tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78225136810668018812024-03-13T08:21:26.914-07:00Yonder Mountain Trail RunnerRobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-44455739940308418832021-09-19T21:08:00.004-07:002021-09-27T16:22:05.748-07:00NOBO on the HMW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXpG3b1SUmk/YUVoqXAxaHI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/2GqGeaej6mQojkvxMXuNql6cOLgcNOsIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8538.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXpG3b1SUmk/YUVoqXAxaHI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/2GqGeaej6mQojkvxMXuNql6cOLgcNOsIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8538.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Last <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2020/11/back-to-wilderness.html">November</a> I sat at Nahmakanta Lake, 74 miles into my first northbound (NOBO) attempt at the Hundred Mile Wilderness (HMW), and decided I had enough. My pace was slow and no speed records were going to be set but I still had a bit of regret for not finishing the trek to Abol Bridge. This past Labor Day weekend, I took care of some unfinished business.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAY9IXHhe9Q/YUf6clONVeI/AAAAAAAAGA4/YFc2btWTamAIn029FIrJykl6m51G5OHkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/start.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAY9IXHhe9Q/YUf6clONVeI/AAAAAAAAGA4/YFc2btWTamAIn029FIrJykl6m51G5OHkQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/start.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The starting line in Monson.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Unlike last November when I was the only one in the Wilderness, this time I would be joining many NOBO thru-hikers nearing the end of their long journeys which is very inspiring. I loaded my pack with little candy bars and was happy to spread some "trail magic" at every chance. While wanting to finish in a respectable time, the most important thing to me was to make it to Abol Bridge (the northern terminus of the HMW). A setback from a knee injury this spring made any expectations for the Fastest Known Time (FKT) very low.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hggXXY4_ikc/YUf7n9PYAoI/AAAAAAAAGBA/iGFVCVXtAWEeipaqkCldWm21TYDS4nbYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/long%2Bpond%2Bstream%2Bwith%2BPanda.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hggXXY4_ikc/YUf7n9PYAoI/AAAAAAAAGBA/iGFVCVXtAWEeipaqkCldWm21TYDS4nbYQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/long%2Bpond%2Bstream%2Bwith%2BPanda.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panda was one of many thru-hikers I would meet.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>My sister Regina (trail name "Whispering Pine"), with a little help from "Pa Pine", would crew me from all the typical access points. After now doing this nearly 3 times, they have the crewing plan down to a science. An AT thru-hiker herself, Regina was also glad to meet many of this year's NOBO class and made sure they were well fed. I felt a bit like a celebrity at times as many of the hikers I came upon already knew me after meeting my crew earlier. I could only shrug my shoulders and try to convince them that they were the ones doing something remarkable.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFNnOJ1DSL0/YUgGGlCDNDI/AAAAAAAAGBI/cYWeVdEJUFw0RO72E5a4Ukr0N2FtjM9_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/long%2Bpond%2Bstream%2Bwith%2BDad.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFNnOJ1DSL0/YUgGGlCDNDI/AAAAAAAAGBI/cYWeVdEJUFw0RO72E5a4Ukr0N2FtjM9_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/long%2Bpond%2Bstream%2Bwith%2BDad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first aid stop at Long Pond Stream with Dad.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So how did the run go this time? I paid little attention to the time during my run but did some analyses after. I ended up hitting all of my splits to Jo-Mary Road (Mile 58.5) very close to my split times last November. In fact, my elapsed time leaving Jo-Mary Road was identical to the minute. This was a bit disheartening because I felt much stronger this time, however my pace stayed the same. I also experienced a lot of rain during the afternoon and evening of Day 1, making the already difficult footing downright treacherous at times.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5wF8y3dKxk/YUWMAG4h6iI/AAAAAAAAGAo/4is3f_-BKxYL1_2cJMCzSajBP6Hf6qvnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8542.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5wF8y3dKxk/YUWMAG4h6iI/AAAAAAAAGAo/4is3f_-BKxYL1_2cJMCzSajBP6Hf6qvnQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8542.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory selfie atop Whitecap Mountain.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I feel like the 15 miles from Jo-Mary Road to Nahmakanta Lake is sort of the crux of the route going NOBO. This section is where the wheels fell off for me last year. Although not a difficult section in terms of climbing or descending, it just seems to come at a difficult point where the fatigue can really set in and you're too far from smelling the finish. Despite not feeling all that great, I ended up doing this section nearly 2 hours faster than I did last year. This wasn't too surprising since I was moving VERY slow last time before calling it quits.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/---Qw29y0uOU/YUWMw1z3ocI/AAAAAAAAGAw/D7hCPfmWjw4_zyO9pz6DwdDV2RIkZVtCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8544.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/---Qw29y0uOU/YUWMw1z3ocI/AAAAAAAAGAw/D7hCPfmWjw4_zyO9pz6DwdDV2RIkZVtCQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8544.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katahdin!