tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57290611848161062042024-03-13T09:49:51.924-08:00From a trail called 'Life'Tales from the trails and far beyond: a photoblog from AlaskaDantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-10234638114487008662018-09-19T21:48:00.000-08:002018-09-19T21:48:01.199-08:00Shifted: Mountain Biking with Shimano Di2 Electronic Shifting
Last fall I picked up a 2018 Scott Spark 900 Premium that
came stock with Shimano’s XT Di2 electronic shifting.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’ll cut to the chase. I put about 500 miles onto the bike
before switching to mechanical shifting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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The bottom line: I lacked confidence in the system.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Nothing happened, I don’t have an epic fail story to share. I’m
not a Di2 hater, I don’t think it’s bad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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The story really was: I couldn’t sleep at night. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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This was the wrong bike in my quiver for this technology, in
my mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Di2 presented too high a risk for failure, too high a cost in
price and time for repair, and meanwhile I did not experience a significant enough
performance gain given those risks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I’m not riding some disaster-proof metal tank. I’m on an all-carbon
frame, carbon wheels, tubeless tires, etc. Any of these components could fail
too in their effort to improve performance and reduce weight, and they too could
leave me in a bad spot if they fail and could cost a lot to replace. Yet, they’re
all less likely to fail; they may be expensive to replace or they may not but
regardless they are all easy to replace; and given all of that they provide enough
of a performance advantage that far outweighs whatever their potential failure
risks are. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvyW8vFsUe-xKcHZxHaWumHIvwmQY77oZ291vd-Tn212i3fsS2oi8M5l_gc3-0t_1FlgpVJg8oH84pk1FmPPI4MMDV8DzLQDaC4TmQkfQWOc1dxtAMk76ZAjtDUJH7Th3SaOAlQyYzwMN/s1600/shimano-xt-di2-shifter-1478909792090-oif2kb5fbpu1-630-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="630" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvyW8vFsUe-xKcHZxHaWumHIvwmQY77oZ291vd-Tn212i3fsS2oi8M5l_gc3-0t_1FlgpVJg8oH84pk1FmPPI4MMDV8DzLQDaC4TmQkfQWOc1dxtAMk76ZAjtDUJH7Th3SaOAlQyYzwMN/s320/shimano-xt-di2-shifter-1478909792090-oif2kb5fbpu1-630-80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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Why not this bike?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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To be clear, what I was most concerned about happening,
never happened. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I tested this bike for its first 500 miles mostly in
California, and riding trail systems close to home in Anchorage. The bike only
went on one backcountry ride in Alaska with Di2. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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That first 400 miles I put on in Cali was a nice honeymoon
for this bike, but it’s place in the quiver is as follows: high-mileage weekend
backcountry adventure stead, endurance racing bike, and Lower 48 bike vacation
bike. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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For an important point of reference: I retired my previous
bike in this category after 3 seasons with 4,264 miles (GPS logged, not
estimated). <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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During the summer, I will regularly put in 75-125 miles of
backcountry trail riding in a single week on this bike. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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The emphasis here is on backcountry. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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The trails are point-to-points, lack regular trail maintenance,
sport heavy brush, and provide no end of opportunities to do things to your
bike you just shouldn’t do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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More, Alaska’s summers are short. Heavy winter snows, late
springs, fast-growing vegetation, and early fall rains can all conspire to
further shorten the riding season. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Missing even one weekend of riding up here may mean not
riding a trail at all, all season. You can’t control the environment, so, missing
a weekend because of mechanical failure is not an option. Period.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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What became very clear to me, was that, this system was
going to fail. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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No, not because it’s electronic per se, but because drivetrains
are the most failure-prone part of any mountain bike. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Derailleurs get ripped off by mishaps with brush and rocks,
shifter paddles get snapped off in crashes. It’s just part of life for mountain
bikes, no matter where you ride. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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While the electronic components of the drivetrain have been
thoroughly vetted and tested by pros for a half decade who put their equipment
through far more severe conditions than I, the electronics too are certainly bound
to fail in some way in their own right. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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While one may easily conjure the “electronic failure nightmare”
of a severed wire, shorted junction box, fried shifting motor, or dead battery,
15 miles from the trail head, the reality is, the failures of the electronic components
present no greater adversity in the immediate situation than any other mechanical
failure on any other part of the bike. They do add a few more “fail points”
perhaps, but at what likelihood, I can’t say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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It doesn’t matter though, electronic or mechanical, you’re
still in the same boat: you’ve got a compromised drive train and have to limp
out or start jogging. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I’ve been there, done that, and will certainly have to do it
again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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If all I was trying to avoid was a catastrophic mechanical
in the backcountry, I’d ride a single speed and blow out my knees instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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The nightmare of a catastrophic mechanical with Di2, at
least in my mind, starts when you get back to civilization.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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If you rip off your 11 speed mechanical Shimano derail while
out on a ride, or any other part of your mechanical drivetrain for that matter,
good news: if you want to ride tomorrow, every shop in North America has the replacement
parts, in stock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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It might be from a different groupset, it might be more than
you want to pay, but you can buy it and install it yourself in an hour or so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Got Di2? You are likely in for another kind of slog.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Even living in an outdoorsy and bike-crazy town like
Anchorage, there are only a handful of cyclists with electronic drivetrains.
So, unless you have the replacement part personally on-hand, you’re very likely
out of luck. Most in-town shops will doubtfully carry the spare parts in stock.
They can of course order the part for you, but it won’t arrive for a week, and
you’ll likely pay full price. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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You can go online and order the part yourself and get it
shipped overnight or 2<sup>nd</sup>-day, but of course you also pay the premium
shipping cost. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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While you’re online shopping for that replacement part, you
will of course note that every Di2 component costs more than $100. The same
mechanical component may cost anywhere from $30 to $75.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Also, depending on what the repair is, you may or may not be
able to do the replacement yourself. Di2 is not a simple system. If you can’t
install the replacement part yourself, you’re likely still going to need to get
your bike in the que at the shop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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So, ya, you obviously had a bummer of a ride this weekend
due to the drivetrain failure, but there’s also still a good chance your bike
will still be out of commission for next weekend. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Whenever you do get it up and running again, you will have
likely paid a lot for that repair…a lot more than you would have for the same
issue on a mechanical system.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Here’s scenario 2. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I’m on a bike vacation, and, bang-snap! A shift paddle breaks;
or the derail gets ripped off. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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If I’m near a major metro area, I may actually be OK, perhaps
even in better shape than I would be at home, and will find a shop that can
replace the Di2 part – again, for a pretty penny, especially when I have to pay
a bribe to get my bike worked on ASAP so I can continue my trip. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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If I’m in the middle of nowhere -- often where I like to
take my MTB vacations -- I can almost assure you, the local bike shop does not
have the Di2 part. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I easily foresaw this playing out for me, and then foresaw
having to plead with said local shop to unceremoniously rip off the Di2 and
replace it with whatever drivetrain they had in stock, paying full price and
maybe that bribe too, just so I could finish out the trip. That, or go running
and hiking for the rest of the week while my friends all shred.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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When I described this scenario/nightmare to a good friend
who spends several weeks every year bike vacationing around the US, he said: “Ya,
I’d carry an entire spare groupset if I was you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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No thanks! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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So, ya, it did not take too many nights of tossing and
turning on these possibilities before I assembled the replacement mechanical shifters
and derails online for a grand total cost of $200, or the equivalent of less
than 1.75 Di2 components, and had my shop carefully remove the Di2, and re-install
the mechanical parts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I can’t say I ever looked back on that decisions, and since
that time, I’ve put 1700+ miles on the bike mostly here in Alaska, as well as
Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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But, as I said, none of my nightmare scenarios actually
happened. I just couldn’t stop thinking about it, and dreading it. I knew
failure was imminent, I just did not know how, or when, and I wanted more
control over what happened afterward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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From a basic performance standpoint, I liked the way
electronic shifting felt. It was fast, smooth, and crisp. I loved that there
were no cables to clog with mud and dust, no barrel swivels to adjust, no half
shifts and ghost shifts. I liked the synchro shifting for 2x, and being able to
simply hold a shifter to get multiple shifts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I would not hesitate to use electronic shifting on a
different bike such as my road bike or hard tail, maybe even a snowbike? Those
bikes however, never go far from home, and won’t break my heart if they are out
of commission for a week or two.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Electronic makes a lot of sense on bikes in general, and
maybe one day it will on this particular bike. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I definitely want to see electronic shifting succeed too. In
this day and age of technology, mechanical shifting is archaic. Lousy shifting
is something that should be eradicated like an ancient disease.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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If electronic does catch on, I think there is a possibility
to wholly re-visit the layout and design of the cockpit of modern mountain bikes.
What if shifters no longer had to be levers and triggers? How small could they
get? How could we redesign dropper and lock out levers, and might those too
soon be controlled by teeny motors? Who knows?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I will say that I’m most hopeful for wireless systems such
as SRAM’s Eagle eTap. Avoiding an intermediary junction box, wiring harness,
and battery, seem like no brainers from a maintenance and re4liability
standpoint, though I assume that cost and parts availability issues will remain
issues well into the next decade. I guess we will see.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-81602541708789037262018-04-26T22:31:00.001-08:002018-04-26T22:31:24.632-08:00Tercero/Beluga Peak North Couloir
Tony D dropped a line. He and a crew were headed up Mills
Creek for some ski camping and exploring, and wanted to know if I wanted join.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Duh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One Phatty and phour phree-heal phreaks (Nathan was on
teles) rallied to the middle of nowhere.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Kenais have had a lean winter, Summit area is
exceptionally thin, and has sported lousy stability most the season. Other than
one outing there to poke around, I’ve avoided it like the plague. Not worth it.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
With the spring cycle in full swing, the troubled and thin
pack was quickly peeling away from most aspects, and grass and shrubs were popping
back out on wind-blown slopes. It looked more like May, but stability had come
back for the higher elevation north faces. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Skiing the north couloir on El Tercero/Beluga Peak (see <a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/03/ski-camping-and-new-lines-in-mills-creek.html" target="_blank">LINK</a>
for info on Mills Creek peak names) has been on the agenda for a couple years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Tony and Craig – Chunk made the probable first descent of
Beluga’s north side some 12 years ago. In March 2016, Tony, Trent, Nathan, and
I skied right under Beluga’s north couloir, and were tempted, but opted instead
to focus our energy on the un-skied neighboring Stormy Peak and its ragged
north face instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This spring, I didn’t expect Beluga or any of its ridgeline
couloirs to be in great shape, but with a nice mid-week refresh, sunny weather
in the forecast, and Beluga’s summit elevation above 5,000 feet, I knew it
would still be soft, despite ambient temps getting above freezing as high as 3,500
feet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Tony, Paul, and Jay got an early start, and were a couple hours
ahead of Nathan and I. Nathan and I left the road around 10, and made good
time, getting to Stormy Creek a bit before 1. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Tony and crew had checked out part of the route on Friday afternoon
to confirm all the snow bridges were still in, so route finding was easy. The only
challenge were the deep and now re-frozen tracks left by Tony and Jay. The
short slick descents on the mining roads proved to be some of the scariest
skiing of the weekend! The refrozen ski trenches threatened to grab and catch a
ski at any moment. Add in heavier overnight packs, and it was downright,
slide-slip, terrifying!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Anyway, the small upshot to a very lean winter was that
alders were left standing upright along most the Mills Creek aqueduct. It was
actually easier travel on this section then it was deep winters the past, where
some nefarious alders were left bowed over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That being said, we found ourselves searching for traction
on thick, dry grass climbing up and down wind-blown bluffs. Crossing the
numerous melted out ditches on the mining road and aqueduct, we skinned through
damp moss, and stomped through slimey muck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We got to camp, and the crew had just finished setting up
and having lunch. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Nathan and I found a new use for our Verts: stomping out a
tent platform. On the warm sunny bench, if you tried to walk without skis, you
would immediately fall hip-deep in mank. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Tony, Paul, and Jay set off for the unnamed Beluga drainage,
while Nathan and I finished setting up camp.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We caught up a little bit later under Stormy’s melting
southwest face, a place I’d love to return to in mid-winter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On the trek in, seeing how deep Tony and Jay had been
trenching in on their tour the previous afternoon, Nathan and I discussed the
idea of just going for Beluga today, and using the firm morning crust Sunday for
a drama-free exit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As we skied up Beluga’s valley, we didn’t find soft snow
until about 3,500 feet, and we noted that most the northerly lines on Beluga’s
ridge had either sloughed out and were full of chunder, or were very boney and
unappealing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Even the big north couloir was shockingly thin. Fortunately,
it lacked any massive chunder piles. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Decision made: up we went.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Beluga is a pretty easy peak to get. You can literally take
the ridge right up out of Mills Creek valley for a 2 mile sky-walk if you want.
There appears to be some ridge crux action about midway as the ridge spikes
upward – and may either require skinning out over a the southwest facing gully,
or a short boot, it probably depends on the snow year. Another option is to go
up the unnamed Beluga drainage and climb the west-facing headwall separating
Beluga and Stormy peaks, then take Beluga’s wrap-around ridge south. This year,
the wrap-around ridge was in good shape and lacking big cornices, however, the
headwall was showing signs of deterioration and rotting out. In 2016, we
climbed the headwall to get to Stormy. It made sense for Stormy, and was a
month easrlier, but I can’t say it was great, and in hindsight, I would have
preferred to have had Verts for that climb and narrowed exposure on the wall. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 94.5pt;">
Lastly, you can boot a few of Beluga’s
northerly couloirs to attain its summit ridge, including the main summit
couloir.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We chose the latter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The boys set up in the sun down in the cirque to watch while
Nathan and I pushed the skinner to the base of the couloir and switched to
booting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Beluga’s north couloir is, like many Kenai mountain couloirs,
not a clearly defined feature. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In the big picture, it’s actually more of an hourglass with
twin necks. The bottom bulb of the hour glass is the apron, and splits out with
a few fins that will be variously protruding in differing snow years. The top
bulb connects to the curved summit ridge. The further eastward you go down
Beluga’s ridge from its summit, the more overhang there is from cornices. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The twin necks of the hour glass each feature their own
varying level of character, including chokes and blades of rock that may or may
not be exposed depending on the snow year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There is also an easterly facing “blowhole” couloir that
peels away from Beluga’s iconic suspended summit field and feeds into the north
couloir. I don’t know if the blowhole goes every year. On this trip, we looked
up the blowhole and observed it was totally wind jacked with 2-3 foot, rock-hard
wind drifts. It’s got to be an amazing run when it goes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The initial boot above the apron was good, soft, and
promised to ski well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As we climbed into the twin necks of the hour glass, we
stayed in the climber’s right neck, and mid-way, conditions deteriorated to
hardpack, and became somewhat wind jacked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A near constant stream of dry snow and quarter to dime-sized
flakes of rock were skittering their way down from above.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Being so thin this year, there was a shocking amount of
exposed rock in the mid-section: all of it sharp, flakey shale. We followed the
“best” snow leftward through a set of short twin chokes that were each about
two ski lengths wide, and then pulled out of the chokes onto a fat rib that is
the pinch point for the upper bulb of the hour glass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The push to the top sucked. Hanging summit fields like this
are a nightmare, especially when they sit over thin, boney lines. The snow was
Styrofoam-like, and increasing in depth with every step. There was nowhere to
hide up here, it was Nathan’s lead, it had been a long day, and there was no safe
way do a switch out until Nathan topped out – neither of us trusted the snow pack
up here enough to pile up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Finally up top, a cool wind and a nice, wide, rounded ridge
greeted us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Other than “stopping” to stomp in a camp, this was the first
time we’d stopped moving all day. We were both exhausted, and anxious about the
descent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The boys, having lost their sun, followed our skin track,
and part of our booter, to the base of the twin necks, and then scooted left
under the eastern neck, to get out of our way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I dropped first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was pretty nervous about the upper section. The snow was suspect.
Unlike a more classic couloir, there was no safety up here, no safe place to
cut and run. My options if things went wrong would be to either point it down the
fat rib toward the “safety” of a massive serrated fin of rock and hope the snow
parted ways, or to cut hard skiers left across the boney choke that we avoided
on the climb to the apparent safety of the summit’s massive rock face. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Neither inspired safety.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I dropped in, stayed high, progressively increased the force
of each turn until I was centered above the top of the rib, and then made a few
hard cuts, blowing what had felt like stiff-feeling snow into blinding clouds
of crystalized powder. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Emerging from the powder clouds, and seeing only minor slough
running on either side of the rib, I rode out the delightful feature and pulled
up next to the serrated blade of rock. A now thick stream of slough trained its
way down either side of me through the twin chokes below, but the snow felt
great – much better than expected. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Next, I dropped into the choke we climbed. Conditions were
hard pack, but highly edge-able. I easily made 4 very fast jump turns through
the choke, and skied into the top of the main neck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Immediately, the wind jacked snow began to reject my heel-side
edge, but in sliding, I released slough.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I stopped on the far side of the neck for a minute and
watched the thin, dirty, slough hiss over the bumpy hardpack snow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For a second, I wondered what the F I was doing here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Then an idea occurred.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I fired back across the bumpy snow, jump turned hard and
kicked as much of the hardpack loose as I could, and then pointed it for my
newly made 6’x6’ slough pile. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As I hit the slough, the board lifted up and surfed over the
bumps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That thought I just had, it was gone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was fully engaged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Firing back and forth, I high sided in and out of the neck,
jump turning, dropping back down to surf a few turns on slough, before high
siding back out, over and over, until the wind jacked snow finally faded
beneath softer snow lower down the line.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Once my edges stopped needing to bite firmly, and the snow
softened, I was able to point the nose and ride out some sweet turns to where
the boys were piled in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I radioed up to Nathan and reported conditions, cautioning
him to take his time through the wind jacked section.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A few minutes later we were all grouped back up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Being the only boarder in the group, I asked if it would be
OK if I tore down the rest of the apron so I could carry speed across the rolling
drainage. Along the way, I hit 45mph. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The mostly supportable snow made it easy to board and double
pole the entire 3-4 miles back to camp.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The sun dipped behind the valley walls, but lit up Stormy
Peak’s north face, providing a great backdrop to an evening of laughs and lost
ski stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Despite the lingering spring light, we turned in early. All
night, dozens of ptarmigan ptartied (see what I did there) around our camp. Males
competed for the attention of potential mates, or fought off rivals, raising a complete
ruckus. I slept well, but occasionally woke and wished Mr. Wolverine or Mr.
Lynx would come by and break it all up!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The next morning Nathan downed breakfast and I stuck with
the plan to exit. There wasn’t anything really beckoning us to ski, and I was
surprised to notice my legs were more sore than I would have expected. We
enjoyed the firm snow for a cruise out. As it was, even in the past day, a few
of the snow bridges had started to sag and crack, and the one over Juneau Creek
actually groaned as Nathan sprinted over it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Even if it wasn’t deep and wintry, it was a great weekend
with a great crew in one of my favorite locales. I love ski camping.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3IPbwWlbIZS5yY7DjDR7VUbIYtzgPA8i21rAF2TyEWEwWxsEEok6Q1hUReiQ8dIO1YC6fUk34XI4fowHbqE5htToxEdosuW4pvv8q92nRmfFBXEYnvPLv_Lawozm6uFenenOZFUwOvX0/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3IPbwWlbIZS5yY7DjDR7VUbIYtzgPA8i21rAF2TyEWEwWxsEEok6Q1hUReiQ8dIO1YC6fUk34XI4fowHbqE5htToxEdosuW4pvv8q92nRmfFBXEYnvPLv_Lawozm6uFenenOZFUwOvX0/s320/IMG_3438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beluga as seen on the approach. The North Couloir nestles it's way out of sight in the back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXqDbTSuJXDrR0m1BGwfHl5ihQn3jNJFKxH6UIbZ9RxF-byHwz8yKux4kcfxBRZAqoSxr8mTeP-W3c36T22hUm7X08WYMyq7480fmLyPLQ4dlGX2lau9RBM9q4a4uulDT7wuljSqNHiTg/s1600/IMG-1434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="929" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXqDbTSuJXDrR0m1BGwfHl5ihQn3jNJFKxH6UIbZ9RxF-byHwz8yKux4kcfxBRZAqoSxr8mTeP-W3c36T22hUm7X08WYMyq7480fmLyPLQ4dlGX2lau9RBM9q4a4uulDT7wuljSqNHiTg/s320/IMG-1434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEz_hRsnQSNIazOBud253lqLPN5BgkoGube0XVZa3F-yYrZ4jvS7mEYAHI7KSL_b4ouWId3uMZ3Va9xoOSv_6E1CavpMrbVw70bEeZNtywH2j5ujbX5WObqvonChS8V4ReBhYPTPQjm6y/s1600/IMG-1436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEz_hRsnQSNIazOBud253lqLPN5BgkoGube0XVZa3F-yYrZ4jvS7mEYAHI7KSL_b4ouWId3uMZ3Va9xoOSv_6E1CavpMrbVw70bEeZNtywH2j5ujbX5WObqvonChS8V4ReBhYPTPQjm6y/s320/IMG-1436.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super boney this year. The v-shaped twin chokes at the top are likely non existent most year. This year, they made it a little spicey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_daR9HdeL1GOO3gSMGhCc-lbhcv-K3lkRmd48eN2q-Iu6zr3Y1-8jioabfwMQv0BkDA8N7vCNpZtzPeVkx8XkbVvv4nyfXom945flHKFLqnCMbL1aEkUb2nVg7k5kMjhxeBh2-9ayqAa/s1600/IMG_3422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_daR9HdeL1GOO3gSMGhCc-lbhcv-K3lkRmd48eN2q-Iu6zr3Y1-8jioabfwMQv0BkDA8N7vCNpZtzPeVkx8XkbVvv4nyfXom945flHKFLqnCMbL1aEkUb2nVg7k5kMjhxeBh2-9ayqAa/s320/IMG_3422.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft conditions on the way up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtsArwhozrCaA51EVVaukl0PPkgS7WrxA_lz7Cnk66xBJO9Gk4pDeRPxTEbX5hljEN4KKQRkng98-VoGLsdjutAbWLy0OQyKlxvufvenRtqojdcVzhDQyuTmmZMLfVdDAv7g4BwVIg6Qf/s1600/IMG_3424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtsArwhozrCaA51EVVaukl0PPkgS7WrxA_lz7Cnk66xBJO9Gk4pDeRPxTEbX5hljEN4KKQRkng98-VoGLsdjutAbWLy0OQyKlxvufvenRtqojdcVzhDQyuTmmZMLfVdDAv7g4BwVIg6Qf/s320/IMG_3424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out on the upper bulb, it skied great, but the broad slope over a narrow chasm with stiff snow wasn't much fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh499HLEmWuuNYbovuaxjV_H6WwwIAfLBB11QfO-vzHMgMO_PHvM30vgVqwIKna3zdpyUCcwd2LZtQhxPpDqspdbPCNhjbnyzPpJQQhDAvywyoLWiGRQJ80LMWPaNMrlBXuXzoJ7P1odL4w/s1600/IMG_3434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh499HLEmWuuNYbovuaxjV_H6WwwIAfLBB11QfO-vzHMgMO_PHvM30vgVqwIKna3zdpyUCcwd2LZtQhxPpDqspdbPCNhjbnyzPpJQQhDAvywyoLWiGRQJ80LMWPaNMrlBXuXzoJ7P1odL4w/s320/IMG_3434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXOayalYHerem99cZt6SOFoIY5mjCVp7wP2zgpFY-FKNE2N2TZ_XPrdhbNiLowo9gL5gcPKmRKY92W-RB4OFLxj4QEtxPXAtWal02SJp2fCmd8T7atTeP9IQY04b8oPM4qCQWuo8KouYc/s1600/IMG_3427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXOayalYHerem99cZt6SOFoIY5mjCVp7wP2zgpFY-FKNE2N2TZ_XPrdhbNiLowo9gL5gcPKmRKY92W-RB4OFLxj4QEtxPXAtWal02SJp2fCmd8T7atTeP9IQY04b8oPM4qCQWuo8KouYc/s320/IMG_3427.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back out over Mills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA60DcDNwBsF3XMg34RFhhhRCyRm295i56P-aqE6PjBORy5kfu8O5iCVGEEt2j3SxAABxdXMqZX9yF1wPmYFxNvDZ1Teg5GA-QGQtwDvBypfSjPOZ3NPYNJJ2kT0ZtoKu5TjkZNIpoNbz8/s1600/IMG_3428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA60DcDNwBsF3XMg34RFhhhRCyRm295i56P-aqE6PjBORy5kfu8O5iCVGEEt2j3SxAABxdXMqZX9yF1wPmYFxNvDZ1Teg5GA-QGQtwDvBypfSjPOZ3NPYNJJ2kT0ZtoKu5TjkZNIpoNbz8/s320/IMG_3428.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Upper Mills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaqYMIZxVIOjiYI82lGzjdYRmEjQIItK_0Co_ekLhotd4QeFMO_1-1aY4ssTO4XwoW0TbpJscVRQk0uTQIDzqo89fDzqdqiDLYHpyB7a-dT15Ed4gIMdpfmJWSN3fb9avwv31Y2K7zE3C/s1600/IMG_3430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaqYMIZxVIOjiYI82lGzjdYRmEjQIItK_0Co_ekLhotd4QeFMO_1-1aY4ssTO4XwoW0TbpJscVRQk0uTQIDzqo89fDzqdqiDLYHpyB7a-dT15Ed4gIMdpfmJWSN3fb9avwv31Y2K7zE3C/s320/IMG_3430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3BxFGly-K81tklpWjNiZfyY5gawNQanAZurSszn75le352RRZ9HfE0jq7HloUWBP4Ga_96RHF391GqYCSeo5DOZw1zC3pwu1YBdCIhaJRKpz3u-gpT3DpBxji0TbEt21mYj3yavXs6Ab/s1600/IMG_3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3BxFGly-K81tklpWjNiZfyY5gawNQanAZurSszn75le352RRZ9HfE0jq7HloUWBP4Ga_96RHF391GqYCSeo5DOZw1zC3pwu1YBdCIhaJRKpz3u-gpT3DpBxji0TbEt21mYj3yavXs6Ab/s320/IMG_3436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM9OiYCo3MLvMhoOhk5zWbJRQlI5GmwsxNu3wWHEnbJzkaQPyFYX0NUfAku0vB2FdTINa26DJB3v3yffFVAYmB7XD23PTWWiQG5BMXPVXXcviFnPDflezuUE1m9CDlcKmo0gJEPzhTHB7/s1600/IMG_3437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM9OiYCo3MLvMhoOhk5zWbJRQlI5GmwsxNu3wWHEnbJzkaQPyFYX0NUfAku0vB2FdTINa26DJB3v3yffFVAYmB7XD23PTWWiQG5BMXPVXXcviFnPDflezuUE1m9CDlcKmo0gJEPzhTHB7/s320/IMG_3437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z5RBnP0Hzz99aIgQB2fy7sxZhWl1ReRD6IvMFRKyW69ytuaj_qrk1KY38BqUZkyKSRyUpB1VnADGdg4zSLcKdN0EiGrZUZ3zmMG4bdFP-YX1H3FGwsfkLCpCo93bCWGkPrTwL-Q3PSGM/s1600/IMG_3441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z5RBnP0Hzz99aIgQB2fy7sxZhWl1ReRD6IvMFRKyW69ytuaj_qrk1KY38BqUZkyKSRyUpB1VnADGdg4zSLcKdN0EiGrZUZ3zmMG4bdFP-YX1H3FGwsfkLCpCo93bCWGkPrTwL-Q3PSGM/s320/IMG_3441.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still looks like winter up here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGMWql68uZdObpZfizXe6qR-rEddUDBKFI5STt5gE62msVbg2-gTR1jUxfLLN4xwDC_wg21zDzCQn7mw1GzWttpIx-H6XfjeO2xHy_yMnKL11ID-4sTES4OKIGCwbFQxGAHXUtDfBQeEw/s1600/IMG_3449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGMWql68uZdObpZfizXe6qR-rEddUDBKFI5STt5gE62msVbg2-gTR1jUxfLLN4xwDC_wg21zDzCQn7mw1GzWttpIx-H6XfjeO2xHy_yMnKL11ID-4sTES4OKIGCwbFQxGAHXUtDfBQeEw/s320/IMG_3449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stormy's glowing north face provided a nice backdrop and good memories.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony deconstructing camp. </td></tr>
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Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-52462315585332102752018-04-13T12:14:00.004-08:002018-04-13T12:14:58.094-08:00A Bad Day, That Could Have Been Worse
February 16<sup>th</sup> was the kind of bad day that could
have been a lot worse.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The short of the day, was that Aaron and I were skiing the
backside of Microdot in Hatcher. Climbing back up, we overtook another group of
two on what appeared to be a low consequence slope, and triggered a short,
wide, 3-foot deep slab above complicated terrain that took three of us for a
ride and left one us buried neck deep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For a few seconds, I was certain I was going into a hole and
would be buried and maybe crushed. Luck is all that kept me on the surface in
the end. Like all days, there were a lot of decisions made, most were small,
and seemingly inconsequential. This is my attempt to look back at them, with
the advantage of hindsight, and consider what went right, and what went wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>Pre-Slide<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After weeks without snow, Hatcher Pass had been walloped
early in the week, first by a windy and warm storm that dropped around 2 feet
of snow. I initially expected the snow to be very reactive due to the old and
wind hammered base. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Data on how the new snow what reacting on the old base was
sparse. The road to the Pass was left unplowed. Skiers struggled to get up to
Hatcher Monday or Tuesday. Mid-week, a second, colder system passed through
dropping another foot of lighter snow with minimal wind, burying clues from slides
that occurred during or after the first storm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The road remained unplowed Wednesday and Thursday, and what
little info was coming out of the Pass offered mixed signals. Considering the
wind-hammered base the initial storm had fallen on, natural avalanches were sparse,
when it seemed they should have been rampant. There was fairly ample evidence however,
that the new snow was readily reacting to skiers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The slides being reported were running out in typical storm
slab configurations: generally narrow, slowly, and softer in composition. These
are the types of slides one might expect as the storm abates and the snow
begins to settle down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On Friday, with the road plowed, Aaron and I decided to go
check things out<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><strong>Decisions</strong> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Decision 1:
Self-assigned danger rating of considerable. Synopsis: Correct<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hatcher has a once a week av forecast issued on Saturdays,
which was not yet out. Observation info was limited, and mixed. That being
said, the base/bed surface the snow had fallen on warranted suspicion. Based on
what I knew, I assigned a danger rating of considerable. The rating plays a
role in my personal decision making. A professional, or personal assignment of
“considerable” equals an automatic one “flag” for me. Three flags, and the day
is over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Decision 2: Flat light
delay. Synopsis: correct.<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Friday dawned with high clouds, but a forecast to clear. Given
the self-assigned considerable rating, we delayed start until noon when it was
apparent that skies were actually clearing. Hatcher is a difficult place to ski
when you can’t see. When conditions are good, you can continue to ski therein
low light, but the point of this ski was to get info. Not being able to see or
having obscured vision, was both a risk, and negated much of the purpose of
going at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Decision 3:
Observing a fresh skier-triggered slide and not marking it as a flag. Synopsis:
incorrect.</u></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As we arrived, we passed Marmot’s west face, and observed a
very fresh (less than 5 minutes old) skier-triggered storm slide. It appeared
the skier had skied past a trigger point and was some ways down the slope
before they realized the slope was sliding, and safely exited the relatively
narrow slide path. The skier’s two partners skied next to the slide with no
additional reaction. I asked the ranger if he had witnessed the slide but he
said he had missed it. I suspected it was similar to the skier-triggered slides
that had been reported earlier during the week: slow-starting, deep, able to
run full path, but non-cohesive. This was concerning, but I did not consider it
a flag at the time. The slide was clearly slow, and the snow seemed somewhat
stubborn, and the slide had triggered where the skier passed by a classic
trigger point: a rock and convex protrusion. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In hindsight, these were some of, if not the first skiers on
this slope, and they had nearly instantly triggered a slide. Regardless of
whether the slide indicated a “healing” interface <u>this should have been flag
2 for the day<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b></u><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Decision 4: Pit
test – no clear decision rendered. <o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On the way up Microdot, we passed a pit dug by the avalanche
center. I reused the back of the pit to isolate a new column. I would not call
this a formal test, however, it was far more formal than any previous pole pits
conducted to this point. We observed a moderate force trigger, easy leverage,
and a clean shear. The pit, to me, indicated typical spatial variability, we exposed
a potential, though not widely existent, smooth bed surface. We knew this
reaction was spatially variable based on pole pits. This confirmed a suspicion
that the slides were triggering in specific locations, and were generally
sliding more due to the mass of available loose snow/inertia, but were failing
to propagate on a wide scale due to a lack of a cohesive slab structure or the
existence of a wide spread consistent bed surface and weak layer combo.
Basically, hit the right spot, you would get something to slide, and in steep
terrain it would carry enough snow to slide down the fall line, but it would do
so fairly slowly. In general, it’s not likely I’d ever commit a flag to a
single pit result in any situation, unless the pit revealed an unexpected
condition, in which case, I’d be looking to dig more pits. Pits are good for
getting a good look at layers, but are indicative of a small spatial area, especially
in Hatcher. In hindsight, this was evidence that should have been accounted for,
but not compelling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Decision 5: Subtle
collapsing on established skin track – no clear decision rendered. <o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We observed subtle collapsing on an established skin track
on Micro’s rounded west side. Aaron seemed to notice this more than I did, but
Aaron is a good bit taller than me, and heavier as a result. When he commented
on this, I was able to get some very deep, muffled collapsing by jumping up and
down. The aspect where this occurred is underlain by large (and now buried)
boulders that are typically exposed; and is a wind-hammered ridge. Collapsing
was not a surprise given the sub-surface, but what was surprising, was that the
skin track was a day or more old and had been traversed by at least 8-12
skiers. Again, Similar to the pit results, this reaction, on this slope, did
not (and likely still would not) warrant a “flag,” but it should have increased
the level of suspicion, and been a clear indication thigs were not “alright.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Decision 6: False
positive observation of skiers in Rae Wallace. Synopsis: incorrect.<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This was one biggest mistakes of the day in my view. While
climbing, we observed two skiers drop into a steep and finned chute on the
western side of Rae Wallace. The skiers were cutting hard, and passed over
numerous potential trigger points, but failed to initiate anything more than
sloughing. I gave this observation immense weight, more than any other
observation to this point. Why? <u>Because it showed what I wanted to see</u>. I
wanted conditions to be stable, and this appeared to show it. Instead of
considering this a neutral observation (maybe they got lucky, may steep
north-facing had already slid, etc.) I overshadowed the previous observations
made.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Decision 7: Skiing
the north side and deviating from plan. Synopsis: wrong, no safe exit strategy
for conditions.</u></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The plan had been to ski the sunny south side, however, it
was well tracked. As we topped out, a group of two descended the unskied north
side. I heard a loud collapse as the first skier dropped in, but observed no
cracks or other reactivity. The second skier, a snowboarder, dropped in next, with
no collapse. I felt good about the slope as it is concave in the center, and
punctured with micro features that break the slope and can act as snowpack
anchors. The skiers had initiated a collapse, but it was right off the ridge, not
a surprise, and there were no visible cracks. Aaron also felt good after
watching the two skiers drop in, so we followed a few minutes later. We did not
get any reactions. Skiing this slope would not cause us any problems, but we
did not have a good exit strategy, and that’s what would bite us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Decision 8:
Climbing north side of Microdot. Synopsis, incorrect.</u></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The snow was incredible, we were leaning toward the idea
that conditions were stable. We had the choice to either climb back up the
north side, or exit the bowl. The latter option chews up a lot of time (less
skiing), but the former would either put us on a steep slope we’d just skied when
other skiers were likely to descend on us. We could also put in a more
circuitous climb northeast of the main north side run. The two skiers in front
of us were a few minutes ahead of us, and began to break a trail, climbing this
circuitous north east route. We did not communicate with them about route
selection prior, but later confirmed that they chose this route to avoid
skinning directly up the main run, which they also assumed would have skiers
dropping in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
At the time, this seemed like a prudent decision, I was
familiar with the terrain, I had recently used this route, and felt good. In
the face of no better evidence, this might have been an OK decision. In the
face of the actual evidence observed, and having two flags already up, we
likely should have just exited the bowl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Decision 9:
Catching and passing on a steep slope. Synopsis: too close, avalanche/incident.
<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This is where it all came to head. Trail breaking was slow
and deep. Aaron and I were able to catch up with the two other skiers, who I will
refer to as skiers 1a and 1b, in a sub bowl approximately 200 vertical feet
above Murphy Lake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Skiers 1a and 1b were approaching an approximately 100-foot northerly
facing slope above the sub bowl that lead into the next, smaller bowl. This was
the incident slope. Skiers 1a and 1b were approximately 25 yards apart; 1a was
entering the incident slope, setting a skin track across the slope using a narrow
natural bench that cross-cut the slope.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In a non-judgmental way, I did not like this route, and
would have preferred to stay in the flats of the sub-bowl and use a short
concave gully on the climber’s left of the incident slope. I’d used this small
gully feature before, but, with deep snow, and a small and unintimidating
incident slope, I opted to stay the course and follow the broken track to try
to catch skier 1a and relieve them of the arduous trail breaking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I caught up with 1a approximately mid-slope on the incident
slope, and was about 10 feet behind 1a. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Everything I’d observed to this point, barring one false
positive, should have had told me I had 2 flags raised, and the antennae should
have been on high. Getting this close to another skier on a steep (greater than
35 degrees), albeit short slope, that I did not like to begin with, over
terrain traps, was just stupid, and about to be a big mistake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>Slide<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
At this time, skiers 1b and Aaron were just entering the
incident slope about 25 and 27 yards respectively behind me and 1a. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As 1a and I passed a mostly buried rock outcrop, (the area
featured numerous micro features including buried boulders and micro channels),
the snowpack settled 2-3 inches. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
All 4 skiers felt the settlement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The slope began to fracture and broke an apex crown about 30
feet above skier 1a and I, and fractured approximately 150 yards across, at a
depth of 2.5-3 feet. Slope angle across the slope varied due to the micro
terrain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Aaron was the farthest back, and on the edge of the
fracture. By turning around he was able to escape the slab.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Skier 1b deployed their airbag and was knocked down. They
were carried an estimated 25 vertical feet or more, sliding through a channel.
Skier 1b said they felt their airbag slow them down and keep them above the
moving snow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For myself, a memory kicked in as the snow slowly crumbled
and I felt myself sink and lurch down. I turned downhill and was able to take a
stride or two before being knocked backward by the acceleration. I was in a sitting
position, upright, facing downhill, leaning back over the tails of my skis. I could
tell immediately that I was being carried directly toward a number of potential
terrain traps at the base of the slope, likely small tarns. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As the slide initiated, I in line with a low, snow-covered
ridge of rock, this feature played a role in keeping me safe. By constantly moving
my ski tips upward, while using my poles laid flat behind me (no wrist straps
attached) I was able to provide some directional steering and float above the
moving snow and ride on the higher micro terrain. I could occasionally feel the
bed surface with my fists, likely buried snow-covered rocks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As the rock ridge narrowed and ended, the snow pulled me to the
right, toward a channel that lead into a terrain trap that I could see was
going to fill. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
At this moment, I realized I had to fight with everything I
had to stay on the little ridge, or I would end up in the hole.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I plunged my left hand into the snow and planted the handle
of my left pole as hard as I could into the bed surface. The snow pushed past
me for a second and I was able to wheel leftward, redirecting myself at the
last second, to instead stay straight and ride over a 3-4 foot snow covered
ledge. The torque from the maneuver tore the pole from my hand, which was
planted with enough force it was still pointing outward after the slide. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As I spilled over the ledge, the slide lost momentum, and I
could see I was on a small alluvial feature, and was going to be OK. I was
carried an estimated 50 vertical feet according to a GPS track.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Skier 1a also turned down hill as the slide initiated,
however, 1a was directly above several terrain traps located at the base of the
slope. Skier 1a deployed their airbag. I heard the bag deploy, but never saw if
it inflated. After the incident, 1a said they believed the bag deflated during
the slide or never immediately inflated, and when I discovered 1a, there was no
evidence the bag had been inflated at the time of burial.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Skier 1a was carried right, and traveled an estimated 75
vertical feet. I was able to see skier 1a get dragged right, but lost sight of
them due to my own struggle and to a raised terrain feature.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The slide lasted an estimated 10-15 seconds, and had
effectively slipped the entire incident slope.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It was unlike any of the skier triggered slides yet
observed, and carried a classic slab pattern, including a few step downs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>Response<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Aaron was off slope as the slide stopped; Skier 1b was on
top of the snow but partially hidden from view of Aaron and I as they were in a
small channeled terrain feature; I was upright at the base of the slope below the
ledge, my left leg was buried shin deep, but the tail of that ski was at least 2
feet deep, my right ski was on the surface. Skier 1a was not visible to the
rest of the group and was buried to their neck, facing down slope, slightly
reclined, and surrounded above all but their right hand. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Of note, skiers 1a and 1b also had a dog with them. It is
not clear to any of us where the dog was at the time of the slide’s initiation,
nor where the dog was after the slide. It is possible the dog was buried or
partially buried in the slide, and extricated itself, as we all distinctly
remember it appearing after the slide during the extraction of skier 1a.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I immediately called out that I was up, and OK as the slide
stopped, I could see Aaron. Aaron confirmed he was ok. About 5 seconds later,
skier 1b called that they were OK and stood up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The three of us were now visible to each other, but could
not see skier 1a. We began to shout and call for skier 1a. No response was
heard, and there were no visible indicators of their location. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I initiated the search, and called for all beacons to be
switched to search mode.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had the last visual of 1a, and was closest at the time of
the slide. My beacon indicated an initial distance of about 25 meters to skier
1a; Aaron, who was farthest away, had an initial reading of 65 meters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Based on the fact that I suspected skier 1a was fully buried
in a terrain trap, and was relatively close, I chose to dig down and release my
foot from my buried left ski and abandon it rather than excavating it first. I
believed I could reach 1a as, or more quickly on foot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I unclicked from my right ski and used it, and my remaining
pole as aids to scramble through the debris while heading in the direction I had
seen 1a carried, checking my beacon for reference. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Aaron still had both skis and skins on and was beginning his
search, however, he was father away and had to traverse the base of the debris
initially. Aaron remarked later that he was surprised how slow and challenging
it was to travel through the still-soft debris, and that he felt like he was “going
through mud.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I called 5 meter increments, which also seemed to come
slowly, and was lead on a trajectory over the small ridged terrain feature that
divided where I had been sent and where 1a had been sent. I also initially felt
that progress was slow, however, not having skis on made it easier to scramble
a direct route across the debris and micro features since the distance was
short. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Upon climbing the small ridge feature, my readings dropped
instantly from 20 to 15 meters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That’s when I first heard a muffled call for help. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Below me, 10 meters away or less, I spotted a glove
protruding from the snow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I yelled “I have a hand.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Later, 1a would say this was the first thing they heard,
despite the yelling the three of us had been shouting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was slightly uphill of the hand, which I still did not
know was not just a glove on the surface. I began to yell to 1a that I heard
them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As I scrambled down, I was able to make sight contact with
1a, whose head was just barely above the surface, and yelled this to the group.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1a was buried upright, facing downhill, leaning slightly
back, buried with compact snow to their neck, loose snow to their mouth, their
right arm stuck up, their left arm buried. Though loose snow had collected
around 1a’s mouth, they had an unobstructed airway. Snow was piled about 1.5
feet above 1a, only their hand was visible on the surface, their head was
sunken into the depression. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As the slide had stopped, 1a knew it would be their last chance
to create an air pocket, and shoved their arm upward and swung it across their
face. The snow settled and instantly froze them in that position. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The time between the end of the slide and my contact with 1a
was 3-4 minutes. This was verified by a GPS track.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I assessed that 1a was breathing, conscious, able to make
eye contact, and had color in their face. At face level, I brushed loose snow
away from 1a’s mouth, and asked 1a if they were hurt, or felt any pain or
injury. 1a said they were struggling to breath; 1a’s breathing and speech was
audibly labored, this being due to the weight of snow on their chest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I chose to forgo any further potential injury assessment,
and began to excavate snow away from 1a’s chest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I carry my shovel with the handle in place so it can be
deployed in a single motion. If you don’t do this, you’re wasting time.
