Zac Barbiasz (WHS Graduate 2006)
After graduating Ware High School I went on to Georgetown
University where I would continue my football career for all four years. At
Georgetown University I studied government because I was originally interested
in becoming a Lobbyist, Lawyer, or who knows. Hah. I even did a summer stint on
The Hill for Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts. His office was really
awesome to work for but I soon realized that I wasn't actually interested in
working in Politics (at least for the time being). So, after College I moved to
Steamboat Springs, CO to join my brother in his Ski Town experiment. I loved
it. Skiing, biking, and running became my life in the Great Outdoors. I started
journaling my adventures through photography and video (mainly social media).
Eventually, Vasque Footwear and numerous other Outdoors companies saw my stuff
via a Brand Ambassador program posted by Outside Magazine called the Vasque PCT
Thruhike Syndicate. That is originally how the idea of Thruhiking the PCT came
about. The chance at such a great adventure with the opportunity to share my
experience with such a large audience was a no brainer. As a Brand Ambassador,
I will exchange photography/social media work with the companies and product
knowledge with fellow hikers when they inquire. Of course, big thanks to all of
the sponsors. They really made this all possible for me. As for right now, I am
currently packing for my adventure. The hardest part so far has been deciding
what to put in the pack and what not to. Controlling the weight of the pack is
going to be key so unfortunately very few luxury items will be coming with me
on the 2,660 mile journey!
You can follow the adventure at www.zacandgregpct.com, on Instagram at
@zacandgregpct, @zacbarbiasz, and @gregsagan. Plus, you can view our page on
facebook. Just simply search for ZacandGregPCT and dont forget to like/share
it!
Please notice that we are trying to raise money for two
different charities. I am raising money for the Dana Farber Cancer Prevention
Fund and you can read why I chose this particular fund on www.zacandgregpct.com. Greg, is raising
money for the St. Baldrick's Childhood Cancer Research and you can find out all
about his story on the site as well!
Thank you so much for reaching out to us. We are excited to share our individual stories and look forward to sharing this upcoming adventure as well!
Greg Sagan (WHS Graduate 2007)
Some history on myself:
I was born and raised in the Pioneer Valley and
graduated from Ware High School in 2007. My
beginning years of my college degree was started at Holyoke
Community College and I later transferred to Westfield State where I
graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. Upon my graduation from
Westfield State University in 2013, I worked as a Correctional Officer at
the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. During my short career at the FCSO,
I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23 and quickly realized that
life, is indeed, too short and that I had to follow my
passion - the great outdoors. Knowing little about Colorado, I visited a
mountain town called Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where I
met up with my high school friend Zac Barbiasz who has been
living in Steamboat since 2012. After my successful
post-remission treatments, my dream of moving to Colorado became a
reality. Not knowing what lied ahead, I quit my job,
packed my car, headed West and never looked back. My first year and a
half here in Steamboat has been nothing less than fantastic and a
very grateful one to say the least. Like most who live in a
mountain town and are seasonal employees, I landed a job at One Steamboat
Place, which is a luxury private club at the base of the mountain
and where I'm a Club Service Attendant. In addition, I'm also a
snowboard instructor for Steamboat Resort, where I teach and share the
Steamboat dream to all age groups.
You'll typically find me mountain biking or backpacking here
in the Rockies, where my passion and gratitude for the great outdoors keeps
growing. Last Fall, I came across an article on Outside Magazine's
Facebook page, where they were posting in search
of applicants who were potentially going to be hiking the Pacific
Crest Trail. It's a program called the Vasque Footwear Thru--hike
syndicate, where we would be product ambassadors for Vasque, Leki Poles,
Osprey, Darn Tough Socks, and Nemo Equipment while we're on the anticipated 5
month, 2,650 trek. Surprised and being a coincidence that
only 10 people were chosen, Zac and I made the list and have become a
part of Vasque's 2015 Thru-Hike Syndicate program.
With a 2,650 mile trek, and one journey that we'll
never forget, we wanted to make this opportunity bigger and better than
what it already has become. ZacandGregPCT.com was created and we've
teamed up with the St. Baldricks Foundation for kids cancer research, the Dana
Farber Cancer Institute and a go fund me page to help with food and travel
expenses. As a cancer survivor myself , I wanted to team up with the St.
Baldricks Foundation because my heart goes out to every single child who is
going through this time in their lives. A time when they should be
able to enjoy life to the fullest and live normal everyday lives like any other
child should, without dealing with such a disease and effects that come from
it. In honor of his Father, Zac teamed up with Dana Farber who has a
disease known as MGUS. Sometimes referred to as "smoldering myeloma,"
this affliction has to be watched as it can be a precursor to blood cancers
such as Multiple Myeloma and Waldenstroms Lymphoma. With the money raised
on our go fund me page, all proceeds will be split evenly between myself and
Zac for expenses incurred along the hike. By helping us reach our goal, you
will in-part be paying for our food, postage, the occasional hotel stay and
other basic thru-hiking expenses.
Lastly, our site gives viewers the option to sign up to our
newsletter to receive updates and photos along the way. For those on
Facebook, you can like ZacandGreg PCT and follow us on Instagram to receive
updates as well.