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I made a very quick stop for resupply at the beautiful Nahmakanta Lake and was very excited and reinvigorated to now be moving onto some trail that I had only previously done SOBO back in <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2013/10/hundred-mile-wilderness.html">2013</a>. It was also nice to take off from the lake with many thru-hikers getting a late morning start for their day. They were already well aware of what I was up to after hanging out with Whispering Pine for most of the morning. A couple of hikers even set the pace for me on the steep climb up Nesuntabunt Mountain. I couldn't believe how fast they were moving with their heavy packs and over 2000 miles already on their legs!</p><p>I came into Pollywog Stream in the hot afternoon sun after running very well through the 8 mile section from Nahmakanta. Maybe I pushed that section a little too hard because as soon as I sat down for a brief break in the shade I wasn't sure if I could stand back up. Regina fed me a plate of watermelon, refilled my water bottles, and after about a half hour break (by far my longest pit stop) sent me on my way for the long final 17-mile stretch to Abol Bridge. Unfortunately, I now knew I would be going into a second night and would not be greeted by the view of Katahdin at the finish, but I was going to finish. Thirteen minutes before midnight, after a very long 17 miles, I was hugging the guard rail of the bridge and my NOBO adventure was complete!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KC0Tl9_kig/YUgGjiK_WuI/AAAAAAAAGBQ/n2EkSt3m1xww90nM6Rl1KQhVKkUFu4crQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pollywog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KC0Tl9_kig/YUgGjiK_WuI/AAAAAAAAGBQ/n2EkSt3m1xww90nM6Rl1KQhVKkUFu4crQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/pollywog.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last aid stop at Pollywog Stream.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>My 37 hours and 45 minutes were even slower than the slow time I expected, but really just a confirmation of how difficult this route is. Given a smooth gravel surface over the last 17 miles of terrain, I think I could have jogged it in, but instead it took me 8 hours! I just wasn't capable of moving very fast through the non-stop rock and roots anymore. All I could think was "how did I run through this section in 3.5 hours going SOBO 8 years ago?". Now that I have finished both directions, I really think SOBO is the way for me if I want to go for a fast time on the HMW. Of course, I also look forward to another NOBO passing of the HMW at a much slower pace starting from Georgia in the not too distant future.</p><p>My hats off to Barry Howe for lowering the overall FKT to 29 hours and 6 minutes last week on a supported NOBO effort! Read his report <a href="https://barryandchristy.blogspot.com/2021/09/100-mile-wilderness-fkt.html">here</a>.</p><p>So I leave this trip to Maine with my heart and soul filled again by the HMW. It was really a perfect long weekend combining this adventure with some well-deserved relaxation at Camp Pine with friends and family. In a few days I'll see if I left enough in the tank to complete my 3rd <a href="https://bear100.com/">Bear 100</a>. Honestly, after laboring for over 37 hours on the HMW, these Rocky Mountain trails feel smooth as butter.</p><p>My splits:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YpCKWaf6yFI/YUWIhCrMgWI/AAAAAAAAGAg/hzfTMgCEPbUrir-oVDlXoMDle9so8mJcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/HMW%2BNOBO%2Bsplits%2B2021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YpCKWaf6yFI/YUWIhCrMgWI/AAAAAAAAGAg/hzfTMgCEPbUrir-oVDlXoMDle9so8mJcwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/HMW%2BNOBO%2Bsplits%2B2021.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strava link <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/5920847334">here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Gaia GPS link <a href="https://www.gaiagps.com/public/a6RtKgX6sJnvgP8sY0YLPn20">here</a><br /><p><br /></p>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-44494851798205363242021-01-06T22:00:00.003-08:002023-07-23T22:28:33.550-07:00206<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugGiI9F70Vk/X_aiBsL-GeI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/zCVSE0r12nITAA51ElDCxk9zMhDO_trogCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7910.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugGiI9F70Vk/X_aiBsL-GeI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/zCVSE0r12nITAA51ElDCxk9zMhDO_trogCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_7910.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm pretty sure I covered more miles and climbed more mountains in 2020 than any other year, however the only number that I logged was 206. I climbed my favorite local mountain to the top of the Horsetooth Rock 206 times this year. This was a new personal best and probably more than any human has ever climbed this mountain in one year.</p><p>No races for me in 2020. It's too bad I couldn't have tested my fitness in a race given all the work I put in, but it just didn't work out for me in this year marred by COVID-19. Instead, I put my focus into completing the Colorado Trail which was by far my highlight of 2020 adventures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXjIjO7KSys/X_ajGSdNmnI/AAAAAAAAF6g/uEKRSr7I2Tc2OZQYq2zZc0iAprdGASBpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXjIjO7KSys/X_ajGSdNmnI/AAAAAAAAF6g/uEKRSr7I2Tc2OZQYq2zZc0iAprdGASBpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>So what's up for 2021? I'm seriously considering a Nolan's 14 attempt this summer. I spent a lot of time studying and scouting this line in 2019 and would love to give it a shot this year. I would also like to make an FKT attempt on the Hundred Mile Wilderness. I tried a couple of months ago, but didn't really plan or execute very well. November was not the best time to do it fast. Finally, I am registered for the Bear 100 in September. Unfortunately, I lost my spot in Hardrock, leaving me with very mixed emotions about an event that means so much to me.</p><p>So despite all the crap that made 2020 the year that it was, I was grateful for another year of good health and mountain adventures. That's really my primary goal for 2021 as well.</p><p>My friend created this great video. True resilience through this year of 2020.