Adrenaline will be on high in these moments, stupid things like sliding a
shovel shaft into the blade will be stupidly slow. Everything you do to make
the search faster are an aid, whether it’s easy access to your beacon, or
rescue equipment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Despite the adrenaline, I was aware that I kept a high
situational awareness, watching for near or far hang fire. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Even as the urge to want to start digging furiously set in,
I made sure to tuck my beacon back into my jacket, closed the zipper, and
situated my pack uphill and away from where I’d be excavating snow. These were
all conscious decisions that happened. I was aware they were happening, but
they all felt automatic. I can only attribute this to both practicing for this,
and for rehearsing it mentally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Approximately 1 minute after I arrived, Aaron arrived. Aaron
deployed his shovel and began to assist removing accumulated snow, forming a
shovel train.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Here’s where I made a mistake, albeit, a small one: Aaron,
like I, was relieved to see skier 1a above the snow, conscious, etc. I never
communicated to Aaron that 1a was struggling to breath though. To this point,
communication had been good, but lacking that knowledge, Arron did not know
there was still urgency to the situation. This came up after the incident, but
it was worth noting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Skier 1b arrived about 1 minute after Aaron. 1b was
emotionally upset from the incident, and relieved to find their partner well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After a few minutes of excavating 1a down to their waist, I slowed
and asked 1a to re-assess for potential injuries. 1a said they felt good, other
than a sore knee. 1a was now able to breath easily and to communicate fully. I continued
to excavate behind 1a, as well as to dig to 1a’s feet so I could release 1a’s
skis, which were both still attached. I did my best to avoid knocking more snow
on 1a, and communicated clearly when I was moving blocks of snow away from and
behind their head, knowing that the sensation of reburial can cause panic in
these situations. 1a was calm and collected the entire time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Once free of 1a’s skis, I used 1a’s backpack straps to pull
1a fully free.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>Post-incident<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The group spent some time after the response discussing the
incident and assessing conditions that had lead up to the slide. Both groups
agreed that while there was evidence of instability, there were also not as
many typical flags, nor ample evidence of flags. Skiers 1a and 1b had reported
they had been snow machine skiing in the area the day prior, and reported that
they had spent the day easing onto progressively steeper slopes with no results
or reactivity. Aaron and I had noted what we saw as inconsistent activity,
indicative of spatial variability. None of the skiers in the groups had
conducted their own formal stability tests. Experience levels in the group were
high. All skiers involved in the incident had 10 or more years of backcountry
skiing experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
All skiers involved agreed that spacing and slope angle
where a problem, particularly given that there were signs of instability. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
At the time of the incident, I had approached within 10 feet
of skier 1a. Who knows whether better spacing could have prevented the
incident, or whether it still may have caused a slide as 1a passed, or delayed
the slide until myself, 1b, or Aaron passed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Skiers 1a and 1b were not upset, they, like myself, did not
suspect the slope to be a threat. To the point, not knowing whether the slide
would have triggered because of spacing, they were thankful we had decided to
follow them. No other skiers would ski the north side of Microdot that day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Another factor that contributed to the slide, these bowls
are in a sheltered, northerly facing terrain feature. With additional
protection provided by the small micro features. They were likely points to
harbor buried surface facets over the wind hammered base that had been proving
to be a reactive layer over the buried bed surface elsewhere. Our previous
travels had been on aspects that likely would have seen the facets wiped away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On first glance, the relatively small size of the slope, and
apparent “slope anchoring” provided by these micro terrain features, might have
given the impression that while steep, the slope was not high risk. Over a flat
run out, or with a smaller snow load, the slope would not have necessarily been
problematic, but given the snow load, the two flags that were up, the evidence
that conditions were still unsettled and variable, and existence of terrain
traps, this slope deserved better travel protocol, or avoidance entirely.
Interestingly, we had intentionally avoided the main north side slope expecting
skiers to enter it, but no one ever did. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After the slide, we all skied back down our skin track to
Murphy Lake, then across the lake, and back down to Independence Mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>Root Causes<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Personal: I want to see what I want to see. I want stable
snow so I can go ski the lines that engage me. Lacking snapping red flags, I
chose to focus on evidence that leant itself toward stability, and ignored or
dismissed the evidence to the contrary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Protocol: had I been willing to see the evidence for what it
was, I would have been more concerned with both route selection and spacing. While
my intentions were good to catch up, I should have waited before crossing the
incident slope, and caught up with 1a on the flat above.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It sucks to know you messed up. The biggest take away for
me, was the reminder that I need to ease up. I have a habit of seeing what I
want. There’s a balance. This sport is inherently risky, it is uncontrolled,
and thus risk management is subjective and personal. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkEzxFq0-51sWtQnIkso477rYniIL1puAKvuJpTHckFdjt8ksGaY_0dJdp16dKprTh14YDgTGNpX0WBDjGOymWYph-PSDFTNs52_A9NyBFk7R3UP7tsdm2Cn0HJ6ufc_CPkeB4apjEWYW/s1600/IMG_6784+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkEzxFq0-51sWtQnIkso477rYniIL1puAKvuJpTHckFdjt8ksGaY_0dJdp16dKprTh14YDgTGNpX0WBDjGOymWYph-PSDFTNs52_A9NyBFk7R3UP7tsdm2Cn0HJ6ufc_CPkeB4apjEWYW/s320/IMG_6784+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from below. T is the trigger point, black line was the skin track, 1a is where skier 1a was buried</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9iTz1pXAgwczMHwIwB4cOEhGAJdykwpeR1cJp_QImni_ZeFX8AbENBrD6q7PoTbkPR5MG_vsumUsuTHuGMrruKVUGen4-J0wwP6IKeTYvqhz-Y-N4A9GPyAkdRUGAz4Nllqf86cvVeNA/s1600/IMG_6776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1600" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9iTz1pXAgwczMHwIwB4cOEhGAJdykwpeR1cJp_QImni_ZeFX8AbENBrD6q7PoTbkPR5MG_vsumUsuTHuGMrruKVUGen4-J0wwP6IKeTYvqhz-Y-N4A9GPyAkdRUGAz4Nllqf86cvVeNA/s320/IMG_6776.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the approach slope.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5yRTkZ_NXfGZCn2vmIG9yo5rEgGF-xsVoOSiDDkLCv3MNtxLj3FfGb60jZws4vYtkpK5r8tSjCax6dyGG-wJrPehVgJhn3CbrrVGjEcLvXl5hd4EQnIDDDJhSj7hEm_mCMeKNzQKb9Tx/s1600/IMG_3093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5yRTkZ_NXfGZCn2vmIG9yo5rEgGF-xsVoOSiDDkLCv3MNtxLj3FfGb60jZws4vYtkpK5r8tSjCax6dyGG-wJrPehVgJhn3CbrrVGjEcLvXl5hd4EQnIDDDJhSj7hEm_mCMeKNzQKb9Tx/s320/IMG_3093.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burial location. Good example of how a relatively small slide can pile a lot of snow in the right features</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1xfxzZbEopl5iICGXYn0PUT5Hp3e0YCszJ5sT2gSazOvuqkr-PYAsVTA3ky4XL2XwbJAPlSwFGVtqIe-LXiP0g0vEL3nGQCwcIft8lpSBos4x4smvpaUCQLt4qB1qfddWPQp94woF7ya/s1600/IMG_3086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1xfxzZbEopl5iICGXYn0PUT5Hp3e0YCszJ5sT2gSazOvuqkr-PYAsVTA3ky4XL2XwbJAPlSwFGVtqIe-LXiP0g0vEL3nGQCwcIft8lpSBos4x4smvpaUCQLt4qB1qfddWPQp94woF7ya/s320/IMG_3086.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not great shots of two skier-triggered slides on Marmot. The slide to the right was triggered as we arrived, the slide to the left was triggered moments before we left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-77866667514245862962018-01-10T22:51:00.000-09:002018-01-10T23:00:05.810-09:00Sidney Creek Circuit and “The Juicer”A couple years ago, in a season of lower snowfall, Cody and
I went for a tour into Sidney Creek, a tributary to Archangel, and saw a
striking line off the Sidney-side of Microdot. <o:p></o:p><br />
A crooked line that falls between two “cat ear” flakes of granite;
narrow, and peppered in it’s upper half, it slips through a
55-degree 6-foot-wide choke midway, and then opens up wide to the
bottom.<o:p></o:p><br />
In January 2015, Cody and I booted through variable snow to
the choke. Above us, we had supportable bullet proof snow in the choke, and
higher yet, two notable ledges.<o:p></o:p><br />
The line went into a mental notebook, and disappeared for a
couple years.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_w5sxCHBwjAWigFYRxaryRJP72h-VUfi28hZUNKO_-MxD8tuHPj2mF9L1qoCJXxvd1JMcNmBrN7QwXSCvNJlUTMkk-Q835iKBrVKJL0amOH56W5jaL6W2FJxp6NNEjyVXyLxR2kPSFmz/s1600/IMG_0285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="466" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_w5sxCHBwjAWigFYRxaryRJP72h-VUfi28hZUNKO_-MxD8tuHPj2mF9L1qoCJXxvd1JMcNmBrN7QwXSCvNJlUTMkk-Q835iKBrVKJL0amOH56W5jaL6W2FJxp6NNEjyVXyLxR2kPSFmz/s320/IMG_0285.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: N.W.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Last week, our winter’s latest bout of bi-polar disorder
crescendoed with temperatures that hit 50 degrees in parts of the Anchorage
Bowl, and winds that roared into the 70MPH range in Hatchers. As bad as that
sounds, the winds did a thorough job wiping out and compacting the long-dried
out and faceted snow that had hung out through the holidays. A “make up, we’re
sorry” snowfall ensued midweek to put a happy face on an angry season, and Hatcher was
back in a 24-hour turnaround.<o:p></o:p></div>
WTF.<br />
<br />
Nathan, Meredith, and I headed out Friday afternoon under cold, clear skies. The winds had slam-packed the snow, stability was good, surface conditions were drier and sloughy.<br />
The Juicer tour was on.<br />
We slipped up the sunny front side of Microdot, and skied into the settled backside powder down to the lake. A fun, feature-routed skinner brought us below the back side of the cat ear entrance.<br />
I had some concern the benign looking flakes we were aiming for would be the wrong entry. The short boot wasn't much fun, despite the wind's work, bare boots plunged into the snow.<br />
We climbed into the enclave and onto a cornice, walked out onto the hard snow, and looked down.<br />
There were three separate reactions to what we saw between the three of us.<br />
The upper portion of the line was steep, a little wind blown, and loaded with shark fins. It funneled down to a point where we simply couldn't see any more of the line, just rock buttresses.<br />
I was 95% this was the Juicer from my angle, and when I joined Nathan in the narrow entrance, I could see the choke below, and the wider lower section.<br />
This was it alright.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOppd-33zPvk5GD7DaGXupM07UZ_py3eWvkbL6U6ERASnlzD4e25qz7UMiz7RBjTFM0jVDrGbALsRbf5hKVBccn_-wEVBamuhp9k5ZUJUmge3TrBLlr1kP-nRH8_XbjJcMPAxsvzpK22x/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOppd-33zPvk5GD7DaGXupM07UZ_py3eWvkbL6U6ERASnlzD4e25qz7UMiz7RBjTFM0jVDrGbALsRbf5hKVBccn_-wEVBamuhp9k5ZUJUmge3TrBLlr1kP-nRH8_XbjJcMPAxsvzpK22x/s320/IMG_2734.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much to see from the top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As expected, the upper portion of this line was going to be a very slow, conservative ski. We were likely to knock down a lot of slough even making jump turns, there was no where to hide, and there was a lot of nasty crap to get grated over or scraped against if you lost your feet.<br />
We discussed that aside from some of the visible rock, there might be at least one, possible two, exposed, or thinly buried ledges.<br />
<br />
Meredith wanted to go first. It was a committing ski, I didn't doubt for a second she could handle it, but I was expecting to either tail gun or lead this line, with Meredith in the middle.<br />
It was definitely the right call. We discussed the strategy. She would ski down through the choke as conservatively as she pleased. Once through the choke, I knew there was an enclave for her to hang out and hide under. She would radio back up from there.<br />
<br />
Down she went, jump turning between the rocks. We lost sight of her as she approached the choke, but released a significant amount of slough, enough in fact, that her slough was able to step down and pull out a lower layer of densified snow in one place.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1O4HPy1verWhTscgO5a-JkTzEhhYLuI7SLfhVdRXHtg0Y92VSxamYsvUT1aV0gGI7iSC2payW-HAL-2sJDaJ4VcSitsc5SebK_O0nWSoxYKtkD4c39nm9FAxioSkYgTrVSkeU2rsQgvZZ/s1600/IMG_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="408" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1O4HPy1verWhTscgO5a-JkTzEhhYLuI7SLfhVdRXHtg0Y92VSxamYsvUT1aV0gGI7iSC2payW-HAL-2sJDaJ4VcSitsc5SebK_O0nWSoxYKtkD4c39nm9FAxioSkYgTrVSkeU2rsQgvZZ/s320/IMG_0266.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith dropping. Photo: N.W.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
She radioed up that she was below the choke, but that in skiing through the choke, her slough had taken out a lot of snow, making it even narrower.<br />
I took my time jump turning down, but felt really good. As I closed in on the choke, I could see that some slough had held over the choke proper. I decided to straight line the feature, and bypass the enclave Meredith was hanging out in as I'd be too hot after shooting the 55-degree slope, and instead steer into the next enclave 50 feet down the line. I feared taking the choke slow would erode more of the snow and I wanted to leave something for Nathan. I was confident with the line below that I could pull this off.<br />
I took a deep breath and pointed the nose into a straight line dive through the narrow slot, blasted out, and bled off speed into the next enclave, thrilled with the rush.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYupWxjK3no69r2gJOkGfyhhoHYZ34Xyq6INfmYCvrPYlVZgS5XoTyhFPURpAIDVL-gb0pbxafXri8umLiQ2LCRfItbgdvb8DSPePyHcgSSYt15K91GeZqIqt_wI-dOmL7b2-xY0FOSP8o/s1600/IMG_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYupWxjK3no69r2gJOkGfyhhoHYZ34Xyq6INfmYCvrPYlVZgS5XoTyhFPURpAIDVL-gb0pbxafXri8umLiQ2LCRfItbgdvb8DSPePyHcgSSYt15K91GeZqIqt_wI-dOmL7b2-xY0FOSP8o/s320/IMG_0271.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My turn. Photo: N.W.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0yL8xqcvoXM_dRjdI0HRHhMV1Cqzjty-Jn3jSEFe7hDRtAz6q0IkGigqcgQ3HJW1gZQYNnZ_5oJclF8nv8HYDNnBfJYZtP6rEiZD1gyuclxR16WGmGbolVU-F0GgLL_HgDA59_lqjGsL/s1600/IMG_7912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0yL8xqcvoXM_dRjdI0HRHhMV1Cqzjty-Jn3jSEFe7hDRtAz6q0IkGigqcgQ3HJW1gZQYNnZ_5oJclF8nv8HYDNnBfJYZtP6rEiZD1gyuclxR16WGmGbolVU-F0GgLL_HgDA59_lqjGsL/s320/IMG_7912.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blasting out of the choke. Photo: M.N.</td></tr>
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Nathan made the shortest work of the line, and got to ski the whole Juicer top to bottom. Meredith followed from here hide out, and I dropped the lower section last.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_X2sakVkR8j5JtVDUrwszEQ1tohC6z6OMlCIDcsxAgiIf50lyHhKtRUFtITRE9krSiecqrnPF6-zIK2lziO6-0cEym-OjvsIlu7k_W859KCsYpck5Ye4vIIgULuN1fx-aqXnd8q_O4ch/s1600/IMG_7915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_X2sakVkR8j5JtVDUrwszEQ1tohC6z6OMlCIDcsxAgiIf50lyHhKtRUFtITRE9krSiecqrnPF6-zIK2lziO6-0cEym-OjvsIlu7k_W859KCsYpck5Ye4vIIgULuN1fx-aqXnd8q_O4ch/s320/IMG_7915.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan slashes speed exiting the choke. Photo M.N.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith drops into the lower half. Nice perspective on the upper half.</td></tr>
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We party skied down through to the valley bottom to turn around and see the line, and all it's neighbors, rising above.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: M.N.</td></tr>
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We finished the circuit and the day by heading back up the gentle pass to Microdot's shoulder, and skiing the sunlit slope back down to Independence. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: M.N.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa9X01B87rbwxiSbRjqsM5uGc9IFhyphenhyphenWY532q3Fdf6hA-RjVsV0lYkgYiqR5qWcVg1HbE8Uv8Wkz5KFY9WfwXJ1z_inb8vu6OdXpDAdkwNxGLLZ7-LYGoBa4vCk6d7VdHgaZ5BqtdISc1E/s1600/IMG_E2775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="835" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa9X01B87rbwxiSbRjqsM5uGc9IFhyphenhyphenWY532q3Fdf6hA-RjVsV0lYkgYiqR5qWcVg1HbE8Uv8Wkz5KFY9WfwXJ1z_inb8vu6OdXpDAdkwNxGLLZ7-LYGoBa4vCk6d7VdHgaZ5BqtdISc1E/s320/IMG_E2775.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan throws contrails into the sun.</td></tr>
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When I see a line like this, and park it away, only to think of it in passing moments of recollection, in the space between sleep and dreams; to eventually go out and ski it, even years later, to feel as good out there as it did in dreams, it's definitely what keeps me hitched to this sport. This was easily one of the most rewarding lines I've skied in Hatcher, and I'd rate it just behind Key Slot in the overall.<br />
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With some clouds rolling in, Joe, Nathan and I returned Saturday to ski Hidden Couloir and fish around Babe Ruth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgXc9F8-JLrpAHQM7P6mh4ZPcebe36h2SvjWinkDtGkl6u2F9CD0Paoy_blOP9C2arkLheoxsrOiRCwshSeXWjeJWc3zCK70B_l-CG5q0icNyF5cv9WLgXiONtEglaXLidwGVnraNojB7/s1600/IMG_2809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="944" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgXc9F8-JLrpAHQM7P6mh4ZPcebe36h2SvjWinkDtGkl6u2F9CD0Paoy_blOP9C2arkLheoxsrOiRCwshSeXWjeJWc3zCK70B_l-CG5q0icNyF5cv9WLgXiONtEglaXLidwGVnraNojB7/s320/IMG_2809.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view like this in the morning is better than coffee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcvOpJqsvhknYs7nZM1O9g1LyvIm-W9DkL-uJQVRZQExNWgRBddOPCMtUxqtM8Q3VbISrRdMXUriTQY2DMtFgGYx6QFpTd_lwbyabyfBK99VxbDn_MOfARnzXLNfOokYpGuoiwEKiRCpP/s1600/IMG_4443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcvOpJqsvhknYs7nZM1O9g1LyvIm-W9DkL-uJQVRZQExNWgRBddOPCMtUxqtM8Q3VbISrRdMXUriTQY2DMtFgGYx6QFpTd_lwbyabyfBK99VxbDn_MOfARnzXLNfOokYpGuoiwEKiRCpP/s320/IMG_4443.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: J.E.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gratuitous shot of the ski trails. They're thin, but skiing great!</td></tr>
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Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-40749312624245314232018-01-03T22:40:00.004-09:002018-01-03T22:40:38.143-09:00Clothesline Couloir and other Adventures in a Bi-Polar WinterWith another tropical fire hose pointing at Alaska this past weekend, Joe, Nathan, and I went to eke out the last of the good lighting and stable conditions on offer in Hatcher on Saturday. We knew the weather was moving in fast, and despite blue bird skies, cold temps, and relative, calm, we resisted the urge to chase after something more committing or deeper. Instead we focued our efforts on two short, steep, narrow lines that rewarded us with deep, cold, stable snow, shelter from increasing winds, good viz as the skies went opaque, and a some little-league technical skiing to dull our edges but sharpen our senses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLoOUa8PEtTRd1aKJ8nUPO34bTCdiqR73KGhwaW-H7Z7TZSXrO4E8nqJQy9WuwtvaOJs2mPwlqMIcr-lFPSd72Bilt5eBURjqjM-L5P_-jCh_8j1fflrMXiGMNkzmtoYdYhgrz9WEw7kO/s1600/thumb_IMG_0238_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLoOUa8PEtTRd1aKJ8nUPO34bTCdiqR73KGhwaW-H7Z7TZSXrO4E8nqJQy9WuwtvaOJs2mPwlqMIcr-lFPSd72Bilt5eBURjqjM-L5P_-jCh_8j1fflrMXiGMNkzmtoYdYhgrz9WEw7kO/s320/thumb_IMG_0238_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: N.W.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyr69qB75LCda-bK-s1mfk1nKEqX0iw6vra_T54rRtp898BCJ_m-IlW69sj8iXKhzMXooP_u6LhAq2o9PXm0WoKafY9hS3CKJkgjlX4OPK8319kaNYQmTLEua3GjLaV1FfGBIZ2hUDVhu/s1600/thumb_IMG_0243_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyr69qB75LCda-bK-s1mfk1nKEqX0iw6vra_T54rRtp898BCJ_m-IlW69sj8iXKhzMXooP_u6LhAq2o9PXm0WoKafY9hS3CKJkgjlX4OPK8319kaNYQmTLEua3GjLaV1FfGBIZ2hUDVhu/s320/thumb_IMG_0243_1024.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: N.W.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last of the light.</td></tr>
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Our first line was super straightforward. Despite deep dry snow, the Verts helped us make a reasonable climb. Up on the ridge, we climbed a bit higher to investigate skiing into a hanging bowl that fed into two couloirs, each featuring a clothesline tram cable across it. Despite the obvious apparent decapitation hazard (the cables aren't really a threat without another 3 feet of snow or if you're also an NBA point guard), the bigger concern was dropping into the hanging snow field that had been exposed to more wind and loading without assessing it from a less committing position (e.g., from below). Also, there's this really good rule to follow in Hatcher: If you haven't seen it, you probably shouldn't ski it. More on that later.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmR4F-voj5lfc3Mz_eejivpnVV0U9r3-KkdAFz16sGG5vPA-w2je2Exnu0-TAjYs7KsuOR1uaeGQiCWfjefVPLu441-6r3k1oA8GUqOe-6L22KZaZ4nl6-az-6UbTAlPXuVesp6ZwH9fN/s1600/IMG_2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmR4F-voj5lfc3Mz_eejivpnVV0U9r3-KkdAFz16sGG5vPA-w2je2Exnu0-TAjYs7KsuOR1uaeGQiCWfjefVPLu441-6r3k1oA8GUqOe-6L22KZaZ4nl6-az-6UbTAlPXuVesp6ZwH9fN/s320/IMG_2718.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down before taking first crack at this beautiful shorty. It skied as good as it looked.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTSHt4fSpjt-TJTP68h2JiNbS5Z9gkm70Vx5ltUEUJOOy5gP9BIK2YgEVULPbRkjDBxJsU7fB1sLFTwbg4V0K6YJ2kz2y9rgAAIW8XqrciCe_8WRqWpDDeV1qLCjH77EK3OH7emOrNl5g/s1600/thumb_IMG_0244_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="845" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTSHt4fSpjt-TJTP68h2JiNbS5Z9gkm70Vx5ltUEUJOOy5gP9BIK2YgEVULPbRkjDBxJsU7fB1sLFTwbg4V0K6YJ2kz2y9rgAAIW8XqrciCe_8WRqWpDDeV1qLCjH77EK3OH7emOrNl5g/s320/thumb_IMG_0244_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: N.W.</td></tr>
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With storm clouds rapidly moving in, we opted to stay in the neighborhood and try the clothesline couloir next.<br />
The line had a minor twist in it, and was a tad wider. Up we went.<br />
Well, wouldn't you know it, just around the twist was a "stone wall."<br />
OK, not really, but the line features a barricade of large boulders. We climbed up to the rocks, and, although they presented an obvious necessary down climb, we decided to press on.<br />
I'm glad we did, but that's a real reminder on Hatcher skiing protocol. From above, the rock wall looked like a crux, at worst. I'd just hammered the last couloir at high speed, and had we dropped this one, I likely would have felt confident going into this one hot. The stone wall was too big to even consider trying to leap over, and, even if you did, it had a few gremlins lurking below. This line required a cautious and slow approach with an emphasis on slough management, tipetoeing down the rocks, and then exiting as you pleased.<br />
It was a little league kind of challenge, but fun practice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAajEnaqR3Jw08vmpjl4sRZpOPHLPT1tffBTcG78_7vvJ_wF5u3Rn-b64nrwQk8X4JXht41h1b6VmQ752TAMZxq2LuaKEL8j3hbXQV-hMrsNAIc5yCzKsSpJ56p2agmjzNNPhHAZNSgrS/s1600/IMG_2719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAajEnaqR3Jw08vmpjl4sRZpOPHLPT1tffBTcG78_7vvJ_wF5u3Rn-b64nrwQk8X4JXht41h1b6VmQ752TAMZxq2LuaKEL8j3hbXQV-hMrsNAIc5yCzKsSpJ56p2agmjzNNPhHAZNSgrS/s320/IMG_2719.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to transition. The clothesline couloirs end in a large rock face, so we picked a dividing fin to post up on. Photo: J.E.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PjQgnMSlm9wFvraByOi7Xuho5rb7LgJseeZq7mBBqEJAT5cbNLYnmsguC6uwvSgRptXkiePPhjo_sYhcMmBoSXD6j3uNq-en22lvh5BRrMMwMaC-Kr1N9NUwXE7oGzVCsAI1oxXTGzGF/s1600/IMG_2700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PjQgnMSlm9wFvraByOi7Xuho5rb7LgJseeZq7mBBqEJAT5cbNLYnmsguC6uwvSgRptXkiePPhjo_sYhcMmBoSXD6j3uNq-en22lvh5BRrMMwMaC-Kr1N9NUwXE7oGzVCsAI1oxXTGzGF/s320/IMG_2700.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adjacent to the Clothesline couloir was it's apparent twin. This line however, filed into a narrow slot, despite it's inviting appeal from above.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our line, with the apparent clothesline hazard, but the stonewall out of sight.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVB7JSUiSFi6jlYCmqf0hsrwczoihZR41i2GGoWWFyOd8Q5act9xIjFdpHTuro3i6ucgdwK_rIOACg2rnxIGlzuZe6MJn-bUmDFk0IsnVDygZvKvbZLmH5KDiCyUWAvytcr-12VU0_Urg9/s1600/IMG_E2707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVB7JSUiSFi6jlYCmqf0hsrwczoihZR41i2GGoWWFyOd8Q5act9xIjFdpHTuro3i6ucgdwK_rIOACg2rnxIGlzuZe6MJn-bUmDFk0IsnVDygZvKvbZLmH5KDiCyUWAvytcr-12VU0_Urg9/s320/IMG_E2707.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe navigates the stonewall. Photo: N.W.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exiting. Photo: N.W.</td></tr>
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As predicted, the fire hose slammed into the Kenai, but despite warnings from the National weather Service of "Impossible travel conditions" we somehow managed to make it to Tin Can, and found great skiing Sunday and Monday. I guess anything is possible...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFe_n4DmoBDlsX8xJ6HX8ycEd_hdtyMZu6ss4WxdAY3GqbqxD5Hy84uDx9lZmFwY-bWi_-JzXQtLF5HCtjZLajI1ffnFJ6X7bgBgrS151_sj1dJxlFsPku3x6IOkrpwtnf2roR_1ZXAszf/s1600/26047250_10159801639665300_7204233957797551924_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="719" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFe_n4DmoBDlsX8xJ6HX8ycEd_hdtyMZu6ss4WxdAY3GqbqxD5Hy84uDx9lZmFwY-bWi_-JzXQtLF5HCtjZLajI1ffnFJ6X7bgBgrS151_sj1dJxlFsPku3x6IOkrpwtnf2roR_1ZXAszf/s320/26047250_10159801639665300_7204233957797551924_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan's O face. Photos CG or MN</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9CK17E6dIXG9kOpak-nT_sxVaSWVCzTeFc8869szpfWLk44JZRQqiGbSTXelXe4uDKHQt5kDNBH5jORUq8cZDG8OntQ_kTz-ySeqELiGq_Jp0s8A4iZSvV3JY0y_-hbp3wsj8HK8WU_K/s1600/26112198_10159801641485300_4329473340166030323_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9CK17E6dIXG9kOpak-nT_sxVaSWVCzTeFc8869szpfWLk44JZRQqiGbSTXelXe4uDKHQt5kDNBH5jORUq8cZDG8OntQ_kTz-ySeqELiGq_Jp0s8A4iZSvV3JY0y_-hbp3wsj8HK8WU_K/s320/26112198_10159801641485300_4329473340166030323_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: CG</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uM6xwaR5BFh3WigRMohHhs3-viaKg5_x3OT76sJsEos2RPE9-7mgs_NdOaSwN8ZKDDNlNEcHXQUlmUPWaDQuFvVn4YjOrOFtN66P75ojVT5V48ouqDCh0uUjz1i0zTXsiM1AAW17QomY/s1600/26165363_10159801640460300_1345792647012129981_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="718" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uM6xwaR5BFh3WigRMohHhs3-viaKg5_x3OT76sJsEos2RPE9-7mgs_NdOaSwN8ZKDDNlNEcHXQUlmUPWaDQuFvVn4YjOrOFtN66P75ojVT5V48ouqDCh0uUjz1i0zTXsiM1AAW17QomY/s320/26165363_10159801640460300_1345792647012129981_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fact: Cody skis deep powder better than anyone I know. Photo MN</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo CG</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-24210061261497571852017-12-27T22:05:00.000-09:002017-12-27T22:14:31.898-09:00The Pinnacle Circuit TourI’ve wanted to do a ski tour that made a full circuit The
Pinnacle for a few years now. I’ve managed to ski all four corners of this iconic
Hatcher Pass summit one at a time or in pairs, but stringing them together has remained
an elusive goal since 2013 <a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2013/12/gold-cord-peak-and-pinnacle.html" target="_blank">(West Face and Webfoot Couloir)</a> <a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2015/04/northeast-pinnacle-couloir-and-other.html" target="_blank">(Fairangel Couloir)</a> <a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2015/12/pinnacle-merit-badge_14.html" target="_blank">(Northwest Pinnacle Couloir)</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHVLHa_5aogiOiTDZQJ53IZZNKg5-bi6ErOYbCp-RAjmckT1qddUQjlX199vNdzE3nGpSRAhdMmiySRSB5rUELoKOIVa8-t41tITrz6veBvog8ih7IMwzXgFSq3n1VWuVg2KX5eFZVTJ2/s1600/IMG_2679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHVLHa_5aogiOiTDZQJ53IZZNKg5-bi6ErOYbCp-RAjmckT1qddUQjlX199vNdzE3nGpSRAhdMmiySRSB5rUELoKOIVa8-t41tITrz6veBvog8ih7IMwzXgFSq3n1VWuVg2KX5eFZVTJ2/s320/IMG_2679.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at the sunlit west face after completing the circuit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After enjoying a couple days of good skiing around
Independence Mine over the long Christmas Holiday, I suggested to Nathan that
we give this loop a go on the 26th.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I have oft envisioned the loop being skied counter-clockwise
from Independence Mine. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That would be a bad idea right now. While skiing Gold Cord
Peak on the 23<sup>rd</sup>, we noticed Pinnacle’s Northwest Couloir was incredibly
boney at its mouth. Nathan correctly identified from afar that winds tumbling down
the western-side of The Pinnacle had created a vacuum effect in the narrow chasm
at the base of the line, and the only snow that remained was a bullet proof
wind-pack encasing a jumble of exposed boulders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This effectively meant the PNwC was going to be a climbing
route only, and steered the decision to instead ski the loop clockwise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We took off at sun-up and cruised through the first orange rays
of the cold morning light on the Nordic trails and a broken skinner that went
right to the base of the west face. We broke a short ways north over to the
base of the PNwC, and threw the boards on the packs. The line was
unrecognizable from December 2015 when we last skied it: a total rock garden of
exposed granite littered the first couple hundred feet. It was unfathomable how
it was ever skiable at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Verts stayed stowed; crampons weren’t necessary, but
they wouldn’t have hurt either. We toed in, rarely much past the welt of our
boots. I couldn’t help but think about how we could not have climbed in soft
boots without the aid of crampons.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl8EA0_Lg4ZvYDAsjf7rwXDOClUZDTGoISp7xO_ZbyPgTwB2Pv_VDLU8_UWCsTdfajtcHn7cJr3w5mAYYCjOUEGdSbuzWMJZKXg8fRwMzH2H9UC0jADrssHclXe2-49OdG1hpZU-UDeeC/s1600/IMG_2608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl8EA0_Lg4ZvYDAsjf7rwXDOClUZDTGoISp7xO_ZbyPgTwB2Pv_VDLU8_UWCsTdfajtcHn7cJr3w5mAYYCjOUEGdSbuzWMJZKXg8fRwMzH2H9UC0jADrssHclXe2-49OdG1hpZU-UDeeC/s320/IMG_2608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Northwest couloir was scoured to a jumble of granite and hard-packed snow at the base.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The intermixed rocks and hard pack gave way to a punchy snow
and we accelerated to a small rock outcrop mid-way to regroup. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The upper section opens up wide and broad-faced, above us
loomed a 4-foot-high wind drift we needed to sneak over. It was scary as fuck. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
From there we moved at sprint pace over hollow snow between
sections of limited protection. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sa0QqpYkVucfTAe3UC-AVEvk9LzFRoFwucZxRqtHxjnZKI6s6Rm9GPK8Kb0FYL5uI-Cx8_kUX-kGQ8EgoCI5ZMp9zTD5XtBqIBmJpxzXY3swo3CYF9peh6RNxLoBSN4iflMqgcCB0NRz/s1600/IMG_2611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sa0QqpYkVucfTAe3UC-AVEvk9LzFRoFwucZxRqtHxjnZKI6s6Rm9GPK8Kb0FYL5uI-Cx8_kUX-kGQ8EgoCI5ZMp9zTD5XtBqIBmJpxzXY3swo3CYF9peh6RNxLoBSN4iflMqgcCB0NRz/s320/IMG_2611.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upper section of the NW couloir was wind loaded, making for easy booting but not much fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Finally, I closed the last segment and stepped onto hard-packed
snow, just 5 feet from the edge, but unable to see whether our line to
Fairangel would go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I wanted desperately to look over and find out our fate, but
I resisted the urge and spotted Nathan as he bolted up the last segment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Rejoined up top, I held my breath and carefully nosed toward
the edge, watching as the Buick-sized overhung cornice to my left grew as I
inched outward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When we tried an up an over in December 2015, the Fairangel Couloir
had not backfilled, and would have required a brain dead mandatory drop, or a rappel.
