrow in spots, and some of the hikers we were with last year, took 16+ hours to get back out of the canyon. BUT…the sense of pride at the finish line makes it SO worth it.
We are excited to, once again, embark on this physical and mental challenge. It will be an adventure of PASSION, DETERMINATION, STRENGTH, and PERSONAL TRIUMPH all in the name of fundraising, raising awareness, and continuing our mission to help find a cure for all those living with Cystic Fibrosis.
Sutton continues to live a VERY healthy life with minimal complications from his CF related disease. He has even been able to wean off some of his inhalers. However, not all those whom we have come to know and love over the last, 14 years since his diagnosis, are as fortunate. There is still no cure, and many are still losing their battles at far too young an age. When we heard the WHYs from fellow hikers last year, it validated that we don’t do this for US, but for those who need hope for a happy ending.
During our last hike, we told ourselves over and over to embrace the discomfort…to “Hug it.” As we start to train again, we feel such gratitude for the opportunity to bring people along with us on this journey. This is something so special we can physically and mentally do for the CF Warriors we carry in our hearts each day.
Over the years, Struttin For Sutton & Puttin For Sutton’s unwavering supporters have made a significant impact on the advancements made by the CFF through our fundraising. We are asking for your help once again. Whether it is your prayers, a donation, or sharing our story, YOU play a VITAL role in our mission efforts. The philanthropic commitment we are hoping to achieve is $4000 per hiker, with 100% going to the CF Foundation. It is a BIG financial goal for a BIG mission. We are blessed to continue to have one of the greatest tribes. Thanks to all of you that continue to stand beside us until the day CF stands for CURE FOUND.
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