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TPCiw3dKEfc" width="320" youtube-src-id="TPCiw3dKEfc"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-89735183158732122132020-11-25T07:49:00.012-08:002020-12-03T16:59:20.654-08:00Back to the Wilderness<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZ8q8gUjx1I/X73A5OCtp0I/AAAAAAAAF2s/sZ9cVsDQAFcrXlzgyHEWyTVb8vvWoKBRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7776.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZ8q8gUjx1I/X73A5OCtp0I/AAAAAAAAF2s/sZ9cVsDQAFcrXlzgyHEWyTVb8vvWoKBRwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7776.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It had been 7 years since I last completed the entire <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred-Mile_Wilderness">Hundred Mile Wilderness</a> (HMW) in one push, and never had I attempted it northbound (Monson to Abol Bridge). With my <a href="https://fastestknowntime.com/route/hundred-mile-wilderness-me">Fastest Known Time</a> (FKT) over this route being taken down earlier this year, I was excited to give it another shot and see how fast I could do it, and to spend some quality adventure time in my favorite place.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2Ib8sp_JI4/X73H1kmI1kI/AAAAAAAAF3A/Fh1XFLQQUrg6fKa7kj6YXD4l-7-umgcTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7774.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2Ib8sp_JI4/X73H1kmI1kI/AAAAAAAAF3A/Fh1XFLQQUrg6fKa7kj6YXD4l-7-umgcTgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7774.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to take off from Monson.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I wasn't really planning on doing this in November, but after postponing an October attempt, and the delayed onset of winter conditions (it was 70 degrees the day I flew into Maine), I decided to go for it. The temperatures dropped quickly, but weather conditions were still pretty good for the most part. I did underestimate the difficulty of trail finding, however, with the trail buried in newly fallen leaves. I always thought the frequency of the white blazes along the Appalachian Trail were a bit too much, but not when you are navigating from blaze to blaze with no trail in sight.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLJFT7aLNOY/X73LnYvfTTI/AAAAAAAAF3M/ZedB7mqZArsqKSrL_6YYE6rU7ttm1AMuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7799.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLJFT7aLNOY/X73LnYvfTTI/AAAAAAAAF3M/ZedB7mqZArsqKSrL_6YYE6rU7ttm1AMuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7799.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a trail in there somewhere.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I first met my crew (Dad and sister Regina) at Long Pond Stream (Mile 14) only 20 minutes behind my projection for FKT pace. It seemed like we were the only people in the HMW that day. In fact, other than a deer hunter I ran into near Leeman Brook (3 miles after starting), I would not see another human other than my crew for the rest of my journey.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TE98QkYSXVg/X73P959WpEI/AAAAAAAAF3Y/3P7t6LSiYpUhpoV5QB65o0hi99GNXZ6TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7896.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TE98QkYSXVg/X73P959WpEI/AAAAAAAAF3Y/3P7t6LSiYpUhpoV5QB65o0hi99GNXZ6TwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_7896.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Long Pond Stream. No rope but water was low.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The next section, the Chairback-Barren Range, is the most difficult of the HMW, but also my favorite. Fewer hardwoods up high also made for fewer leaves and easier navigation. With sunset just after 4pm, I would be dropping off Chairback Mountain to the crew at KI road (Mile 30) along with the setting sun. I was excited to see that my Uncle Sam had joined the crew. My 9 hours from Monson to KI road was the fastest I have ever done those 30 miles, but still a little slower than I was hoping for.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfXEk1MYZZ8/X73VeBnmYKI/AAAAAAAAF3k/R5Za6qsxmLsIcVIUTaY9lcS2exhDgNO5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7821.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfXEk1MYZZ8/X73VeBnmYKI/AAAAAAAAF3k/R5Za6qsxmLsIcVIUTaY9lcS2exhDgNO5QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7821.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzX8etL_9xk/X73V34Fkp3I/AAAAAAAAF38/BrGanei4HiMycTzKhMMOuvkTAg6W_RsggCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7823.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzX8etL_9xk/X73V34Fkp3I/AAAAAAAAF38/BrGanei4HiMycTzKhMMOuvkTAg6W_RsggCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7823.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLOvN-29FZE/X73WPc7N7JI/AAAAAAAAF4E/OvmAPm4pGVUN4vHliY7ZpUAQRKWv8IavACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7899.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLOvN-29FZE/X73WPc7N7JI/AAAAAAAAF4E/OvmAPm4pGVUN4vHliY7ZpUAQRKWv8IavACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_7899.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Sam joins the crew at KI.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, the icy waters of the Pleasant River stayed below the knees as I forded to the other side and began my biggest climbs over Gulf Hagas, Hay, West, and finally the tallest peak, White Cap, which pops out slightly above treeline at 3644 feet. The wind was whipping up there with wind chills below zero. I stopped just long enough for a White Cap summit photo before making the steep descent to Logan Brook and, eventually, my crew below where it was a balmy 20 degrees with no wind.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDosqDFfEis/X73acV4YguI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/xBj0h_6v-5EZdZvWJ_LNkYuM2WNPisIVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7840.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDosqDFfEis/X73acV4YguI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/xBj0h_6v-5EZdZvWJ_LNkYuM2WNPisIVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7840.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Cap summit. High point of the HMW.