There was much more snow this year, and a group had skied the Fairangel Couloir
in mid-November, so I had reason to believe it went, but still, over a month
and several wind events had occurred since that group skied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
If the Fairangel didn’t go, we’d have to retreat and ski the
sketchy wind slab-laden PNwC back down and into the garbage disposal rock garden
below.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The sense of relief that washed over me as I peaked over into
the beautiful chasm below, lacking a drop or any signs of danger, was immense.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd2YWyQzFzxLdgl97TIhkrXJVfbBwKBP0QGz4pINHBWXijMq2gFvKAs17Qv_Hbw1oN0MB7VpCjZnkereEfFIxEzhq6ZwyU575Mh9SwVtxG1IXUpOKz3HkKj51rGUrEMqbBX2rsScTsXjj/s1600/IMG_E2615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd2YWyQzFzxLdgl97TIhkrXJVfbBwKBP0QGz4pINHBWXijMq2gFvKAs17Qv_Hbw1oN0MB7VpCjZnkereEfFIxEzhq6ZwyU575Mh9SwVtxG1IXUpOKz3HkKj51rGUrEMqbBX2rsScTsXjj/s320/IMG_E2615.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into the Fairangel Couloir. It goes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Nathan, who couldn’t see, was clearly wondering why I was
just staring, but for the moment, I was just so relieved that I was speechless.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I drew back so he could see as well, and we went to work
cutting away a block of cornice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The chunk, about the size of a very large microwave or small
mini fridge, thudded softly into the line below and rolled away, not even
moving slough.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Nathan buckled in first and used the ledge we’d cut away like
a bench, a bench with a hell of a view. He dropped, cut, cut again, and then
ran out the line to the bottom of the apron.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZVCQIGxBO_OLK6yZGaUTwwORZh1C7_JY3_ulrguF14M5l0et5sx8kwqCoCm4Y-tEb3c1lj8XrlOMxnOrDMwHkxzP7NAKVmmZTyBpvYykLzQ7R-lzzll9pNl3_OzkKBqSMFsWW98nAFRN/s1600/IMG_2617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZVCQIGxBO_OLK6yZGaUTwwORZh1C7_JY3_ulrguF14M5l0et5sx8kwqCoCm4Y-tEb3c1lj8XrlOMxnOrDMwHkxzP7NAKVmmZTyBpvYykLzQ7R-lzzll9pNl3_OzkKBqSMFsWW98nAFRN/s320/IMG_2617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite moment of the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
I buckled in, made a few cuts, and let it go, sliding lower
and lower off the tall sidewalls until I moved in and surfed out the soft 4-inch
slough train that was running down the gut.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The snow improved, from a bit punchy at the top, to deeper
and lighter as we descended.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
At the base, we noticed a few tracks descending from the
Webfoot/Fairangel dividing ridge. The speedy Rando crew that we’d watched climb
the west side of The Pinnacle and tip over into the Webfoot Couloir had passed
through here on the 23rd. We’d be reversing their route for the remainder of
the day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkzzxvqEmPfc0K-ZwKQf_QEO9Eb5WHp6RegDBbb4husCZ9LkN8L2rz1_Af1vzz8w_2EHXo7tDYasW3eDbPrVoPrsGK8EV3F9RfLeS6KMVgfIC1Rj35xJslSl8Bdk4q5-xZhxB5LqfZtZf/s1600/IMG_2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkzzxvqEmPfc0K-ZwKQf_QEO9Eb5WHp6RegDBbb4husCZ9LkN8L2rz1_Af1vzz8w_2EHXo7tDYasW3eDbPrVoPrsGK8EV3F9RfLeS6KMVgfIC1Rj35xJslSl8Bdk4q5-xZhxB5LqfZtZf/s320/IMG_2621.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairangel Couloir to the right, cross-over ridge, our destination, to the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghm5YSArQ356EaC1TneWSjE6Sys-hcn6qJhjSjpFr4qGe6leUNWOazQuhbHwwuKRZicZNyqZC4q-PXLswgWugv0sGISBiRns18Jx7EV-q_fVIthTqR6Mv_Wdk9vOuNI6QpGRkqPoKfzDsb/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghm5YSArQ356EaC1TneWSjE6Sys-hcn6qJhjSjpFr4qGe6leUNWOazQuhbHwwuKRZicZNyqZC4q-PXLswgWugv0sGISBiRns18Jx7EV-q_fVIthTqR6Mv_Wdk9vOuNI6QpGRkqPoKfzDsb/s320/IMG_2619.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairangel's Cross-Cut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEica_qrcmvvRSLUhFcugmWNrjkf33tllKL9qVOCgCSzxJeAy-inCu7bAkRNClx_XAMdC-D4d4Z2CxM79fF5tFZZh_ZTbRjMQ4aYJW8i4TmzF3CXJSy7_Krad6KEvLEUJ0MJcOMZQ6PAgDrt/s1600/IMG_2623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEica_qrcmvvRSLUhFcugmWNrjkf33tllKL9qVOCgCSzxJeAy-inCu7bAkRNClx_XAMdC-D4d4Z2CxM79fF5tFZZh_ZTbRjMQ4aYJW8i4TmzF3CXJSy7_Krad6KEvLEUJ0MJcOMZQ6PAgDrt/s320/IMG_2623.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few hundred more feet of cold smoke beckoned us to ski to the valley bottom, but with daylight in short supply, we headed for Webfoot instead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
While several hundred feet of glorious cold smoke beckoned us
to keep skiing to the Fairangel’s valley floor, I knew skinning in the cold and
faceted snow would be a task, and we wisely sidled over to the base of the dividing
ridge and transitioned instead.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
With the Archangel Valley still closed to machines, and the
poor Nordic groomer unable to make its way up the valley through the deep snow,
it was a perfectly still and quiet skin up to the ridge, save for the hiss of
the veneer-thin facet sloughs slipping away below our boards.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We dropped down the cross-over couloir to the base of the Webfoot
Couloir. The Rando crew had used the cross-over couloir for a skinner to get to
Fairangel from Webfoot, and I was worried we’d feel it on, but in the days that
had passed, the snow had dried out and it was unnoticeable. Unfortunately, I
did feel the hidden gremlin that knicked my board’s tail with a resounding
thwack, reminding me that as deep and glorious as the snow was, the granite
boulders were still lying just out of sight in places.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJvmklzWed1x-B4O7FVhY4pGZoY0RxEQWBJ9Jj0WAzf8CD_MMphrDbEynyujCaHgwzJ8YMEMElL4tty6ul2FuVEe4EYNqGhs2IZfsXEYAjlUXxStGEsTyoexIcT_AsOkUfOXXlh5eIk0h/s1600/IMG_2631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJvmklzWed1x-B4O7FVhY4pGZoY0RxEQWBJ9Jj0WAzf8CD_MMphrDbEynyujCaHgwzJ8YMEMElL4tty6ul2FuVEe4EYNqGhs2IZfsXEYAjlUXxStGEsTyoexIcT_AsOkUfOXXlh5eIk0h/s320/IMG_2631.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan exits the upper Fairangel-Webfoot Cross-Over Couloir</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We faced up to Pinnacle’s Webfoot Couloir. The wind had
exposed a few of the line’s big boulders, but overall, it looked good. I
checked the watch, 1:40PM. We skinned the tall apron to the mouth of the line,
and switched over to Verts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m so glad we’d carried them. Our poles easily plunged
waist deep, but the Verts held us afloat and we rarely sunk past our knees. We
rotated out in 50-foot intervals, and while it was by no means easy, we
marveled at how much easier climbing this line felt with the right tools
compared to November 2013.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmTkTJjL0-imaXrRxTYCWPUymDapcGx8IWZUg1uXtpivjApoPKoB4Thn80eFReCxJWmCGZPszqzYXzphzZL7_ImI3ei41bk9y93BeG8xyJTdqxA7VnEjFUhLdI4BBcpwmBRWqJrJMznBW/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmTkTJjL0-imaXrRxTYCWPUymDapcGx8IWZUg1uXtpivjApoPKoB4Thn80eFReCxJWmCGZPszqzYXzphzZL7_ImI3ei41bk9y93BeG8xyJTdqxA7VnEjFUhLdI4BBcpwmBRWqJrJMznBW/s320/IMG_2632.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About halfway up Pinnacle's Webfoot Couloir.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroKEJwDFdW-UVlGLCdpzFHk8rdJ3Z65I8fkxitwJ3nLVshDErKkSazgLcoiHAyjveDSjVU5G07pnPAxiHTH1A_Q4lIe5Z0oYxQCjNEdPofRPZRJGMQ4ChCsiZsc0mzNRA7vv2kW8lpAv_/s1600/IMG_2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroKEJwDFdW-UVlGLCdpzFHk8rdJ3Z65I8fkxitwJ3nLVshDErKkSazgLcoiHAyjveDSjVU5G07pnPAxiHTH1A_Q4lIe5Z0oYxQCjNEdPofRPZRJGMQ4ChCsiZsc0mzNRA7vv2kW8lpAv_/s320/IMG_2636.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topped out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We topped out in an hour and change after starting. I’d
posited at the beginning of the day, that we might consider dropping this line
and recycling our booter if we made descent time. I also pointed out that it
would likely be the case that we’d have to weigh that against just making a
sunlit descent of the west face after not having seen the sun for the bulk of
the day. In fact, the last weak rays we’d enjoyed were right before booting
through the rock garden at the base of the PNwC, almost 3 hours ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We were buckled in at 2:50PM. If we turned around and skied
the Webfoot, we’d be back on top of the ridge around 4, almost 20 minutes past
sunset. Obviously, there would still be ample blue light to ski out, but, as
expected, the choice was clear: ski in the sun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvg3Em8qqkx2uRc3ht3R-lER0UoO7T3dNhWT1iihjlYg5IcQubtN9BYVxdriuRLxES7gUk_8O53dKRh3hNQDD-u-hzbYMJn-x64EwPt6Bm2OH1XR562d-NZw5ENgUxiV36IEH8GfbIuud4/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvg3Em8qqkx2uRc3ht3R-lER0UoO7T3dNhWT1iihjlYg5IcQubtN9BYVxdriuRLxES7gUk_8O53dKRh3hNQDD-u-hzbYMJn-x64EwPt6Bm2OH1XR562d-NZw5ENgUxiV36IEH8GfbIuud4/s320/IMG_2643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLMcb41PiXyBtcDl-BkTmmBmh9bhH13ZQLfklhsGakFsE6tpb1_vOC-gbkVbwSmMijfUDxM_nX6qUUHiOauPwHbO0v_m1bufTc8MrfrwpfuCaUgagXc3PJslf1Qbupx87b7050yNLtBu1/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLMcb41PiXyBtcDl-BkTmmBmh9bhH13ZQLfklhsGakFsE6tpb1_vOC-gbkVbwSmMijfUDxM_nX6qUUHiOauPwHbO0v_m1bufTc8MrfrwpfuCaUgagXc3PJslf1Qbupx87b7050yNLtBu1/s320/IMG_2647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SlqWRdlW9AU-gwl-XmCH7KgIlqYdUpVYNqTal2N2997hUA92nfAxfYGkkAAifcX2MZeV6NjNYtTI15ny6FTI-xJlha5HTaShF6rSeAftq6DzVRMOdcERp6qAMTAW_gXuoUJc7eSAOESC/s1600/IMG_2676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SlqWRdlW9AU-gwl-XmCH7KgIlqYdUpVYNqTal2N2997hUA92nfAxfYGkkAAifcX2MZeV6NjNYtTI15ny6FTI-xJlha5HTaShF6rSeAftq6DzVRMOdcERp6qAMTAW_gXuoUJc7eSAOESC/s320/IMG_2676.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just. Awesome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
I was a little worried about the west face from recent wind
loading, but damn, it was solid and skied wonderfully. Off the steeps, we
rallied our way through the playful mushroom features in the playground terrain
back to the mine.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD2E_HhmRqxRSAgN0BSu6qHIXIAlerRcScuMxFnJGOdoH0wpMCwA7rIjHy-ExREXnXfm-EAKSGd9_eLutmhjKDM75wQYbDjtUvqLbvDCrY4dQ3uwPiWUR7vYo3m_1p_XseyMZBUKLxUbD/s1600/Pinnacle+Circuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1116" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD2E_HhmRqxRSAgN0BSu6qHIXIAlerRcScuMxFnJGOdoH0wpMCwA7rIjHy-ExREXnXfm-EAKSGd9_eLutmhjKDM75wQYbDjtUvqLbvDCrY4dQ3uwPiWUR7vYo3m_1p_XseyMZBUKLxUbD/s320/Pinnacle+Circuit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uptracks in green, descents in red.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
While the Pinnacle circuit was certainly a fitting cap to the long holiday weekend, it was hardly the only photo-worthy skiing.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VKWhKZKZ-Lg9kHW37Hkk9T5TJFs1SGd2h3UH9E1K9KGorffUJ7O299WCNJMi0sTBp643RESjxorO04jWUZwBRxYKEssdpXZO-zffcxGIh0T1LMGLEx6jaoCaD1y8skqtpmsbGVtxtHwh/s1600/IMG_E2551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VKWhKZKZ-Lg9kHW37Hkk9T5TJFs1SGd2h3UH9E1K9KGorffUJ7O299WCNJMi0sTBp643RESjxorO04jWUZwBRxYKEssdpXZO-zffcxGIh0T1LMGLEx6jaoCaD1y8skqtpmsbGVtxtHwh/s320/IMG_E2551.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan and I skiing Microdot on a lonely Friday afternoon. Lighting was milky all day until the last run, but the snow was still, fast, soft, and fresh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfQy0VUmG_McIW323BjvjWUnzXW6kO7x-xcA6cyJSy-qrlVSHML_M3danAKppC8IcQ4VqxXsWK4-FCH1YEYKaAcJtKOtyb4YXBOX_i5OyNQk3EkIkRbWB9r7ExzWNHPXrycmQJ_ghUntg/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfQy0VUmG_McIW323BjvjWUnzXW6kO7x-xcA6cyJSy-qrlVSHML_M3danAKppC8IcQ4VqxXsWK4-FCH1YEYKaAcJtKOtyb4YXBOX_i5OyNQk3EkIkRbWB9r7ExzWNHPXrycmQJ_ghUntg/s320/IMG_0444.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe finishes up the upper half of the west face of Gold Cord Peak. This big playful face might have offered some of the best skiing of the week.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6tfDjiF5yOOnyDSIHy4gBQkJ92W9vrr4weh2AeObkqyXgelABiOaDkBKZLapWc_TS1-1luBACxMm-T6O5lx1sTfqnwRHAbL-EoJZiP28NRPavoONZ02mPEqebMQRInwaTHIo15x6cc3R/s1600/IMG_4266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6tfDjiF5yOOnyDSIHy4gBQkJ92W9vrr4weh2AeObkqyXgelABiOaDkBKZLapWc_TS1-1luBACxMm-T6O5lx1sTfqnwRHAbL-EoJZiP28NRPavoONZ02mPEqebMQRInwaTHIo15x6cc3R/s320/IMG_4266.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down toward Indy Mine from Gold Cord's summit. Photo: J.E.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3cQHgrvAC-9qlqwOhRMxsf-fF-Li3idVaE0nWpNuY5wlwDZi5HF-UtJoB4xjB-28bfSE2pBiN_f3rXG_UAJGG0d0QaOzWqsdcDuB3_AeZfeBpSCRumR6j9KLnujJzp4HD6ln3zQmMmCV/s1600/IMG_4273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3cQHgrvAC-9qlqwOhRMxsf-fF-Li3idVaE0nWpNuY5wlwDZi5HF-UtJoB4xjB-28bfSE2pBiN_f3rXG_UAJGG0d0QaOzWqsdcDuB3_AeZfeBpSCRumR6j9KLnujJzp4HD6ln3zQmMmCV/s320/IMG_4273.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset descent down Gold Cord's south face on the 23rd. Photo: J.E.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_p_x_4qJ3r6AemZsDX5bBxZWnDrNV7ubNBrZV9GALg8uGuEbl5HV54-woX18N3UNH4gxAFpcxzfX2-iq1pyTtt12ESprIxNhC0SelGWrz4zNhvwglJgD_WtHflP1RYesfKRMxnCIxEI61/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_p_x_4qJ3r6AemZsDX5bBxZWnDrNV7ubNBrZV9GALg8uGuEbl5HV54-woX18N3UNH4gxAFpcxzfX2-iq1pyTtt12ESprIxNhC0SelGWrz4zNhvwglJgD_WtHflP1RYesfKRMxnCIxEI61/s320/IMG_0446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cabins above Gold Cord mine are disappearing. Photo: N.W.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgcHMJ39C5CFk_D9K9qsq79WNyNhUWgSZ-ToDpiLjxW3ZiDWPti4XwzoYoES_y1e0ZKbK9WCDFmvadbm7QWyzCZIs0DfnjPeOdSQZbSo5A9g-WYFs5d6SEJuYhMrUd8lMF0Xe2FUQnPSh/s1600/IMG_E2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgcHMJ39C5CFk_D9K9qsq79WNyNhUWgSZ-ToDpiLjxW3ZiDWPti4XwzoYoES_y1e0ZKbK9WCDFmvadbm7QWyzCZIs0DfnjPeOdSQZbSo5A9g-WYFs5d6SEJuYhMrUd8lMF0Xe2FUQnPSh/s320/IMG_E2583.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith unwraps a fat shoulder on the shady side of Microdot on Christmas Day. We had the popular peak to ourselves all day, a rare gift in and of itself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpnznxTVh5MI0gJ5fbtLJmZgU6913VZ_pI9Em6lBN79vPxxV4GBc4OHlKiYfBIqC8b-aGDitha5SDSFihp81plJsxr__mGltjW872UTnkJejNfDjy9GW9y9eA74a-Gya2lURU6mXl8Nzm/s1600/IMG_E2598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpnznxTVh5MI0gJ5fbtLJmZgU6913VZ_pI9Em6lBN79vPxxV4GBc4OHlKiYfBIqC8b-aGDitha5SDSFihp81plJsxr__mGltjW872UTnkJejNfDjy9GW9y9eA74a-Gya2lURU6mXl8Nzm/s320/IMG_E2598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unwrapping presents on the sunny face too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8yVeHdQkp3R43F4lTtF1-dlAFZy9QEiPAi7I5nhycAXrb4ww8KVkuFbdQxYjDhSfMox8_kWJ1gZ-td18Ssxx3JWQJ5c8p6CkAPdecyZlPOe4Iqlr21YY82-ADy6RZto9qerQDFbIORlp/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8yVeHdQkp3R43F4lTtF1-dlAFZy9QEiPAi7I5nhycAXrb4ww8KVkuFbdQxYjDhSfMox8_kWJ1gZ-td18Ssxx3JWQJ5c8p6CkAPdecyZlPOe4Iqlr21YY82-ADy6RZto9qerQDFbIORlp/s320/IMG_2604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFKl8u0VtgsbGU4eaTk5QITVk4LOKUPJAPXHoeRevB0YBR4CvAdQDA3IB66lihKm8BMQlh8f4Vg1zhJ4P005QkuH9U7VHJD706EEgxjNO43NPbnohlbK-zy2kYHdiIQrpxaHOIbzfsZrd/s1600/IMG_2606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFKl8u0VtgsbGU4eaTk5QITVk4LOKUPJAPXHoeRevB0YBR4CvAdQDA3IB66lihKm8BMQlh8f4Vg1zhJ4P005QkuH9U7VHJD706EEgxjNO43NPbnohlbK-zy2kYHdiIQrpxaHOIbzfsZrd/s320/IMG_2606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-52157605449707269932017-11-20T21:20:00.001-09:002017-11-20T21:28:29.817-09:00Early Season HatcherThe last few seasons have not been good to Hatcher. Other
than a few recon trips, I haven’t had a real descent in the Talkeetna Mountains
since December of 2015, and even then, it wasn’t all that great.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This winter, the season is playing hard to get: cold and
dry. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
If it weren’t for a few copious snowfalls above 3,000 FSL in
the Talkeetnas in late October, there’d be no skiing at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As it is, the snowpack is weak, and ready for a disaster if
the pattern shifts and dumps heaps of snow up there. On the plus side, a crust
formed over Halloween has given the normally dry and airy snow of that range
some armored base to protect bases from ever-lurking granite.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Meredith and I had planned only to go Nordic skiing at
Independence mine two weekends ago, but a few pictures from Jack made me think
we might go for a tour first and look for softer snow in sheltered locations where
the winds hadn’t totally decimated the surface conditions. A lack of avalanche
activity following the Halloween cycle indicated we could safely venture out on
moderate slopes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We tossed in skins and wide planks along with our Nordic
gear, and I envisioned a little schussing about in some mellow rock gardens where
the snow pack would be anchored and hopefully playful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
An hour of touring and a pit later, and we realized
conditions were a lot better than we hoped, and another hour later we were
cautiously but hopefully navigating our way up the ridge to Gold Cord Peak. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The wind had done a number to the snow, but had been
consistent and predictable in its work: if it looked wind-effected, it was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Everything else though, was really pleasant. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Despite a temperature of 10 in the parking lot, we enjoyed
two sunny laps from the top of Gold Cord Peak.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A week later, we returned. A light snowfall and some
occasional gusty breezes had complicated surface conditions a tad, but done
little to the avalanche quotient.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Not seeing our tracks from the previous week on the front
face of GCP, we were lured back to the top. The winds’s effect had been less
predictable and bit more swirly, and the firm base created by the Halloween
event showed signs of weakening in places, providing an occasionally punchy
consistency beneath, but was still worth yet another two sunny runs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA5vTZQS6os2SegwHVLMreEguVdCIwrfGL2NoC0yV2_1m_R2PtjdKkfHTMZQhJqCAvumDrG80PFRORutUc84bjfoqKgbKzsVlOUollwZU1jlQ-_ZKYEj9kQgu15lpbH-SIIBSKKUNMXo2/s1600/IMG_2452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA5vTZQS6os2SegwHVLMreEguVdCIwrfGL2NoC0yV2_1m_R2PtjdKkfHTMZQhJqCAvumDrG80PFRORutUc84bjfoqKgbKzsVlOUollwZU1jlQ-_ZKYEj9kQgu15lpbH-SIIBSKKUNMXo2/s320/IMG_2452.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've missed these views.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhQ2uxK-UUA0IlM7-o8a0FfsCniX_10HLlery3osCw6VlAMuG6Y3rUfl1yDlCe-TZpafBIFyLs10eD674eAnoTP2KSi6DrDYa4xlSdBFoMWpsJh9vkdAQuk0VC-3amiILJScBejo_qCzC/s1600/IMG_7605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="1024" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhQ2uxK-UUA0IlM7-o8a0FfsCniX_10HLlery3osCw6VlAMuG6Y3rUfl1yDlCe-TZpafBIFyLs10eD674eAnoTP2KSi6DrDYa4xlSdBFoMWpsJh9vkdAQuk0VC-3amiILJScBejo_qCzC/s320/IMG_7605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: M.N.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIAG_JOEWU8hlhKsoOuooMTWLWdiuhNegpVOP9oEfBZsq-0RivbLIVqlcdjlAAZBV1j6EZduE9ppnT4DZ4FMugyCWOCloiq2HvWrLjFVEIwnPKvl7RP3M-U8Wny0cDOWcTYbQyy8l7Pwe/s1600/IMG_7607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIAG_JOEWU8hlhKsoOuooMTWLWdiuhNegpVOP9oEfBZsq-0RivbLIVqlcdjlAAZBV1j6EZduE9ppnT4DZ4FMugyCWOCloiq2HvWrLjFVEIwnPKvl7RP3M-U8Wny0cDOWcTYbQyy8l7Pwe/s320/IMG_7607.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: M.N.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWotHbVVGhQa6fnmeZJ7wrwwQ-PIf4p4p9iB1ed3DpPKv7JLXPugSEt2r_aoX-RHAnWCIgOyVLenVHAdHGEHIROU7H1juBiIFLNrtZgArruXxT4ARW6LpcwPWr2fdRUIWdZzPSoPJ739xc/s1600/IMG_E2445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWotHbVVGhQa6fnmeZJ7wrwwQ-PIf4p4p9iB1ed3DpPKv7JLXPugSEt2r_aoX-RHAnWCIgOyVLenVHAdHGEHIROU7H1juBiIFLNrtZgArruXxT4ARW6LpcwPWr2fdRUIWdZzPSoPJ739xc/s320/IMG_E2445.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the "Dream Cabin."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrzc94quuIcKRe1cYP4_457YltMBqR10_x8iBFRLct_A28wUC3zKygmWxzt-TrfXzApehK-e4TysnAd8I43BWnRbPnMje9QGqHnDexEj8u4C3tCYy-6c6fhOeZdwDc82RAHGrfDmTVcZ3/s1600/IMG_E7604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1024" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrzc94quuIcKRe1cYP4_457YltMBqR10_x8iBFRLct_A28wUC3zKygmWxzt-TrfXzApehK-e4TysnAd8I43BWnRbPnMje9QGqHnDexEj8u4C3tCYy-6c6fhOeZdwDc82RAHGrfDmTVcZ3/s320/IMG_E7604.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: M.N.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The next day, a Saturday, Cody and I returned. Expecting the
crowds to be on the thick side, we move toward Friendship Pass area. Along the
way we looked longingly into hidden couloir (no idea if this is really its
name) on the side of Granite. A week prior, the line had been ridden by a
snowboarder who appeared to have booted all the way from the parking lot up to Gold
Cord Mine and up the line. Those tracks had been completely erased by the
snowfall and wind, so we decided to give it a go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We agreed to commit to backing out if we entered the chasm
and found conditions to be firm or variable/punchy, and not suckered into the
old: “maybe it’ll get better,” because after all, it <u>almost</u> never does.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Well, <u>almost</u> reared its head, because it did get
better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Just above the apron, conditions were briefly firm enough
that we were only toeing-in to the stiff windboard. I think the only reason we
didn’t stop right then and there is that neither of us wanted to step into gear
on such firm conditions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A bit higher up and conditions softened some, but still
weren’t great. One side of the line was actually quite nice, right down the
middle there appeared to be a buried slough path that provided great booting, while
the other half of the line was deeper with a punchy crust buried too deep to impact
skiing, though not ideal for climbing as our boots easily busted through.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Each step seemed to reveal improved snow quality though, and
lured us upward toward the gleaming beams of sun poking over the top.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Near the top, the line widened with a pile of protruding
boulders in the middle; to either side, we found some of the nicest snow of the
whole line. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The top out was the only place we finally found evidence of
the boarder who had skied it a week or more prior. His or her cautious
side-slip entry was still evident, and had been solidified, to make the final
25 feet very firm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Up in the sun, we had a magnificent view into the Willow
Creek drainage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We agreed to take our time and ski very conservatively to
adapt for the changing – and what would be generally deteriorating – snow
quality, as we descended.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The entry was firm and steep, requiring a side slip to get
back down to the soft snow below.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Re-grouped, I took the first crack, and skied half the line to
get behind a nice alcove. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The snow rode much better than expected, but the top 3-4
inches easily popped loose and ran in 20’ x 20’ sheets, creating significant
but slow slough runs down the center. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Part two of the line skied a little rougher, but we knew what
was coming, and the slough we knocked loose above provided a consistent bed to
ride on top of until we hit the creamy apron. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Having fulfilled our quota of booting, we mooched a fresh
skinner from a departing group into an adjacent pillow playground, and had a
great evening run riding through a series of shoots and pillows to end the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p4a40_CHu88jnkKh2fhXZk8jYvyyQ4OPTURZT9d26vydXwjwpnuZvGXLa4f3DKDPg9vwl7PV9BcTN293zIDIh6ye-zVWikPcQpX8-2TlD3cNtq1KYV2sTPhVLAkPRPhtAT85b5Kx4zyg/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p4a40_CHu88jnkKh2fhXZk8jYvyyQ4OPTURZT9d26vydXwjwpnuZvGXLa4f3DKDPg9vwl7PV9BcTN293zIDIh6ye-zVWikPcQpX8-2TlD3cNtq1KYV2sTPhVLAkPRPhtAT85b5Kx4zyg/s320/IMG_2438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden couloir is hardly hidden from Gold Cord Peak. The chutes and pillows on the lookers right slope were a treat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35EvVfCAG1OONWAb4fDZNweprDUHzS-uJf7pO8yoc3tsbfuBpLkdUqd6lcevrJuD-Ky_fNuBKx7Rr8gxMnzC1yZXBqP17Pc65nUF7Hy3ieAHlN0Sr-7i2SfI117Irh8lX8ba0xw2rHKNx/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35EvVfCAG1OONWAb4fDZNweprDUHzS-uJf7pO8yoc3tsbfuBpLkdUqd6lcevrJuD-Ky_fNuBKx7Rr8gxMnzC1yZXBqP17Pc65nUF7Hy3ieAHlN0Sr-7i2SfI117Irh8lX8ba0xw2rHKNx/s320/IMG_0142.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPxMEg04gdTpmHCpDVt1UZfk9pq3wOX3pj-oCdkz7Mbj5wNJqpBkWDPKy0PM8OJo4xN8LuHQWAz-0OA3_fkaAhpgf5-lznCVgM3RSaBBixO0MZart3AAGOUpJZrvWpiREQvempWQ9kmYL/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPxMEg04gdTpmHCpDVt1UZfk9pq3wOX3pj-oCdkz7Mbj5wNJqpBkWDPKy0PM8OJo4xN8LuHQWAz-0OA3_fkaAhpgf5-lznCVgM3RSaBBixO0MZart3AAGOUpJZrvWpiREQvempWQ9kmYL/s320/IMG_0118.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up top. Photo: C.G.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iJYt1Gk3k9rAIqnynYS1_1JZugT1wyJfLOB1Cettmi42iHv0uEtutqtDnUHHNOhpQZbM-jRTvAtCTzvZJBicWsW0xxePq-OysLi1nFgQuXucmvuPyM0lo5x67psYhyFrnJ_Y2gsXa9g9/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iJYt1Gk3k9rAIqnynYS1_1JZugT1wyJfLOB1Cettmi42iHv0uEtutqtDnUHHNOhpQZbM-jRTvAtCTzvZJBicWsW0xxePq-OysLi1nFgQuXucmvuPyM0lo5x67psYhyFrnJ_Y2gsXa9g9/s320/IMG_0131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping in. Photo: C.G.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR8zDgq3Nl4UAS2dBR-1o01-PJ-PHHoXKqhCPCuesI1Ns_MHQO1hzQYTpSTMBAklrBrl3PQnoZGkOnBcj_FwzA6Yll0w_-XmFMpOWYJAq6lgB_UR64XBBIhHwdevWAeuV32WN30D6K6r7/s1600/IMG_2469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR8zDgq3Nl4UAS2dBR-1o01-PJ-PHHoXKqhCPCuesI1Ns_MHQO1hzQYTpSTMBAklrBrl3PQnoZGkOnBcj_FwzA6Yll0w_-XmFMpOWYJAq6lgB_UR64XBBIhHwdevWAeuV32WN30D6K6r7/s320/IMG_2469.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still soft halfway down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPlYcuRHyULA7cQ2w2Zimg5mHccm9CJp_u-tCVRPZgEwKsyQr6OnUz2laXlqqghWS8l-m-jDRv70K8M2kYeEHbhA8BdywMTlBmZpvTIehCsGk5c2vMToLix0VDh3W0XbwKOLupvpB1fDh/s1600/IMG_2474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPlYcuRHyULA7cQ2w2Zimg5mHccm9CJp_u-tCVRPZgEwKsyQr6OnUz2laXlqqghWS8l-m-jDRv70K8M2kYeEHbhA8BdywMTlBmZpvTIehCsGk5c2vMToLix0VDh3W0XbwKOLupvpB1fDh/s320/IMG_2474.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High grade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMVFoZBcZPQy6y16fWybER24FnDCvGkvE_B8uqP9W3sSb2dTbwJRTNrDXSubwUZmJ6w88zNS0m35EIBqOEOdfS2cm-IV7FCoQazyEJnvxPdLq45i8wNWfcDSQ9MVZo6GqOQinFjYGfLXg/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMVFoZBcZPQy6y16fWybER24FnDCvGkvE_B8uqP9W3sSb2dTbwJRTNrDXSubwUZmJ6w88zNS0m35EIBqOEOdfS2cm-IV7FCoQazyEJnvxPdLq45i8wNWfcDSQ9MVZo6GqOQinFjYGfLXg/s320/IMG_2480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG9p3thZT8VYIrl_E36vFTAXxxYcmgZ4oLkT7uGeKcF9ckDyUBCojAEP2FV4Bg-EbetaGjR8gU_il67EnZ_wPLQFPfHzzgkh-zOiKMjMQPshBLEpainUUwj750SHBftwuWGBppX7zLLCM/s1600/IMG_E2500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG9p3thZT8VYIrl_E36vFTAXxxYcmgZ4oLkT7uGeKcF9ckDyUBCojAEP2FV4Bg-EbetaGjR8gU_il67EnZ_wPLQFPfHzzgkh-zOiKMjMQPshBLEpainUUwj750SHBftwuWGBppX7zLLCM/s320/IMG_E2500.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh snow and zero viz meant staying out of the mountains on Sunday. Fortunately there's enough snow in Kincaid for skinny ski adventures!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Here’s to hoping for more adventures in the Talkeetnas this
winter, and being grateful for finally getting back into them after such a long
hiatus.<o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-35079936528197068732017-10-09T22:03:00.000-08:002017-10-10T08:57:48.372-08:00Bird Ridge to Glen Alps ReduxNathan and I did this traverse again after a few years time
since Phil and I jogged it in 2014. I had pretty good memories of that run with
Phil, but surprisingly, I think I forgot as many details as I remembered.
Nathan and I were lucky to score one of the nicest days of the fall: crystal
clear skies, a stiff frost, and dead calm to start anyway. A cool breeze and
high clouds worked their way in by the time we finished, but we were long off
the ridgelines at that point. I suppose one of the biggest perks was that for
much of the traverse we had frozen ground and frost withered vegetation,
allowing us max traction on the grippy slopes and keeping out feet dry when
crossing the normally soft and wet low sections.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The easy travel conditions sped up the traverse by a solid
hour from 2014: we made it to Glen Alps in 6:45. Even still, that allowed us
ample time to watch an incredible battle between a coyote family and a massive
golden eagle; enjoy time on the summit of Bird Ridge Overlook, and lose about
20 minutes as we both comically sat separately in sheltering from a cool breeze
at Ship Lake Pass, waiting for the other, not realizing the other was doing the
exact same thing just out of sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp80_k_6xP80N_JYgxXwmBHDSO5FNV6t2rxdtPcMmGK_kcQE4_ohwR9E__4nrj_GZK3w5ookwWwaW3pN1QEO_hNFdkq1MoHj05jUmLIJ0AkpLrceIFgputWH-UtJgH7gNpTP50fbPKnge/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp80_k_6xP80N_JYgxXwmBHDSO5FNV6t2rxdtPcMmGK_kcQE4_ohwR9E__4nrj_GZK3w5ookwWwaW3pN1QEO_hNFdkq1MoHj05jUmLIJ0AkpLrceIFgputWH-UtJgH7gNpTP50fbPKnge/s320/IMG_2153.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping onto the high point of the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We launched from the icy trailhead at 8:40, and held a
steady pace up Bird Ridge, opening our pace into a jog higher up where the
terrain allowed. We passed one couple quite high up the ridge who must have
started well before dark. Around 11 we were aproaching the little pyramid of
Overlook when we came across two sheep. As we jogged closer and closer, we
spooked a large golden eagle we hadn’t noticed hiding behind a blocky piece of
rock. The eagle swooped around the eastern side of Overlook out of sight and we
joked how cool it would be to see the bird strike one of the sheep. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq_A2tZiYS5rfW6woiCjdDYqEs4dfU_hlOyDeaf5pEo3ll2JIA8yXDxvazxOS04-wDOiIeeQ4S-_JBvLnhDx62gxPptXF-EL1l7MdcWkz-0OAQQY2awz04xpFWcrwSlAemWbhZJGgJYEz/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq_A2tZiYS5rfW6woiCjdDYqEs4dfU_hlOyDeaf5pEo3ll2JIA8yXDxvazxOS04-wDOiIeeQ4S-_JBvLnhDx62gxPptXF-EL1l7MdcWkz-0OAQQY2awz04xpFWcrwSlAemWbhZJGgJYEz/s320/IMG_2139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ten minutes later we popped over the eastern rib of
Overlook, and were suddenly greeted by a cacophony of yips and howls coming
from the alpine basin below us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
At first I hoped wolves, but the pitch was two high.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Despite the ruckus, and the apparent closeness, we couldn’t
spot the critters, and I began to wonder if maybe the animals were lower down
in the brush, and the terrain was just amplifying their yowling. It seemed like
there were two animals yowling, and then a yipping that sounded closer to a
domestic dog. I began to fear we might witness that sad fate lost dogs in
Chugach State Park often suffer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
From a deep ravine in the side of the basin, a dark coyote
dashed across tundra. Seconds later, the massive, dark, golden eagle came
swooping from the same ravine, and to our disbelief, turned into a dive bomb of
the coyote!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The eagle aborted at the last second, but what ensued was a
surreal came of predator vs predator, as the two changed roles over and over.
