#117 | Trails & Tribulations Vol. 8 – Racing a Colorado Thunderstorm: A Near-Fatal Fall on Mount Shavano, a Colorado 14er - Gina Franco & Dylan

<p>In this volume of the <em>Trails &amp; Tribulations</em> series, I chat with Gina Franco, a SoCal based marathon runner, breast cancer survivor, and new to hiking convert, about her first Colorado 14er attempt on Mount Shavano (14,230 ft) with her 18 yr old son Dylan - a summit push that turned into a life threatening descent just two weeks before this recording.</p><p>Gina shares how receiving a Mount Whitney permit inspired the mother-son duo to dive headfirst into hiking only four months earlier, tackling Southern California peaks before traveling to Colorado to continue their training. What began as a carefully planned first fourteener quickly unraveled as altitude, dehydration, summit fever, and a fast-moving afternoon thunderstorm combined into a perfect storm of events. Racing to get below treeline, Gina caught her toe on a steep boulder step and was launched headfirst into the rocks, suffering a severely broken wrist, a broken elbow, a concussion, cracked rib, and multiple facial injuries while five miles from the trailhead.</p><p>With only her son beside her, Gina recounts the terrifying moment she believed she was going to die on the mountain, the critical decision to activate a Garmin inReach SOS, and the incredible kindness of Colorado Fourteeners Initiative trail crew members who helped guide her safely off the mountain. Along the way, she shares invaluable lessons about turnaround times, why experienced Colorado hikers aim to be back below treeline by noon, how dramatically altitude changes hydration and pacing, why most hiking accidents happen on the descent, and the importance of knowing how to use your emergency communication devices before you ever need them. This is a story about resilience, preparation, humility, and the life-saving lessons that can emerge from one of the hardest days you'll ever experience in the mountains.</p><p><br /></p><p>Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails &amp; Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story!</p><p><br /></p><p>Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on justtrekofficial@gmail.com</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Gina Franco on https://www.instagram.com/runner_girl_g</p><p><br /></p><p>Check out the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative more on https://www.14ers.org/</p><p><br /></p><p>Weather resources:</p><p>https://www.mountain-forecast.com/</p><p>https://www.noaa.gov/</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/</p><p><br /></p><p>Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠</p><p><br /></p><p>Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠</p><p><br /></p><p>Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠</p><p><br /></p><p>Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠justtrekofficial@gmail.com⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek</p>