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Although short of half-way in terms of distance, the West Branch Ponds Road at Mile 45 felt like well over half-way in terms of effort, with much easier terrain awaiting over the last 55 miles. I would also be seeing my crew more frequently from this point forward. The long night had me knocking off the next couple of segments pretty quickly, with some actual extended running. I would leave my crew at Jo-Mary Road (Mile 59) at 4am and still in darkness. Now at 20 hours in, almost 3 hours slower than I wanted to be at this point, I knew any speed records were out of reach. I still wanted to make it to the finish at Abol Bridge, hopefully before the next early sunset, so I could take in the great view of Mount Katahdin from there. However the wheels would sort of come off for me over the next 15-mile section to Nahmakanta Lake, which would take me a whopping 7 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGHOfhXD97Q/X75yX5sX1dI/AAAAAAAAF4c/5qg6QJ0CfgYREtbG-rh_pAagCDQSmGwSACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7841.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGHOfhXD97Q/X75yX5sX1dI/AAAAAAAAF4c/5qg6QJ0CfgYREtbG-rh_pAagCDQSmGwSACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7841.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Jo-Mary Lake just before sunrise.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocbYVzWc9xw/X75zj4qbciI/AAAAAAAAF4k/I_-QtkpSzeYLUXewPSefqvdQxt7nQvbhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1017/IMG_7842_zoom.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1017" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocbYVzWc9xw/X75zj4qbciI/AAAAAAAAF4k/I_-QtkpSzeYLUXewPSefqvdQxt7nQvbhgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h316/IMG_7842_zoom.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Katahdin view from shores of Pemadumcook Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Reaching my crew at Nahmakanta Lake at 11am (27 hours since leaving Monson), I did a little math in my head and decided I had enough. I took a ride to Camp Pine, our family camp, and relaxed the rest of the afternoon and weekend, leaving enough in my legs to enjoy some beautiful hikes over the next couple of days. We ended up getting a pretty good snowfall later that evening, so I was pretty happy to be sitting comfortably in the cabin by the woodstove.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcygTbkmDgA/X751wIGFASI/AAAAAAAAF4w/JYzs_bOoYH8Xhafl288JGMVSvuIXfba3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7852.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcygTbkmDgA/X751wIGFASI/AAAAAAAAF4w/JYzs_bOoYH8Xhafl288JGMVSvuIXfba3ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7852.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>I'm a little disappointed that I still haven't completed the HMW northbound, but I'll hopefully give it another shot next year under better conditions. I'm still not sure which way is easier, or faster. Going southbound, like in <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2013/10/hundred-mile-wilderness.html">2013</a>, I made great time over the easier terrain in the first half and then slogged my way through the more difficult sections later on tired legs. Going northbound this time, I made pretty quick work of the harder sections early, but had nothing left in my legs when I hit the easier terrain. The next attempt will be northbound, regardless, since that challenge still remains for me. I hope for many more adventures in this wilderness that I like to call "home".</div><div><br /></div><div>My Splits (mileages based on AT Data Book):</div></div></div><div>Leave Monson Route 15 - 8:00am</div><div>Long Pond Stream (Mile 14.1) - in 11:42am-out 11:52am (3:42-3:52)</div><div>KI Road (Mile 29.9) - 5:08pm-5:28pm (9:08-9:28)</div><div>W Branch Road (Mile 44.7) - 11:06pm-11:20pm (15:06-15:20)</div><div>Kokadjo Johnston Pd Road (Mile 51.6) - 1:39am-1:45am (17:39-17:45)</div><div>Jo-Mary Road (Mile 58.5) - 3:47am-4:05am (19:47-20:05)</div><div>Nahmakanta Lake (Mile 73.7) - 11:15am-DNF (27:15-DNF)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.gaiagps.com/public/vjKW5X0mZkuVGPSJsYwulgE2">Link to Gaia track</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/4365579610">Link to Strava</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-52744867092002632962020-10-01T21:24:00.048-07:002021-05-02T18:44:16.593-07:00Colorado Trail<div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iivxs7rACUc/X3SvT695K5I/AAAAAAAAFyg/R29yxnaU-QICNf-Pr6mTPnhHeZl2D69CQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7209.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iivxs7rACUc/X3SvT695K5I/AAAAAAAAFyg/R29yxnaU-QICNf-Pr6mTPnhHeZl2D69CQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_7209.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>A simple 6 mile hike/jog from Jefferson Creek to Georgia Pass last weekend seemed pretty uneventful. It was nice to feel the crisp morning air, the aspen leaves starting to turn, and even a few snow flakes when I got on the divide. Fall creeping in on this last weekend of summer. However, when I hit a particular trail post just above the pass I knew that I had finally stepped foot on every piece of the 560 miles of the Colorado Trail (480 from Denver to Durango, with an additional 80 miles around the Collegiate Peaks West option).</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfH1BrEm2C8/X3SwCAT96oI/AAAAAAAAFyo/eCFtKioDvokD_FyOWs7fOQpPzox-GJMqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/IMG_7634.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfH1BrEm2C8/X3SwCAT96oI/AAAAAAAAFyo/eCFtKioDvokD_FyOWs7fOQpPzox-GJMqgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7634.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My finish line by Georgia Pass.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Why a finish line somewhere in the middle of Segment 6? Well it's just one of many stories accumulated over this adventure. More stories than I can share in a single blog post. However, when I look up at my Colorado Trail (CT) poster hanging in my living room and pick any point along the trail, I have a memory and a story from wherever my finger lands.