The eagle would land on the far side of the basin, and the coyote would charge
across, getting with only feet before the eagle would swoop off and the coyote
would leap in the air snapping at it. A second coyote guarded the base of the
deep ravine, and the eagle seemed intent on getting back into, sometimes dive
bombing the coyotes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We think the coyote den was in the ravine, and the eagle had
snuck in and hit a pup, and was trying to get back in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Eventually, they settled into a stalemate, and we headed up
the last little pitch to the top of Overlook.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowNF3WepxTgZBb_KxK7yqCfAjGhvWFQT2TFqFZq29LCXbjJfGPjO7A7XK2iM6bwuMcXzkILEMjtQoZNatTmkzc9pXgxcPy3oSv03ArL1YzieaNhPpoXnmkJdscLYA4_YRm7m75Tj-w9iO/s1600/IMG_2149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowNF3WepxTgZBb_KxK7yqCfAjGhvWFQT2TFqFZq29LCXbjJfGPjO7A7XK2iM6bwuMcXzkILEMjtQoZNatTmkzc9pXgxcPy3oSv03ArL1YzieaNhPpoXnmkJdscLYA4_YRm7m75Tj-w9iO/s320/IMG_2149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdh1KD5W08q9HSF-04zQi64UUBdIz_sajqa5VBSOFfieQnXz4CLWrf_EB5hWdKEVDcfVgm6eXjB3z2sMxHmHwnvUQawSgzutcd_sMMdRTnoWdi8smTJH9jxGOlHk-kfrgEejbEVwSrO_u/s1600/IMG_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdh1KD5W08q9HSF-04zQi64UUBdIz_sajqa5VBSOFfieQnXz4CLWrf_EB5hWdKEVDcfVgm6eXjB3z2sMxHmHwnvUQawSgzutcd_sMMdRTnoWdi8smTJH9jxGOlHk-kfrgEejbEVwSrO_u/s320/IMG_2150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8gFnKhFizjH6UAds9sK2MOe1zN9YNL6biZqN6jOdgo1TfZk7q3APc7fp_-JjlL-8LWS7_3LJjIhY1zXEgdXnfmEXWf15tCxaWvYFzntHTauKRsAWkqRWS4LnORUKCf6yws7N_ayjFWLa/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8gFnKhFizjH6UAds9sK2MOe1zN9YNL6biZqN6jOdgo1TfZk7q3APc7fp_-JjlL-8LWS7_3LJjIhY1zXEgdXnfmEXWf15tCxaWvYFzntHTauKRsAWkqRWS4LnORUKCf6yws7N_ayjFWLa/s320/IMG_2154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAMs3LXK6blSyhhsoY6EwrqPbzJZSjnDbzfvhHbK5kyhvv29tfT4obj_F30Lpg4WQ2QVc7gcmxQbJSt2lycGmCFbXuMRh6Qfm-BYl6DI5VRVACWLQ7CmaiuoLKIKtcT8XIhpDJwK-8b5Y/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAMs3LXK6blSyhhsoY6EwrqPbzJZSjnDbzfvhHbK5kyhvv29tfT4obj_F30Lpg4WQ2QVc7gcmxQbJSt2lycGmCFbXuMRh6Qfm-BYl6DI5VRVACWLQ7CmaiuoLKIKtcT8XIhpDJwK-8b5Y/s320/IMG_2155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouiGT7K9lQ4b0ig07QSVcqNy_HakKoGPF6D5_II9h5SaOBC3C_8-8sLl160k_YUsJJ4faBk9-liKRIdjixXKpKWm2gbMGb6aSZk1ykPgyjXgzmn2BlCYt3KuNovO8tklapesAHU9uEy4t/s1600/IMG_2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouiGT7K9lQ4b0ig07QSVcqNy_HakKoGPF6D5_II9h5SaOBC3C_8-8sLl160k_YUsJJ4faBk9-liKRIdjixXKpKWm2gbMGb6aSZk1ykPgyjXgzmn2BlCYt3KuNovO8tklapesAHU9uEy4t/s320/IMG_2160.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route went left from the ridgeline this pic was taken on, then into the basin full of lakes, up the saddle of the sub ridge below, and across Indian Pass just visible center left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We were working our way down the ridgeline to the saddle by
11:30, and just before we tipped over into South Fork Ship Creek, the basin
behind us again erupted. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We scared up droves of ptarmigan in the nameless basin
northwest of Overlook, but I was shocked when we came across two hikers
standing on a peninsula jutting into the tarns. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I figured that after the two hikers we’d seen on our way up
Bird, we’d probably not seen another person until somewhere in the Ship Lake
Pass Valley.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7hE0hrD2hBUU4wbd2m-ADBZPABFFpVyQJZZcl01t7m_WJcXU11xe3cwy9YpefF-yMDddlcetmrSRzUvzoyIOjMpc5pOZNRUeI0t0cECXqN4Am-2pJZ2ZsBBa8fco2Cm6uSRgYuwO3XvF/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7hE0hrD2hBUU4wbd2m-ADBZPABFFpVyQJZZcl01t7m_WJcXU11xe3cwy9YpefF-yMDddlcetmrSRzUvzoyIOjMpc5pOZNRUeI0t0cECXqN4Am-2pJZ2ZsBBa8fco2Cm6uSRgYuwO3XvF/s320/IMG_2162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m not sure how our route across the Indian Pass compared
to a couple years ago. I remember Phil working quite hard to keep us from
having to do any really bushwhacking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It was probably moot for us, the vegetation was largely
collapsed, and the marshy bogs were mostly frozen over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We were on the muddy the Arctic-Indian trail, complete with
now frozen postholes made from some idiot horsepackers (nice work tool bags)
around 1. Ironic that the sketchiest footing we’d encountered in hours was on a
trail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We pretty easily found the much thinner trail to Ship Lake,
and enjoyed some of the nicest jogging stretches of the day was we gradually
climbed back into the alpine valley.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtcx9YEtqYsrCAhwxPaqQAU-4i-T4MG_tYIsi_0MtF3-kNY8cT4MSUOkmOqIIB1HyvYC4kmKqbrFWLLx9nus3t6mmLyj0Wovl8tBhGWtvgzAS6d5i1QxyMGCw84TY-u5xa2ix66hUJLQX/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtcx9YEtqYsrCAhwxPaqQAU-4i-T4MG_tYIsi_0MtF3-kNY8cT4MSUOkmOqIIB1HyvYC4kmKqbrFWLLx9nus3t6mmLyj0Wovl8tBhGWtvgzAS6d5i1QxyMGCw84TY-u5xa2ix66hUJLQX/s320/IMG_2164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ship Lake Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiJMBTHTNd8bCM3SJ7PZKEl4lPo6DhhkJxsqD5aXiIv0RgVsenSYl7hGK5cXGTBbS-mdZeFBsKgIiXXZJLeQdK6rKVZcoEgSyqWqrYQjHQAo1blQ21o5DAosqaSDglbZfHltG-a1U0JxL/s1600/IMG_2167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiJMBTHTNd8bCM3SJ7PZKEl4lPo6DhhkJxsqD5aXiIv0RgVsenSYl7hGK5cXGTBbS-mdZeFBsKgIiXXZJLeQdK6rKVZcoEgSyqWqrYQjHQAo1blQ21o5DAosqaSDglbZfHltG-a1U0JxL/s320/IMG_2167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had a pretty solid memory of the climb up Ship Lake Pass
being a bit of a doozey. From below, it doesn’t look very steep or long, and
it’s crimson red fall coat of low bush blueberries makes it seem almost soft,
warm, and somehow benign.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It sucks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The positive, was that both Nathan and I would later agree,
that the 30 minute vertical grind may be hard, but it’s hard in way that, if it
doesn’t stop you, feels really good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We agreed on this later, only because as we climbed, we
bagan to separate. Nathan was heading a little more toward the Ramp, while I
slipped into a gully and then hooked on a cross-cut sheep trail that took me
pretty well right into the bottom of the saddle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Nathan was expecting me to pop out of the gully, while I
tipped over the saddle instead, simultaneously expecting to see Nathan pop out
somewhere higher on the ridge. Getting a bit chilly, I figured I’d just walk
along in the big open expanse, and Nathan could jog down and catch up. After
walking for a bit and still not seeing Nathan crest, I began to scratch my
head. There were some people scrambling up the Ramp, and as I started
shivering, I began to fear Nathan had thought I had somehow ended up on his right,
and that he was chasing phantom Dante up the Ramp!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In reality, he was just behind the ridge, wondering why the
hell it was taking me so long to get out of the gully he’d last seem me drop
into. I was starting to hike back up when I saw him pop up over the saddle,
much to my relief.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We synced back up and enjoyed the downhill cruise back to
Powerline Pass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSoBOMC6-gKCF53c43UDLeuoZInAA2guCXpIB5M5FuWNMz_nwyerDNXCRIYof9bvhhS9fKZyG3JXroOJrCXsZZaLqWDAlNWyNO0RQGPOiSXfDPcqT8WL0eTluO9pjCJ7tc-7m2GesbdjS/s1600/IMG_2170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSoBOMC6-gKCF53c43UDLeuoZInAA2guCXpIB5M5FuWNMz_nwyerDNXCRIYof9bvhhS9fKZyG3JXroOJrCXsZZaLqWDAlNWyNO0RQGPOiSXfDPcqT8WL0eTluO9pjCJ7tc-7m2GesbdjS/s320/IMG_2170.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last look back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1211269339/embed/30829cc4021b6b56f8b51408f045486ad36118a4" width="590"></iframe><br />Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-84358762660631928312017-08-24T22:08:00.001-08:002017-08-24T22:08:11.277-08:00Racing 2017
Season notes:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This was a fairly short season compared to other years, and
not particularly all that exciting for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
I missed 2 regular season races, the Double Down, the
6-12-24, and the season finale. On the upshot, part of the reason I missed most
these races was for riding and racing in Washington and BC, so… ya pretty hard
to complain about that.<o:p></o:p><br />
In short, my riding this season was geared toward sustained endurance
power –intentionally and accidentally. <o:p></o:p><br />
This yielded to feeling a bit frustrated at the mid-week races
as most the courses were flat – also, intentionally and accidentally. The
flatter courses generally all resulted in very fast paced races that rewarded
top-end power. My best race overall was Race 5 on Hillside, which was
obviously, hilly. <o:p></o:p><br />
While I was frustrated that at many of the Kincaid races I
felt I could not match my cohort for sub 120-minute sustained speed, in
hindsight I realized that the reason I started doing these races to begin with
was to force me to do these a types of efforts.<o:p></o:p><br />
I don’t have a problem going out and throwing myself at one
grueling climb after another, or putting in long rides. I do have a problem
with intensity. These races draw that weakness out, and I should be happy for
that.<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMD_sgvvrhyphenhyphenI2VnHIuybbKRQL_r9D2tmAUpZReYTu-2U4LHFy65uverWo94AXGsP8cKhg3rD0Vak-mZgZp3QZ3yPD-2HLty9CyqX0_z6254-XMXS7ZPwNk0UPhjEa3VoPk9DGYYGWPoBa/s1600/18952918_10211232302776248_8931740968639738486_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMD_sgvvrhyphenhyphenI2VnHIuybbKRQL_r9D2tmAUpZReYTu-2U4LHFy65uverWo94AXGsP8cKhg3rD0Vak-mZgZp3QZ3yPD-2HLty9CyqX0_z6254-XMXS7ZPwNk0UPhjEa3VoPk9DGYYGWPoBa/s320/18952918_10211232302776248_8931740968639738486_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: K. Dee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Arctic MTB 1<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The first race of the season is typically low-key in terms
of technical difficulty or climbing, but big on turn out. That was mostly true
this year, for all the right reasons. These mellower courses don’t necessarily
help me out much, but, for the growth of the sport, I think it’s a really good
philosophy the bike club has adhered to over the years. That being said, this
year’s first course actually had a fair bit of old school roots, along with a
nice mix of STA flow trail, and double track, so you never spent too long on
any one trail type. Anyhow, the race went remarkably predictable for me
overall. Less than halfway into the first lap, I glanced around to see that
Nick, Clint, Megan and I were all grouped up. <o:p></o:p></div>
“The posse is back together,” I shouted as we tore into the
banked corners on Bolling Alley. <o:p></o:p><br />
The 4 of us traded pulls for the next few laps, though Nick
was usually 5-10 seconds out front. <o:p></o:p><br />
About a quarter way through the third lap, my lower back was
starting to feel very sore and tired. The high speeds, and the rooty sections,
were taking their toll, but I was likely also feeling the effect of the
previous weekend’s running race up Government Peak. We hit a stretch of double
track, and though I like to drill these sections, I just didn’t have anymore
top-end power, and Clint pulled away. Megan pushed me through the next stretch,
but she had a little more leg, and came around as well. The four of us all
finished within a 60-second window. I could not complain. Even if it were not
for Government Peak, I had not put in any exceptional efforts on my hard tail
as of yet, so, at the time, this race qualified as the hardest ride on that
bike, hopefully leaving lots of room for improvement.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Arctic MTB 3<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The next race on my docket was Arctic XC 3, nearly a month
after XC1 (I missed XC2 for work stuff).<o:p></o:p></div>
I knew this was not going to be a strong race from the
outset. For starters, I was putting in some good mileage on the weekends, and
bagged two 6-hour+ Kenai rides the 2 weekends prior. As typical, I was reaching
a mid to late-June performance peak. <o:p></o:p><br />
The race was supposed to be held on Hillside on the Hillside
Classic course, but after a series of bear maulings in the preceding weeks,
numerous reports of an aggressive brown bear sow with cubs roaming the Hillside,
the race directors prudently decided to make a last minute change of venue to
Kincaid.<o:p></o:p><br />
The alternate course was very flat and smooth. <o:p></o:p><br />
I knew immediately that the race was going to be all about
top-end speed.<o:p></o:p><br />
Anyway, making excuses for myself, I think that going for my
normal 10k run on Monday was a bad idea. It’s not like it hurt me a ton, I
wasn’t hobbling around, this is the same run I do every week, but, in
hindsight, it didn’t help me either. <o:p></o:p><br />
I knew this to an extent on Tuesday as I did a trainer ride
(raining), and could feel that my legs just weren’t going to have pop.<o:p></o:p><br />
On an upshot, Nathan raced his first MTB race ever, so, he
and I went to pre-ride the course and warm up. Three moose blocked our route
though, and I can’t say it was much of a warm up as a result!<o:p></o:p><br />
Surprisingly, the race didn’t go out as hot as I expected,
and I was able to tag along through about half of the first lap, and even make
some descent passes. Once we hit Bolling Alley I started to drift back a bit. <o:p></o:p><br />
Because the course was flat, I tried to push my big ring up
front as much as possible. This worked great the first lap, but as my legs
faded early, I found it was causing more strain as my RPMs dropped through the
second lap. By about halfway through lap 2, I was really suffering trying to
push the big ring, and finally relented. I continued to feel like garbage until
a little ways into lap 3, at which point, my legs started to respond to the
higher RPMs, and my riding evened out and felt smoother. At this point of
course, it was too late. I was alone.<o:p></o:p><br />
The race was a little disappointing, but timing wise, I tend
to hit a physical slump in late June early July most years, so, it was
consistent, and really didn’t bother me that much, other than I wished I’d had
the legs to at least chase my cohort group for more than one lap. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Arctic MTB 5<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I missed Arctic 4 as I was out of state racing in
Washington, so my next race was race 5 in late July. I probably would have
skipped it anyway as it was a short track race.<o:p></o:p></div>
Arctic 5 was the second planned race on Hillside, but since Race
3 had to be moved last minute, it became the only hillside race of the season. <o:p></o:p><br />
The original plan was to race a course I designed last
season that used the Brown and Black Bear trails, and only climbed part way up
the Hillside trails. The motivation for designing that course in 2016, was that
we raced on Hillside 3 times, and in short, climbing all the way to the top of
Hillside for the third time of the season seemed, well, stupid and unfair. I
wanted to have a course on Hillside that featured some faster rolling terrain, two
of Anchorage’s most tech trails, and wasn’t just and up and back down race.<o:p></o:p><br />
Since this year this was the only race we’d be having on the
Hillside, and the other courses this year had been really flat, I had a quick
thought the week before the race, and came up with a new course idea to throw
at the board. They went with it. <o:p></o:p><br />
Designing courses on Hillside is pretty fun as the trails
all snap together nicely. My only goal was to break the climb up, and maximize
the descent. <o:p></o:p><br />
A misty rain fell Tuesday and Wednesday night, leaving the
course greasy in places. The single track was generally fine barring a few low
spots, but my biggest concern was wiping out on Spencer Loop, as the high speed
double track can get a surface similar to black ice when damp.<o:p></o:p><br />
Megan made a helpful comment while warming up though, about
basically leaning out over the bike and leaving the bike itself in a more
upright position through the corners. It really went a long way for me.<o:p></o:p><br />
The race went off in a typical sprint. My legs weren’t there
for it, per usual for this season, and I couldn’t get clipped in on one side for
the longest time.<o:p></o:p><br />
I entered the single track in a line up behind Clint,
someone I did not recognize, Patrick, and Chris, with Nick on my tail.<o:p></o:p><br />
We headed up through lower Queen Bee, losing sight of the
next pack as we made it around the first bend. Our small group slowly drifted
backwards.<o:p></o:p><br />
Then as we went into the short Lama descent, Clint showed us
how <u>not</u> to ride over a root! Nick and I lit into him without mercy,
letting him know that there would be many more roots and rocks to come, and
maybe he should learn how to ride them! <o:p></o:p><br />
We’re really supportive of each other!<o:p></o:p><br />
When we hit the short climb on the Spencer oxbow, my legs
were feeling good, and I attacked the pack. <o:p></o:p><br />
Nick stuck the move, and the group seemed to hold on through
the Janice-Stinger mini loop. Once we hit the base of Yellow jacket, I had
started to build a gap. I drilled the climb, and extended my gap.<o:p></o:p><br />
Descending Hive, I occasionally caught sight of Megan in
front of me, but did not catch her until passing the start/finish. She hung on through
the lower portion of the course with about a 10 second gap through lap 2 until the
base of Yellow Jacket. <o:p></o:p><br />
My legs still felt good though, and I was hitting every climb
hard. It hurt, and as much as I worried about blowing up, I kept reminding
myself that if it hurt for me, it hurt for everyone else. Even though my first
lap was my actual fastest, my second lap felt the best. I only climbed 10
seconds slower on the second lap, but for whatever reason, descended 20 seconds
slower. The irony, is that on the third lap, I actually descended faster than I
did the second lap, and only 10 seconds slower than I did the first lap, but I
felt like I was going much, much slower than the previous 2 laps on that
descent. I have no idea why that would be, but I was partially convinced my
rear tire had burped, and was going flat. It was fine.<o:p></o:p><br />
I caught sight of Andy for a second on the second descent,
but after that, I was pretty well alone the entire third lap. I still felt
pretty good, but my attempt to completely blow myself up on the last climb on
lap 3 seemed mediocre at best. I kept reminding myself that there could be
someone 5-10 seconds up ahead just tanking it, and if I got to them before the
top, the position would be mine for the taking, but once we got to the top, making
a pass on the descent was unlikely.<o:p></o:p><br />
Unfortunately, as with other races this season, I have not
trained well for explosive efforts, and have failed to deliver them in the
races. <o:p></o:p><br />
Just as I dumped it down the last rooty Spencer exit single
track, I came up on Nico, and rode his wheel through the finish. <o:p></o:p><br />
I expected to see a few riders blow themselves up in this
race, and was hoping to pick them off, but it seemed most people rode really well.<o:p></o:p><br />
It was nice to finally have a race where climbing and
handling mattered. With the greasy course conditions, and mix of roots and lots
of single track, this course felt like an homage to the east coast, or at
least, as close as they can get up here without just dumping a pile of slick boulders
in the middle of a trail…that’s not a bad idea…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Arctic MTB 6<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The last race of the season for me, this marked the end of a
shorter and lighter season for in-town racing. <o:p></o:p></div>
The course was a good one, punchy and rooty, using some
trails on the west side of Kincaid we haven’t raced in a long time.<o:p></o:p><br />
With only a 3-day buffer post Soggy Bottom, I wasn’t sure
how my legs were going to respond, and figured it would be a good indicator of
how tired my body was overall.<o:p></o:p><br />
Unfortunately, despite having some of the nicest summer
weather we’d seen all…summer…the rain, and fall, finally showed up just 20
minutes before go time.<o:p></o:p><br />
Pre-riding the course, while still dry, I had no problem on
the roots with the hard tail, but the 20 or so minutes of gusting wind and
driving rain managed to make them slick and slimy, and traction proved to be a
major limiting factor for me. I probably could have gambled on lower tire
pressure, but I’ve been burned so many times on low tire pressure on Kincaid’s
high speed flow sections, or burped as it is, that I’m always really hesitant
to run that risk and end my race. Going a little slower over roots at least
keeps me in the game; burping a tire means game over.<o:p></o:p><br />
The race went out, and as a pretty good indicator, I stuck
with the sprint up through the sandy Leikisch climb. I think that’s the only
sprint I really stuck all summer.<o:p></o:p><br />
Nonetheless, I knew a junk show was coming as soon as we got
on the skinny/rooty ridge trail, and let a few faster racers slip in.<o:p></o:p><br />
I was going slower than the guys in front of me, but I
didn’t feel too bad about potentially letting a gap open. Riders up ahead were
having a lot of trouble, and just keeping my pace steady and smooth, I easily
closed any gaps when fell without having to dab or stop myself.<o:p></o:p><br />
There was a bit more passing between the second stretch of
Leikisch and C$, and then we were back on roots and soon enough on the sandy
bluff trail. <o:p></o:p><br />
I was surprised to see at this point that the race was still
pretty bunched up. The typical fore runners were still in sight. The loose sand
of the bluff definitely challenged a lot of people.<o:p></o:p><br />
We hooked back on C$, and then banked a U-turn to rip Lees
Train, which, was expectantly very slick.<o:p></o:p><br />
I slowed down and rode the next section from Lees to QFB
conservatively. <o:p></o:p><br />
Despite allowing a small gap to open yet again, when we hit
the bottom of the jump line on Good Greef, I looked up to see that still,
things were surprisingly bunched up.<o:p></o:p><br />
I had hoped to drill the climb up GG, as it was the only
sustained climb on the whole course. There was a rider in front of me I didn’t
recognize, I could tell he was at his limit going up the climb, and at one
point he started to separate. I encouraged him to keep after it, and he
obliged. <o:p></o:p><br />
It seemed by the time we got out to the Biathalon ski trail
exit, the gap up to the next group had opened a bit more. A little chaos ensued
on the ski trail-pave-Roller Coaster section.<o:p></o:p><br />
A group that included Chet, Clint, Nick, the rider I didn’t
know, and myself, all hammered it out. Just before we hit the top of RC, I
sensed the group slowing, my legs responded again, and I punched the last hill
to take the hole shot into Second Breakfast.<o:p></o:p><br />
Second B-Fast is one of my least favorite flow trails in
Kincaid: it’s dank, gets slimey when wet, and has some really awkward
transitions. The roots on Middle Earth were no better, and I felt a little bad
when I hit one on of the 90s over roots really awkward and stalled, causing a
chain reaction behind me. That being said, it’s a little bit on the racer to
anticipate those types of issues in wet and rooty conditions and buffer.<o:p></o:p><br />
Back through the stadium, there was more attempted shuffling,
but, when we topped out Leikisch and headed into Ridge, I had again out climbed
the cohort and took the hole shot.<o:p></o:p><br />
Once we got through Ridge, Clint made a move to get onto C$
in front of me.<o:p></o:p><br />
He proceeded to kill it, and was able to chase down the next
group, about 30-seconds in front of us. <o:p></o:p><br />
Clint has always been faster than me on Kincaid’s fast and
smooth flow trails –wet or dry – but he really put on a clinic.<o:p></o:p><br />
I still chastised him for apparently sand bagging over the
weekend in the Soggy just so he could beat us all up on a Wednesday race!<o:p></o:p><br />
The cohort was now down to Nick, Chet and I. <o:p></o:p><br />
With no one blocking me in, I slammed the Greef climb hard,
nearly reeling Clint in along with the next pack in, but it wasn’t enough. Nick
and Chet were able to re-close the gap less than 10 minutes later on Middle
Earth. On lap 3 Chet started to fall off the pace a bit on the Ridge. I sensed
Nick that was trying to make a move on Leikisch on the way to C$ and I made that
goddamn hard tail dance over the rutty ski trail to hold him off, much to his
chagrin.<o:p></o:p><br />
I figured having got the hole shot, I was going to attack
again on Greef, and if he caught me before the stadium roots, I’d let him
around.<o:p></o:p><br />
Fast forward, 10 minutes later, having attacked and dropped
him as planned, he was able to catch back up about halfway through Middle
Earth.<o:p></o:p><br />
I wasn’t going to make him try and make some crazy pass
through the slippery roots, and as we hit a wide swath, I told him to come
around.<o:p></o:p><br />
BOOM-CRASH!<o:p></o:p><br />
Nick did exactly what I was trying to let him avoid doing,
and skidded into a mangled and dead alder.<o:p></o:p><br />
After confirming he had not skewered any vital organs, I lit
into him (verbally). I let him around at the next descent spot, but warned him
to avoid trees this time. Funny enough, we were closer to the stadium than I
realized, so I rode in a few seconds behind him.<o:p></o:p><br />
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-67943181370451144242017-08-20T20:30:00.001-08:002017-08-20T20:47:04.770-08:00Soggy Bottom 100 2017 EditionHighlights:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Meredith beats three other
ladies to win the solo women’s race in 11:10:41, completing her longest
and hardest ride to-date.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Adam sets a new course record
by 3 minutes, taking the win in 8:33:02<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Lee signs up day-off
despite protestations “he did not train for this event” to take 7<sup>th</sup>
in 9:38. Told ya dude.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Probably the nicest weather
all summer, despite all the suffering it caused, it was hard not to appreciate
how gorgeous it was.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Oh ya, I had an OK day too
I guess. I shaved 29 minutes off my previous PR from last year to take 5<sup>th</sup>,
hammering for seven of nine hour with Kevin to finish a mere 23 seconds
behind Kevin in 9:23:57<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pKGMN0SHoVWwdlBE9gYs9YgirbapGHm3BMzpw60pcYe8cKDKQwMyKlHlHSB84YmvKdbwzHmbqMHQP1_ZFfjGIc-oEEhQLty8JRzuowKSUqcHahucSUeNtfMK2CLUplLHs-JjBdk5Dshj/s1600/20664543_10159276650485422_4689441277446019285_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pKGMN0SHoVWwdlBE9gYs9YgirbapGHm3BMzpw60pcYe8cKDKQwMyKlHlHSB84YmvKdbwzHmbqMHQP1_ZFfjGIc-oEEhQLty8JRzuowKSUqcHahucSUeNtfMK2CLUplLHs-JjBdk5Dshj/s320/20664543_10159276650485422_4689441277446019285_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: M. Stewart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Briefly:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My fourth Soggy, I rode this one pretty much exactly to
plan. Everything was about as dialed in as it can be for nearly 10
hours in the saddle. I rode to Cooper at a sustainable race-pace, driving a few
key sections, but waited until I turned around for leg 2 Cooper-Devils to
attack. I dropped my long-time closest “rival” Kevin, and clipped 4 more positions
on the way to the Devils trail head, and then rode with what I had left to
Hope. I botched a feed heading up Devils due to overheating, and that put a
short-lived air gap in the fuel lines, slowing me down long enough that Kevin,
who had since overtaken the other riders we’d been yo-yoing with all day, caught
back up. He and I proceeded to hammer each other and the trail for the next 30
miles to the finish. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was stacked with other riders almost all day, it felt more
like a race than any other Soggy I’ve done. It was, in a word: incredible.
Racing against Kevin is awesome, he’s the only other rider since Mike K left the
state who I’d consider in my cohort, who just crushes me on descents and
technical stretches of trail. We are both “hold-our-own” riders on climbs, not
cardio rats by any stretch, so it feels like real, head-to-head mountain biking
when it comes down to it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The long:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The cruel fate of the race this year for many was the heat.
The irony of this was certainly not lost on me. Where the summer of 2016 was
hot and dry, only to have race day arrive cool and wet, this summer it’s been
pretty average for AK: cool and damp. The rains missed the Kenai in the week or
so leading up to the race though, and temps rose into the mid 70s (the ambient
on the baked climbs in the very tall vegetation easily climbed into the 80s). Some
people refered to the race this year as the “Scorched Bottom.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Turnout for the front end of the race was a little soft.
Adam, Chuck, and Brian rode in a class of their own, though toward the end of
the race I held a little hope that Kevin and I might reel Brian in. It was not
to be though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The second grupetto as it was, proved to be more evenly
matched throughout much of the race, and was fairly consolidated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We all took off at 9:10, and the pace line to the trailhead went
pretty hard. We were up the road and on trail in 15 minutes! For some reason, Chuck,
Adam, and I did the bulk of the pulling. I didn’t feel too bad riding on the
front, it helped open up my legs, and once we hit the trail, I slid into the
back and geared it down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Chuck said the lead group rode together to the East Creek
climb, before Adam attacked and blew up the group. Adam and Chuck separated,
riding together to Cooper. Chuck said he thought the group was largely at their
limit before the attack, no one could talk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A few miles from the trail head, James H passed me. Shortly
after, Lee caught up. Lee and I caught James a few minutes later, and the three
of us paced until Lee and I went around James on the last canyon climb before
the Resurrection Creek trestle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Lee and I rode together up and over the pass. Though neither
of us spoke, it was nice to have the company. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Lee did ask as we crested the pass how our pace was. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I felt like garbage, in a good way, but I knew we were right
on pace, and feeling bad gave me the impression we were probably actually doing
pretty good. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As we began to drop into the descent to Swan Lake, I started
to pull away from Lee, and caught sight of Kevin for the first time of the day,
less than 30 seconds down the trail. About halfway down the Swan Lake descent, I
had closed the gap to Kevin to 5 seconds, when I burped my front tire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had visions of my race ending, and having to hike out. Panic
began to build.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I rolled softly until I found a break in the thick wall of vegetation
and jumped off. The bugs immediately began to swarm. If I had to change a tire,
it was going to be miserable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Lee came by before I had my pump out. The tire held air
though, and I was back on the trail in less than 5 minutes. I added a bit more
pressure despite drier and looser conditions that warranted softer PSI. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My gut was clenched as I bopped my way through the ruts and
divets on the rest of the descent to Swan, but the tire seemed fine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I caught sight of Kevin again on the shores of Juneau Lake.
He had been overtaken by Lee. I donlt remember where I passed Kevin. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Juneau to Bean Creek Jct. was one of the zones I planned to
drill. I don’t remember anything here. I know Kevin clipped on for a while, but
I don’t know how long he stayed with me. I know I didn’t put a lot of space
between us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Descending to Coopers was pretty low stress. I had good
sight lines on all the approaching riders, and other than Adam and Chuck, most
the riders were still bunched up pretty close to the base of the climb, so my
gap was fairly small. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Kevin caught back up to me right as we hit the dismount at
the parking lot. Lee was just departing as I reached the timers. We high fived.
I was stoked for Lee. He was crushing it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Turnaround was super smooth. Carly’s support is so amazing.
Little Gus helped steady my bike while I lubed the chain and checked my tire
pressure – which I was glad to see, was unchanged. Whatever happened on the
descent appeared to be a fluke. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I chugged most of a 16oz bottle of 50% dilute of Liquid
I.V., swallowed a fruity Kind bar that was happily melted and gooey in the heat,
and grabbed my alternate pack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Back on the trail, Kevin followed me back into the woods,
and we were back on the trail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had plans for Leg 2.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
People hate this leg. I hate it too, but that makes it a
good place to attack. With Kevin right behind me, we drilled the climb out of
Cooper. I was surprised to see later, that even though we were able to chat a
little as we climbed, I still set a PR on a segment of the climb. Descending
riders were courteous and we didn’t have any issues. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was stoked when I saw Meredith. I expected to see her much
sooner than I did last year, and sure enough, she was already ahead of half the
men’s field and on track to shave 18 minutes off her Hope-Cooper time from 2016!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Keeping to plan, I drilled it from the top of the Cooper
climb to the base of the summer trail cut-off hike-a-bike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
All I remember is briefly passing David B, and separating
from Kevin by a little bit around Juneau Lake. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On the way, I primed the fuel lines.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Off the bike and hiking around the first switchback of the
cut-off, Kevin closed the small gap, and we found Owen, stopped, stretching his
cramping legs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The three of us finished up the hike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had my two biggest challengers from last year grouped up,
right where I wanted them. Now I needed to get distance between us through the
stony climb to Devils Junction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After Owen’s explosive climb up Devils in the 3<sup>rd</sup>
leg last season, I knew he was a force to be reckoned with, and could contend
for the rest of this climb; I knew I could distance Kevin up the climb, but
he’d gain ground on the descent. If either of them got to the Devils trail head
checkpoint with me, they would be a real threat for the finish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Unfortunately for Owen, the leg cramps would get the better
of him, and he would not contend on the climb, and would fade.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I dieseled my way through the rocky Swan grade, and as I got
my first sight of the Devils Junction from afar, I caught a glimpse of a David
F. I reeled him in just before the final pitch to the Junction, and came
around. He said another rider was just in front of us. I suspected it was Lee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
David clipped on as we began the flowy cruise to Devils Pass
proper, and I want to say about the time we rounded Devils Lake, I saw Lee’s
red and white jersey up ahead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We caught and overtook Lee not long after entering the Devils
rocks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had a near-spectacular wreck crossing the Henry Brook twin
fords. Wanting to get as a big a splash as possible, I railed the first of the
two ice-cold streams at full speed. I’d never tried this, and I hydroplaned and
nearly flipped over the bars down the downstream side! I have no idea how I
managed to keep upright.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
David and I built a 2 minute gap on Lee on the remainder of the
Devils descent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A couple moments of comic relief broke up the descent. One came
when I nearly hit a small bird and yelled to David behind me if he’d seen it.
He couldn’t hear what I said, and thought I said: “Make bird noises.” (I’m not
sure how he arrived at this).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was yelling constantly as I expected to see Adam, Chuck,
Brian, and Greg. David proceeded to make cawing noises for the next few minutes
in accompaniment to my hollering, until our pace finally mellowed out enough to
clear the confusion. Keep in mind, I had no idea who this guy was, all I knew
was that he lived in Spain, and was clipped on my wheel, cawing like a crow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The next moment of comic relief came lower down thanks to my
ancient camelback I re-enlisted for use on this leg. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Tearing through the winding trail and head-high veg near the
base, the bite valve caught my leg or handle bar and popped off: water began to
squirt everywhere from the out of control hose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Trying to hang on with one hand, get the hose under control
with the other, and spraying myself in the face, I expected to slam into poor Chuck
at any second.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Fortunately, Chuck was still a little further down the trail,
and I managed to close the valve.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What a junk show!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
David and I powered up the climb to the trail head, but were
finally able to chat a little bit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We rolled in, I chugged another bottle of 50% dilute of Liquid
I.V., lubed my chain, took my snack, and looked around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Lee had rolled in while I transitioned. Neither he nor David
was ready to roll.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I unclicked my suspension for the mini descent and dropped
back in. Kevin rolled in just as I rolled out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
David caught me as we began the actual climb. I asked if he
wanted to come around but he said he liked my pace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It was too steep and too hot to talk. David hung on for
about half the steeps, but somewhere before Delta Point, he fell off my wheel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Climbing Devils was awful. The heat was unreal and I was overheating.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Descending riders were very courteous. Many of them were
smiling, and offering words of encouragement. I was too deep in my suffering to
even hear half of them. I hardly even recognized Meredith when she came by.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Most the riders were smiling, enjoying their hard-earned
downhill. I wanted to yell at them: “It’s a death trap, stop smiling!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Based on what I was going through, I knew a lot of people
were going to get crushed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Once the climb leveled out, I was still too hot to even
think about taking a feed. Putting anything other than water into my stomach
made me want to puke.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I figured if I could get through the next two miles of
rolling trail, I’d cool off, and could possibly take a feed right before the rocks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It was a small mistake, but it hurt me. I opened my pace up
across the rolling middle section, but never took the feed before I got into
the rocks like I should have. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I dieseled through the heinous rocks. I knew I had to be
treading water, but the rocks are slow and plodding anyway, and I couldn’t
really tell how much damage I was inflicting on myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As soon as I got out of the rocks couple miles later, I hit
a nice smooth rolling climb to the high point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I went to drill the climb.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There was nothing there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Fuck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Visions of another 30 miles of soft pedaling to Hope,
getting passed by one rider after another, trying to latch on only to get
dropped over and over again, played across a dark screen in my mind. My head felt
like it weighed a million pounds and I struggled to hold it up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Experience kicked in. I popped back half a pack of
caffeinated shotbloks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This is the hard part. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Fuel is on the way, but my body is screaming for more, though
in reality, it can only process so much, and feeding the beast too much just
makes a painful gut bomb.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Wait. Wait. Wait. Pedal on. There’s no gas. The trail goes
by so slowly. All day I;ve been flying, now I’m just crawling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Approaching the lake, my temperature is coming back down,
and I can start to feel the fuel coming online.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Take another feed now! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The lines are re-primed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Clickity-clickity-clickity. Kevin rolls up on my wheel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I finish a waffle as he comes around and descends from the
trail above Devils Lake, rolling along just in front of me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It feels like 2014 all over again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Not quite though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I test the gas again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It’s there!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A couple minutes later, I round the corner and head up the
switchback above the Devils Junction. The last climb to the Res Pass is my
salvation. The spectator crew shouts encouragement. I shout back: “I want three
burgers!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m back!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In 2014, Kevin disappeared over the horizon here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Not this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I keep him in sight all the way through Res, closing the
gap to within seconds before we finally tip over the edge. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I knew he’d put some time into me on the descent to East
Creek, I limited damages to that point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What I love about racing against Kevin, is that he’s one of
the only racers I go up against in my cohort that kicks my ass on the descents.
Neither he nor I are slouches on climbs, but we also aren’t pure lungs and legs
either. I have to work to limit my losses on descents with him, and if I slack
or get caught out on a climb, he’ll make me pay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was glad to see as I made it down to East Creek and began
the short climb out, that Kevin was still in sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Trail knowledge kicked in. I knew I’d need another feed to
get to the trestle, and the short grade out of East Creek is a nice and easy one.
The ensuing straightaways between the creeks are fast and rooty. There’s a
short climb out of “upper surprise creek” between East Creek and Fox Creek, but
it’s steep and rocky, not a great spot to try and get a snack. I knew from here
on out it was going to be all about drilling the long straight-aways and
hitting the short climbs from the creeks hard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I let Kevin slide away just a tad on East Creek, and then went
back on the hunt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I reeled him back in, along with the Beemuns relay team
rider who had passed us earlier, right before Fox Creek.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The three of us grouped up and hammered together to about
mile 4. Kevin had to jump off somewhere along the way for a second to pull a
stick from his drive train, and I took one more feed just after crossing the
Res Creek trestle, but otherwise we stayed together. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Kevin and I both knew we were deep in PR territory, and even
though we were racing, we acknowledged that it was chasing each other that was
pushing us and making this race so awesome.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It had felt like an incredible group ride nearly all day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Finally, at the mile 2 SOB hill, Kevin got up the climb just
a titch in front of me, and then bombed the descent putting a 20-30 second gap
on me to the trailhead. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We worked hard down the road, neither of us relented, but I
never could close the gap. Awesome. Just awesome!<o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Feeds/Water:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The biggest change up this year for me, was the use of an
electrolyte mix. My bike can’t effectively carry a water bottle, and I’m not
comfortable riding soley on a mix carried in my bladder. I used a 50% dilute of
Liquid I.V. in a 16oz bottle at each checkpoint. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Duh moment here: it really helped. My water retention was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>better, I never felt thirsty once on a hot
day, and my power was strong and consistent all day. Last year I complained of
needing some kind of “bonus” feed to level things out. This was it, for sure. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I carried 1.75 liters of water on the first leg, and 2
liters on legs 2 and 3. I basically killed my water on leg 1, and had maybe 1/4
a liter left on the latter two legs. I could have carried a bit less on leg 2
(I spilled a good bit due to a leaky valve and then losing my bite valve), but
it is also one of the hottest and hardest legs, I had plans to attack, and I
did not want dehydration to limit my power. I knew if I got into the meat of
the climb and felt like I was carrying too much water I could dump or chug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My feeds were the same as they were last year, and maybe the
year before. I ate 100-150 cals every 45 minutes in the form of Cliff Shotbloks
and Honey Stinger Waffles; a Kind energy bar (some type of fruity nutty flavor)
at each checkpoint; and included a Cliff Mocha Shot for the final stretch of
the third leg (NOS). I did not eat anything caffeinated until the final leg. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I carried way more food then I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ate one waffle per leg, I’m pretty sure I
ate one pack of shotblocks per leg, but it’s a little hazy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Here’s one critical take away: I made sure to take feeds
before starting any of the descents to prime the fuel lines, so to speak. Adam
once said something to the extent of: Fuel your uphills by fueling on downhills.
(Technically, I think he said that if you eat at the base of a climb to fuel
your climb, you missed the boat).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I carried all my food onboard again, did a backpack swap out
at each checkpoint, and thanks to Carly and crew, had seamless transitions.</div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-17644463922432016042017-07-20T22:20:00.003-08:002017-07-20T22:20:43.350-08:00Race Report: Northwest Epic Series Sun Top 60
The short: <br />
Creative credit for finding this race and making
the logistics come together goes to Chuck and the Parker clan.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Chuck and I went down to Washington mid-week last week,
borrowing his in-laws camper, and then camping with them, to race Northwest Epic
Series’ Sun Top 60 miler: two 30 mile laps that featured two long grinding fire
road climbs and bombing down sweet singletrack each lap, for a total of 11,000’ of
climbing! The field was shallow, but I took 6th in the mens open, and 9<sup>th</sup>
overall, out of 25 starters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RrRv34E6x7Cxa2EmVo_jn8KZgLSl7LnF4JugEqLGuvVOMZxW2oePSkUMoUYTpQCPJJcn9T2NzRc3OGMUf2NHczHpplyXSTlS6SLFVhrjkvcEySf_3-X3dXJ5818kN0K37bqD1SwD1VZJ/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RrRv34E6x7Cxa2EmVo_jn8KZgLSl7LnF4JugEqLGuvVOMZxW2oePSkUMoUYTpQCPJJcn9T2NzRc3OGMUf2NHczHpplyXSTlS6SLFVhrjkvcEySf_3-X3dXJ5818kN0K37bqD1SwD1VZJ/s320/IMG_1452.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the only pics from race day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The long<o:p></o:p></div>
I’ve been wanting to do an endurance mountain bike race
Outside Alaska for the last few seasons. <o:p></o:p><br />
Racing in Alaska, everything is familiar, from the competitors
to the trails. This would also provide an outlet so all my endurance racing eggs
weren’t in one race (the Soggy). <o:p></o:p><br />
The set of criteria to guide what made sense to race was
pretty narrow.<o:p></o:p><br />
I don’t want to race before mid-June, I don’t see the point
in paying to race at altitude, and any race needs to have a minimum of a two week
buffer on either side of the Soggy (always the first Saturday in August). <o:p></o:p><br />
Despite the limits, that still leaves quite a few options
fortunately.<o:p></o:p><br />
Chuck sent me a link to the Sun Top race. With a very low
($60) entry fee, plus the ability to do it all on the cheap and in relative
comfort thanks to help from the Parkers, it was a no-brainer. <o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We got to the venue Thursday morning. The race was based out
of the Buck Creek Campground, which, quoting Trenton, Chuck’s brother-in-law,
is a dusty $4!7hole. It was ideal for the staging the race though, and cost $5
a night. Sadly it was completely trashed and abused. Broken glass, garbage, piles
of empty beer cans, swaddles of toilet paper, and random fire pits everywhere,
and I’m not exaggerating. Chuck and I filled 1/3 of a contractor bag with
garbage from our site alone. Super lame.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On the other hand, we were right at the doorstep to some
great riding, and set off to pre-ride the entire course.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The course:<o:p></o:p></div>
The course consisted of an “internal” and external loop. From
the start/finish at the campground, the race set off on the shorter internal
loop, climbing a 5-mile fire road that gained about 1,300 feet, before teeing
into the apx midway point of the Sun Top Trail. The course dumps down the lower
half of Sun Top trail back to the campground, losing all that vert in a hurry
by blasting down straight line traverses broken up by hard switchbacks, and
peppered with numerous series of mini drops. <o:p></o:p><br />
Riders passed back through the campground, closing the “internal
loop”, exited the campground again, but then split right at the base of the fire
road, and headed into the woods on the Skookum Flats Trail to begin the
“external loop.” <o:p></o:p><br />
Skookum was by far my favorite section of the course: a
5-mile stretch of old-school single track that passed through ancient river-bottom
forests, and oscillated rapidly between fast flowy sections and slow technical
rock and root features. A and B line options abounded. <o:p></o:p><br />
Skookum spit us out at the base of the main climb up to Sun
Top summit, accessed via a 6-mile fire road climb that gained nearly 3,100 feet
of vertical. The road climbed at a steady grade of between 8-12% from bottom to
top, and never flattened or rolled to provide a single section of coasting. It
was basically like sitting on a trainer with the resistance cranked all the way
up for an hour+. Stop pedaling, stop moving.<o:p></o:p><br />
From the 5,280’ summit and active fire tower, the course hit
the beginning of the Sun Top Trail. <o:p></o:p><br />
A rather short 500’ rowdy descent ensued. Up here, the trail
consisted of loose, fist-sized rocks, more mini drops, and switchbacks, with
some no-fall sections.<o:p></o:p><br />
The Sun Top trail loops around from the summit and actually
crosses the road we just climbed<o:p></o:p><br />
The course description warned that after this road crossing,
the Sun Top Trail had a nasty climb in store.<o:p></o:p><br />
They weren’t kidding. The trail climbs from the road
crossing through open pine forest for 600 vertical feet over about a mile. With
a 3,000 foot climb hardly in the bag, this section was absolutely miserable on
the mind and the legs. Worse yet, it keeps getting steeper as you climb. <o:p></o:p><br />
The trail finally hits the high point of the day though, and
begins to run downward along the ridge line. Two more short punchy climbs stood
between us and the beginning of the true descent, but once it begins, it dive
bombs in one awesome and fast uninterrupted contour back to the top of the
first climb of the day. From here, you are back on familiar ground in the lower
half of Sun Top trail, and tip down the twisty switchbacks back to the
campground to complete the “external loop.” <o:p></o:p><br />
The whole course was 30 miles long with 5,500 feet of
climbing. <o:p></o:p><br />
Now just repeat, and you have the 60 mile race…Gulp.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqlNUVFYJuXKRYIxWbHQNwJDokhS_R3Ojsv_EtJKwvSW8RtJSmIFhPTFqe2Yf_9oBHoeKXGsWshM7OQk4VOCV8THCyeSZxJhzUvzVML_dQSLZlUggwTt1nDR-07m9MvGAD0qy2fa4htuN/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="952" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqlNUVFYJuXKRYIxWbHQNwJDokhS_R3Ojsv_EtJKwvSW8RtJSmIFhPTFqe2Yf_9oBHoeKXGsWshM7OQk4VOCV8THCyeSZxJhzUvzVML_dQSLZlUggwTt1nDR-07m9MvGAD0qy2fa4htuN/s320/IMG_1486.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: C.D.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQS4dkt4Uuq_-pdwwR4JzT2vrKvfgqzqDu_88W448GHi_17rsDsHqtY8vmKjwObLZDymem54dCYoRO1lQBJ7Qv0tu48nGgGuFeOH0j1ijjPrSc6_Xw0Py-mfC-wzZvPdcvegmzdrxPIdNe/s1600/IMG_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQS4dkt4Uuq_-pdwwR4JzT2vrKvfgqzqDu_88W448GHi_17rsDsHqtY8vmKjwObLZDymem54dCYoRO1lQBJ7Qv0tu48nGgGuFeOH0j1ijjPrSc6_Xw0Py-mfC-wzZvPdcvegmzdrxPIdNe/s320/IMG_1493.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuXzFcFwKWzUZGv-NeVcC2gx8u7p5a9dd9otggpT9aa4DfBobmU6PmchsRtSbn_6Z3VjsC_La1CEcJXpXzQoIknBcL-IVaD4gZeF-YbtAj1JAFxTDdLreT6i6-CyAvRQPCngrx-CmIhEw/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuXzFcFwKWzUZGv-NeVcC2gx8u7p5a9dd9otggpT9aa4DfBobmU6PmchsRtSbn_6Z3VjsC_La1CEcJXpXzQoIknBcL-IVaD4gZeF-YbtAj1JAFxTDdLreT6i6-CyAvRQPCngrx-CmIhEw/s320/IMG_1496.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Chuck and I realized we had not given the race enough
credit. Fire road climbs and single track descents sounded like hammer fest to
the top and sesh the downhills. The second half was fairly accurate, but the
climbing was long and laboring. Dieseling was a better descriptor. <o:p></o:p></div>
We don’t have fire road climbs up here. Even our road
climbing tends to be broken up with rolls and flats between pitches allowing
for short mid-climb recovery. <o:p></o:p><br />
I was targeting a time of 7:30.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On Friday we re-rode the external loop. Riding Skookum Flats
again, I dialed in all the features. I also changed up my climb strategy middle
ring in a low cadence, to keeping it cool in the little ring with a high
cadence. It felt way more sustainable.<o:p></o:p></div>
Friday afternoon, Doug, Shelly, Trenton, Brandy and their
little crew all showed up, along with all the weekend campers, and mountain
bikers. The campground came alive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQFJaTRvoooj64J1lpboLyjUOujYw-fo-_xP-ZSJM3yj5Pf2d5wyRP-fFsbrvfIZV6wXhIaMwhxPF8aoVWxBu7VzXp46CUaYabehV-y5sqvo3ypcgnb32bfcHS3HamxqxOQs7FQ40Opvj/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQFJaTRvoooj64J1lpboLyjUOujYw-fo-_xP-ZSJM3yj5Pf2d5wyRP-fFsbrvfIZV6wXhIaMwhxPF8aoVWxBu7VzXp46CUaYabehV-y5sqvo3ypcgnb32bfcHS3HamxqxOQs7FQ40Opvj/s320/IMG_1374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the twisted timbers on Skookum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW1ku4YcxCZSLnQjuh2a0lHV4EKm962FIpWYZVZsxs7Kva_HYl0IH_dWQw0XWkKG-zltNgw7Nkykg6jnCUXnuQK4mdLk6TCA9lE0mb-ziUT_UZPWgbXKaG6dMgVbK1QRsbN3NMp90AJdw/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW1ku4YcxCZSLnQjuh2a0lHV4EKm962FIpWYZVZsxs7Kva_HYl0IH_dWQw0XWkKG-zltNgw7Nkykg6jnCUXnuQK4mdLk6TCA9lE0mb-ziUT_UZPWgbXKaG6dMgVbK1QRsbN3NMp90AJdw/s320/IMG_1391.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were some massive old trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6qyD3HpekvdHGq_GJ_KXTPWxEjkjM_LzG2g_LDxD3-dxcWTq2op-GbHqBP0Pm2L7XzFbWFm98a1GxUTsfL3RIRUNGd_z0Glda_fElaMQnWNRYABo9tkCkcQfTTmTxQ2ANX3MI7y1tLDb/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6qyD3HpekvdHGq_GJ_KXTPWxEjkjM_LzG2g_LDxD3-dxcWTq2op-GbHqBP0Pm2L7XzFbWFm98a1GxUTsfL3RIRUNGd_z0Glda_fElaMQnWNRYABo9tkCkcQfTTmTxQ2ANX3MI7y1tLDb/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIT3x4LVWnM35r6NeHRVaTOKg-QYJRGa4SbL8diI0lXB7hLlxBxdw-h9sVOjHZAn3HMVvq6fVjRwIMvfF7KzEYwim-9DZ4UCZMDBi-TgfWmLT3INs1T4zYkfwR66SW1gZx4AF1tHzCW4l/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIT3x4LVWnM35r6NeHRVaTOKg-QYJRGa4SbL8diI0lXB7hLlxBxdw-h9sVOjHZAn3HMVvq6fVjRwIMvfF7KzEYwim-9DZ4UCZMDBi-TgfWmLT3INs1T4zYkfwR66SW1gZx4AF1tHzCW4l/s320/IMG_1402.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The active fire lookout at the summit of Sun Top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTccvMM-oHFzT16eiHuml511HZSNHUhN7grSLU7XFTrse7o8nxI76xUlM_PKsm2qQhMz1I8g3ecliJNPpbuWpUQ0MWOYQWvIzK9ltkntw4s01-W5chahkG3nVpuxt4Fg4nZgyaZluPrk1w/s1600/IMG_1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTccvMM-oHFzT16eiHuml511HZSNHUhN7grSLU7XFTrse7o8nxI76xUlM_PKsm2qQhMz1I8g3ecliJNPpbuWpUQ0MWOYQWvIzK9ltkntw4s01-W5chahkG3nVpuxt4Fg4nZgyaZluPrk1w/s320/IMG_1405.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sven, or Vern... he likes to talk, a lot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYVGuguIPM4w0RXmSDXu9M9mRdTVLYYSYZE4PBPv-8uBG5tmAGReHFebVtClbVzYSSinUuNJUDTFwvzixekcKob1_rbp-897FfR9i7mSbolwb63DKPMd3-scDzkGmkdWtVZ7rwhsuukqB/s1600/IMG_1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYVGuguIPM4w0RXmSDXu9M9mRdTVLYYSYZE4PBPv-8uBG5tmAGReHFebVtClbVzYSSinUuNJUDTFwvzixekcKob1_rbp-897FfR9i7mSbolwb63DKPMd3-scDzkGmkdWtVZ7rwhsuukqB/s320/IMG_1413.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtykV9UgWnpKjQW72EP7J6qedheL_k8mEVKXvpS5GhQCIMktWhhDH-O6MRctlpZzq6X4981Ej0UI8mWLiSx02LHFj8Ssb9a0Uf4UbWg6rFb5m79zqrER9DHQwKMC1cwCXl6j3VErXfU8b0/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtykV9UgWnpKjQW72EP7J6qedheL_k8mEVKXvpS5GhQCIMktWhhDH-O6MRctlpZzq6X4981Ej0UI8mWLiSx02LHFj8Ssb9a0Uf4UbWg6rFb5m79zqrER9DHQwKMC1cwCXl6j3VErXfU8b0/s320/IMG_1419.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERbZ7q56JtuRQlkwxlzuAq1JUMWmEUIVFXX9sKnObm6W9kv359Xbf1PjhVRoT4yBjiOZLz9TmL-dCRxDvqNypBA_Bor4S2t4hUDJ6rg7MgEAFG8PCfCBcOpze1KQfXuscD5w70telyMr-/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERbZ7q56JtuRQlkwxlzuAq1JUMWmEUIVFXX9sKnObm6W9kv359Xbf1PjhVRoT4yBjiOZLz9TmL-dCRxDvqNypBA_Bor4S2t4hUDJ6rg7MgEAFG8PCfCBcOpze1KQfXuscD5w70telyMr-/s320/IMG_1514.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: C.D.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucyLLjsvM8ESOP7PBaVH7obcAYhCH_lynH_dnwG4VN7eYNwRHcHwtPMiDdhWfmSdENO3sOEzax607giOhy__LRx7lltuKCIpsZD9Czgb2t53jUoWlcS7b9Hezg_iOmqYogBj3JR-CWPf2/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucyLLjsvM8ESOP7PBaVH7obcAYhCH_lynH_dnwG4VN7eYNwRHcHwtPMiDdhWfmSdENO3sOEzax607giOhy__LRx7lltuKCIpsZD9Czgb2t53jUoWlcS7b9Hezg_iOmqYogBj3JR-CWPf2/s320/IMG_1527.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: C.D.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Race<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The 60 milers went out an hour before the 30 milers. The
field was shallow, only about 25 riders, compared to 90 or so in the 30.<o:p></o:p></div>
We lined up, and they sent us off. <o:p></o:p><br />
What ensued left me laughing, and gasping. <o:p></o:p><br />
People sprinted!<o:p></o:p><br />
My warm up had consisted of riding about 500 feet from the
camper to the start line!<o:p></o:p><br />
There was basically no choke for 5 miles and 1,300 feet of
climbing. I could see no value to hammering, and was having none of it. <o:p></o:p><br />
What I say next could come off the wrong way, but, I’ve been
riding a bit, and have a pretty good sense of both my limits, and sometimes,
those around me. What I’ll say, is looking at some of the other riders, I got a
sense that some of the people around me didn’t know what they were getting
into.<o:p></o:p><br />
This point was going to get proven to me.<o:p></o:p><br />
Fifteen minutes into the climb, and slowly getting into what
would actually be my ride speed, I began to catch up with a few riders. As I
would catch up, htye’d start shooting glances back, and in several cases, as my
front wheel would come up alongside, a few of these guys would suddenly speed
up. <o:p></o:p><br />
I watched, almost in disbelief as they were “counter
attacking,” and my clock only read 15 minutes in.<o:p></o:p><br />
Are you serious?<o:p></o:p><br />
We dropped into the first descent, and as expected, there was
no passing, though there were a few riders pulled over with mechanicals.<o:p></o:p><br />
I actually did catch one of the riders who was
“counterattacking” me earlier, near the base of the descent, but, as we hit the
flats through the campground, guess what, he took off through the flats and “attacked”
again.<o:p></o:p><br />
I decided about then that I’d probably start making passes
near the top of the second climb as these guys wore themselves out<o:p></o:p><br />
I also got the sense my day was going to be a scavenger
hunt, and would basically be on, picking off people riding stupid.<o:p></o:p><br />
I was only partially right.<o:p></o:p><br />
I rolled into Skookum Flats, and as the trail began to duck,
dodge, and weave, I found myself on the guy’s wheel pretty quick. I passed him,
and fairly quickly caught another rider.<o:p></o:p><br />
In the next 5 miles on Skookum, I’d take a total of 4
placements!<o:p></o:p><br />
I did not see that coming.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymM9NU2KNBlD9krC-w6wdiVqVdcwM6lmRxTg0DHxxAe27s23MolwgNgP1Djh3AHqkNSLqo-BYO_FqgbLI0Tj2yzoS8KbXsoqjlEHdeNVmLAJMNJ5BLfADzaRHFTUJtqmCKOQ6VLsPkdWy/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymM9NU2KNBlD9krC-w6wdiVqVdcwM6lmRxTg0DHxxAe27s23MolwgNgP1Djh3AHqkNSLqo-BYO_FqgbLI0Tj2yzoS8KbXsoqjlEHdeNVmLAJMNJ5BLfADzaRHFTUJtqmCKOQ6VLsPkdWy/s320/IMG_1502.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I nailed every feature on Skookum both laps on race day, a definite help in closing positions. Photo: C.D.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
We spat out from Skookum, and I was riding alongside Matt
from BC. He was a really good technical rider, so I was actually looking
forward to having someone to pace with on the climb, but as we hit the base, he
dropped back. <o:p></o:p><br />
I rode up to the summit through the long grind, with another
rider just up the road from me. This rider would occasionally look back, but I
had no interest in burning it up.<o:p></o:p><br />
After completing the initial descent from the top of Sun
top, we went into the awful singe track climb. Not even a ¼ the way up, I found
the rider I’d been tailing the past hour walking, unable to climb the steep
pitch.<o:p></o:p><br />
I muttered something about how much this pitch sucked, and
he asked me if I knew how much longer it went on…<br />
I paused for a second, before I prefaced my response with: “I’m seriously not
trying to get in your head.” <o:p></o:p><br />
Continuing, “but it’s not going to be over soon, and it’s
going to get worse before it gets better. I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p><br />
It seemed like a hard thing to say, but, wtf, it was the
truth. I had to learn that on Thursday. <o:p></o:p><br />
The second punchy ascent along the ridge had a gradual lead
in, and though I should have known better, it still caught me off guard in a
really tall gear. I had to strain to keep moving, and cursed at the pain of the
stupid move. Once the descent began though, it was fantastic. The cool morning
air leant a bit of dampness and tack to the trail. It felt like the best
descent I’d had yet.<o:p></o:p><br />
Crossing the internal loop’s road and beginning the
switchback descents, I was pleased by the lack of dust (every descent but this
one down this section was dusty due to other riders nearby.) <o:p></o:p><br />
The one caveat, was that the 30 milers had come though, and
this descent would also shift in shape each passing. Some corners were notably
more blown out, but the worst was a steep double drop though an S-turn that
went off camber over super loose dry soil. <o:p></o:p><br />
I rolled in with too much speed, slamming the double drops,
and realized I was going into the steep off-camber duff next.<o:p></o:p><br />
The bike immediately began to suck downward.<o:p></o:p><br />
Oh fuck.<o:p></o:p><br />
An axel-height rock followed immediately by a switch back
was all I could see. I could either try and roll the big rock and hope the
suspension ate it, or let the bike sink deeper off the duff and into the brush,
hoping I didn’t snag, and fail, and assuredly sending my into the switchback at
way too sharp on an inside angle.<o:p></o:p><br />
I aimed for the rock and pulled back. The yeti didn’t like
the rock, but it pulled over it.<o:p></o:p><br />
I could literally see skid marks through the forest litter
leading out of the switchback from where at least a few human bodies had slid.<o:p></o:p><br />
Rushed with relief to have avoided what would have been a
nasty wreck, and pissed at the chaos that had clearly caused the change in the
trail, I swore out loud.<o:p></o:p><br />
Oh, there’s an elderly volunteer medic staged at this
obviously dangerous spot…Ya, the look on her face said it all. It was a nice to
have a little comic relief.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Rolling back through the campground, I swing off at our
cooler and snapped in the new bladder. I ran with 2 liters of water per lap,
and drank around 1.75L each lap. I might have drank more the second were it not
for the water being ice cold from being in the cooler. It really helped.<o:p></o:p></div>
My second internal loop of the day felt really good. I was
all alone, the climb was staying shaded, and I never saw anyone on the way, but
my legs were feeling better than expected.<o:p></o:p><br />
Into the internal loop descent, a 30-mile rider closing out
his external loop shot by. I heard another 30 miler coming as I opened the
suspension, and assumed that these front runners would likely catch me on the
descent. No such issue, the guy I heard coming seemed to fade further and
further behind.<o:p></o:p><br />
Back through the campground for the last time, and on to
Skookum to start the second external.<o:p></o:p><br />
I was still alone, and began to think that was it for the
race.<o:p></o:p><br />
Due to crash on Skookum the night before the race, the
organizers had instituted a mandatory dismount section with a volunteer on site
to ensure everyone walked. <o:p></o:p><br />
As I passed, I asked when he’d last seen another 60-miler.<o:p></o:p><br />
“Right there” he said, point down the trail.<o:p></o:p><br />
No kidding, a white helmet bobbed just around the corner.<o:p></o:p><br />
A few minutes later I caught the rider at the base of a 10-foot
ledge we all had to hike-a-bike. He waved me past and I shouldered the bike for
the quick scramble, but when we remounted, he was able to hang on the next mile
or so to the road.<o:p></o:p><br />
As we popped out of the woods, I saw another racer, stopped,
draped over his bike and clutching his quads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p><br />
I swung by the cooler Doug and Trenton had dropped off and
grabbed my Coke. The guy I had caught on Skookum was still on my wheel, and
asked if maybe I had a cold beer in the cooler too, ha!<o:p></o:p><br />
Not yet I told him.<o:p></o:p><br />
As we started to climb, I offered him some of my drink, but
he declined, and then dropped back, disappearing.<o:p></o:p><br />
“Two more placements thanks to Skookum!” I congratulated
myself.<o:p></o:p><br />
The caffeine and sugar did it’s job and the bottom 2/3 of the
climb seemed to go by a little easier, but around mile 4, the guy I thought I’d
just dropped reappeared. In the next 2 miles, he would go from being out of
sight, to within 10 seconds of my wheel as we hit the summit.<o:p></o:p><br />
I was deflated. So much for not getting passed.<o:p></o:p><br />
I knew I could put a little time into the guy down the nasty
descent, but I still had a pretty narrow lead with the hardest climb ahead.<o:p></o:p><br />
“Ride smart through the initial descent. You cannot crash.
Don’t look back.”<o:p></o:p><br />
I popped back out to cross the road, and went into the steep
single track climb.<o:p></o:p><br />
I knew if I was still getting tailed, he would be able to
see me ahead, and I knew if turned around, it would only defeat me further.<o:p></o:p><br />
I dug in, hoped I didn’t hear breathing, passed a couple
exhausted 30 milers, and hoped for the best.<o:p></o:p><br />
As I neared the top, I finally shot a glance back.<o:p></o:p><br />
Just a quiet and empty forest.<o:p></o:p><br />
The last descent was one of the hardest descents on my life.
Getting sloppy or lazy at these speeds would mean a really bad crash. I had to
ride smart, but my legs were starting to seize. Climbing was actually easier on
them then descending.<o:p></o:p><br />
Despite all the use, some sections of trail felt like they
were riding better, and I ended up passing a couple more 30 milers.<o:p></o:p><br />
I didn’t really think there was anyone close, but I drilled
the stretch through the campground with what little I had left. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Feeds: The race offered 3 aid stations. The first was just
past the start-finish and had food and water, the second was water only and was
about halfway up the big Sun Top Climb, and the third was another full aid
station with food etc. at the top of Sun Top.<o:p></o:p></div>
I never used the aid stations other than to toss out an
empty can of Coke. Thanks to Doug and Trenton, we had a cooler in the
campground near the start where I had a second bladder to swap in mid-race, and
another cooler at the base of the big Sun Top climb where I had a small can of
Coke for the last climb of the day. Swapping bladders took 30 seconds, and I
drank my Coke on the wheel. <o:p></o:p><br />
I had all my food onboard in a gas tank bag: Cliff shot
bloks and Honey Stinger Waffles. I ate 2.5 packs of bloks (no caffeine), 2
waffles (one chocolate), and the Coke, feeding every 45 minutes starting after
90 minutes.<o:p></o:p><br />
Not stopping at aid stations gave me a definite edge over
all the racers I passed. The rider who nearly caught me at the top of the
second lap stopped at the aid station. I have no idea why. He should have
pushed through, he might have taken me down. <o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Takeaways:<o:p></o:p></div>
This event really lived up to all that I personally hoped it
would. I got to race somewhere else, on new trails, against some new faces, and
enjoy some summer weather that has kind of been lacking in AK. <o:p></o:p><br />
The race organizers were really cool, friendly, and full of
stoke <u>for their participants</u> – no egos. <o:p></o:p><br />
The bang for your buck value was incredible: $60 got you the
following:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">A really well marked
course .<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Medics stationed all over
the course as well as onsite.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">A well-thought out evac
plan for numerous locations on course.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Hard time limits.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Two staffed and stocked
aid stations and one unstaffed water station.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Live results.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">A post-race BBQ with
burgers, dogs, drinks, and snacks.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Cold beer.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Ya, you read that last one right. <o:p></o:p></div>
Would I do this particular event again? No. On the upshot,
talking with the race directs after, it sounds like next year they will make
the 60 just a 50 and get rid of the second internal loop. That will be a good
change with basically no impact on the feel. They also plan to market it a
little differently and emphasize that this is really challenging. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I would certainly recommend the event to someone, but, since
I have to fly a long ways, it was a good experience, but there are definitely
other races to check out. I’m really intrigued by NWE’s Capitol forest race,
which I take is kind of their premier event anyway. Based on this race, I would
def give the race org’s kudos, and recommend any of their bike or running
races.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0_C6Z93bz1yIfZS2-cSD-sruiNamrUL0dkpE_6cY9Z2jxB8UiKQQgrtK5WSuvEQK7xYCAepme2tw3NMTCnXNc5bh5orj_G1g8GjSdfLaHvx9-3VTAXoalBfPKudV6ibdFshojH849pOH/s1600/IMG_1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1024" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0_C6Z93bz1yIfZS2-cSD-sruiNamrUL0dkpE_6cY9Z2jxB8UiKQQgrtK5WSuvEQK7xYCAepme2tw3NMTCnXNc5bh5orj_G1g8GjSdfLaHvx9-3VTAXoalBfPKudV6ibdFshojH849pOH/s320/IMG_1447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling out Saturday night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4evqiDW9Bqc99MH85xjGHuJ7M3-CZ5hPfqGv3REOnvANxlq1bd7jP_Evgp7xUJvGJ8pAC4nqbnavJxJFLYWmsBGqgLpH4uxC_CPjiBWf6RS_YH3iBBChubZdBKUPaav_nXLEQABsHPhul/s1600/IMG_1449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="1024" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4evqiDW9Bqc99MH85xjGHuJ7M3-CZ5hPfqGv3REOnvANxlq1bd7jP_Evgp7xUJvGJ8pAC4nqbnavJxJFLYWmsBGqgLpH4uxC_CPjiBWf6RS_YH3iBBChubZdBKUPaav_nXLEQABsHPhul/s320/IMG_1449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The compound.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Personal takeaways<o:p></o:p></div>
In the big picture, I can’t say I had any major takeaways
from this race, which is OK. Obviously, the trails were new, and the riding
style, particularly they extended fire road climbs, were new, and challenging. <o:p></o:p><br />
This was a climber’s race, and my Yeti is an obvious
handicap in a marathon race with endless smooth climbs (it’s kind of a handicap
in any race, but it’s also a great all-around bike). A typical 4x4 XC full
suspension rig was clearly the choice for the 60 mile event, and I think a
strong technical rider with climbing legs on a hardtail with a 120 fork could
mop up the 30 mile.<o:p></o:p><br />
Otherwise, my only real takeaway was that I generally played
my cards right. I basically made all my passes on the most technical section of
the course on Skookum. That is a real ego booster, as that was some
true-to-the-roots of the sport techy riding. I thought I would pick off some
riders on the climbs, but not so much. I put a little of that on the bike. The
Yeti does really well for its size and build on trail climbs, but is definitely
not an attack bike on smooth dirt roads. The descents were too short and rowdy
too do much damage there. All I noticed on descents was that I extended my
leads.<o:p></o:p><br />
Really, my next biggest advantage came from endurance
experience. I didn’t stop at aid stations, amp my pace in response to those
around me, and my feeds and hydration were on point. <o:p></o:p><br />
The one conversation Chuck and I had was whether I would
have benefited from going with the initial sprint. <o:p></o:p><br />
Having had the chance to look at the re-play on Strava, the
answer was no, in this case. My next closest competitor was out-climbing me on
every ascent. If I’d gone with the sprint, the guy still would have driven a
harder pace then I was on the ensuing three climbs. Basically, assuming that
going with the sprint did not have a negative impact on my performance later
(who knows), my delta would have been 2 minutes on the next position, instead
of 8. In a broader picture, had there been a thicker field, or had the guy in
front of me not driven his climbs with as consistent gains, then yes, it could
have. Food for thought.<o:p></o:p><br />
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-44317877329206763182017-07-03T21:10:00.002-08:002017-07-03T21:11:24.043-08:00Gear Review: 2016 Scott Solace 20 Disc<div class="MsoNormal">
2016 Scott Solace 20 Disc<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Purchase Date: Spring 2016<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Use: Training/Exercise <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Short</u> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 stars as a training/mileage road bike with wide breadth.
This bike is ideal for the cyclist who puts in a lot of training mileage on
pavement, and/or variable mixes of rough pavement and gravel, but puts in their
strongest efforts in some other activity besides pavement-based bike racing
(mountain biking, running, skiing, etc). This bike is also ideal for the
weekend warrior just wants to do long rides peppered with big climbs,
potentially on less-traveled roads, but doesn’t care about winning the town-line
sprint.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cyclist seeking a more casual form of adventure riding,
touring, or all-gravel adventures may want to look for something a little more touring
or off-road specific, and a little less flashy; while cyclist planning to do
more than a handful of competitive road racing events where they are striving
to get their best results and upgrade points, should stay with a more traditional
road bike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOKsnGe3CEH7CFa12dXQrIjeNsmcLiXmLv1KKiBT6QoXgN2rPOHhW11pVK4txXCPe7Kcvb_O7Mc7HPTvN0Jp6E2a-RkcB23yBD7KqQP4sP25HCGxjgCu4VhQRpwBkEpFYsr8U4o5q_qRB/s1600/IMG_9495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOKsnGe3CEH7CFa12dXQrIjeNsmcLiXmLv1KKiBT6QoXgN2rPOHhW11pVK4txXCPe7Kcvb_O7Mc7HPTvN0Jp6E2a-RkcB23yBD7KqQP4sP25HCGxjgCu4VhQRpwBkEpFYsr8U4o5q_qRB/s320/IMG_9495.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: L.M.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The long<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Solace replaced my 5-season old Scott CR1. One of
Anchorage’s best kept secrets is its road biking. No, the road biking in
Alaska’s biggest metro can’t compete with the rural Northeast, but considering
where we live, it’s phenomenal for what it is, and will make any rider stronger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The CR1 had a more relaxed geometry and gear range compared
to a traditional road bike, but it was still far closer to the former than to an
exercise or adventure bike. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the years since I bought the CR1, manufactures have
sought expanded their narrow-tire bike lineups to take on more varying surfaces
and riding types. In that time, road bikes have also started to adopt some mountain
bike technology, including disc brakes, thru axels, and wider tires.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The truth is, for many cyclists both in Alaska and outside, unless
you are a dedicated road racer, there is no reason to buy a traditional road
bike anymore; there are so many better options. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five years ago I knew this, and I thought my next road bike
would actually be a nice cyclocross bike, set up with a road-worthy drive train
and at least two sets of tires, so I would have a bike for many purposes and
rides.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On that front, I’d say, if you do only a moderate amount of
pavement riding or less, but you do race cyclocross, then you should still just
get a CX bike, and buy it a pair of slicks. Even if with a 1x crank, you could
still seasonally gear a CX bike for road riding through spring and early
summer, and gear it back down for CX in the fall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you ride a lot of road though, I’d get a bike for each. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cross bikes are still designed for racing, and retain more
of a drawn out and power-focused geometry, potentially making them less ideal
for long hard miles on pavement. Additionally, a good cross bike will have a
drive train designed for the rigors of a cyclocross course. As noted, you could
switch out chain rings and/or cassettes between seasons if needed, but if you
don’t, a CX gear ratio may prove to be too low-range for pavement, unless all
you do is hill repeats. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, it’s an easy choice: I ride a lot of pavement, I
don’t race CX, and only do a occasional entirely gravel rides – which my hard
tail mountain bike is just fine for. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For everything else I do, the Solace delivers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Ride<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Solace features a very similar geometry to the CR1, so
“out of the box,” it felt pretty good, though it was actually a tad more
relaxed. That only made it easier to ride. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a rider used to a traditional road bike, however, the
bike will probably feel more upright. On the CR1, the upright positioning left
me wanting on fast descents. For the Solace, a slacker head tube angle and
wider tires alleviates that issue, and the Solace descends much better than the
CR1 did in my opinion. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrob_NqKh7IWwZZa1geFApGyjiHjFVzfoPikmSCrmQsxHwGAHcdB-B4SK9l3YT8XL-m-MdcJFDjxFcoAdDUPQKdzMtZIHCEpr_2rteKYyLMJE53i0QjR3HduWAq9UOZCybuebhWHk8jFq/s1600/P1050953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrob_NqKh7IWwZZa1geFApGyjiHjFVzfoPikmSCrmQsxHwGAHcdB-B4SK9l3YT8XL-m-MdcJFDjxFcoAdDUPQKdzMtZIHCEpr_2rteKYyLMJE53i0QjR3HduWAq9UOZCybuebhWHk8jFq/s320/P1050953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New meets old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Thru axels<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The benefits of thru axels for mountain bikes are just as
apparent on the road. Gone are the days of wheels flexing from one side of the
bike to the other on hard climbs and corners. It’s almost comical to grab a
wheel on a non-thru axel bike and push it from side to side. How is it possible
such a weakness was/is just accepted? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Disc brakes<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was perhaps the second biggest reason I was thrilled to
pick up a new bike that otherwise plays such a utilitarian role in the stable.
Rim brakes are terrible. Mountain bikers have been running disc brakes since
the early 2000s. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arguably, there were some engineering hurdles that needed to
be overcome to adapt discs to slender road frames, and I was happy to not be an
early adopter on this front. Now, disc brakes are becoming ever more common on
road bikes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, I think the most telling factor about having disc
brakes on this bike is how little I notice them at all, compared to how much
time I spent thinking about braking with rim brakes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two downfalls I’ve noticed though: heavy handlebars and
chattering levers. The hydraulic levers are a good bit heftier than their
mechanical counterparts, putting a lot of swing-weight on the hoods. I don’t
notice this too much on the ride, but I certainly notice it wheeling the bike
about. What I do notice on the ride: the brake levers chatter on bumpy roads.
This is common for Shimano 105 hydraulic levers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Wide tire clearance <o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you live in road bike paradise, a land without traffic,
potholes, pavement cracks, loose gravel, or rain, you should totally run 23c
road tires at 120PSI. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had always used 25c tires, which fit rather snugly in both
my previous road frames. The Solace comes with 28c tires. I think the fair
question to ask is: why did Scott feel the need to limit the tire size on this
frame to just 28? Why not give the frame the clearance to run up to 35 and let
the user decide? I will be happy to stick with 28c tires for 95% of the riding
this bike will do, but it’d be great to have the option to toss on something meatier
and take this bike on an all-out nasty gravel ramble. I suspect that bike
makers don’t want to undercut their wallet-draining gravel-specific builds. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would not be surprised to see future evolutions of the
Solace or its like expand tire clearance in response to being undercut by other
bike makers who respond to consumer demand for a more all-purpose rig. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As far as performance, the wider tires add drag on climbs, and
I do feel it. That being said, when I ride this bike, it’s for the workout, so
bluntly, I don’t care. Meanwhile, the 28s bite into fast switchback descents and
chewed up pavement with amazing confidence. Don’t even get me started on loose
gravel over pavement. These tires make it so you don’t even know it’s there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was really comfy on 25c tires. Now, very little fazes me.
I’ve blasted this bike along single track trails more than once just because I
can.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, if I was really into racing, these big tires could be
a problem, but I can’t see any reason to slim back down. On the other end of
the spectrum, if all I was doing was gravel, or I had some epic gravel trip
planned, I would probably just ride my hard tail, as endless miles of loose
gravel would eventually be pretty harsh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRoQq9YsXQTB-MmLcSXpMNro8U__ffEmIOrrizWfU5Uz2CASbHNHm2QLCOrkTaGsQiwKF6nRlKNydBFh1bcA6BwkLtHdIsj9cvSW62CnhcEULDGNsSfo3Sr_9LQorfmtm5oEyQedL-37z/s1600/IMG_9496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRoQq9YsXQTB-MmLcSXpMNro8U__ffEmIOrrizWfU5Uz2CASbHNHm2QLCOrkTaGsQiwKF6nRlKNydBFh1bcA6BwkLtHdIsj9cvSW62CnhcEULDGNsSfo3Sr_9LQorfmtm5oEyQedL-37z/s320/IMG_9496.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early season riding in Anchorage can be a mix of sloppy snow and loose gravel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Drive train<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bike came stock with a Shimano 105 34-50 crank and an
11-32 cassette. I ride a lot of hills, so one would think the 32T ring in the
back would be nice, but I switched to a 11-28T cassette. Overall, the gear
range was too easy for my goals/preferences (it’s supposed to be hard), and
further, I found the jumps between the cogs made for an unsteady cadence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Weight <o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By carbon frame road bike standards, this bike will feel hefty.
If you are buying this bike though, weight shouldn’t really be in your top
deciding criteria. Nonetheless, it is still a carbon frame and rides like one,
absorbing chatter and reacting quickly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>My biggest fear<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My biggest fear about this bike, is that the industry has
really diversified the road bike compared to just 5 years ago, and this has essentially
resulted in my ability to purchase a near perfect bike for my needs at a
standard cost, right off the shelf. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bike industry works in mysterious ways though, contracting
and expanding line ups and offerings. Only a couple years ago, a bike similar
to this was still fetching a premium price due to limited options.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Given how very little separates the Solace from a more
traditional road bike, and the limited additional R&D that Scott probably
had to put into it, it’s probably unlikely that in another 5 years, the industry
will fully contract and only offer traditional bikes, but, again, it’s the bike
industry, things are often two steps forward, one step back.<o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-55694853414185615182017-06-27T22:07:00.000-08:002017-06-27T22:07:30.824-08:00Two Favorite Kenai Epics<div class="MsoNormal">
Russian-Res-Devils Loop</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Distance: 76 miles<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Climbing: 7,000 feet<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Season: June, or late September<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The gist: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Start at Devils Creek Trail Head, take the Seward Highway 2
miles to Tern Lake Picnic Area, and head down the Old Seward Highway to where
it meets up with Crescent Creek Road/Quartz Creek Road. For a 90 miler and an
additional 1500’ or so of climbing, add an out-and-back on Crescent Lake Trail.
Otherwise, follow Crescent Creek Road to Quartz Creek Road to the Sterling
Highway. Cross the highway, heading left toward Cooper, and take the first jeep
road immediately on the right. The jeep road climbs steeply. Stay left past the
junction with a cell tower. After passing a high point with a great overlook,
the road spits you back down on the highway briefly. Ride the shoulder carefully
for about 100 feet until you spot the ATV trail heading into the woods on the
right. The ATV trail is actually rather techy in places, even though it
parallels the roadway. It will briefly spit you back out on the shoulder twice
on the way to Cooper: first very briefly onto a gravel shoulder before heading
back into the woods; and again to cross a driveway (take the driveway for 20
feet and the ATV trail will dive left off the driveway), before eventually
joining a utility corridor. The corridor can get a little mucky, and trail will
exit to the left to follow a wide and safe gravel shoulder the rest of the way
to Cooper. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This ATV segment sounds more complicated than it actually is,
and is a million times safer to ride than riding the shoulder of the highway! The
short section of highway between Cooper Landing and Quartz Creek Road is not
safe to ride!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Head through Cooper, cross the Kenai River (pedestrian
bridge is located on downstream side of bridge), and cross the highway onto Snug
Harbor Road. Take Snug up to Russian Lakes trailhead. After riding the 20-some
miles of Russian Lakes trail, it may be worth taking a quick side trip toward
the campground to refill on water. This is close to the mid-point of the ride. When
you hit the trail head/parking lot, go left, up the campground road toward the
campgrounds. Water is available at the RV dump station on your left, maybe ¾ of
a mile. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Russian, head down to the Sterling Highway, go left on
the highway to the Resurrection Pass Trail Head. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take Res Pass Trail to Devils Junction, and drop down Devils
Creek Trail back to the TH and your car. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hints: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a really smooth link up, with a lot of gravel to tie
the trails together, with very limited pavement. The trails themselves are pretty
easy: Russian is about as advanced as things get, but it’s a “descent” on this
route. As noted, the ATV connection between Quartz Creek Road and Cooper Landing
sounds complicated, but it’s literally an ATV trail next to the road, just keep
following it. Also as noted, it has a few short techy sections to keep it
interesting, and is a major asset to have as an alternative a connection to
avoid a very dangerous segment of roadway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Water is available at the Tern Lake Picnic Area (two people
to use this pump), Quartz Creek Boat Launch (spigot), and the Russian River
Campground (spigot). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The season on this ride is pretty much June onward, and is
limited by snow in Res and Devils Pass early in the month, and vegetation on
Russian later in the month. It’s pretty likely that this ride will include some
snow drift cyclocross action through Devils Pass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This loop could open up in September-Early October in cold
and dry autumns. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hit this loop for the first time on 2016 with Carey G, and
again this year with Chuck D. Both years, the early to mid-June timeframe
seemed to be the money spot for low veg and few snow crossings. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both years, I opted for the simpler 76-mile option, and both
years, the total ride time was around 7:45 at a reasonable pace, though could easily
be driven down by quite a bit with more motivation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a head-to-head between this loop or the Resurrection-Devils-Johnson
Loop (90 miles), I pick this one as my favorite. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Res-Devils-Johnson 2017<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
90 miles<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8,000 Feet climbing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time: Mid-June through July 4<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d completed RDJ in various formats and rig choices in
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2013/07/resurrecting-devils-johnson.html" target="_blank">2013</a>, <a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2014/07/resurrecting-devils-johnson-redux-and.html" target="_blank">14</a>, and <a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2015/06/rdj-2015.html" target="_blank">15</a>, but I just wasn’t super pleased with this route, and I took a
break from the RDJ last season. The forecasts and fast-growing veg on Johnson last
year didn’t inspire me to get after it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year, I had a choice for the weekend of June 24-25: do
Arctic MTB’s Double-Down Race on a course designed by Ryan G, and well suited for
someone who does well on climb-heavy and rooty courses (ya, that’s me), or head
to the Kenai. It was a tough call, but the forecast was spectacular, and with July
Fourth the following weekend – a holiday I try not to spend on the Peninsula – and
a summer so far lacking in sunny weekends, it seemed like a Kenai Epic was a
worthy pursuit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meredith was interested in riding the trail portion of the
RDJ this year, and after mulling some different options, we came up with a new
twist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For starters, we’d ride the route clockwise, which is the
opposite direction of how I’ve always ridden it. We’d also start the ride at
the North Johnson Pass Trail Head, and this time, I’d employ a road bike for the
long road segment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The key element to this plan was just that: we’d be leaving
my road bike at a colleague of Meredith, Doug’s, cabin, outside Hope. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bane of this loop is it’s 28 miles of road (24 paved) between
North JP TH, and the North Resurrection Pass Trail Head. This long stretch of
pavement has long steered the counter-clockwise routing of the ride, as at
least that put the bulk of the hateful road riding pointed toward sea level. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried to ease the pain of this long road connection in
previous renditions by riding a hard tail for the whole loop, or having a hard
tail staged at the North JP TH for just the road portion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t sure that riding a road bike after 67 miles would
really make me think better of this loop, but it was obvious almost immediately:
the 24-miles between Doug’s and the car went way smoother and faster with drop
bars and 28c tires. Lest I say it, I really enjoyed the road connection!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other two benefits however, were less apparent
beforehand, but definitely afterward. First, riding Johnson Pass north to south
right off the bat gets the most technical part of the ride out of the way immediately,
and second, climbing Devils and up to Res is downright pleasant compared to the
opposite. Climbing the north side of Res is the most tedious, dull, and hateful
section of trail on the Kenai…not that I have strong opinions on it or
anything...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Early on in the day, we bumped into Kenai 250 riders Aaron,
Dusty, Anson, and Kevin. I had a feeling we might see a few of the boys later
on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The clouds lifted as rode through swarms of hatching bugs on
Johnson, but temps stayed reasonable. In the south Johnson TH I popped my
helmet off my head, and a mass of dead midges fell from my head! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We stopped at the “rust pipe” at Tern Lake Day Use Area on
the 7-mile road connection between south JP and Devils for a water refill. Up Devils
we caught back up with Kevin, and could see Anson a little ways off as we neared
the high point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For time management (Meredith’s ride would end around 67
miles at Doug’s cabin, while mine would continue another 24 miles to the car)
we decided this would be a good time to split off. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I bombed through the descent to Hope, and onward to the
cabin. Having learned from before, I left the clock running through my
turnaround for feed-management purposes. I dumped my pack, changed to road
shoes, snapped in some dark lenses, and made sure to grab my car key.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt really good, and as I steered the road bike out onto
the Hope Highway, my legs told me to give it all I had. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had an absolute blast powering up Hope Highway and onward
on the bike path to Johnson.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About a mile or two before I made it to the car, my legs
started to fizzle, so I tapped a little deeper, casting aside the thought of a
cool down, and spinning the Solace’s slick tires over loose stones right up the
short gravel road to the car. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I rolled in an awesome and complete physical and mental wreck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great ride. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ready for a Kenai July epic?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s my favorite: <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2014/07/hope-96.html" target="_blank">Hope 96</a><o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-37387347904131632772017-06-08T08:21:00.000-08:002017-06-08T08:21:40.841-08:00Running Uphill
This spring I decided to give competitive mountain running a
try.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
These high on vertical, low on lateral foot races are a big deal
in Alaska, with several events so popular they are lottery entry only, and easily
fill to capacity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’ve always admired the racers, and been a follower of some
of the more popular events, keeping tabs on who is doing well, who is poised to
strike a big win, sets a record, etc. That being said, I’ve never had a strong interest
in competing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Running is something I actually really enjoy. Aside from
being a highly practical and economic work out, it’s one of the few workouts I
do where I find my mind can just wander. I come back from runs feeling refreshed
in a way I just don’t get on most bike rides. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The last few autumns I’ve been doing more overland “mountain”
running in the Chugach, and, aside from the fact that I really enjoy it as an
off-season activity, I noticed that when it came to going uphill, I was pretty
descent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This last point shouldn’t come as a surprise. I’m fairly
small, which gives me an advantage in just about any uphill-oriented activity;
but it also doesn’t hurt that the muscle mechanics of backcountry skiing and pedaling
a bike lend themselves well to steep foot travel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After this winter’s Tour of Anchorage and Kachemak Nordic
Marathon, I decided I should give competitive mountain running a try this
spring, before the mountain bike race season began in earnest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Aside from suspecting that I would do OK, I also expected
that mountain running would provide a flavor of competition I embrace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I like events where I’m going head to head with others,
pushing myself to keep up or keep ahead. If the race ends just a wheel length,
ski length, or maybe a foot fall, in front or behind someone, I got my money’s
worth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The bell curve for results in these races, particularly the
shorter uphill-only ones, is tightly packed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As excited as I was to give this all a try this spring, I
did not directly train for these events in any way. In fact, I ran less this
spring than I have in the last 10 years or so due to some scheduling stuff;
though I was road biking a normal amount, and had good carry-over fitness from Nordic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The first event I signed up for was Kals Knoya Ridge. The
race starts a short walk from a secluded subdivision at the corner of Muldoon
and Tudor, and is pretty informal. The short of it: I placed 9<sup>th</sup> of
59 in the “Original Dome” course, running the 3.5 miles and 2,900 vertical feet
in 50:25.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Not surprisingly, I loved it. I was quite happy with my time
too. Without much for reference, I was hoping for about an hour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was also quite happy with my choice to run the “Original”
course, as opposed to the “Full Monty,” which follows the original course, and
then continues upward along the ridgeline toward Knoya Peak, for a total of 5.3
miles and 4,300 feet of vertical. Veterans tell me the longer event rolls along
seemingly endlessly. I think if I wanted a better idea of how I stacked up
against my age bracket peers, I would have found a better answer in the longer
distance, but, common, this was my first time, and, as I’m coming to learn, having
a good race doesn’t just mean signing up for the biggest and the baddest option.
Maybe I’ll try the Full Monty in the future. TBD.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly having some great
comradery with Nathan and Rob, who were both trying out this mountain run thing
too. It was good to have friends to share anxieties with at the start line, and
war stories with on the walk/jog back down. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Also, we all faced a brief but raging snow and hail squall
on the final push to the top. It sure made those last punishing minutes very
real.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Don’t start in the back<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Rob, Nathan, and I all kind of agreed: we didn’t want to be
“that guy” who starts too close to the front, and causes a traffic jam, so we
all started in the back. All three of us learned pretty quick into the run, we
should have given ourselves more credit. All of us spent a good portion of the
event having to barge through the emerging devils club to pass long conga lines
of runners. On the upside, we all agreed it kept our pacing pretty chill down
low along the rolling and flat sections. It was rare that I felt like I could
push the pace much faster along most the flat sections, certainly not fast
enough to make aggressive passes. I reserved my passing mostly to the short up
hills lower down, and occasionally on flats or rolling terrain if someone
started to let a gap open up in front of them. I was only passed once the
entire time in Knoya, and I had just passed the guy. It’s a nice morale booster
to do all the passing, but, not good strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Higher up in the race I began to catch up with more runners going a pace
closer to mine, but, I still did a lot of passing every time the course pointed
upward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
At the finish, there was basically no question, I had a
blast! I wished it was a bit more of a “race,” but I felt really good with my
effort overall. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The next event was Government Peak. Starting at the
Government Peak Rec Area, the course climbs about 3,700 vertical feet in 2.5
miles according to my Garmin. I finished 1:00:28; 38<sup>th</sup>/105 overall;
8<sup>th</sup> in age class. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Compared to Kals, this event felt brutal! The weather was
practically the opposite from Kals: mid 60s, sunny, and a light breeze. Quite
nice really. Government also started in three, self-seeded waves. I placed
myself in wave 1, for racers who thought they could finish in under an hour.