</p><p>Upon getting home that evening, I immediately submitted my "Colorado Trail Completer's" application. I look forward to receiving a nice little certificate to hang above my trail poster courtesy of the great volunteers at the <a href="https://coloradotrail.org/">Colorado Trail Foundation</a>. One of the questions on the application was when I started my hike. I just happened to know the exact date even though it was 11 years ago. On June 20, 2009, I first stepped foot on this trail on Segment 23 at Carson Saddle in the San Juan Mountains during the <a href="sjs50.com">San Juan Solstice 50-mile race</a>. I shared about 12 miles along that stretch above treeline through a summer snowstorm, passing the highest point on CT (13,271 feet), with David Horton. Dr. Horton just happened to be the first winner of <a href="hardrock100.com">Hardrock</a>, former holder of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Coast Trail (PCT) speed records, and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkley_Marathons">Barkley Marathons</a> course record, all before Fastest Known Times (FKTs) and trail races were "cool". He was gearing up for a shot at the CT FKT that summer (which unfortunately ended prematurely for him that year), but I was inspired to finish this whole trail myself one day.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EfhEitm8YFk/X3S7hKyBslI/AAAAAAAAFy0/RcLBm9b3U9sYguaHrfTWrwbRs5BWhkNWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/PIC-0528.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EfhEitm8YFk/X3S7hKyBslI/AAAAAAAAFy0/RcLBm9b3U9sYguaHrfTWrwbRs5BWhkNWACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/PIC-0528.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2009 San Juan Solstice 50-miler.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It wasn't until a few years ago that I purchased the Colorado Trail Databook and started making note of which pieces of the trail I had done through various races or adventures. Although I had covered many pieces, especially over the first 4 segments closest to home, there was still a lot of work to do. So in 2020, I set out with the goal of getting this done. In the absence of a lot of races due to the pandemic, including Hardrock for a 2nd year in a row, this goal provided me some respite as I spent many weekends exploring new trails, which is always exciting!</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8uwyoTqqXc/X3aj9iLTh4I/AAAAAAAAFz4/rCVzWy3mb6Mv-i0mxLm_Q8wle2dU2eVVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG-20140118-00009.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8uwyoTqqXc/X3aj9iLTh4I/AAAAAAAAFz4/rCVzWy3mb6Mv-i0mxLm_Q8wle2dU2eVVgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG-20140118-00009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey look Rob, we found the Colorado Trail!</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>My many weekends of knocking off another segment in some fashion or another (most often out and back, covering the trail in both directions), eventually got me recognized by some of the thru-hikers. Some trips had me carrying my bigger pack with shelter for an overnight or two, while other times I went full trail running mode with my running pack and no sleep until I finished my goal for the weekend. Running out Half Moon Creek Road and Highway 24 to catch a 5am bus in Leadville was one of the hardest things I've ever done, especially after already covering over 60 miles. I made the bus with 2 minutes to spare. Another Saturday night found me sitting outside the Twin Lakes General Store with a group of SOBO (southbound) thru-hikers who had to ask me, "Are you a NOBO, SOBO, Yo-Yo, Flip Flopper?", to which my best reply was, "I'm trying to get this done any which way I can". Gaining my trail name, "Any Which Way", that night made me feel like a part of their community.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzFEMZlo2k0/X3ac0Jh_nCI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/jwgdGVp1URo7s3KCzRj9RKEBqWbNWv20wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7208.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzFEMZlo2k0/X3ac0Jh_nCI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/jwgdGVp1URo7s3KCzRj9RKEBqWbNWv20wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7208.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great night's sleep on Twin Lakes!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZlXp7ncpG8/X3jpGgKQlVI/AAAAAAAAF04/GKp0Frw-07IYvqsqPX_5NQJyzsvYhN0cQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7154.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZlXp7ncpG8/X3jpGgKQlVI/AAAAAAAAF04/GKp0Frw-07IYvqsqPX_5NQJyzsvYhN0cQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7154.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July flowers near Searle Pass!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Knowing that my approach to finishing the CT in this manner was very inefficient, I made the decision to go NOBO from Durango to Blanks Gulch trailhead on Collegiate East near Salida in one push over the first week of August. This 250 miles in one week was quite the challenge. I was packing a bit lighter than most thru-hikers, but averaging 35 miles a day, especially through the San Juan Mountains, was no small task. I ended up going from Molas Pass to San Luis Pass without stopping (over 60 miles) as I hiked through a full night under a bright moon above treeline. It was too cold to sleep on the ground and no trees for my hammock shelter, but it still made for one of the most memorable parts of my trip. The hardest part of this self-supported adventure was carrying enough calories. I ended up losing 16 pounds in 7 days and had to endure many long, hot stretches without water. It was great to see my daughter Maddy on Day 7 with my truck at the trailhead and we headed straight to the Salida McDonald's!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rufd6nssrk/X3agVnsdE9I/AAAAAAAAFzo/yKNLpbKHdwc5Xcg_BpdJtl8qA4_qKMEJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7339.