This seemed reasonable to me based on the previous week’s run, though I knew it
would take work. I did not want to get stuck in the back again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The race went out pretty fast considering what we had on our
plate. I just held my own on the short approach. There were a few quick broken
climbs early on and I made a few moves. There was a lot of jostling going on.
People who went too hard on the lower flats were suddenly dropping back, and
people who had better uphill legs were scooting up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Then the course hits an endless Alaskan mountain wall. A
bulk load of the vertical route is really steep scrambling, hand over hand,
grab an alder, grab a root, grab a rock. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It’s endless, and it’s steep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was sitting in with two dudes who were probably going just
a tad slower than I could, but not enough to justify a risky pass. One or two
speedy climbers were able to scramble through, but positioning was pretty
static. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There were very few short flats through the steeps, footing
was unsure, and my lower back was complaining loudly. Also, my right foot was growing
increasingly numb. I tried to pick up a jog any time there was a flat, but between
my foot and back, it was uncomfortable, and the pitch would go so steep again
that I could not carry an momentum.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Eventually the course hits the more rolling alpine ridge. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This is where the true climbers separated themselves, and despite
my hopes, I was not amongst them. I know the exact point where my biking and
skiing muscles had given me what they could. I remember realizing, in almost
horror, that the fitness freeride was over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I power-paced the endless ridgeline, trying to focus on form,
and recruiting strength by channeling skinning and biking technique wherever
possible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Efficiency allowed me to pick off a couple others, but
overall, I watched the nose of the race pull farther and farther ahead. I could
not summon the power to jog, even though the gradient was generally low enough
I probably could have we it not for the effort dumped out on the wall below.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Right near the finish, two guys behind me punched it, and
though I didn’t have much left to contest, I took the bait and punch it too,
getting pipped two spots. I felt physically destroyed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
More?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A friend asked if my bikes were going to get jealous of my
sneakers? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I think for now the answer is safely: no.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I really had fun in Kals, but, I also think I learned in
Government, that the former was a fitness free ride. Government kicked my bike-pedaling
butt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In both events, one thing I noticed, was that while those
around me were very often sucking air, I rarely found myself breathing hard,
comparatively. My legs were giving it their all, but they weren’t asking for more
than my heart and lungs were ready to provide. It’s typically quite the
opposite for me in full-on bike races, where my legs will outstrip cardio.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Another lightbulb I had go off in Government was: “why am I
paying money to run up this mountain, when I can run up any mountain in Alaska
for free?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The answer of course, is obvious: it’s a race. But I guess,
when I had that thought, it no longer felt like one to me. I was slammed. I was
just surviving. If I beat someone, it wasn’t really because I had more skill or
cunning, was actually faster; they just hurt more than I did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It was pretty clear that running uphill is a more of a 1:1
activity in terms of fitness returns. You get what you put in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
You can get strong on a bike by training a lot, and turn
pedals like a machine; but if you can’t handle the bike, at least in mountain
biking, you’ll just be a machine that crashes into trees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I think Kals will stay on my calendar going forward, and
I’am hoping to revist competitive uphill running in fall if it avails itself,
but whether I do Government again, or sign on for mid-summer races – this
season or next – remains somewhere between “we’ll see” and “probably not.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As for competitive trail running…that was never really an
interest from the beginning, and certainly, this did not spark any interest. I
just hung on through flats in these two courses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Not surprisingly, I had some broader takeaways and learnings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Don’t start in the back<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
OK, so, I didn’t know how Knoya was going to go, being my
first running race ever, but I won’t make that mistake again. I would not start
on the front row either, but, I think it’s fair to say that, I should at least
be close enough to the front to see the leaders. At government, there could be
some logic to starting in wave 2, in that, and if you’re on the tail end of the
wave 1 seeding like me, you might be able to get a little more freedom to
maneuver through the steeps and run your own pace. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Passing seemed tricky.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It felt difficult to ludicrous to pass in both races. I got
the sense in Knoya that passing just doesn’t happen a lot in general. People
settle out and dig in. Since I was clearly too far back in that race, I had to
make endless passes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sometimes something like this happens in bike racing due to
a mechanical or because a faster group will lap a slower group. Other riders
are often all too eager to get out of the way, and at times, I’ve had to tell a
rider I’ve caught to just chill out, and let me around at safe spot for both of
us: they don’t need to throw themselves into the devils club!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In this case, it felt rather the opposite, particularly at
Government. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It felt like passing involved mandatory devils club bashing,
saying “on your left” was an inconvenience,” and in some cases, a little
elbowing and shoulder bumping was required. Early on in Knoya, passing was
swift, and mostly relegated to the short hills, where I would pass up to 5
people in as little as 20 feet. I wasn’t too concerned since they were usually
going really slow as soon as they hit a hill. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Later on in Knoya, and for most of Government, I found that
I really had to say something if I wanted the pass to go smoothly, or provide a
gentle tap on an elbow. If all else failed, it was time to get pushy. It struck
me that, given the sometimes sketchy footing, it was safer for both of us to
facilitate a smooth pass, than fight for a narrow trail, but several times it
came down to the later. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Conversely, at Government, I had a handful runners come
charging up behind me. I could quite literally hear them approaching – their
heavy and increasingly loud breathing, their shoes drumming out a speedier
tempo than those around me. Essentially, the second I had a chance, I would
take a step to the side and wave them through. In a few instances, I got the
sense they were almost confused, before huffing out a thanks and carrying on.
It just struck me as obvious: it’s a 3,500 foot climb, if they’re going this
hard halfway in, what business do I have folding them back? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Anyway, like I said, it didn’t feel malevolent, it was just clear
passing etiquette is different here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The silence is deafening.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I think one of the oddest things, was how absurdly quiet these
races were. The start of a bike race is a notoriously loud and predictable
chorus. First there is the clicking in as cleats are locked into pedals; then the
ratcheting and clunking of shifting gears and clinking of winding chains; a
brief interlude of hissing freewheels, abruptly broken by the the wailing of
brake rotors as the paceline slows and files in as it hits the first single
track or downhill corner and everyone speed checks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Throughout the race there is pretty continuous mechanical clatter,
along with friendly jeering and cheering, whoops and hollers, directional “lefts”
“rights,” and the occasional crunching and vegetation thrashing of a crash or
pile up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In this case, people jogged through the woods in an endless
pace line, and the only noise was the collective sound of heavy breathing, and
of sneakers plodding over the damp spring earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The silence created a bit of an insanity in my head!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When I did say anything to anyone, it was always in a whisper,
like we were in a theater or something. So odd.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Stand up <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I noticed a lot of people hunched and bunched on the steeps.
It’s tempting to drop down and get low, but I found that the more upright I
could stay, the more power I could draw out of my lower back and glutes,
relieving stress and transferring load off my quads onto my core. Literally,
the more I tried to replicate a steep skin track, the more people I passed. Not
surprisingly, when the grade got so steep I had to tuck, I got myself into a
bike-like position to maintain glute and lower back engagement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Mall walker<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I tried to run as much as possible, but when a group or a
grade knocked me out of my jog and I had to walk, I swung my arms gently. It
felt dumb, but as carryover from skinning technique, it also engaged my lower
back, and I passed people. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Go for the ankles<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Something I noticed in Kals later in the race as I cleared
the endless conga lines and caught up with more racers going my pace, was that
I was hitting the bases of the climbs harder than those around me. Just like I
would on a bike or skis, I tried to carry momentum, whether it was actual, or
just physio-mechanical, into the base of every climb, and then allow my pace to
drift back down to a sustainable level as the climb continued. The result was
that I would make a lot of passes near the bottom of a climb, putting distance
into those behind me, and often closing gaps on those in front of me. At some
point, it occurred to me that I was attacking at the ankles of all these
climbs, something I can’t do on a bike since that’s where all my cohorts attack
too. On a bike, if I can attack, it’s usually near the top, or, in this
analogy, at the forehead, or even cresting the scalp. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Shoes<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I ran in a pair of $65 sneakers. These are same pair of
cheap “trail running” shoes I’ve been buying once a year and running in until
they blow up for at least a decade. They have enough tread for trails, and do quite
well on rock. When the squall hit during Knoya, the lower portion of the course
turned into a greasy mess. I was lucky I was above it and running through the
rocky alpine. There were a few places higher up on Government I was envious of
those with treadier shoes, but overall, they were fine. I’ve only owned one
pair of true trail running shoes in my life, and they disappointed me on all
fronts. If it had been muddy I would have needed something better, so I won’t
say never, but, I’m glad I didn’t rush out and buy an expensive pair of kicks.<o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-72703328082904635352017-04-26T22:31:00.001-08:002017-04-26T22:31:18.889-08:00The Slushy Slog of Spring
The smooth outer fabric of my puffy jacket embraces my
fingers as I lift it into the closet. It’s a familiar feeling and a routine,
repeated<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>countless Sunday evenings from
late fall to mid-Spring – if I’m lucky. I unpack the contents of my ski bag,
send wet layers for a whirl through the dryer, damp and dry ones back into the
closet, where they’ll hang, on standby, ready for next weekend. <o:p></o:p><br />
Instead, I’m probably hanging them up for the
season.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I hate this time of year.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
As my fingers release the jacket to a waiting hanger, I
know, that with each passing spring weekend, this could be the last time I
repeat this routine.<o:p></o:p><br />
The seasons are changing, the mountains are melting, summer
is coming.<o:p></o:p><br />
Eventually, maybe tonight, this will be the last time, for
many months. My shell, snow pants, and puffy, might hang here for months
before again, I’ll find myself filling up my pack.<o:p></o:p><br />
Already, I can see that future trip, to chase this first snows,
high above Crow Pass, Hatcher, or maybe even that dream-fulfilled of an epic
early season dump that puts us on slope right from the cars.<o:p></o:p><br />
Already, I long for that anticipation and anxiety that comes
with an early season snowpack, wondering, what the future holds.<o:p></o:p><br />
Already, I can seem the November sky, skinning through snow-covered
trees, disappearing under pillowy mushroom like formations, watching the
surrounding mountains fill in, and underlying vegetation disappear.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I don’t know why this shoulder season, winter to summer, hurts
so much. It doesn’t make sense, really. The days are getting longer and warmer,
the plants are coming back out from the rich-smelling earth, and the birds are
singing. <o:p></o:p><br />
The transition to winter is harsh. The darkness, the cold,
the stormy weather, they all conspire. Heck, there’s no guarantee winter will even
happen after all that torture. It could still feel like October in January; the
snowpack could harbor weak layers all season and fail to build; but summer, it
always shows up. Sure, it could be a wet and cool one, there might be more or
less rain, a fire, but one way or another, it’s coming. <o:p></o:p><br />
Shouldn’t I find solace in that?<o:p></o:p><br />
The blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the last
season. A few years ago, after a completely lackluster winter and overly hot
spring, I literally could not wait for summer to get in gear. <o:p></o:p><br />
After a great, cold, snowy winter like the one we just had
though, uninterrupted by intrusions from the warm season, it’s just hard to
look forward, without just wishing I could instead, fast-forward, to next winter.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUrqpbWBC-svZQWZMU65yUdBHxWVyjG8JBw3aNliS2dT6tc3awn3niFYGtUkOUbzQ0V0yuGr_3MnJakUMbYxsDG8ZMSiAvQJJ8878Vr75MjStYHlECwPIK8KxDfBtYM5YePT7zMg5HGbs/s1600/17952710_10100294365850393_7311190311785793240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUrqpbWBC-svZQWZMU65yUdBHxWVyjG8JBw3aNliS2dT6tc3awn3niFYGtUkOUbzQ0V0yuGr_3MnJakUMbYxsDG8ZMSiAvQJJ8878Vr75MjStYHlECwPIK8KxDfBtYM5YePT7zMg5HGbs/s320/17952710_10100294365850393_7311190311785793240_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter hides in the high, cold, shadows. Photo N.W.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-16695268421540923572017-04-23T12:11:00.000-08:002017-04-23T12:33:50.437-08:00Neacolas: Redeeming the ‘16-17 Season in 4 DaysThe short:<o:p></o:p><br />
We won the glacier lottery. Four days of crystal clear
skies, spectacular terrain, a great group, and good snow and stability. The
only thing that could have been better: more time, but you gotta take the wins
when they come!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrPIuQ5r9CYRvpy8xyZGA50E5n8DeMVRstJ39kYU32eooAzcGnep89FyxD6b5OV_XkFovbiLzEL5UXs8FF_gmLhBPbd6vZtpL0RMqBUiMlUxXpO53Ukgi28iyTELK_zUF9ExSTsDTnHNH/s1600/17904102_10154272210751682_3482959264594133955_MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrPIuQ5r9CYRvpy8xyZGA50E5n8DeMVRstJ39kYU32eooAzcGnep89FyxD6b5OV_XkFovbiLzEL5UXs8FF_gmLhBPbd6vZtpL0RMqBUiMlUxXpO53Ukgi28iyTELK_zUF9ExSTsDTnHNH/s320/17904102_10154272210751682_3482959264594133955_MN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZOOM! Our pilot circled back and buzzed us before leaving us. Photo: M.N.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The long:<o:p></o:p></div>
Phil asked earlier this winter if Meredith and I would be
interested in joining him and Natalie on ski trip in the Western Chugach. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There wasn’t much hesitation on my part: exploring a new
zone, and a first glacier camping experience for both Natalie and Meredith.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, the set up for this trip had some definite bumps.
One was the lack of snow, and excessive wind the mountains of Southcentral experienced
this year. What was already a cool and dry winter took a shot at the record
books for drought when the region failed to see a single measurable flake of
precip from Feb 27 to March 27. It looked like we might spend our trip looking
for warmed sunward slopes or hoping to find some sheltered chalk in the chasms.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then, on cue, the biggest, wettest storm of the season
rolled in and dumped for a little over a week. At mid-alpine elevations (2,000’
upward) the snow pack increased from 60” to 90” in Turnagain Pass in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a matter of days. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The snow that fell in that time likely packed more water
volume then all the previous storms this winter combined. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The avalanche cycle was massive, with sheets of snow ripping
out multiple layers, sometimes to ground. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In general, big spring storms are not a good thing, but, on
the flip side, the alpine snowpack this season lacked a single, stout bed
surface layer anywhere: it was just cold, wind effected, complicated, and dry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Amazingly, this storm saved our skiing bacon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next bump: the logistics of getting into the Western Chugach
became an issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the title of this post indicates, that’s not actually
where we skied.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Long story short, Phil made a last-minute call to Doug
Brewer of Alaska West Air in Nikiski to see if he could take us to the
Neacolas, and we were in luck, he was available.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Phil had been to the Neacolas a couple times before and
already had some ideas for spots. The range has been high on my list for a
while, and while it has been a dry year, I was more optimistic the snow pack
would be stable closer to the coast. The idea of pot-shoting in a completely new
zone with a potentially weird snow pack didn’t sit well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As one final, though minor set of bumps, despite generally
clear skies everywhere else, high clouds parked themselves over the west side
of Cook Inlet on our scheduled departure date. Oh, and my sinuses decided they
wanted to party with the latest cold virus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Doug called off the flight early Sunday afternoon as the
clouds continued to cling thickly to the glaciers, so we moved the trip back a
day. Fortunately, the weather looked good for the rest of the week, and I instead
got to spend the day hanging out in Soldotna and reconnecting with the
Peninsula Posse, a real bonus treat, having not seen many of them in a really
long time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hoped the extra day would also let me fight off the impending
cold, but that night, it decided to stop sniveling about, and go full throttle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Monday morning, the clouds were still lingering, and all the
pseudophed in the world didn’t seem like it could clear my sinuses or the high
stratus. We hung around Doug’s Lodge, discussed some possible landing spots
with him, and waited. My Nyquil hangover was thick, and all I really wanted to
do was curl back up in bed and sleep. Then at 2, Doug jumped, as the remote webcams
in Lake Clark Pass showed clearing blue skies. We headed to the back of the
hangar to load the waiting Beaver.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Despite some idea Phil had, Doug had two spots of his own in
mind, and offered to fly us over both and let us decide.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’d heard that not only was Doug a heck of a pilot, but that
he had a great eye for ski zones. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It doesn’t hurt to be familiar with your zones, but when we
explained to Doug the group’s abilities and motivations, you could practically
see the light bulb go off as he identified where we’d be happiest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I want to underscore this next part:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>He absolutely nailed it.<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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The first zone was at a glacial pass at the headwaters of
Blacksand Creek, the second was a bit further west. The westerly zone, though offering
bit more steep terrain, was notably drier, and the decision was unanimous to
set up at the head of Blacksand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A few hours later we had a comfy camp set up, including an
incredible kitchen/dining area dug out expertly by Phil, and a luxurious bathroom
excavated by Natalie.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A few hundred yards south of camp was a nice, mellow, 750+/-
slope that formed part of a 5,000 foot peak I called camp peak, since it
overlooked our camp site, and beckoned us to ski.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We headed up and enjoyed two leisurely evening laps overlooking
our new home!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG-ELOTrhCuPjhf8qsf1KIDRJqqPmzwUqRzq6JbmnVPiOjLNfu5RGI-j32A8aG-Uc288t_6kraBc3GGbJbq3f6ldHsFUpl5T_Z4SyCiTcFSx3zalKK_hRUDkAIqUNxqAaV78O9ruGaQv8/s1600/P1110872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG-ELOTrhCuPjhf8qsf1KIDRJqqPmzwUqRzq6JbmnVPiOjLNfu5RGI-j32A8aG-Uc288t_6kraBc3GGbJbq3f6ldHsFUpl5T_Z4SyCiTcFSx3zalKK_hRUDkAIqUNxqAaV78O9ruGaQv8/s320/P1110872.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Doug reved the engine of the piston Beaver, his skis had iced to the snow. He signaled me to grab the rope and start yarding on the wing... I didn't actually think that's what he wanted me to do, but sure enough, between the revving and leverage, the plane jumped free and off it went. Really made me wonder though, who was going to do this if the skis froze when he came to pick us up... cue visions of Dante hanging onto rope while flying across Cook Inlet</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxQ8lEc7FqBUqnicvBCM80cy8MUefjAPsSz0VV0geynrE7MNKGcBARyjB5_2DWR3YPAeMQOKFavpGIsNnzIcA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Doug is known for buzzing his clients after he drops them off.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlar7k23KgQLKHmLMHXkn8Dj05AGREbzHPdK66oCCqvDW2q492opdetW_-lDwtC2O6BEG61ijVsIWLFpkb_QydsSC4UMBKwR7A7Yhwcvp0ztAgCvjtlvP7GJCEZ0jkuubWWBbpPiNcInU/s1600/P1110881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlar7k23KgQLKHmLMHXkn8Dj05AGREbzHPdK66oCCqvDW2q492opdetW_-lDwtC2O6BEG61ijVsIWLFpkb_QydsSC4UMBKwR7A7Yhwcvp0ztAgCvjtlvP7GJCEZ0jkuubWWBbpPiNcInU/s320/P1110881.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phil designs the kitchen, complete with bench seating and white marble counter tops.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTHffuw3WuMhdLqdFC3-lljej0XaFjCaVf0EYsANT7NW_bhuSi5TVpHv4zkuQhkSrCBAcHw0MRvd1eShtHhN9TESwEqsk1ZbSwFZQwyzbRfDzwG1Aq5mCWG3Es_0B-jVPBS0Z29tXO0qO/s1600/P1110882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTHffuw3WuMhdLqdFC3-lljej0XaFjCaVf0EYsANT7NW_bhuSi5TVpHv4zkuQhkSrCBAcHw0MRvd1eShtHhN9TESwEqsk1ZbSwFZQwyzbRfDzwG1Aq5mCWG3Es_0B-jVPBS0Z29tXO0qO/s320/P1110882.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk-in closet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa3PyAiF54bxx4Jqxz40E4l5UAjQIqhfCQOODpmZWN9h4_S6j5lK3TkQF-qDe3gvOs18r6O6Y4dQoNnuNF-8J3rCUcuCR4q7UJXbU-bg5A_igeNeiC1_qPHALKsMAT9IPAQDWXg8L90vv/s1600/P1110886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa3PyAiF54bxx4Jqxz40E4l5UAjQIqhfCQOODpmZWN9h4_S6j5lK3TkQF-qDe3gvOs18r6O6Y4dQoNnuNF-8J3rCUcuCR4q7UJXbU-bg5A_igeNeiC1_qPHALKsMAT9IPAQDWXg8L90vv/s320/P1110886.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, let's go check this place out. Our first view of Blockade Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6gU4jfluuhjLyZkBCT5UlENOHcKwLbicSN3_U45ZTdMYmtM6YmUWUrT_a6EdOO7nzldDl_wOnqMmDdys8RSggdOk091zeCn3IEM_ZbgKRhi0NRe5DSd9TiQV4I7G1rgyqNAy0oVbBQiS/s1600/P1110887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6gU4jfluuhjLyZkBCT5UlENOHcKwLbicSN3_U45ZTdMYmtM6YmUWUrT_a6EdOO7nzldDl_wOnqMmDdys8RSggdOk091zeCn3IEM_ZbgKRhi0NRe5DSd9TiQV4I7G1rgyqNAy0oVbBQiS/s320/P1110887.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith takes the first run. Out camp is below, in the center of the plane's ski tracks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddVvcjFpMSKO05VrZTKD2PsdWWs0_vB6xpVuJMsEtrI-VswQ3ZxQ-AH9heciR_-U6RT22YuZ1r-KF43TJb-HPd0IOJOj7HYJ4mbrro9RBYIcqoDk2c3ljskefFO5k_gcm0jhYuM4YKMSO/s1600/17884633_1328087680601850_7241705151221713779_PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddVvcjFpMSKO05VrZTKD2PsdWWs0_vB6xpVuJMsEtrI-VswQ3ZxQ-AH9heciR_-U6RT22YuZ1r-KF43TJb-HPd0IOJOj7HYJ4mbrro9RBYIcqoDk2c3ljskefFO5k_gcm0jhYuM4YKMSO/s320/17884633_1328087680601850_7241705151221713779_PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at camp. We had a nice, mellow slope right next door. This is a nice amenity on trips like this to start feeling out snow conditions, and to have an easy access source of skiing if the weather looks questionable. Photo: PH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyhKU8BsCcGCsvqG2f0IEOD3hna81oZTdOji9DSd_LuhBs6VSNKLfaRlcHNBw4fYpUUHFudOyT5-QZ6XtjrOnc9Q7mpk1sMPmoahC-6vMG_RbB89fDpDeLsoWa8zlgYd890kCFH6B2Isf/s1600/P1110898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyhKU8BsCcGCsvqG2f0IEOD3hna81oZTdOji9DSd_LuhBs6VSNKLfaRlcHNBw4fYpUUHFudOyT5-QZ6XtjrOnc9Q7mpk1sMPmoahC-6vMG_RbB89fDpDeLsoWa8zlgYd890kCFH6B2Isf/s320/P1110898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith and Natalie were quite the colorful combo in their puffy camp wear.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset, 9:40</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKAUKZ845BdJnWNQXs1W1bEE7M2rnIsoZX9k5kJ0lviPzJhePwqdSnxhUjLTyReUgaBeS3oWEye0v5M6aPprJ0h4OoCrj87AoVbsnzZew0Y_zRyq3o_XD_iR362_cHnp1QPUs0cP396JL/s1600/P1110901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKAUKZ845BdJnWNQXs1W1bEE7M2rnIsoZX9k5kJ0lviPzJhePwqdSnxhUjLTyReUgaBeS3oWEye0v5M6aPprJ0h4OoCrj87AoVbsnzZew0Y_zRyq3o_XD_iR362_cHnp1QPUs0cP396JL/s320/P1110901.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywW1tipyJhjEMocUKfJtlTi1Q1B5jTRAgwFpSpWiP9HSPSXamZvjII7Q8nmV6wYoNp0Tuee-40sksZGwsXcfqFvk98gcKbOq3UkRafJ8HsbMJMK-9P0Gzk4p3ZtOcoyFN500hbAPD9N79/s1600/P1110902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywW1tipyJhjEMocUKfJtlTi1Q1B5jTRAgwFpSpWiP9HSPSXamZvjII7Q8nmV6wYoNp0Tuee-40sksZGwsXcfqFvk98gcKbOq3UkRafJ8HsbMJMK-9P0Gzk4p3ZtOcoyFN500hbAPD9N79/s320/P1110902.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not, this is the moon on a 15-second exposure! This is a little camera trickery, it wasn't really this bright, but certainly we could have gone for a moonlight ski with ease (well, except that sleep sounded a lot better!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonlight on camp, and the shoulder of the ridge to the north.</td></tr>
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The next morning, the high clouds had returned, but the sun
was already burning through them, and by the time we were breakfasted (dang,
did you know that’s a real word?), coffeed (that’s not a real word), and geared
up, they had rolled off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We headed down glacier toward Blacksand, and then cut right
to climb the 2000 foot easterly face of camp peak. The slope was largely glaciated.
We circed some chutes that would be fun on the descent up some glacial ramps,
navigating around an ice hole, to a bench about 1/3 up. The next 2/3 was steep
and broad, but we eked out the protection of a large rock ridge that blocked
the sun on the steeper face and kept the snow cool and dry, top to bottom. The
run was excellent, and the exit chutes were a great way to end the run. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Next up, we skied a bit further down glacier to a much
lower, Stegosaurus-looking, northerly-facing ridge, that sported 750 feet of steep,
super playful terrain, complete with pillows, drops, and 50-degree entrances. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We debated re-climbing our first skin track up camp peak and
wrapping around the summit cone to ski back to camp, but instead opted for
another lap on the Stegosaur ridge, before making the incline back up to camp
to finish off a perfect day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7mRQcBhFG23A9jTnID2EdmaKbCwn93bokxuAHpmuGW4noJbNfFVpWDYJZuMvlNgoQZ-c3MJI1QoZOd5hFPhTxM8TsZNqGGohxPiKziz4NX_L5_q8VKhtFUcOx6mWe6x5Wt4ppfTAlfdx/s1600/17884639_1328087883935163_189842877869545486_PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7mRQcBhFG23A9jTnID2EdmaKbCwn93bokxuAHpmuGW4noJbNfFVpWDYJZuMvlNgoQZ-c3MJI1QoZOd5hFPhTxM8TsZNqGGohxPiKziz4NX_L5_q8VKhtFUcOx6mWe6x5Wt4ppfTAlfdx/s320/17884639_1328087883935163_189842877869545486_PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up the easterly face of camp peak. Our camp is in the glacial saddle. Photo: PH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hi-MR9oEzgLHPRd6pGK-amlBiD4foYGk0ih1cGZijEPTOeEn0lQul-rycNbyQpDpUHlXA4f7-zZIMtT2Zu9cbFLksmLQuwKim1aaKEl_6KFR_uOWC-C8xgdxo7Ie-hxXJl7u7WBEk-jh/s1600/P1110919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hi-MR9oEzgLHPRd6pGK-amlBiD4foYGk0ih1cGZijEPTOeEn0lQul-rycNbyQpDpUHlXA4f7-zZIMtT2Zu9cbFLksmLQuwKim1aaKEl_6KFR_uOWC-C8xgdxo7Ie-hxXJl7u7WBEk-jh/s320/P1110919.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top, looking westward.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjwWDaMeIvNh1sp24uydndZGB-Ud66Wfu-g6oGAM9R93yLeRsdPIfBOoEUl9pRjzSNXZJfyYDveH6V-_4m8oT-SRMT2q6Pvc0cZkJc9_Y5L2NEAsnEU800bDkIV51EE6c6dOo6-isN_z5/s1600/P1110922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjwWDaMeIvNh1sp24uydndZGB-Ud66Wfu-g6oGAM9R93yLeRsdPIfBOoEUl9pRjzSNXZJfyYDveH6V-_4m8oT-SRMT2q6Pvc0cZkJc9_Y5L2NEAsnEU800bDkIV51EE6c6dOo6-isN_z5/s320/P1110922.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnxPoxHtFeMIA1YygGYwrETh0F3OLClbD2ISAxBAOhtM6stNBEyLKfdz47Bmc8RlaA-W8bffTLhbgeSu6q-r3MXWwAL9C6b-9orMZv23LgPxVP6H_mTGX-PNLIuL6dbiH2nyuls3gQhLh/s1600/P1110927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnxPoxHtFeMIA1YygGYwrETh0F3OLClbD2ISAxBAOhtM6stNBEyLKfdz47Bmc8RlaA-W8bffTLhbgeSu6q-r3MXWwAL9C6b-9orMZv23LgPxVP6H_mTGX-PNLIuL6dbiH2nyuls3gQhLh/s320/P1110927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many mountains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUtniiEeutsRfcgB1YdLXapM_DdsTDFiQccSptf8sPCEX9cmaDGqY4OfI4T5eM9hz2ICe1rVrz3Dl8z7tza-1R3hEJn-4R2zul7f0kBxW_C8KNWhziWo0CH62w43t-gD4_vWLRnXyV9zT/s1600/17880351_10154272231626682_242799399776025252_mn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUtniiEeutsRfcgB1YdLXapM_DdsTDFiQccSptf8sPCEX9cmaDGqY4OfI4T5eM9hz2ICe1rVrz3Dl8z7tza-1R3hEJn-4R2zul7f0kBxW_C8KNWhziWo0CH62w43t-gD4_vWLRnXyV9zT/s320/17880351_10154272231626682_242799399776025252_mn.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: MN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QKDWr3Gp3_AHZXxH9QaA-SkSRJ4iqSkni3fpzLJ45IPlu0xbKU8W1VvaMdybI9j5QhWtPOuCi2LRvklJopalSBQ1F5EX0AP_5KRTeXP3WcTIasdK1lU1qAOaKIdY4KLfbmT_MY9a-o_X/s1600/P1110930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QKDWr3Gp3_AHZXxH9QaA-SkSRJ4iqSkni3fpzLJ45IPlu0xbKU8W1VvaMdybI9j5QhWtPOuCi2LRvklJopalSBQ1F5EX0AP_5KRTeXP3WcTIasdK1lU1qAOaKIdY4KLfbmT_MY9a-o_X/s320/P1110930.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Re-grouped on a ridge, Blacksand Creek below us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBZq6AS-qDG0dTB_shFx5Bs2rdqSbJ9IPYYwNfH3Uyso9nProQHV-6hEiMjs1Pv1drHWR4NqmcF5fRZwMcLVAEnoEDyoydExanrCTO7mGPckZgCaxGUNVLOfIRtw620czfF3l9qOylMl0/s1600/P1120061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBZq6AS-qDG0dTB_shFx5Bs2rdqSbJ9IPYYwNfH3Uyso9nProQHV-6hEiMjs1Pv1drHWR4NqmcF5fRZwMcLVAEnoEDyoydExanrCTO7mGPckZgCaxGUNVLOfIRtw620czfF3l9qOylMl0/s320/P1120061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the upper 2/3 of the easterly face taken on the flight out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnBKE0wZZMFi3wwarE2n1XSTWUPb5KTYkTUa9hraj2ZtajivGZlQ2aAGT-xnvohPK1qlw66jgcQQJRmWIfWPEMyq85sKx-bjZulkKiA0EvMOE5SBPRvDD7ZjYQ83TyoOst12w3RrRrpZY/s1600/17903848_10154272230596682_616862388165101654_MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnBKE0wZZMFi3wwarE2n1XSTWUPb5KTYkTUa9hraj2ZtajivGZlQ2aAGT-xnvohPK1qlw66jgcQQJRmWIfWPEMyq85sKx-bjZulkKiA0EvMOE5SBPRvDD7ZjYQ83TyoOst12w3RrRrpZY/s320/17903848_10154272230596682_616862388165101654_MN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped for lunch, next stop: the Stegosaur ridge in front of us. Photo: MN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrX6A22Ldd5kZy5JKTyq1opF65Lc6cnkbgyK38m6k0q82bfMKwOsYPHv8jyBloRE8cSgKsvnR1yAriusGn53sGExCgGvmKmNJpv07U9lcOiosIV899ElFYL3SHl9drSTkukQOuWfmENJx/s1600/17884688_10154272231311682_8333499557773127102_MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrX6A22Ldd5kZy5JKTyq1opF65Lc6cnkbgyK38m6k0q82bfMKwOsYPHv8jyBloRE8cSgKsvnR1yAriusGn53sGExCgGvmKmNJpv07U9lcOiosIV899ElFYL3SHl9drSTkukQOuWfmENJx/s320/17884688_10154272231311682_8333499557773127102_MN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping in. While the stego runs were a bit shorter, they were steep and playful. Photo: MN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sN9bkZASPAFI4avce3R1nohsrljexLzs-U7quySxPtECCiP36h0gB4_uT1emKNx-9C5YJ_EjaExNmE9jevNB2Wltm4sUkL0eeHlI9JT1o4OWNhBXxJk1XiOnCQfmaS3YLB61nXQGWgEr/s1600/P1110939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sN9bkZASPAFI4avce3R1nohsrljexLzs-U7quySxPtECCiP36h0gB4_uT1emKNx-9C5YJ_EjaExNmE9jevNB2Wltm4sUkL0eeHlI9JT1o4OWNhBXxJk1XiOnCQfmaS3YLB61nXQGWgEr/s320/P1110939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCWTGDScCF5xjr3osqlKKl4CrBoEBBwjQf_suDv-_Adkm8I3mKtQnHZGP5s7qml00LBQTAKESW3jf6_R4WJ80sJJfxIRxk9pAm0wOqGxsqHv5CIGW2dBXYI9DFoOjmrfb_TkNPdUjKI2I/s1600/P1120059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCWTGDScCF5xjr3osqlKKl4CrBoEBBwjQf_suDv-_Adkm8I3mKtQnHZGP5s7qml00LBQTAKESW3jf6_R4WJ80sJJfxIRxk9pAm0wOqGxsqHv5CIGW2dBXYI9DFoOjmrfb_TkNPdUjKI2I/s320/P1120059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial of the Stego on the flight out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVGRDbNM5-vtFwdtUFXQv8loScXRA3GHBsNdYKGjjJnyjgwl_reRI98l6ngjtaxvmIGp23KZGe91HihhXcUUUbNq2m8oRTxAxg1_Spr7YRBFnCndTGolZAoOL5aSg_-UmVKDuzCvSNk4M/s1600/17883991_10154272232446682_8600173201869857982_MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVGRDbNM5-vtFwdtUFXQv8loScXRA3GHBsNdYKGjjJnyjgwl_reRI98l6ngjtaxvmIGp23KZGe91HihhXcUUUbNq2m8oRTxAxg1_Spr7YRBFnCndTGolZAoOL5aSg_-UmVKDuzCvSNk4M/s320/17883991_10154272232446682_8600173201869857982_MN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie brought coloring activities for the evening. Photo: MN</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CPJUxCXi3ZVx9LvFfzs_0F9gp7JWk5wlAcmr0BNhCVVnDEHaV9ExIwAmPxaNeB1KARm-rfpVBXxBXO8L6ulA1ihLjBm4K8GSCLCsPhMGVC0jU9bNe56w1EMGfz7pvDOOaT0Kaw_rI1aX/s1600/17884452_10154272231126682_6569376058116562959_MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CPJUxCXi3ZVx9LvFfzs_0F9gp7JWk5wlAcmr0BNhCVVnDEHaV9ExIwAmPxaNeB1KARm-rfpVBXxBXO8L6ulA1ihLjBm4K8GSCLCsPhMGVC0jU9bNe56w1EMGfz7pvDOOaT0Kaw_rI1aX/s320/17884452_10154272231126682_6569376058116562959_MN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Throwing gang signs, repping the blockage side of the Neacolas...</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Day 3 dawned clear and a little nippy thanks to clear skies
overnight. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We headed to the gradual ridge north of the camp, and
climbed for about an hour or so on firm crust until we were set up atop a 2,000
foot glacial gully leading north. There was some hesitation, as the gully rolled
over mid-way, and it wasn’t clear if it went, or if it was an ice cliff mid-way,
but we were stoked to find it went clean to Blockade Lake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We rode out toward this glacial/geologic absurdity until we
reached the mouth a second valley.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Skins back on, we climbed a moraine into new territory. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The siren call of steep, north facing lines, cut out from
the stout granite above, beckoned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I found myself pleading between breaths that we would find a
majestic line carved free and clear through the stone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Two options immediately met the eye: One slanted into the
rock with a deep inset, and appeared to got so steep at the top it looked more
like a waterfall at the top out (it probably went just fine); a second more
straightforward line dumped out right next to an ice cliff, but looked manageable
otherwise. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We were worried there might be a people eater crevice at the
base of the apron, but as we lifted a bit above the deteriorating glacier, it
became apparent we were in luck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The apron was a chore, sun-effected, and still crunchy. Phil
and I conferred as we pushed the skinner toward the entrance: If conditions
didn’t improve once we got into the hallway, this would be a no-go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We staged up under the line and began the boot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Meredith took the first crack, and churned like a rototiller
up to her waist in settled piles of slough as we left the apron and entered the
hallway. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A little poking around on the old slough deposits revealed a
buried density change underfoot that provided perfect support for boots. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We tapped this sometimes meandering buried vein of firm snow
like miners chasing the paystreak for several hundred vertical feet upward until
we hit the source, a trough about a foot deep and maybe 18 inches wide where
the slough had been running a light but continuous train from above. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The channel was firm, just perfect for toeing in. Just
outside the channel, the snow was soft and unaffected, with only a very faint
crust over it that became ever the more faint as we climbed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We’d left the Verts at camp, a gamble that rarely pays off,
but this time, we were in luck: this line had a narrow, naturally preset booter
the entire way with tons of good snow on either side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As Phil said: “If couloir skiing was always this easy,
everyone would do it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We all went through several rotations, and 1,500 feet later,
we were topped out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
To our surprise, we didn’t have to cram onto the knife edge
ridge we all expected to find, but instead found an expansive glacier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Yup, we could have gone for a couple mile skin from camp and
cruised right into the top of this line!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Oh well, in country like this, I’d rather know what’s below
before diving in. There are plenty of lines that don’t go out here, especially
in a year like the one we’ve had.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As for the descent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Common, it was awesome. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I got to go first, and ran it out to the apron. The line
kicked out a ton of slough, but was so wide I rode high above for the majority,
other than a quick crossing near the bottom as the slope changed aspect, to tap
into a lower pocket of soft snow. Meredith, Natalie, and Phil followed suit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Down on the apron, the afternoon sun had warmed the previously
breakable crust back into 2-inches of corn, and we were rewarded with a few
more warm wiggles back out to the upper glacier, and then a long pillow-studded
moraine cruise back to the lake. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The long skin home took a while, and we had to ski a short,
400 foot sun-soaked southerly slope that expectantly wet slabbed beneath about
midway, providing an unnerving few seconds of straight lining to the safety of
the flats below. After that, it was smooth skinning back to camp.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was hard to think about having to fly back home already! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkQ_Hnh5xrqHDqzR2_R8uWu05lrhACmS964zpaZdird_d8b1O5qX104cWwrFMtT30c-G4YbNfvHLPbuVYZiHLbFvB7VdIyBdYGKYTB8p9UL3OjXLQy-pZx7xdV65TwyrfWvvnviFRk0Hx/s1600/P1110984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkQ_Hnh5xrqHDqzR2_R8uWu05lrhACmS964zpaZdird_d8b1O5qX104cWwrFMtT30c-G4YbNfvHLPbuVYZiHLbFvB7VdIyBdYGKYTB8p9UL3OjXLQy-pZx7xdV65TwyrfWvvnviFRk0Hx/s320/P1110984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up the ridge line, camp in the foreground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRgyJ6GBDztYNj1FJfT9yQ9v3PdbhSBW23c60RYap6coXYIA-wFRaxC4WMX5p49gpihkX_fw13MA676BYHbIQBsrwqJTILMnqxWQDpTvWUuzRNwhunYtF2dSDbh8f1RCKfxVTLRxdiZ_6/s1600/17861584_10154272232221682_4018554328242531344_MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRgyJ6GBDztYNj1FJfT9yQ9v3PdbhSBW23c60RYap6coXYIA-wFRaxC4WMX5p49gpihkX_fw13MA676BYHbIQBsrwqJTILMnqxWQDpTvWUuzRNwhunYtF2dSDbh8f1RCKfxVTLRxdiZ_6/s320/17861584_10154272232221682_4018554328242531344_MN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite pics of the trip. Is there anything better than climbing a mountain in the morning, working up the ridgeline, constantly getting new views and glimpses of possible runs, and distant mountain vistas? Photo: M.N.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8v_VWJo6JyFS9QvJlTAMPwdx3cKKoqxY7jtLBEBSWcim5HEhJWHChIpI5yAz4bylmyJ2CTzzVgVjxObjvC-1wJUTm-racZYAgQo5O7Hao3kiXbpqH1kHj4uQashABbJZ1xktb7IYMluuJ/s1600/17951745_1328088097268475_9057093496504884615_PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8v_VWJo6JyFS9QvJlTAMPwdx3cKKoqxY7jtLBEBSWcim5HEhJWHChIpI5yAz4bylmyJ2CTzzVgVjxObjvC-1wJUTm-racZYAgQo5O7Hao3kiXbpqH1kHj4uQashABbJZ1xktb7IYMluuJ/s320/17951745_1328088097268475_9057093496504884615_PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another fave. Meredith drops into the second half of the 2,000 foot glacial gully that lead us down to Blockade Lake. Photo: PH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgXaHZ0VFH4ZDIpWjAnhtXHz05uQxVncJCE4yz_jWp9e9e3-JP2VbuWZb292Ajkm1dMkwhR-p4WtrbuIAJKMoqF2JMhAcVfUXh1u6qQ3yg6-X4UWANgTZjGf8aRJnpH9GtTMvLMaoiz5Z/s1600/17904314_10154272231356682_8774254855562608269_MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgXaHZ0VFH4ZDIpWjAnhtXHz05uQxVncJCE4yz_jWp9e9e3-JP2VbuWZb292Ajkm1dMkwhR-p4WtrbuIAJKMoqF2JMhAcVfUXh1u6qQ3yg6-X4UWANgTZjGf8aRJnpH9GtTMvLMaoiz5Z/s320/17904314_10154272231356682_8774254855562608269_MN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent run. Photo: MN </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtO_b7kpMhDIZa9fygH4c4_8HYS4PxQn4TiApqQ_VCEj0bt-Pf9eHDCl4lh1taF0UUeKsPEOgWtibnWk7_a-lgfkHdYfaWRuPnqH71uSsv1GKL-5OcRbRC_RdeIfK5yjoBwLoCObOnERlQ/s1600/P1110990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtO_b7kpMhDIZa9fygH4c4_8HYS4PxQn4TiApqQ_VCEj0bt-Pf9eHDCl4lh1taF0UUeKsPEOgWtibnWk7_a-lgfkHdYfaWRuPnqH71uSsv1GKL-5OcRbRC_RdeIfK5yjoBwLoCObOnERlQ/s320/P1110990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regrouped on "the beach" near the shore of Blockade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNaJHvZTmO5biFWk-oF13UPeL7L01SQ9iRV0mgREHZrbD7QK3m6wVbJXU78VVTJeLsx8ii-D9MJBvjMeH44hsZH8XWfReiKmElDoNaJ5DTCD-MQ9dWJncpRL5KgnRJBiUSG2zM-VFsNEX/s1600/P1110995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNaJHvZTmO5biFWk-oF13UPeL7L01SQ9iRV0mgREHZrbD7QK3m6wVbJXU78VVTJeLsx8ii-D9MJBvjMeH44hsZH8XWfReiKmElDoNaJ5DTCD-MQ9dWJncpRL5KgnRJBiUSG2zM-VFsNEX/s320/P1110995.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing the moraine into the next valley over. Huge avalanches tumbled down the massive cliffs over Blockade. Their roar was loud enough even from so far away it sounded like a jet taking off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ifdFKGtis8fBrml6kPWRbfFXASz3Yh8KvCaMzWroSVBbf-nr7b7tyFkKS_qom1q-9KA0B5gpgGuSKN73D168PVf3mC5LMvvzZo44ZfGb_2Ow0KtCq6OsCMY6ngQLzTGygzxIsQmlnj9D/s1600/P1110996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ifdFKGtis8fBrml6kPWRbfFXASz3Yh8KvCaMzWroSVBbf-nr7b7tyFkKS_qom1q-9KA0B5gpgGuSKN73D168PVf3mC5LMvvzZo44ZfGb_2Ow0KtCq6OsCMY6ngQLzTGygzxIsQmlnj9D/s320/P1110996.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After only being able to see the tops of these lines for the previous 10 minutes, it felt like Christmas morning to finally see what lay ahead. Still, there was concern, even from here, that a field of crevasses might guard the entry ways. No such problems though. We chose to ski the first line left of the triangle peak in the center. The inset line to the far right might have been a great objective with another day, and the lines to the far left could have been OK, but also had evidence of more sun effect and resultant sloughing and bombing. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUcZN_hFETtS_G601O1Fg-L2-bqahaB7_tZx5xQUXU5iPS92QgJ3NCz3wc_WJiovEUlXevlc-YjxAt41u6D4u1bJ1VId7sgkC6Drxul8N9zdQHx8fs4PsOdGXmAd_vbJSYJq2KF6ilb2I/s1600/17951499_10154272231441682_8856699146253170980_MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUcZN_hFETtS_G601O1Fg-L2-bqahaB7_tZx5xQUXU5iPS92QgJ3NCz3wc_WJiovEUlXevlc-YjxAt41u6D4u1bJ1VId7sgkC6Drxul8N9zdQHx8fs4PsOdGXmAd_vbJSYJq2KF6ilb2I/s320/17951499_10154272231441682_8856699146253170980_MN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sizable ice-cliff stood guard to the side of our chosen line, but was no issue. Photo: M.N.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFJgofuXDmO_gd6gJSAxHDlMTrN2WbBXRqwuP5XQESLCUAri2F5fi3CVcN7S2aKrQX2-YfkcD8JtAgiuDbMUzOMcOGEBb58SDsf2jTImkJm3c7CxkDupRxe9-noN7hcguUoPru061Coih/s1600/P1110998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFJgofuXDmO_gd6gJSAxHDlMTrN2WbBXRqwuP5XQESLCUAri2F5fi3CVcN7S2aKrQX2-YfkcD8JtAgiuDbMUzOMcOGEBb58SDsf2jTImkJm3c7CxkDupRxe9-noN7hcguUoPru061Coih/s320/P1110998.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to head up. From afar, I guessed the line to be around 750 vertical feet. I was off by half, the line stretched a good 1500 feet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLfRrOX8DouwcchaYmXiMpQX9zhv9rpeWcNjYu5WQhYa4Q3FaMlnJ2IUnZj7W9dDdcIAl29MPstc_P9zV95E0sCJbIyEqOIk2VQ_ixQEEOiaLYG_EFOWNxgfkX7BidwQCjEHWbgF7Vknt/s1600/17834166_10154272230861682_911337570266350730_MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLfRrOX8DouwcchaYmXiMpQX9zhv9rpeWcNjYu5WQhYa4Q3FaMlnJ2IUnZj7W9dDdcIAl29MPstc_P9zV95E0sCJbIyEqOIk2VQ_ixQEEOiaLYG_EFOWNxgfkX7BidwQCjEHWbgF7Vknt/s320/17834166_10154272230861682_911337570266350730_MN.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo MN</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwaBE3mC0bpqW4TlxpGVj6kqQizYYXs17uI4WfH4i0yKM5LNv3-RYsNbrQjmINnkjCi1xY6j5rNg8tcbueKvvx6Tr0A1fpyA9G5gNmbQDZ4FujFUgHYfzWSC7S6dOEnbvLARyJH1EQEU_/s1600/P1120007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwaBE3mC0bpqW4TlxpGVj6kqQizYYXs17uI4WfH4i0yKM5LNv3-RYsNbrQjmINnkjCi1xY6j5rNg8tcbueKvvx6Tr0A1fpyA9G5gNmbQDZ4FujFUgHYfzWSC7S6dOEnbvLARyJH1EQEU_/s320/P1120007.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top, looking back down.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhdiFO3qtEsJSedK_aybrPB4JXzRLP_S8QnebFxVns6PSYpMT0XiJ0VP-uA6EEeZXYVRbiB-EcPwse2srVJNHXvm3EGUCwSy_c1okb_Vzu2LssZZ2qgG2kmwk2bF8ij86MAsrMUloyXAF/s1600/P1120025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhdiFO3qtEsJSedK_aybrPB4JXzRLP_S8QnebFxVns6PSYpMT0XiJ0VP-uA6EEeZXYVRbiB-EcPwse2srVJNHXvm3EGUCwSy_c1okb_Vzu2LssZZ2qgG2kmwk2bF8ij86MAsrMUloyXAF/s320/P1120025.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie, Phil, and Meredith are still on the apron for scale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dE7VUAkddM2cqGMvBWuJBBifHUSZkMKBlkq5iqscy-HCw3_egkoOqLwe7mJ1xLwBphcXVE2Jye3tQ0mzNimG9_2ogn-JYfY5oGET7ZAKcP9E1GoSz9qXz8nEYyLRAKeU1QYI0kM-0exS/s1600/P1120067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dE7VUAkddM2cqGMvBWuJBBifHUSZkMKBlkq5iqscy-HCw3_egkoOqLwe7mJ1xLwBphcXVE2Jye3tQ0mzNimG9_2ogn-JYfY5oGET7ZAKcP9E1GoSz9qXz8nEYyLRAKeU1QYI0kM-0exS/s320/P1120067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ariel of the lines on the fly out. We skied the first line left of the peak. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjVqpjRxW1UFNtjo8_fLEtZEai5DEZ53hjvaZeRHSUcOMd1md4aXk6AvEqKwct51xYR2RBjX6uDUTN_-AGyfRc4K5UI6mzGqle_EkspDKMnCtqJe2SlSpxLx8EsS66Y8snJtYwzrnATy8/s1600/P1120034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjVqpjRxW1UFNtjo8_fLEtZEai5DEZ53hjvaZeRHSUcOMd1md4aXk6AvEqKwct51xYR2RBjX6uDUTN_-AGyfRc4K5UI6mzGqle_EkspDKMnCtqJe2SlSpxLx8EsS66Y8snJtYwzrnATy8/s320/P1120034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiqCsoRpjvMNXg64ddXB9KkJ25e-iqYCbv0x22zu2TC8KkzidBC8zqihlu4cYpe4qsASidsvr_ky2K39uJLVSzqVSyohvcOlTzgiIg4Ulxajlw-VNl51qZHILbcdKBUPkYYYVPiF3HHhX/s1600/17903675_10154272230556682_7298199659454299574_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiqCsoRpjvMNXg64ddXB9KkJ25e-iqYCbv0x22zu2TC8KkzidBC8zqihlu4cYpe4qsASidsvr_ky2K39uJLVSzqVSyohvcOlTzgiIg4Ulxajlw-VNl51qZHILbcdKBUPkYYYVPiF3HHhX/s320/17903675_10154272230556682_7298199659454299574_n.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: PH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3bukZTKQxPg1S73EtP5o0U7M7jzbaFt9lmFFyXlV6JbBDYX4DXJiEL3OHcOHQqHHXOnPnjppumVy6vzR54AUpjsGhZZKcc6Ggf962RODNSv5mCTdm0SRqr5d5SKZ3uFyxG_5krGwrUgf/s1600/17903406_1328088043935147_1095718701330665325_PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3bukZTKQxPg1S73EtP5o0U7M7jzbaFt9lmFFyXlV6JbBDYX4DXJiEL3OHcOHQqHHXOnPnjppumVy6vzR54AUpjsGhZZKcc6Ggf962RODNSv5mCTdm0SRqr5d5SKZ3uFyxG_5krGwrUgf/s320/17903406_1328088043935147_1095718701330665325_PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith: head Meercat, keeps watch over camp for eagles and snakes while nibbling bacon. Photo PH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6FfeNK7JUxSbD8PcWmGKUP4QD3RMieYS0MGBMofuaY1YheUxdYPVoYbM6jHkdU838Mm75mXCSdEz8mdHnxcyeJ1er7Udt06GllSq0yPA50H7uJE_pRbC6y4KEhGz3e4PSp4MrXI16-p1/s1600/P1120042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6FfeNK7JUxSbD8PcWmGKUP4QD3RMieYS0MGBMofuaY1YheUxdYPVoYbM6jHkdU838Mm75mXCSdEz8mdHnxcyeJ1er7Udt06GllSq0yPA50H7uJE_pRbC6y4KEhGz3e4PSp4MrXI16-p1/s320/P1120042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group sunset photo, masks of course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbFm-GcQZLI-jCpx2-kgS7xu4ZfMWlWmGA3GwSnYwOIFwSq9DcRcg3xZA2lRb1Yd2Yi7tb0qBqDGO5dZkATWBZ1ZcSDawzkad4g1VFrTbBoZBjvQ6z9m37RIMeUXiYDF8JTIjOFUmK9M9/s1600/P1120046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbFm-GcQZLI-jCpx2-kgS7xu4ZfMWlWmGA3GwSnYwOIFwSq9DcRcg3xZA2lRb1Yd2Yi7tb0qBqDGO5dZkATWBZ1ZcSDawzkad4g1VFrTbBoZBjvQ6z9m37RIMeUXiYDF8JTIjOFUmK9M9/s320/P1120046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVskVLyc3UCc-DtDynTrj2MLCdFr_XQHrRlwhKVLMAPGkw1H0ERfjJvtAHi66wjMAWZvBMR98hVhGOjmzZS3uHMNxUQUU2fYGqJb1RaDqY2U2DOL7o_qCDisBlci0OMFOEWqy3TH6QiqSC/s1600/P1120047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVskVLyc3UCc-DtDynTrj2MLCdFr_XQHrRlwhKVLMAPGkw1H0ERfjJvtAHi66wjMAWZvBMR98hVhGOjmzZS3uHMNxUQUU2fYGqJb1RaDqY2U2DOL7o_qCDisBlci0OMFOEWqy3TH6QiqSC/s320/P1120047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We enjoyed our last evening at camp though, and counted our
blessings. Only a few years ago some mutual friends had been camped in this
exact spot and been nuked on with 10 feet of snow, spending much of their trip
digging round the clock. These trips can go sideways a lot of different ways,
and the last few days were just a gift. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I can’t wait to go back.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A big thanks to Phil for doing the pre-leg work of making
this trip happen. Trip planning is a tough gig, doing so from 1500 miles away
even more so! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hoCJQ3m2Omb6gsSizU9UV0pud6vvg7PbgBh0cV7K6IjZ09wZ-MWK3zFnoaCHOAzc-vTiCLRsTxbNoYFILD5TwaKOQ39Ec4_09AI50afoihalY2YF44hfLr69dy7j6SM6lf1I4fhVA95i/s1600/P1120063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hoCJQ3m2Omb6gsSizU9UV0pud6vvg7PbgBh0cV7K6IjZ09wZ-MWK3zFnoaCHOAzc-vTiCLRsTxbNoYFILD5TwaKOQ39Ec4_09AI50afoihalY2YF44hfLr69dy7j6SM6lf1I4fhVA95i/s320/P1120063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO4BD8vuGcmZvLY_x_iGIM1hTWxByZn8_KdWzlbjYviBlaHxaFMsOjPul8yt7eYAjthgQUYdyxT8cQiTzTZntfBy31sov7QDM2slMNDlv5sxPhUuuRlVboF-Do6mQ4O1fB_CZjJjhxdKa/s1600/P1120066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO4BD8vuGcmZvLY_x_iGIM1hTWxByZn8_KdWzlbjYviBlaHxaFMsOjPul8yt7eYAjthgQUYdyxT8cQiTzTZntfBy31sov7QDM2slMNDlv5sxPhUuuRlVboF-Do6mQ4O1fB_CZjJjhxdKa/s320/P1120066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice view of Blockade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugu6N4ZBS5ATbzb0GywozbH6Ynd2hiW6wQ88xiLi5z4Zi0bgmQggw9ESvJQ4MN0CKbIxfsOPtSZ4nn5CsQvLyGT47r3S6C_n6DYGmyb2-LeRd1fmo-0MLtZWg-jYvYXeXhYaOuOjmC3NS/s1600/P1120068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugu6N4ZBS5ATbzb0GywozbH6Ynd2hiW6wQ88xiLi5z4Zi0bgmQggw9ESvJQ4MN0CKbIxfsOPtSZ4nn5CsQvLyGT47r3S6C_n6DYGmyb2-LeRd1fmo-0MLtZWg-jYvYXeXhYaOuOjmC3NS/s320/P1120068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty more skiing in the neighborhood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2zNEWNlsuBJ3SMPGlBv3kKjkSANOFO7bjsi6yWOCVa0TmmkpY6r-dqDZAsCA8x9mh-JwBsx3awn3iJB8VLFDtAAvD84EMEs0PygCPFkIi3SW_m4r3Twpd5RVaE6BtWQtHDWKRvAgrcv1/s1600/P1120071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2zNEWNlsuBJ3SMPGlBv3kKjkSANOFO7bjsi6yWOCVa0TmmkpY6r-dqDZAsCA8x9mh-JwBsx3awn3iJB8VLFDtAAvD84EMEs0PygCPFkIi3SW_m4r3Twpd5RVaE6BtWQtHDWKRvAgrcv1/s320/P1120071.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These 3,000 foot southerly-facing lines tower over the upper basin of the MacArthur Glacier. There are plenty of better options for spring trips, but it's hard not to see lines like this and dream up an escapade of flying in through a window of clear skies during some future snowy February. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwg6T453v7y4-cFjk-UffEFmVdVrL3bSuNP8As7i00fQBekHHhd8TP4xAPqqQ6i1PTwC5tllyC2ySrw_ZbZ_X-XCbt48Z7KesgnknFNWJuGNnBh6c9fHhR02zInsb73RGCNHEYXVb_lBl/s1600/P1120073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwg6T453v7y4-cFjk-UffEFmVdVrL3bSuNP8As7i00fQBekHHhd8TP4xAPqqQ6i1PTwC5tllyC2ySrw_ZbZ_X-XCbt48Z7KesgnknFNWJuGNnBh6c9fHhR02zInsb73RGCNHEYXVb_lBl/s320/P1120073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrERKBzg9yKM2rGe-gKJTM3oKFZXN78srwQ3G5Bc6ORGt8if5poB5KHytTuzzVZNgmwuH7yobNkrB8oXEyjLPuBOmGXYxPS6GBXmLtEVXNKlcbWrhH_sHcXBirJK51sRNhoElf8vgGiM_X/s1600/P1120080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrERKBzg9yKM2rGe-gKJTM3oKFZXN78srwQ3G5Bc6ORGt8if5poB5KHytTuzzVZNgmwuH7yobNkrB8oXEyjLPuBOmGXYxPS6GBXmLtEVXNKlcbWrhH_sHcXBirJK51sRNhoElf8vgGiM_X/s320/P1120080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn42VfEdvjjYn9t_Bnbi3zLMCRrIpsQ0aSwF4un5o4seZcbgpowozhoQ3cJB__5ZkVo5sH8bXV3XcwypPwQgP8wu-FDb8TYI-ph3aZIr1jSK6sTEk1BQz-qp1-EdbGNrXgSI9WDFS1sO_8/s1600/P1120054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn42VfEdvjjYn9t_Bnbi3zLMCRrIpsQ0aSwF4un5o4seZcbgpowozhoQ3cJB__5ZkVo5sH8bXV3XcwypPwQgP8wu-FDb8TYI-ph3aZIr1jSK6sTEk1BQz-qp1-EdbGNrXgSI9WDFS1sO_8/s320/P1120054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Some things about this trip I really liked, wanted to write down for the future.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A smaller group: 4 people was perfect. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Having a wide diversity of terrain to chose from: I’d rather
spend a couple days in a place with multiple options (at least one nearby mellow run, and a few different aspects and pitches),
to account for weather, ski abilities, motivation, and most importantly,
stability. I'd rather ski, even if the lines aren't the biggest in the zone, or even in the top 10, then spend the trip looking at lines that aren't in, pose too much objective hazard, or are out of pay grade.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
WAG bags: You win Phil, they make for a tidy, less odoriferous
camp.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Light is right: big group tents are nice, and had we been
stormed on, light weight personal tents and the Mega Mid cook tent might have
been uncomfortable and un-usable, but I’ll take that trade off, especially given some points below.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Mountain House: Pick your brand, but fast food equals faster
nutrition and less wasted time and water. Pre-made, hearty meals are a luxury,
but they take up more time and fuel. Get everyone fed, get to sleep, get fed
again, and get back on the skin track.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Flexibility. First, is time. Take the whole week off, or better yet, just
schedule 2 weeks with no critical meetings or deadlines; let your colleagues know you will be
gone for 4-7 days in that time frame, and deal with Momma nature and her mood swings. Forecasting here is difficult, but I would probably err on the side of caution before flying into a coastal mountain range if I saw a sizable low pressure system careening toward AK. Better to be stuck in the office then stuck in a collapsing tent, in my opinion. Try again next week.<br />
Second: range and zone. Barring a specific mission or objective, be flexible on your range. Feel out availability with air charters mid-winter,
watch the snowpacks, use your sources and your own knowledge to figure out how winter is stacking up, or not. In the weeks in advance, start to dial, and be ready to move to a plan B, or C. The quality of this trip was dictated by a storm that
had hardly wrapped up a few days prior. Most times, this won’t be the case, or if it is, it will work the other way around, like, last year, where an absurdly
warm storm nuked the snowpack to 6,000 feet. We got lucky this time, otherwise we could have been dealing with an aged and wind hammered snowpack, or worse yet, super touchy avalanche conditions. I’d say in
general, you can get a feel for most the ranges by late February, and should have alternative plans lined out with the group ahead of time if a last minute weather event changes the game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
Trust the pilot: I can’t stress enough, Brewer matched us to the terrain
perfectly, and I’ve heard plenty of similar stories. Unless you have a friend
with a plane willing to take you on re-con flights, the reality is, your Google Earth and
Topo map perusing probably won’t mean a thing compared to their experience, unless, again, you have a specific objective
or goal. What I can say, is that, at least for the Neacolas, there are a lot of places to go, and I think that overall, it would be harder to pick a bad spot from a terrain perspective, so, local av conditions, prevailing winds. objective hazard levels, and even camp options, figure more highly.</div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-4546374233001837682017-03-13T22:33:00.001-08:002017-03-14T21:24:42.213-08:0013th Place, 3rd Place, and Life Lessons on Attitude and Racing Mentality; Part 2
The Kachemak Nordic Marathon is by far my favorite course in Alaska. I
wish every race was as hard as this one, and as scenic. Surrounded by Cook
Inlet, Kachemak Bay, three volcanoes and glaciated mountains on all sides,
there is no prettier venue than this. That alone would make this a great race,
but man, this course is as close to backcountry skiing and mountain biking as
you can get on a pair of skinny skis. The Marathon Connector Trail, a 15Km overland
route that links Homer’s Look Out Mountain and Bay Crest trail systems is Rowdy
with a capital R. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTbi_LAzDbmZ9xk-LBi5xczMEc4L2u9GWMxD0ehimhg9H0OrxSHV93aXUT2Z7qKvvO7yUivJ1v-4efDRJmmN8EAj359GNpEtGH9p0qjCoA1cPVtvv2y-5pZyExAbOUBKY9Bs1zOAUu1XV/s1600/17098333_10100280422717543_2940905962118707283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTbi_LAzDbmZ9xk-LBi5xczMEc4L2u9GWMxD0ehimhg9H0OrxSHV93aXUT2Z7qKvvO7yUivJ1v-4efDRJmmN8EAj359GNpEtGH9p0qjCoA1cPVtvv2y-5pZyExAbOUBKY9Bs1zOAUu1XV/s320/17098333_10100280422717543_2940905962118707283_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fuzzy shot of yours truly and a photo op I scored with the winner of the ladies 25k :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This season was no exception.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Cold, clear, dry and windy winters are generally no fun, but
they do benefit one place, and that is Homer. With only rudimentary grooming
equipment available to punch in the Marathon Connector Trail, the wind can play
a big role in firming up the route and filling in the many steep ravines. In
years where the snow has been deep and plentiful, this link can be 15Kms of unforgiving
punchiness.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This year, conditions were pretty solid, although a tad
thin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I signed on for the 25KM race. I did the 42KM in 2012 when I
was a lot stronger under the guise of, you get more bang for your buck. I MUCH
prefer the 25km route though. I like the beginning of the 42, and I envied
those racers skiers on their route out through the rolling hills of “Milli’s
World” that the 25KM racers miss out on. Where I don’t envy the 42km racers is
when they get to Bay Crest. The 25km racers dive bomb down the bluffs in a
screaming fast and fun descent to the finish taking the cleanest route. The
42KM skiers however, are denied, and sent on side loops that interrupt the flow
so that they get all their additional KMs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
No thanks!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<u>The short</u><br />
1:33:35; 3/20 overall<br />
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>The long</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The 42 and 25 racers all went out together, there were
around 60 of us total I guess, about 30 in each race, and as we all did the
first 5km together on a loop around Look Out, it was kind of sporty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Look Out has some descent pitch, and some sneaky hard
corners lying in wait. I found pretty quick that I was having to make some
sprinty passes to get out in front. For the most part, the first 5km was very
wide, making passing easy, though there was at least one section where I found
myself and a train of others sitting behind a skier and unable to make a pass.
There didn’t seem to be a reason to be a jerk and go crazy so early on,
especially given that some people alongside weren’t even in the same race, but
there was certainly an opportunity for two younger-looking skiers to take off
and build a small and early lead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Eventually, the two events diverged at a funny spot where
the course appeared fully gated, save a 3-foot opening on either side of the
fencing. The 25 went one way, the 42 the other. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Instantly, it was less chaotic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
From what I could tell, there were only two other skiers
with me at this point, Dan B and Louis. I actually didn’t know about Louis
immediately.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We sped across the flats and headed out onto the Marathon Trail,
where we went from wide, smooth trails, to narrow, choppy, variable, and
twisty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So it begins!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The descent out of Look Out was possibly the scariest. Louis
came bombing through relatively quick in the initial shorter descent to a bench
with the first aid station, and it was obvious he knew the trails. Dan and I
latched on, but as we made a short climb off the bench, I passed, and then
began the first descent in earnest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I scared myself silly at one point as I passed the point of having
control, and hung on through a series of tight choppy corners doing everything
I could to stay upright. One of the corners was off camber and I hardly held my
edge. Another corner slammed through a ravine with only a short shot to speed
check, banking a hard and narrow right at the bottom. The outside of the right
was a wall of compact snow, and the trail was only one lane wide. I could
practically see my ski tips impaling themselves on that outer embankment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’ve skied this route enough to know what’s coming, to recall
all major features, as well as most of the scariest technical aspects and
ravines, but the finer details are lost. Also, a thinner snow pack this year
meant the trail was a bit more narrow than I recall in places. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
With overcast skies and even a bit of light snow falling,
lighting was flat in sections, making it difficult to spot ski-grabbing ruts or
uneven groomer gouges with more than a fraction of a second of notice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Eventually, Louis and Dan came around, and that helped a
ton.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We bottomed out of the first descent, and began the climb up
Crossman Ridge. This is the first major climb of the route.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I settled in for a couple minutes, the pace wasn’t bad, and
even though the trail was groomed wider, it was still soft and punchy off the center.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Throughout the course, poling was punchy – maybe every 15<sup>th</sup>
pole plant would punch through anywhere from a couple inches to a couple feet.
On flats and such, it was no problem, but on all steeper pitches this meant I
had to compensate with more leg power.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I knew I was at a disadvantage to the locals who trained on
these softer trails and were less reliant on upper body power. It scared me as
I felt the legs start to burn a bit more than they should have on some of the
climbs and I couldn’t relieve them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After a couple minutes into climb up Crossman I could feel
my pace was no longer matched with Dan and Louis, and the trail firmed up
enough to feel good about coming around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For the remainder of the climb I held a small lead over the
two. I was climbing just a titch faster than they were. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I knew what this meant: The long brutal climb up Dimond
Ridge that awaited us all would be my only place to try and distance myself if
neither Dan or Louis dropped off before than, otherwise, it’d be a sprint after
25km…<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We topped out Crossman Ridge, and going through the aid
station I grabbed a cup of water. Dan and Louis closed that gap immediately. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We began the slow and winding descent to Bridge Creek. I
know this area well enough, and one of the memories I had from 2012 was that I
skied too conservatively. The trail here is mostly in the forest and follows a
twisting, switch-backing logging road of sorts. The hair pin turns are tight,
and I was nervous about them back in 2012, only to realize they were fine that
year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This year, they were a bit choppier, so, despite wanting to
cut it loose, I really couldn’t feel comfortable. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One prominent feature this year was alder stumps and
branches poking through the trail. Most had been cut and ground down, but they
were often lurking and ready to snag a ski or worse. This section had a lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Along the descent, I passed Tasha and Sadie doing the tour,
and they gave me a cheering boost and tandem pole taps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There were enough short breaks in the descent that I could just
barely maintain my lead, but at some point near the final descent into the creek,
Louis skied up next to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I don’t recall if he passed or moved back in behind me, but
I know that as we bottomed out, we were fully bunched, and I was leading.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We hit the vertical-looking <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kill Bill Hill out of the creek bed and it was
time to go. I slammed the steep trail. Fortunately it was decently firm in this
section.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I continued to dig in everywhere I could along the lolly-gagging
600-vertical-foot endless climb that tortures every skier into thinking they
are done, only to steer back, ever upward. I knew better of the climb, but to my
dismay, whenever I glanced back, it seemed that Louis and Dan were never more
than 15 seconds behind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I few times I thought I was starting to build a lead, that
they were alas fading, only to glance back a few minutes later and see they
were still there and no farther back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It stressed me out that they were together. I could take one
of them, but two guys meant they were working together, and that I’d have to
fend off two placements in the final rush to the finish line.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The fabled Milk Toast ravine came and went. It was in really
good shape, much better than most the other ravines, and I actually came at it
with more speed than I really should have.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I want to say that somewhere in that area, Dan detached from
Louis. I don’t know for sure, but as we went into the final part of the ascent,
I noticed it was only Louis chasing. The trail got a lot worse near the top,
softer and more wind-blown powder and debris. The legs screamed a little
louder. At some point here, I saw a skier not too far up ahead in a
multi-colored kit that I’d spotted once or twice before. This was as close as I
would come to second place, though I had no idea of this. All I knew was that
there were probably 2 skiers in front of me, but maybe more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Finally, I hit the Dimond Ridge Road crossing and the
smiling volunteers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I slowed to snag another sip of water at the aid station,
and Louis came alongside. Dan was nowhere in sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Time to let gravity take over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We wrapped around the shoulder of the ridge on trails that
were notably smoother and firmer. I felt my poles hitting with confidence.
Louis started to pull away a bit, and knowing I had to keep him in sight for the
descent or risk falling behind, I tucked a little tighter and reeled him in.
The descent would have been slower without Louis as a guide. Even though it’s
fairly straight, the clouds were a little darker, and lighting was very flat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Once the trail hit the flats, I skied right up into Louis’
slipstream. I could see Dan about 20 second behind us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As we entered a tunnel of conifers I realized I could go a
bit faster and did not want to let this turn into a 3-way. I came around. Louis
clipped on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The finish was at a new spot for me this year, so I wasn’t
exactly sure what was coming, when we blazed by the 1km sign.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“Should I start to drill it? I have a lot of gas left. What
if there’s a steep pitch to the line and I tow Louis right to it so he launches
around me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“F-It. Go hard. See if he can hang on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I turned the screws, and started making some gentle zags
across the trail to break the effect of the slip stream. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Suddenly we blurred by the finish line off to our right. It
was going to come up fast!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“Wait, the trail is going out and away from the line. Is it
going to do a loop? How much farther out could it go? This isn’t really a KM! Hold
the pace!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The finish made a wide loop up a false flat. I hadn’t really
looked in a minute, but for the first time, I could see I had broken the
slipstream and Louis was no longer on my tails, but was still only second back.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The course looped around and made an easy gradual flat
downhill to the line. I held the pace to the line just in case. Louis was 10
seconds back, and Dan 10 seconds behind him for the final.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What. A. Race.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>So what’s the big lesson to be learned this year?<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<u>
</u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When I finished the TOA in 2010, 11, and 12, there was a lot
of frustration, and actually, tears for the latter two. The tears, they weren’t
necessarily that big a deal, in long events, I apparently have a thin margin
with my emotions, but as much as I trained, and as much emotional energy ass I
put into the event, my results sucked. I’m not just talking placement either.
In a race that attracted 1500-2000 entrants (in it’s day), you can’t put a lot
of stock in placement, but damn, my seemingly realistic goals felt helplessly
out of reach. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And yes, it didn’t help that my placement results were
deflating too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In general, I was just frustrated with Nordic skiing. It
seemed I had few cohorts to actually race with, and spreading them out over a
50km event, meant much of the race was spent by oneself, racing a clock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In all of this, in the end, I still wanted to do the best
skiing of any week, and the year, on wider boards in the mountains.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In a way, an injury finally fully freed me to do that
guiltlessly. I stopped thinking about Nordic racing all together, with amazing
ease.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Between the weather – a couple absolutely miserable snow
years for Anchorage dashed tour hopes, and Nordic dreams, for anyone in town,
and motivation, my skiing backed WAY off. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This year though, has obviously been good, and I’ve just
totally been enjoying skiing, with no competitive goals to speak of.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When I did sign up to compete, I threw out the “bigger is
better mantra” of the 50km or 42km events, went for the ones I knew I’d enjoy,
and did just that, enjoyed them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was rewarded with a great experience in Anchorage, and a
legit head-to-head race in Homer. For sure, I could have got another 17km of
skiing in Homer if I’d done the 42, but, I also would have had a way different
experience, and quite likely, less of an actual race. Never once during either
event did I seriously consider if I’d signed on for the wrong race.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Does that mean I’d never do the 50km TOA, or 42KM Kachemak
again?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
No, that’s just the thing, if I want to do either, clearly I
should, but, for now, I’ve reached some point of balance, and that’s what I
need to focus on and maintain.<o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-61003873613815923102017-03-13T22:26:00.000-08:002017-03-13T22:26:00.973-08:0013th Place, 3rd Place, and Life Lessons on Attitude and Racing Mentality; Part 1
Five years. That’s how long it’s been since I skied in a
Tour of Anchorage or a Kachemak Nordic Marathon. The 50KM race from Anchorage’s
Hillside, up Spencer Loop, back down, and across town to Kincaid, was for a few
years, my pinnacle athletic event of the year. I thought about that race in every
month, maybe every week. The Homer Tour, which followed the next weekend, was
by far, my favorite course of any kind (it still is), and any skier that would
listen, or even proffer an interest, I’d tell them it was a must do. Then, in February
2013, going full steam toward what I hoped to be my best performances yet in
either race, I went too far, strained my MCL, and between that and a series of
lousy winters, that was kind of it for me and serious skate skiing for a few
years. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This year though, winter in town has been great, and the
Tour of Anchorage was back on, in its full glory. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Anchorage has hardly climbed above freezing for more than a
few hours since late November, and the snowpack in town has been great for
Nordic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In the end though, my Nordic skiing motives have changed, a
lot. I just do it because I love it. The Tour wasn’t even on my radar, and
might not ever been, were it not for Meredith’s enthusiasm for skiing it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Meredith, who really only started skate skiing over
Christmas, quickly latched onto the sport (notice a trend?), and set her sights
on the TOA.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m grateful both for her enthusiasm in skate skiing, and
also for giving me a reason to sign up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh5UN55ZGunytKMH0w2tG2BXdi4Mw5TqYJYV9QrhvAyUfRjNqz3MZNp2TEx0cwniyj3zr4hAphFn7kkRAjzq7Uz4xUTQsmkOE-0KjcBl67mJquiZJLyYi0OM63OjxUlptBEb7XEWl0ZDW/s1600/16996153_10100277968715383_3200189783486616444_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh5UN55ZGunytKMH0w2tG2BXdi4Mw5TqYJYV9QrhvAyUfRjNqz3MZNp2TEx0cwniyj3zr4hAphFn7kkRAjzq7Uz4xUTQsmkOE-0KjcBl67mJquiZJLyYi0OM63OjxUlptBEb7XEWl0ZDW/s320/16996153_10100277968715383_3200189783486616444_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith celebrates finishing her first Tour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Nonetheless, I didn’t “train” for it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’ve been skiing plenty, a 25-30km skate and a 15km classic
ski a week, sometimes with a bonus shorter skate of classic ski thrown in over
the weekend; but hey, I’ve also been riding my snow bike too, doing interval
sessions on the trainer, and of course, split boarding every weekend. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Comparatively, 5 years ago, I’d log 75-100km on skinny skis
a week, sometimes skiing 40-50km in a night – as I said, I went too far.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Times and motives have changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I signed on for the 40km and promised myself to have fun and
ski no harder than I absolutely wanted to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<u>The short</u><br />
Final placement: 2:07:55; 13/131 overall; 2/24 in age bracket.<br />
<br />
<u>The long</u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Despite temps forecasted to be 0 or colder on the start
line, I was probably more relaxed than I have ever been the night before a Tour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Having not skied in a qualifying race since 2012, I was
seeded to start in the last wave of the 40km.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The upshot, my wave was smaller (only 30 or so people)
compared to a normal 50-person wave. Also, I would have a great idea of how I
was doing in the big picture compared to others. If you start in the first
wave, you could have a great pace, but so could someone a wave or two behind
you, and you’ll never know that they’re skiing 30 seconds faster than you until
the final results are published. On the other hand, if you start in the back,
anyone you pass, you are beating. The more 40k bibs I saw, the better I would
know I was doing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The obvious down side to this is endless passing, and man,
it was something this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When I raced the 50km, I usually got in the first, or at
worst, the second of the non-elite waves, and I pinned it hard to build my gaps
on the long initial climb. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The 40km skips out on the climb that helps to string racers
out, and instead sends them bunched up into the narrow Tour trail pretty quick.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I blasted my wave easily save a few high schoolers, and was
shocked as I hit the first mass of skiers from the next wave within only a km.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Let’s just say, form amongst those I passed in the first 5km
was not great. Fortunately, courtesy was outstanding. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Most skiers were content to stay right, and I was generally
able pass cleanly on the left until we got into the Tour Trail. Even on the
descent, with a long line running as far as I could see, I was able to stay far
to the right, sometimes squeezing by 3-wide.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I kept my V extremely narrow on short climbs and bolted gaps
on the hills.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There were a couple instances where I had to pass skiers on
a flat that had spooky wide stances or splayed poles. In a couple instances,
where “on your left” didn’t seem to have much effect, I used my right pole, and
when the timing was right, gently guided the skier’s left pole inward using my
right pole, and made my pass in two fast power steps, keeping my right skier
parallel to theirs. In only one instance did this cause any kind of reaction,
who was a bit non-plussed, but, we don’t need to talk about what they might of
thought if we’d tangled instead. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Mostly, I just found it entertaining, I’ve done this move
before on the trails with Junior Nordic kids, but this was the only time I’ve
ever had to do it in a race with adults.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Despite cold temps, I had my wax DIALED! Running
side-by-side with others, my skis were out gliding everyone it seemed, so all I
had to do in most cases was keep it smooth and steady and apply power where
needed and I could speed by.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
About the time we hit the Campbell Airstrip trail head, the
conga line was thinning out, and passing was getting easier. I also noticed I
was trailing a high schooler in a Fairbanks kit, Jack C. He was in my wave, and
was pulling at nearly the same pace I was, I couldn’t really pass him at his pace,
and the two of us were cruising through the remaining bunches, so I latched on.