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rufd6nssrk/X3agVnsdE9I/AAAAAAAAFzo/yKNLpbKHdwc5Xcg_BpdJtl8qA4_qKMEJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7339.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing up the Elk Creek Drainage along the Grenadier Range.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Of course, the San Juan Mountain Range threw plenty of weather at me, but more difficult were the hot, dry sections through the Saguache Park. With little reliable water and temperatures pushing 100 degrees, I was so excited to run into a couple of "trail angels" at Saguache Park Road. Cathy and Greg were wonderful, providing me plentiful fresh water and great conversation. Mikaela also stopped at the same time heading the other way as she would go on to set the new <a href="https://fastestknowntime.com/athlete/mikaela-osler-0">self-supported FKT</a> (incredible!). I left replenished and a bit teary-eyed as Cathy and Greg reminded me so much of my parents</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcvFU7bNboo/X3aTqTPbtBI/AAAAAAAAFzE/9N6hffyZd4gFscgYLSLud_vmjp6muy33wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7426.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcvFU7bNboo/X3aTqTPbtBI/AAAAAAAAFzE/9N6hffyZd4gFscgYLSLud_vmjp6muy33wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7426.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail Angels Cathy and Greg. This is what the CT is all about!</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I realized after my week long hike (with occasional running when I was feeling extra spry), that my body actually held together well and I sort of got into a rhythm where I could have kept going for weeks, if only I had some resupply of food, drink, and other goodies. A single push over the whole trail would be fun if I planned some mail drops to pick up along the way. Maybe some day? It was actually a little sad after a day or two of sitting at home wishing I was still on the trail where life seemed so simple.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6v6kX0KThgU/X3jk_yNxk9I/AAAAAAAAF0Q/esL09LUiaRAPx1QvLnyM8yg_4rTQjydrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7458.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6v6kX0KThgU/X3jk_yNxk9I/AAAAAAAAF0Q/esL09LUiaRAPx1QvLnyM8yg_4rTQjydrQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7458.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One meal per day. Choose wisely.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>After finishing Durango to Denver (minus my little 6 miles to Georgia Pass), I decided to complete the Collegiate West option as well. I had already covered the first segment of CT West from other hikes and pacing Alan at the <a href="https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run/leadvilletrail100run/">Leadville 100</a>, which takes you over Hope Pass. I really enjoyed some great runs/hikes over these sections. I had been told many times by the thru-hikers how beautiful CT West was, and they were right! However, I must admit that CT East is beautiful as well.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzmpXbBRwHQ/X3jsGRKwHgI/AAAAAAAAF1E/bune3hEKgUUo26S9-ANyTey4SKP4oswkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7600.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzmpXbBRwHQ/X3jsGRKwHgI/AAAAAAAAF1E/bune3hEKgUUo26S9-ANyTey4SKP4oswkQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7600.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little snow left from an early September storm on CT West (and wildfire haze).</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There's something special about these long trails. I was familiar with the sense of community surrounding the Appalachian Trail, but I was pleasantly surprised to see this on the CT as well. From hiker-friendly towns to "trail magic", I got to experience it all. I was also happy to meet so many thru-hikers, especially the SOBOs I shared miles with weeks earlier in their adventure, and saw again as they were nearing Durango and the end of their journey when I was headed NOBO.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I'd share more pictures, but you really just need to experience the CT yourself for it's full effect. Thanks to all who shared miles with me in this long adventure, from my new thru-hiker friends, to Alan and Tara along CT west, and the earlier days with Kristel; and of course David Horton for the inspiration.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Thanks for reading!</p><p style="text-align: left;">"Any Which Way", CT '2020</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TyS65kF0sc/X3jls7USXJI/AAAAAAAAF0c/ncENoQnpK8A6Gm_8xVBD8kxaCimkfx8ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7306.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TyS65kF0sc/X3jls7USXJI/AAAAAAAAF0c/ncENoQnpK8A6Gm_8xVBD8kxaCimkfx8ygCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_7306.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Gudy Gaskill!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-7051225945942271882020-04-21T18:16:00.005-07:002020-04-23T15:20:33.194-07:002019 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ7xgq7t8CY/Xp-NwXdQzPI/AAAAAAAAFr0/yTZAbvHtg64WoLsqbbKCOUQU4dARggd0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ7xgq7t8CY/Xp-NwXdQzPI/AAAAAAAAFr0/yTZAbvHtg64WoLsqbbKCOUQU4dARggd0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm pretty late getting to a review of 2019, when it's April 21, 2020, but I didn't want last year to be forgotten. Although I didn't complete any ultras in 2019, I did have many cool adventures and climbed a lot of new peaks (including several 14ers).<br />
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Of course, the main thing I log each year is my <a href="https://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/horsetooth-mountain">Horsetooth Rock</a> summits, and I got 133 in 2019. That's my 2nd best total (164 in 2013), but I should have gotten more since I was already at 100 by the end of June.<br />