Jack had awesome form, and I was getting a free lesson just holding his pace
and copying his technique as we crushed the rest of Bicentennial and headed out
over Tudor Road.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We started to trade off a bit going around U-Lake, and
passed where the 25K course merges.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was expecting a potential cluster of 25k skiers as has
been the case in the past, but the new start format this year meant only
classic skiers were on course, and they were all to the right in the track.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Somewhere in here, Adrian, who was in the next wave from
Jack and I, but had clipped onto our pace line, began to take pulls.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Heading down Chester Creek there was one congested section,
and Jack decided to make a pass to the right, getting cut off. I could tell he
was tiring out, and glancing back and seeing he was fading, I dialed back for a
few seconds and let him catch back on. The kid had pulled me a long way, so I
was happy to return the favor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Through the race, I had an ear bud in. I had two things:
one, tunes playing and keeping me grooving; and every two minutes I got an
update on my distance, pace, and time. Now that I was getting into the mat of
the race, I started to pay attention to the data. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We were cruising, pushing a 5:20 minute/mile pace, closing
in half way, and not even an hour in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There was another data point not on the phone, just on my
face. A big smile. I was so stoked. I’d never felt this good in this race ever,
I was just enjoying it so much. It sounds hokey, but really, I was just having
such a good time, nothing mattered to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The three of us continued to pace line through to Point Woronzof.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Then the grind began. Incessant winds in the weeks prior had
driven debris and sand over the snow, and while it was tilled in, the climbing
separated the men from the boys. Jack fell off the train here and never made it
back on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Truthfully, the climb felt good to me, and I gave it some
gas. I shed Adrian briefly, but not by much, and in the rolling run to Kincaid,
surface conditions improved and he clipped back on, and we traded a few more
pulls until the turn off to Kincaid. I think a 50km skier got in on the mix
too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As noted from early on, I could tell I’d passed a huge
number of 40km skiers, and was passing fewer and fewer. I couldn’t have wagered
how I would fare, but certainly good enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The course did some loops through the gravel pits below
Kincaid. The head winds were off and on as the route changed direction. I felt
good. My phone told me to keep digging and pay for it later. I was 5km out, and
just about to pass the 2 hour mark. The closer I was to two hours at the finish,
the better I’d feel about this effort in the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Finally, the last climb came. Everyone will tell you how
much it sucks, and it does, but, compared to years past, it wasn’t that bad, at
least as far as surface conditions go, it was firm. I’ve seen it where it’s so
chewed up it’s not even possible to skate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I wouldn’t have said that to anyone on course though,
including myself. I hurt, but I kept going, which was more than I could say for
a tragic 50km skier, bent over near the top, clutching his quads. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“So close man, keep going.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The finish line was different this year: a gradual climb
above the soccer fields to finish right in front of the Chalet. It felt mean,
to end with a climb, but the location was an improvement, as it meant the
finish stayed a little closer to where everyone was hanging out, making it feel
a little more sociable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-61015558453983862912017-03-08T21:56:00.003-09:002017-03-08T21:56:47.361-09:00Atomic Backland Boot for Splitboarding Review
Bottom line: My Atomic Backlands broke. The boot couldn’t
take it and failed after less than two months of use.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa86IhFukoKgpX0VDkcTqP7EjX0hH0w2NF5BIkU0REWvSwOEG-YeD8EJdpnSm5dSBPY6fd_cV7Zq3g8rMg_jlVTyAwDjTntP3opWx99ZzeEfrsIV4VHo8ttqRFhreIz6dd5qA7tfv0NnJ/s1600/backland3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa86IhFukoKgpX0VDkcTqP7EjX0hH0w2NF5BIkU0REWvSwOEG-YeD8EJdpnSm5dSBPY6fd_cV7Zq3g8rMg_jlVTyAwDjTntP3opWx99ZzeEfrsIV4VHo8ttqRFhreIz6dd5qA7tfv0NnJ/s320/backland3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Backlands, new, tongues removed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I arrived at using the Backland as my splitboard hardboot (a
new foray, and a topic for another post) based mainly on one reason, two of my
partners were using them (one of them a skier, one of them also a
splitboarder). <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Having a partner in crime would be really nice to trade
notes with as we both adapted to this big change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The other major selling point aside from gear redundancy,
was the awesome simplicity of the boot: basically all its parts are simple and
field replaceable. This is a big selling point in Alaska, where parts
availability is consistently in famine condition, and it’s a nice piece of
insurance on remote trips where a lot of money has been sunk into getting to a corner
of mountains where you don’t want to have a small broken part leaving you tent
bound.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Out of the gate, this boot really didn’t disappoint. There
was a learning curve to dialing in settings, made a little steeper due to the softboot-hardboot
gear transition, but, all things considered, this boot felt at home on a board
deck to me very fast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The uphill performance goes without saying: these boots are
meant for uphill travel if nothing else, and they really didn’t disappoint
there. End story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Dialing them in for descending didn’t take long to feel good
either though: two runs to be specific. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I think by the third outing and maybe the 8<sup>th</sup> run
total, I was certain that the big question surrounding soft boot versus hard boot:
“how does it ride,” was answered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Amazing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My riding felt better than ever, incredibly simple, and
confidence inspiring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The steeper the line or deeper the conditions, the better
these boots felt. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
They didn’t lack for playfulness either: wind features and
tree skiing remained just as fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I think a big reason these boots felt so good for boarding
was their low-profile cuff. Compared to most ski boots, the Backland has a very
trim cuff. With the booster strap and removable tongues pulled, this gave the
boots a very progressive flex in ride mode. The only adjustments I made between
tour and ski mode was to bump the ankle buckle a notch tighter (an easy feat
thanks to the two-setting cable router), and to engage the ski lever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The boot did have a steep forward lean, but I liked that, as
I’m more a fan of stiff and reactive boots.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The only changes I was looking to make with the boot, was to
experiment and modify the tongues to “true” half tongues, by cutting them down,
basically at the elbow, so that the tongue provided improved lower shell fit,
without stiffening the cuff/shin area. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For the record, I tried to use the stock half-tongues
unmodified a few times, but couldn’t find a happy place, and felt way better
without them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My major complaints, the liners are terrible: Cold, floppy,
and flimsy. I was interested in replacing them eventually.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Additionally, without the tongues, the top of the boot is
essentially open, barring a supposed piece of weather-proof fabric. As a
result, cold air poured in on nippy days, and promised to let wet spring snow
melt through in the coming months. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I hoped to cut the latter issue off at the pass by adding
the modified “true” half tongues into the mix once I got around to it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Never got the chance though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The first boot to go was my splitboarder partner’s. The
black pivot portion of the cuff snapped just behind the rivets. Atomic uses three
pieces of plastic to complete the cuff: the stiff, black plastic pivot piece,
with two flexier pieces of plastic riveted to the top of the pivot piece to
close around the shins. Where the two are attached, the stiffer black plastic thins.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This resulted in failure on my partner’s boots, one
catastrophic, the other cracked and would have followed suit. The rivets
themselves showed no signs of strain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sbcqzINpZcQ99PAjm1ulm8puiwXtnWSlMaZzjKkC4192oQtCWApJIcFi0Uzi4xWMXCoeLa9htbQV_WIcAmf2wiI6BVBUKgmwCLXrsx9p0oAYXeRkpXE5st6EInn32xQ8rncmxsnTxnhL/s1600/backland2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sbcqzINpZcQ99PAjm1ulm8puiwXtnWSlMaZzjKkC4192oQtCWApJIcFi0Uzi4xWMXCoeLa9htbQV_WIcAmf2wiI6BVBUKgmwCLXrsx9p0oAYXeRkpXE5st6EInn32xQ8rncmxsnTxnhL/s320/backland2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fellow splitboard partner's boot broke where the two plastic types join. First glance appear the rivets pulled out, but look closer and you will see that the black plastic portion of the cuff is thinner, and that is what cracked away. The rivets were still intact doing their job</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Two days later, my right boot, (back, driver leg) failed at
the pivot itself, right side of the shell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One thing to note, conditions on the weekend these boots
failed were pretty cold - highs in the single digits, sub-zero lows – following
a week of even colder temps, and snow conditions were very deep and soft.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTKeaIjc84t6RZhn4iy9F40LdaomtY3P3DvUsZzwWD7C_UektDoqgTYBHD4tV5N75IQU6-ZUyxcYYpTBxRi8Oy7tiOHpVOqhO4j_PF7wEWBVIFBSeYjmQSy113bWNWK5jM0pU05ysA0Hc/s1600/backland1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTKeaIjc84t6RZhn4iy9F40LdaomtY3P3DvUsZzwWD7C_UektDoqgTYBHD4tV5N75IQU6-ZUyxcYYpTBxRi8Oy7tiOHpVOqhO4j_PF7wEWBVIFBSeYjmQSy113bWNWK5jM0pU05ysA0Hc/s320/backland1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boot broke 2 days later at the cuff pivot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The theory is that a one-two punch of cold temps brittling
the material, combined with increased torsional stress in the deep and low
density snow, may have pushed the boots past their limits.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On the former point, after finding failure in my boot, I
tossed one in a chest freezer for 24 hours, and left the other at room
temperature, then opened the cuff on both boots side by side to compare plastic
stiffness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
To a T, the cold-soaked boot was extremely difficult to work
at the cuff, and the stiff black plastic felt like it could be broken or
snapped if it was much colder. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Even taking off the boot puts a lot of stress on the weak
connection point between two plastic types.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My boot’s failure was clearly the result of torsional stress
and cold temps piling up on a single weak point. Some others have reported
using this boot for splitboarding without issue, but, the fact it happened it
all would make me weary of recommending it’s use to another boarder. I was glad
it happened on a fairly mellow day and not somewhere more high consequence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So for splitboarders, I’d rule this boot out. Atomic has let
out that they will be taking some of the light weight characteristics from
the Backlands and moving them over to the Hawx freeride boots for next season. If there was ever a
cross-breed of these two boots, essentially a backland shell and a Hawx 100
cuff, I’d consider revisiting the boot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In the big picture, as a splitboarder, I would look at the
weak point on the Backland on other super light boots, e.g, the
Procline and the Salomon version we’ll see next year. The torsional stresses we
put on puts are different than for skis, and while these lightweight uphill
centric boots may be tempting, they might also pose long-term durability
questions too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For skiers, I think replicating these failures in such a
short period of time is low risk, if not impossible. That being said, lots of
mileage in high stress skiing (e.g., lots of side hilling and side slipping, as
well as lots of jump turns, any and all in deep conditions) could eventually
produce similar failures, but the timeframe is hard to judge, and would
probably depend on a list of variables from amount of use, to skier build,
style, and setting preferences.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For someone slamming tons of vert in creamy pow, they may
never replicate these failures even after a million vertical feet (I hope they
don’t!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As for what I did next, sold on hard boots, I’ve
transitioned to the Dynafit TLT6. That boot has been used extensively by other
splitboarders and has a good track record. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Stay tuned.<o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-58055227336533908312016-09-26T21:59:00.000-08:002016-09-26T21:59:26.028-08:002016 Racing
Concise reports? Go read my other blog for those. I can't help but get long-winded on these, but these reports also help me remember lessons learned from season to season, and re-live the excitement years later. Enjoy.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Summary<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This season started out on the slow side for me, or, at
least it felt that way. A lot of that probably stemmed from a lack of
motivation and a lack of snow in town over the winter for consistent mid-week
activities. My fitness was heavily skewed toward big weekend days on split
planks in the backcountry, and even still, a warm spring curtailed April
missions, leaving me even more bitter and reticent to get on a bike. Suffice to
say, I felt the weakest at the start of the riding season as I ever have. The
fact than, that I finished as strong as I did, was pretty awesome. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I credit some of this to age and base mileage; but I also
credit this to having some great friends and “frenemies” that lit the fire in
me to get over it and get on with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One of the most remarkable things about the racing this
season, aside from the great courses and weather we had (only one race where it
actually rained), was how unbelievably competitive the Expert division has
become. Within the main pack, there was consistently anywhere from 5-10 riders
all finishing within 90 seconds of each other. In almost every race, one dab,
or just the lightest ease of power, could cost a placement. It just felt like
really raw racing where the results were totally up in the air every time, and
it fired me up in a way I haven’t felt, probably since I got back into racing a
couple years ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/arctic-mtb-race-1.html" target="_blank">Arctic MTB Race 1</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/arctic-mtb-race-2.html" target="_blank">Arctic MTB Race 2</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/6-hours-of-kincaid.html" target="_blank">6 Hours of Kincaid</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/arctic-mtb-race-3.html" target="_blank">Arctic MTB Race 3</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/double-down-xc.html" target="_blank">Double Down XC</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/arctic-mtb-race-4.html" target="_blank">Arctic MTB Race 4</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Arctic MTB 5 (Didn't race, only a day before the <a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/08/soggy-bottom-2016.html" target="_blank">Soggy Bottom</a>, but I did design the course!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/arctic-mtb-race-6.html" target="_blank">Arctic MTB Race 6</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://atrailcalledlife.blogspot.com/2016/09/trifecta-season-finale.html" target="_blank">Trifecta Season Finale</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrCIjDUzy1T_rnpTB5DX4mQfwMhCyDUevCPcl8u2LeXBaqZx756tZr2oELK-3koBQT_uWiyFWwQ8JmSj6n2QJqnBQxifcwI4phL_pKEko1geQ1zVvKNkJMEaekRP-iHUyxUl5sghhqQLx/s1600/girdwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrCIjDUzy1T_rnpTB5DX4mQfwMhCyDUevCPcl8u2LeXBaqZx756tZr2oELK-3koBQT_uWiyFWwQ8JmSj6n2QJqnBQxifcwI4phL_pKEko1geQ1zVvKNkJMEaekRP-iHUyxUl5sghhqQLx/s320/girdwood.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo R.G.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-28644629436437403532016-09-26T21:45:00.006-08:002016-09-26T21:45:51.781-08:00Trifecta Season Finale
<u><strong>Thursday Hill Climb<o:p></o:p></strong></u><br />
<u><strong>
</strong></u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The course this year tossed in some of the rooty connector
single track on Spencer to ensure the race wasn’t simply a pure test of legs
and lungs. Rain the previous 36 hours that really didn’t end until about 3
hours prior to race time left sections of the course smeared in axel grease mud,
and other sections slick as black ice. This would be a common theme in all
three races. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had been racing with a Maxxis Ikon 2.2 rear tire most the
season, but the day before, tossed on an Ardent Race with EXO sidewalls (for
Girdwood on Saturday). The former tire corners better at speed and have less
rolling resistance on hard pack or soft/loose over hard, but the latter has slightly
toothier knobs that hook up better when conditions are wet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The race was pretty lightly attended. The experts, masters,
and single speeders all went off in the first wave making for a slightly more
confused start. I was really nervous about the slick double track on Double
Bubble and hung back until we shot out the hairpin corner, then started to pick
up the pace. By the time I was up the first pitch on Spencer, the race was
basically settled. Andy sat about 10 seconds in front of me the whole climb,
Clint rode my wheel for a bit in the lower half of the climb, but as we neared
the upper section of Hive, he slowly slipped back. I felt like Andy was gauging
my pace, if I had come after him I felt like he would have responded, and I was
looking for about a 90% effort at max, so it didn’t make sense to explode
myself chasing him down. Last year’s hillsclimb was far more riveting, with
Nathan, Clint, and I battling the whole way up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I didn’t want to go too hard, certainly not as hard as I’d
pushed last year where we raced Thursday but had Friday off. The mud definitely
helped to dampen the effort too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I still tasted some blood in the parking lot at Prospect,
so, that’s good, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnoOWoe99H8_zyLo3uoFLls8ItbLORF9Dqz11qrAQIWCizak3wYT6McQb13jzOtWqMwOuBCRqduhRqhPCFOufL0iWo_Npc2hgDTCD3cZyW-dpxeJup_HzM78MbXv7jj5biHlZ-MNEec0E/s1600/hill+climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnoOWoe99H8_zyLo3uoFLls8ItbLORF9Dqz11qrAQIWCizak3wYT6McQb13jzOtWqMwOuBCRqduhRqhPCFOufL0iWo_Npc2hgDTCD3cZyW-dpxeJup_HzM78MbXv7jj5biHlZ-MNEec0E/s320/hill+climb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: G.S.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><strong>Friday Short Track<o:p></o:p></strong></u></div>
<u><strong>
</strong></u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Short races are not my bag, but wow, this was embarrassing!
My plan was to basically sit in and chill out, save the legs for the big day in
Girdwood the next morning. Despite a forecast for clear skies, instead a
saturating and misty fog clung to Anchorage until noon, and the clouds didn’t
really part in earnest until mid-afternoon, leaving the course nice and slick.
The expert race started late at 8:20 PM, along with the masters and single
speeders. The start was chaotic, but after only 3 laps I was in the back. I
really wasn’t comfortable with pushing it too hard for fear of wiping out, and
people were fishtailing everywhere. Warming up I’d watched two sport riders eat
it hard. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Anyway, around 20 minutes into the 30 minute+ race, Nick and
Fred West, who had both been trailing me all race, finally passed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As we came through the start finish, we were told we were
heading into the bonus lap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I thought this meant we had two laps to go, given the time.
I stuck with Nick and Fred through another lap. Then in the following lap, I
made an attack on a short climb to sneak into a section of rooty single track.
I backed off a titch through the roots, and then as we entered the final
stretch, I threw down what I’m quite sure was the best sprint of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I came across the line, and despite seeing gray, noticed
there was no one around…<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Then Nick and Fred buzzed by and let me know we were still
going.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Doh!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was completely gassed, and rode the final two laps
basically in an extended warm-down, getting second to last place. I only earned
1 point in the race. From a strategy perspective, I shouldn’t have raced! Oh
well, I’m sure there’s something to be said for doing types of racing you
aren’t good at…or whatever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2Ta1yDgWEWBoWlsdKcA9DCadBdK2MKqxlAkfvp6jCiZ16j4_D7hYhVjd2yqKNDrNBYgqHC8X2Q6l1XfkslrEBIZhulIFdhCd-vHNSbesR11eWSl3ya8JO7W6qSsOBkgL5kkSOPEkA8rO/s1600/short+track.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2Ta1yDgWEWBoWlsdKcA9DCadBdK2MKqxlAkfvp6jCiZ16j4_D7hYhVjd2yqKNDrNBYgqHC8X2Q6l1XfkslrEBIZhulIFdhCd-vHNSbesR11eWSl3ya8JO7W6qSsOBkgL5kkSOPEkA8rO/s320/short+track.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: O.L.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><strong>Saturday Alyeska XC<o:p></o:p></strong></u></div>
<u><strong>
</strong></u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Last year’s Alyeska XC race was easily one of the most challenging
and fun courses I’ve raced in AK. This year’s course, though shorter in
distance (3 miles a lap), was much harder, and was comparable to some of the
more challenging courses I’ve raced on the rocky and hilly east coast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A clingy morning fog in the Girdwood valley ensured
conditions remained slick.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The course started with a road climb up Chair 3, then
descended the Blueberry Pancake trail, climbed some muddy switch backs, before
hooking onto a road to the top of the halfpipe, did some off-camber stuff and
wall rides down slick grass in the halfpipe, traversed the slick and rocky
Winter Creek connector trail back to the chair three area, and climbed X-Mas in
July trail, before descending Big Spruce back to the start. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I brought the Yeti with me and planned to pre-ride the
course on the hard tail, and make a game-time decision on what to race. I did
go down on Blueberry during my pre-ride on a wooden wall ride, but the section
had a ride around. Conservative riding on the descents would be mandatory for anyone:
Too much speed, and tires would instantly slip out on the slick ramps.
Meanwhile, with three climbs per lap, I felt the hard tail would be the better
steed. No one would really be able to make a lot of time on the descents, but
there was plenty of climbing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This year’s turnout was rather small for all the Trifecta events,
and this included Girdwood. That’s really too bad, this race in particular was
certainly hard, but as said, it also more closely resembled actual XC racing as
one would find Outside of AK, rather than what is usually available here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The experts went off, and it seemed like one of the most
relaxed starts ever. Will, Jason, and Jamie went off ahead like the three
amigos, and I sat a little behind them and a little in front of a second pack, no
one was really pushing it too hard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
About halfway down Blueberry, Alex Wilson caught up to me. I
offered to let him around, but he declined, and waited until we started up the
Chair 7 climb. Alex stayed in front of me until we closed out the first lap,
where I passed him headed back up Chair 3 road; Andy was 10-20 seconds back through
the first lap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On the next descent down Blueberry, I again heard someone
catch me, but when I glanced back expecting to see Alex, it was Andy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrCIjDUzy1T_rnpTB5DX4mQfwMhCyDUevCPcl8u2LeXBaqZx756tZr2oELK-3koBQT_uWiyFWwQ8JmSj6n2QJqnBQxifcwI4phL_pKEko1geQ1zVvKNkJMEaekRP-iHUyxUl5sghhqQLx/s1600/girdwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrCIjDUzy1T_rnpTB5DX4mQfwMhCyDUevCPcl8u2LeXBaqZx756tZr2oELK-3koBQT_uWiyFWwQ8JmSj6n2QJqnBQxifcwI4phL_pKEko1geQ1zVvKNkJMEaekRP-iHUyxUl5sghhqQLx/s320/girdwood.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: R.G.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Andy, Alex, and I rode together for the majority the laps 2
and 3. Occasionally one of us would ride a little stronger in one section or
another, but we’d quickly group back up. Andy commented at one point that it
was pretty nice to have a good group to ride with, and I agreed. As an example,
on one lap, going up the Winter Creek trail, Alex had just caught back on, and
Andy and I let him thru. He was riding the tech stuff much better, so it was
perfect to have his wheel to follow. We were all pushing each other along.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On the third lap climbing X-Mas, Alex finally slid back far
enough that he never caught back on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As we entered the final lap, I expected Andy to push the
climb. He had been jabbering on most the climbs to this point, where I had no
such spare oxygen for that nonsense! As expected, he came around. I had no
interest in chasing his wheel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
If Andy hadn’t been holding my wheel on Blueberry descent the
previous two laps, I would have raced him to the top in hopes of putting some
distance into him during the descent, but that clearly wasn’t happening. Even
then, we had two more, much steeper climbs to follow before the lap closed out.
Andy was riding really great, even in the techy stuff, and my only gun in this
race was climbing. Trying to out climb Andy seemed like a sure bet I’d lose!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In the end, I think this is one of the very few instances
where I will say, I should have raced the Yeti. The thought of racing that bike
in 90-120 minute XC races crushes my junk. The hard tail is much lighter and in
most cases plenty competent to hang on through descents and then take time on
climbs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I don’t know that I would have ridden the descents
significantly faster on the Yeti, but they would have smoother and taken less
out of me, no question. I actually rode Blueberry later that day on the Yeti
and it was an entirely different experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Yeti is obviously not as sprite a climber as the hard
tail, but my hard tail is geared high, and that can work against me on longer steep
climbs, such as at Alyeska. This course had 2 significant steep climbs, plus a section
on Winter Creek with a steep, rocky and slick climb. A lower gear range, wider
tires, and some squish would have actually made the steep climbing easier – I
also verified this later in the day on the Yeti. So, while I would have been
pedaling more weight with the Yeti, my legs wouldn’t have been straining as
hard. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Also, this late in the season, my legs are in good shape,
and a couple extra pounds of squish on a techy course was not going to be a
major impediment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Would it have made a difference for the final result? I
don’t think so. Andy was just putting in a solid race all around; but maybe I
would have ridden my lines a little cleaner and more confidentlay, allowing me
to hold better gaps in some places, making the race a little closer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What ifs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBLLX1elkQPeZBWmJcNaDYUdDyHtftI3I-4N5X8-NJQRPxWt8ptHe1JsDeT3xepDIouYBjwZZmo258KzZFD3_3GVifqHzc5am0Fw4Gwjmj-dQhNauxQzfRX76lJqXK1s2t9lD5UfW0wT9/s1600/girdwood+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBLLX1elkQPeZBWmJcNaDYUdDyHtftI3I-4N5X8-NJQRPxWt8ptHe1JsDeT3xepDIouYBjwZZmo258KzZFD3_3GVifqHzc5am0Fw4Gwjmj-dQhNauxQzfRX76lJqXK1s2t9lD5UfW0wT9/s320/girdwood+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My training partner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-9444673947204099302016-09-26T21:38:00.001-08:002016-09-26T21:38:41.165-08:00Arctic MTB Race 6
What made this race so cool was that Bernie was visiting,
and took second in the sport mens race! Bernie hadn’t raced a mountain bike
event since doing an Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference race in fall 2006 at
Plattekill back when we were all racing for Skidmore. Bernie is often my
confidant when it comes to racing, and a few weeks before his visit he asked
whether there would be an XC race during his stay, and if so if we could do it,
as he’d heard so much about racing up here from yours truly.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The answer was obviously yes. Bernie had some typical
“roadie” issues early on in his race (dropped a bottle, came unclipped, etc)
but got his act together and ended up passing nearly the entire sport field and
taking a sprint for second. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATHZ1styiZhIQ5sGazi54syc7AWwbSlXFMh-N6T8aDhJxF1-ptusGJ4enzlqqXJiRqv2ffaV7bg8id6GWpw6J1MK6WdDzwGSvqFkCjbg0cfeUl2XwPNZdzAc2-vu5D9KKhy582MKlKIRC/s1600/race+6+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATHZ1styiZhIQ5sGazi54syc7AWwbSlXFMh-N6T8aDhJxF1-ptusGJ4enzlqqXJiRqv2ffaV7bg8id6GWpw6J1MK6WdDzwGSvqFkCjbg0cfeUl2XwPNZdzAc2-vu5D9KKhy582MKlKIRC/s320/race+6+a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The race went well for me, but was pretty damn exciting
thanks to some moose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
With Bernie in town, I rode a bit more in the days before
the race than I probably would have otherwise, but was glad to see from a
fitness perspective, that it didn’t appear to have much effect.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The course is one of my favorites, taking off from the
stadium and going down Northwest Passage and an associated climb back out, with
a very healthy dose of roots.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The race was pretty unsettled off the start as we shot into
single track early on, but once we got down into the gravel pits and meadows,
the second pack group started to form up. We had myself, Charlie Renfro, Clint,
Owen Ala, Lee, Megan, and Andy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I drilled the climb back up and took over the lead. I tried
to call out the slick corners on the double track on the way back to Middle
Earth, but Owen went down pretty hard at some point. I basically lead this
group through the entirety of the first lap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Through the stadium, Lee took off and disappeared, and
Charlie came around and lead through back down NWP. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8wHd8UBAWyj-CilpOqWFbLsPJeiIrQzh5o5KddkGIHxuLntz9yoUcmm529LzgHoCeClvCB3j2cR5PyQVOyqLAVIUQZMZO4s0IojShCQrMmolRfbUq664BuKpmVKtQoFn5K64IFDL4J2d/s1600/race+6+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8wHd8UBAWyj-CilpOqWFbLsPJeiIrQzh5o5KddkGIHxuLntz9yoUcmm529LzgHoCeClvCB3j2cR5PyQVOyqLAVIUQZMZO4s0IojShCQrMmolRfbUq664BuKpmVKtQoFn5K64IFDL4J2d/s320/race+6+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: G.S.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I came around on the climb, and the group started to thin
out some. I think we lost Charlie. Owen gave me a run on the climb, but was
timid about the next section given his fall last time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
About mid-way to Middle Earth we encountered a cow and calf.
The cow ran down a trail behind us and the calf ran out in front of us. I
briefly hesitated but Clint commented we better go for it. I was really nervous
the cow would turn and chase the group, now chasing her separated calf, but she
didn’t seem to care at all and eventually the calf bolted off the trail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
About a minute later I saw a second lone cow, standing off
the trail in the woods. I figured she was weary off all the bikers and was
staying off the trail. “Good,” I thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I again lead through the second lap. My gaps would open on
double track and sections of roots, fading on other sections of STA.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As we climbed up Bolling Alley back to Mighty, Clint, who
was right on my tail, sucked up a pin flag into his rear derail with a loud
thwack. He dropped off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When we crested the climb I asked if anyone knew if he was
chasing back on or if he was screwed. No one knew. If he was chasing, I wanted
to slow down the pace for 30 seoncds give him a chance to catch back on. I know
that’s a really roadie move, and maybe if it wasn’t the last race and he wasn’t
right on my tail, I would have shrugged my shoulders, but if he wasn’t down and
out, I felt like it would be better let him clip back on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Turns out, we would get the opportunity anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Through the stadium, Megan took off and attacked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She dropped the group on the way to NWP, though I chased her
down through the meadows and the group essentially reformed, with Megan leading
off the front by about 5 seconds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Back up the climb and on the way to Middle Earth, the lone cow
moose came out from an intersection charging for Megan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The chasing group let out a collective yell, and the moose changed
and charged toward the group, letting Megan through.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What ensued was a 3-4 minute Mexican standoff between a
bunch of lycra-clad bikers and one seriously ticked moose. This was the lone
cow I’d seen the second lap, and I’m really sure this was the same moose that
ran me over in May. What moose is willing to charge a group of this size? Any
normal “wild” animal would have fled with so many amassed and yelling at it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
At first I was near the front of the melee, but already
having earned my moose print badge for the year, and feeling my adrenaline
surging, I stepped back and begin to look for a way through the woods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
While we were stopped, Charlie and Clint caught back on, and
Lee, who I guess missed a turn and fell behind, caught up too. Charlie and Andy
nearly missed getting kicked as they tried to go around the moose through some
woods, but the moose was having none of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Eventually we were able to sneak by her, but it was an
uneasy truce. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was feeling pretty drained from the moose encounter, and
all her fake charges, and fell back a few placements to recover.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I got my strength back and passed Charlie and Clint, but
never caught back on with Andy or Owen. I think they both had a lot more leg
than I for the last lap, and despite the moose, I’m not sure I could have
fended them off. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Who knows. I really hate that moose though, one way or the
other!<o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-83054021043707362412016-09-26T21:34:00.001-08:002016-09-26T21:34:27.153-08:00Arctic MTB Race 4
Another race on Hillside, but a brand new course; the long hillside
climb was broken in half by throwing in a flowy break mid-way, and used the
Gorge Trail for the upper decent. This course was also super heavy on single
track. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I felt good going in, a morning rain shower tamped down what
had otherwise been very dry and loose conditions, and despite smoke drifting
through town from the nearby McHugh fire, air quality was good. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After the DDXC disappointment, I was as angry as the residents
of the dozen or so yellow jacket nests that lined this course. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The two ~5-minute climbs, and the short steep uphill punches
found on the descent, suited my strength. In pre-riding, I felt like I could
hit the two climbs at near-full strength, without worry of blowing up, and that
I should hammer every little steep punch. Also, this time, I was going to stick
with the sprint. Period. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We lined up, the lead group took off, and I tagged on and
held their pace until we rounded the first switchback on Drone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’d built a small gap in front of the second pack, didn’t
feel too bad, and was ready to detach, but not let up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I kept the power on high through the first climb and at the
least sustained or slightly built a gap. As I expected, the flowy break allowed
the group to just about catch me before we began part two of the climb up Hornets
Nest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Again, I dug deep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I didn’t feel like I had a big lead at the top, but I think
I may have put some distance between myself and the rest of the group in the
final part of the Hornets Nest climb. Despite my fears that I would get caught
on the descent down the Gorge Trail, when I glanced back heading up the straightaway
on Wall Street on Spencer to see if I was getting chased down, I didn’t see
anyone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimqvjVJSk3O2AQ2F4Ja8P6mNUaLezww-RYe5yE9xie5c-7O6GRkvtKg1VFsyhKgFghKzf0dRiB0DEI9gHxZED9SH9log91utQc1aOt85OVZy3lqu31OCxWxBMnGi0Z0Bh9adsmq-Grh1r/s1600/race+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimqvjVJSk3O2AQ2F4Ja8P6mNUaLezww-RYe5yE9xie5c-7O6GRkvtKg1VFsyhKgFghKzf0dRiB0DEI9gHxZED9SH9log91utQc1aOt85OVZy3lqu31OCxWxBMnGi0Z0Bh9adsmq-Grh1r/s320/race+4.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: J.E.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I think the group probably began to fracture on the climb
and ensuing rooty descent, but a smaller group did make some progress on the
rest of the descent, as coming through the start area, I looked back and saw a
few people pursuing. I quickly ratcheted up the pace back to Drone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I used a cheering spectator at the top of Drone to mark a
20-second gap for whoever was behind me, and realized, with plenty of climbing
left in the lap and the race, I was going to really build a lead if I drilled the
climbs again, which I definitely did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Lap 2 was my strongest run. About halfway up Hornets Nest I
caught sight of a rider ahead. I didn’t recognize him, but I knew he was not
someone I usually saw in these races, and it lit the fire in me. I had to catch
him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Near the top I caught the rider and he promptly let me by.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The rider, Mark Iverson, would later tell me he’d gone out
too hard and dropped from the lead pack. He latched onto my wheel as I passed
and held on through the rest of the run.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I didn’t think much of it, it’s easy to hold someone on a
descent, but having Mark behind me lead to my best descent for sure. I figured
if he was hurting on the lap 2 climb, he would probably drop once we started
climbing again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Back through the start, I threw a few glances back, but this
time, didn’t see anyone chasing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Mark came around as we headed up Drone, which confused me a
tad. Not knowing who he was, I wondered if he’d blow up in front of me or what.
I never saw him again as he built an ~30-second lead by the finish. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Meanwhile, my pace was beginning to show for the effort. I wasn’t
tanking by any stretch, but I definitely didn’t have the same kick I’d had in
the previous 2 laps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Headed up Hornets, I saw Megan briefly on the switch backs
below. To my relief, she wasn’t towing any of the boys. As it turned out, Megan
was basically going the same pace the whole race, but just couldn’t close the 10-20
second gap to my wheel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The lap closed out without event, easily one of my best
races, ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This race came after a block of high-mileage riding, and I
knew it would be my last race for a while. I’d felt good on the previous
Hillside race, but was disappointed and confused that when I finished I still
felt strong, indicating I didn’t really dig deep enough; I didn’t have that
feeling this time, there was no question, I used a lot of matches the first two
laps and was glad to have built a nice lead for the final lap. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After getting completely dropped in DDXC and never having a
chance to chase back on, I went back to my old strategy sprinting off the start
and chasing the lead group. I was glad to see my lungs were there for the
effort, as much as it sucks. I spent a lot of the race by myself in no man’s
land, well behind the lead group, and just a short ways in front of the second pack.
Chasing Mark and then having him on my wheel through the second decent was a
huge boost, but throughout the whole race, I was aggravated as hell, and might
as well have had 5 people on my wheel along with a pack of wasps. Every time I
heard a bell it lit me up, even though I think sometimes that damn bell was
just my own! <o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-74028585507950559602016-09-26T21:30:00.000-08:002016-09-26T21:30:57.588-08:00Double Down XC
A new event this year, this race was held on a weekend and
featured longer distances than week night races: 3 laps to complete about 25
miles for the experts.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The course was pretty good, and dove deep into some of Kincaids
rooty hell holes, including the Hammerman trails.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The biggest challenge for this course in my mind was the
curt start that dove into single track pretty quick and didn’t break out for a
while.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My plan was simple, use the same strategy I’d been using the
previous two races, let the first lap go out hard, get dragged along, keep the
legs spinning consistently, and go find people to chase down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We did a quick lap around the stadium to spread out, but it
didn’t matter much, just as the main group made it out onto the first short
break of double track, it turned out that the lead group had made a wrong turn,
and things balled back up as we re-entered the singletrack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’d lost sight of Nick and Clint, who I hoped to keep a
visual on, but wasn’t too worried, we had a long way to go and I felt good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Hammerman rooty trails were awful, slow, tedious, but
mostly uphill, meaning the hardtail wasn’t a disadvantage. The biggest struggle
I was finding with trail conditions was the occasionally dry and loose conditions
on otherwise fast and firm that made cornering inconsistent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It wasn’t dry and loose that got me though. A lengthy
section of course went over Jodphur Loop trails. Read: road biking in the
woods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Coming into a corner I had this brief thought that maybe you
always have when you corner at 25MPH, “I hope I don’t go down.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It obviously doesn’t happen 99% of the time, but this time I
went down, hard. The trail was like black ice, my front tire went out and I was
on the ground before I knew what happened. Jessie was on my tail, and as I
rolled, I saw the profile of her front tire out of the corner of my eye, lined
up for my head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She had a split second to decide whether to ride over me or
go down as well. Thankfully she chose the latter option, and thankfully, she
wasn’t banged up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The impact was a good one for me though, and I hit my knee
hard enough it hurt to extend and retract. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I hobbled away from the corner to avoid causing a pile up.
People were blowing by. I looked over the bike, tried to slow my mind and make
sure I didn’t panic and jump back on only to crash again because my brakes or
bars were askew. Everything was still good though, so it appeared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was raging pissed off at myself and freaked out. I got on
the bike and started to soft pedal, my knee was killing me, my head still
spinning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I realized maybe a drink would help: BLEEP! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was smart to check over the bike, but I failed to notice
I’d lost my bottle in the crash. I was far enough from the crash site I didn’t
want to turn back, but the laps were long and the day was hot. I was not
thrilled about riding the next three miles back to the start without water and
getting dehydrated in the process after my experience in the 6-hour race. I
rode on in a small group that included Megan, who tried to instill some positive
thoughts, even though I was pretty ticked with myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When we hit the start area I snagged my staged bottle and
headed back into the woods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The next thing I knew I was riding down Middle Earth…the
wrong way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Of course, even after I suspected I’d made a wrong turn, I
wasn’t completely sure until I did the math in my head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Great.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This race felt as good as over to me. My best bet would be
to maybe chase my way back up to Jessie and the group I’d been with right when
I crashed. I rode alone the entirety of the second lap, but I think after I rode
through the crash site again, and saw my bottle off in the alders, my head leveled
back off, and I stopped pouting and started riding. It didn’t take too long
into the third lap before I passed Megan, and not long after caught up with
Jessie and the rest of the group I’d been with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Jessie was crushing it, and stuck my wheel through a 1/3 or
more of the lap. When I came by the crash site, out of water, and not having
seen anyone off in the distance to chase down, I figured I’d better make a
quick grab of my lost bottle. The quick stop allowed Jessie to catch back on
for a bit, but once we rolled into the final climb, all the adrenaline from the
crash was bubbling over and I pedaled about as hard as I should have been the
last two laps to the finish, disappointed with the way things turned out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The takeaway here was a good one though, bitter as I may
have been about it. I’d been enjoying the change in strategy this year from
past years, chasing my cohort down as the race went on instead of fleeing them
off the start. The chasing option is mentally easier, I paced a bit easier in
the start, didn’t get stressed or gassed in the sprint, and used the distant
figures of other racers as the fire for my legs as the race went on. The
problem: it left no room for error. These races are too fast, and the guys I
race against are only going to get caught with a lot of effort. Biffing a
corner may mean never seeing them. In the sprint-and-flee situation, if you screw
up, you may just end up with them, and can then try to get away, or at worst,
get passed but not end up nearly as far back.<o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729061184816106204.post-87324002314525869422016-09-26T21:28:00.005-08:002016-09-26T21:28:55.333-08:00Arctic MTB Race 3
The first of three races held at Hillside this season.
Despite an overhyped weather forecast for heavy downpours and flood watches
from the incredibly-off weather guessers, at most, the bone dry and dusty
trails saw a quick shower mid-race, and otherwise cloudy and cool temps:
perfect.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I felt really good going into the race, and was jittering
with energy all day. As expected, the race jumped out hard. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In keeping with my strategy this year, I just rode the first
lap at pace, knowing that I would get pulled along by the collective momentum
of the group a little faster than normal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was feeling really good about the course, and had a new
strategy for the descent: don’t brake! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The standard Hillside course is one of the few I know of
that you can lose on the downhill: and I have, several times. The descent beats
up riders, particularly those on hard tails, leaving them strained to attack on
the rather direct main climb. I think between doing the 6-hour race helped me a
lot, but even more was spending an afternoon doing consecutive laps (4) on this
course.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T04OQCsB62sOzGEw7WmF5bqnrxpoBvSfC52TOoDUql1LSnV-JijDm82sMpsjJ1027_H3vCCNeD3YejLlRQf9FVuM7b75CEWHEb_Ug5zbsyy-JISowllnK5fhuvtlsn7fOUC2-iQpMzu7/s1600/RAce+3+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T04OQCsB62sOzGEw7WmF5bqnrxpoBvSfC52TOoDUql1LSnV-JijDm82sMpsjJ1027_H3vCCNeD3YejLlRQf9FVuM7b75CEWHEb_Ug5zbsyy-JISowllnK5fhuvtlsn7fOUC2-iQpMzu7/s320/RAce+3+a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo G.S.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I noticed when I was riding the course consecutively, that
toward the end of my ride, while my times on the climb were gently slowing down
as my legs fatigued, my overall lap times were actually decreasing, as I got
faster on the downhill each lap. It wasn;t because I was developing some inside
edge on the downhill though, I was actually getting tired, and was thus
relaxing. Basically, I’ve always tried to ride strong and decisively on this
descent, but it turns out, it’s better just to let go, not just because it’s
faster, but because it’s easier. I was working less, meaning I had more energy
for the climb.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On race day, I finished off lap one and caught a glimpse of
both Nick and Andy D down the straight away of the gasline. That was a good
sign in my mind, though I specifically avoided reacting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Part two of my plan was that, as in the past, I expected to
mostly be alone in this race. I would be hard pressed to use other riders as
motivation to chase riders, instead, I would use the course and the clock to
launch attacks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The main climb, though fairly direct, isn’t all that steep.
The steepest pitch actually is right at the base going up Drone Lane, and then
one or two short pitches along the way. It’s still a climb though, and can lull
you into a steady pace if you let it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKle6qnOj1vj0pCz4SZwMzT_7RJseq-4Q__8s1ItG90pSsGzA5hCpmWQZBbvOtdBuYzy6pzO8jOSZMaESny3li_XICXcF4P_6A0gEUihAeABcFpFLVL8ESLLTRXQZahsyv4Nhyphenhyphen_YUi1YRq/s1600/RAce+3+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKle6qnOj1vj0pCz4SZwMzT_7RJseq-4Q__8s1ItG90pSsGzA5hCpmWQZBbvOtdBuYzy6pzO8jOSZMaESny3li_XICXcF4P_6A0gEUihAeABcFpFLVL8ESLLTRXQZahsyv4Nhyphenhyphen_YUi1YRq/s320/RAce+3+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo G.S.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I marked two sections along the way up where I planned to
launch 30-second all-out sprints, regardless of who else was around. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I flirted with this strategy a little bit last year, and
found it to be fairly effective when I’m alone in no-mans land. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was able to pick off another rider using one of these attacks
as I headed up the second lap, though Nick and Andy had disappeared, as
expected.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sure enough though, back at the base of the second lap,
there they were again. I was gaining on them on the descent, they were gaining
on me on the climb, but the delta was in my favor with this course.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I employed the ghost attack method again going up lap three,
and as I topped out, closed the gap first on Chris Jung, who I think Nick had
just come by. I followed Chris a short ways but slipped around him, and within
10 seconds of dropping into Lama, had caught Nick.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This is where I made one major mistake: Nick asked if I
wanted to come around, and I declined. I was thinking about what a good race
we’d had at Race 2, and I figured I’d let him pull me through a little more of
the descent and then come around. I should have just come around right then
when he offered though, as a short ways after we came up on another rider, and
we couldn’t really pass on the narrow trail. Truthfully, he wasn’t slow either,
but in this case, I could definitely descend faster than both Nick and the
other rider and was losing valuable seconds for chasing down Andy D.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Eventually both Nick and I passed when the trail opened, and
we finished the descent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Unfortunately, at the base of this lap, Andy wasn’t off in
the distance down the straight away providing a target, though Nick was just
seconds behind me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had one more part to my plan for the day: go deep on the
final 1/2 mile on Double Bubble’s steep climb on the final lap. Nick gave me a
good chase to the base of the hill, but I was able to open up the gap going up
the steep pitch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Though this wasn’t as close and confined as the last race,
that was to be expected, and I was super pleased with how this race went, for
one main reason: after years of getting walloped on the descent, I was able to
take three positions on the final descent instead of getting passed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Last year, I decided I would try to use my climbing legs and
punish some of my cohorts by digging relentlessly deep on the climb,
challenging them to hold on. The simple problem with this strategy is one of
basic math. The climb takes me anywhere from 11-13 minutes, the lap takes 27-29
minutes. That means one spends the greater portion of this course going down or
traversing. I was getting caught on the second part every time, leaving me to instead
hang on to riders who were going faster than I wanted to, while I worked too
hard on the downhill, diminishing my abilities to return the favor on the comparatively
shorter climb.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My only question about this year: when I finished, I felt
really good, like, I wanted to hammer another lap. On the third lap climb, I
did think about throwing in an extra attack, but decided to stick with my plan.
The fact that I had this thought though, on a climb, three laps in, was noteworthy,
and told me I left too much in the tank. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While this course sometimes gets some grief for being rather
hard, not to mention repetitive (it’s been raced every year since like 2009), I
think it’s one of Anchorage’s best, both for its challenge, but also because
you know you will see it again, so it serves as a good benchmark. <o:p></o:p></div>
Dantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03913533628833484727noreply@blogger.com0