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In my buildup for <a href="http://hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a>, before it got <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2019/08/camp-hardrock-2019.html">cancelled</a>, I was able to knock off a lot of crazy local bucket list challenges. I believe I now have the first and only Round Mountain 6-pack (54 miles, 18,000 feet of vertical) and Crosier Quad (38 miles, 11,000 feet of vertical, adding Sullivan Gulch to the classic "Crosier Triple"). I also completed the Greyrock 6-pack (45 miles, 15,000 feet of vertical), which I don't believe had been done since Pete Stevenson completed the feat in 2011. I couldn't beat Pete's time, so his OKT ("only known time") is now the FKT ("fastest known time"). The one challenge that is still eluding me, however, is Octarock (106 miles, 22,000 feet of vertical, Quadrock 50 x 2 with 4 Horsetooth Rock and 4 Arthurs Rock summits thrown in). I gave it a go in late June but got denied at about 70 miles due to hypothermia and flooded trails. At least it wasn't a blizzard like when I tried a few years ago. I now have 3 DNFs at Octarock.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greyrock 6-pack with Jaime</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crosier Quad with Brett</td></tr>
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I still visited the San Juan mountains over Hardrock week with my Dad and two of my sisters. I got to explore a lot of trails and peaks that I have never been on. The options are just endless out there! On the day we were supposed to run Hardrock, I joined up with a fun group of old and new friends for an out and back along the course from Silverton to Green Mountain. Certainly a fun day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RodM7pBAdHA/Xp-Ory7wq-I/AAAAAAAAFsM/wESAzrV1G7Mef4Bv3vC6Yxln7LomV5blQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5993.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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RodM7pBAdHA/Xp-Ory7wq-I/AAAAAAAAFsM/wESAzrV1G7Mef4Bv3vC6Yxln7LomV5blQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5993.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topping out Green Mountain with my Hardrock friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bux83X9lY6s/Xp-O8Vyo4eI/AAAAAAAAFsU/OrgXHTYGD7o_Envmes4CQrlQobO-op2mACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bux83X9lY6s/Xp-O8Vyo4eI/AAAAAAAAFsU/OrgXHTYGD7o_Envmes4CQrlQobO-op2mACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the San Juan Mountains with Regina</td></tr>
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August and September had me playing a lot in the Sawatch Range, exploring the <a href="http://mattmahoney.net/nolans14/">Nolan's 14</a> line and pacing Alan for 50 miles at <a href="https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run/leadvilletrail100run/">Leadville</a> (my first time seeing the whole course). Doing Nolan's self-supported, I learned a lot about gear choices and also realized I need to do it with support to ever come close to the 60-hour "finisher" cutoff. I might be able to give it a supported shot in 2020. My plans are to go NOBO (Shavano to Massive) since that's how I've been scouting it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQk30amK5bc/Xp-PaFpG9AI/AAAAAAAAFsc/VN669ysXWj0mA0iMLeZ12lAKYXdeCkAxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6220.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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQk30amK5bc/Xp-PaFpG9AI/AAAAAAAAFsc/VN669ysXWj0mA0iMLeZ12lAKYXdeCkAxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following Alan over Hope Pass at the Leadville 100</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the Nolan's line</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life in the Sawatch. Fueling up for Princeton on the horizon.</td></tr>
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When not travelling down to the Sawatch, I spent plenty of summer time closer to home in <a href="https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm">RMNP</a> playing in the Mummies (did <a href="https://fastestknowntime.com/route/mummy-mania-co">Mummy Mania</a> twice) and around Longs Peak (3 Longs summits this year).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTdIoGtCcSc/Xp-XGrpcXxI/AAAAAAAAFto/EdCUU-pa6ZMdGS_8foVVkTPt2bmqpll1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/NDZX4727.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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTdIoGtCcSc/Xp-XGrpcXxI/AAAAAAAAFto/EdCUU-pa6ZMdGS_8foVVkTPt2bmqpll1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/NDZX4727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mummies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Evj6si7xsQg/Xp-aVhYhuKI/AAAAAAAAFt0/t-7wb0AZhLMunJNQPD4X9l0WAzBUIdm7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6134.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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Evj6si7xsQg/Xp-aVhYhuKI/AAAAAAAAFt0/t-7wb0AZhLMunJNQPD4X9l0WAzBUIdm7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6134.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longs Peak (14,255 feet, approximately)</td></tr>
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I did take on some shorter local trail and road races in 2019, and found to have regained a good bit of my speed. My longest race was the Lory State Park 12K and my shortest was the Mountain Avenue Mile, where I clocked a 5:39! I was able to get my road 5K time back under 20 minutes as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jl2X3Jv6TZs/Xp-V_E1_iBI/AAAAAAAAFtc/l4LOJJSbOfIFAPvWjrRrvP8_BlXSeQ9fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jl2X3Jv6TZs/Xp-V_E1_iBI/AAAAAAAAFtc/l4LOJJSbOfIFAPvWjrRrvP8_BlXSeQ9fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Avenue Mile</td></tr>
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Finally, in November, I couldn't resist the urge to take on a 100-mile race, so I made a road trip to Alabama for the <a href="https://www.southeasterntrailruns.com/blood-rock-100--50.html">Blood Rock 100</a>. I met up with my sister who flew down from Maine and we enjoyed camping in <a href="https://www.alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park">Oak Mountain State Park</a> (the site of the race). Absolutely beautiful country down there and I loved the rugged, rocky, and steep trails! The race was challenging, with over 26,000 feet of vertical, and a lot of rain! I wasn't committed to finishing and pulled out around Mile 60. However, since the 2nd 50 miles was a repeat of the 1st 50, I still got to experience the whole course. I was glad I made the trip!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb7cTK75Ty4/Xp-SXdIGP9I/AAAAAAAAFtA/VwOfjrwbV0IitHLb9bQCFRgMZ-0sppZkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6450.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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb7cTK75Ty4/Xp-SXdIGP9I/AAAAAAAAFtA/VwOfjrwbV0IitHLb9bQCFRgMZ-0sppZkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping at Oak Mountain State Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64VxcROVHjA/Xp-S3bnXFGI/AAAAAAAAFtI/b3K0c_odsD4YXr8RYAKNw_sAXpFbgVrpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6451.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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64VxcROVHjA/Xp-S3bnXFGI/AAAAAAAAFtI/b3K0c_odsD4YXr8RYAKNw_sAXpFbgVrpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6451.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Blood Rock course. They even installed ropes.</td></tr>
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So onward to 2020! We're certainly experiencing some different times right now, and I don't know if there will be any races to run this year. I'm in Hardrock (if it happens) and I'm on the waitlist for <a href="https://bear100.com/">Bear</a> (if it happens). Even if all races get cancelled, I still have many trail running/hiking goals that I am excited about and would love to complete this year given the opportunity (Octarock, Nolans, <a href="http://www.waldotrails.org/">Hills to Sea Trail</a>, <a href="https://coloradotrail.org/">Colorado Trail</a>, etc.). I just appreciate that I can still enjoy my local mountains and trails for the time being.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KItxnn3Xaa0/Xp-VNB32QMI/AAAAAAAAFtU/0N4r1S6Ga1MTLkt6Hl8Uj84JoEHS6W7fwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6708.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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KItxnn3Xaa0/Xp-VNB32QMI/AAAAAAAAFtU/0N4r1S6Ga1MTLkt6Hl8Uj84JoEHS6W7fwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6708.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recent sunrise from atop Horsetooth Rock</td></tr>
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-65470477540555184972019-08-11T21:23:00.001-07:002019-08-13T07:45:56.649-07:00Mummy Mania and a 40 year old FKT?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIHlr-iB1BE/XVDVLFEwsiI/AAAAAAAAFj4/worzgn-oI_cbrKJ7yyoXbduIFKivXelJgCLcBGAs/s1600/HHRQ2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIHlr-iB1BE/XVDVLFEwsiI/AAAAAAAAFj4/worzgn-oI_cbrKJ7yyoXbduIFKivXelJgCLcBGAs/s400/HHRQ2047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Mummy Range, extending through the northern portion of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm">Rocky Mountain National Park</a> and beyond, has long been my local alpine playground. After a relaxed traverse of the <a href="https://fastestknowntime.com/route/mummy-mania-co">Mummy Mania</a> (or Mummy Kill) route last weekend with <a href="https://vfuel.com/">Alan</a>, we discussed the best way to make a loop of it. It's kind of a pain to have to shuttle between the Chapin Pass and Lawn Lake trailheads to do the standard point-to-point route. Especially when you leave the keys to your truck parked at Lawn Lake TH in Alan's car at Chapin Pass TH.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJocIkMaqsU/XVDgw7gGSbI/AAAAAAAAFkE/oWSCmU3Xa-YDc-kG0yF0Qb6OuvyRbqTYQCLcBGAs/s1600/GHUP7062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJocIkMaqsU/XVDgw7gGSbI/AAAAAAAAFkE/oWSCmU3Xa-YDc-kG0yF0Qb6OuvyRbqTYQCLcBGAs/s400/GHUP7062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow holding on the ridge between Ypsilon and Fairchild, the most difficult section of the traverse.</td></tr>
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We both came to the agreement that the best loop would be from Lawn Lake TH, and then up the Ypsilon Lake Trail to a point where you could bushwhack and gain Chiquita's east ridge. And you might as well just skip Chapin since it would no longer be on the way and you more than make up for it with the 5.5 mile and 4500 feet of climbing to get the Chiquita summit. I couldn't believe it when I saw on the FKT (Fastest Known Times) website that the legend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Briggs_(skier)">Bill Briggs</a> held the FKT for the exact route we described. Bill did the loop in "about 9 hours" on July 31, 1979! I guess I should have informed Bill that I was going to take a shot at his time since I believe he is still screaming down mountains on his skis and hiking trails at the ripe age of 87.<br />
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Well I took my shot today despite dark clouds in about all directions at sunrise. Luckily, the distant thunder stayed distant and, despite the steady rain and occasional hail, I was able to put together the loop. I know many others who could easily go faster than my time, but I was very satisfied with my 7 hour and 38 minute effort today.<br />
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<a href="https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/a85a2ec0a7cee1895d514b3031ae14cd/">The GPS track</a> (with georeferenced pictures), 19.8 miles with 7605 feet ascent/descent<br />
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And for the Strava folks:<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/2613647097/embed/a37d9e7301c380079a3a5b09b2bf766540c04c7d" width="590"></iframe><br />
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My time splits:<br />
0:00 Lawn Lake TH (Start)<br />
0:22 Ypsilon Lake/Lawn Lake Trail junction<br />
1:37 Point 12005 Summit<br />
2:15 Mount Chiquita Summit<br />
2:47 Ypsilon Mountain Summit<br />
4:04 Fairchild Mountain Summit<br />
5:16 Hagues Peak Summit<br />
6:13 Mummy Mountain Summit<br />
6:49 Black Canyon/Lawn Lake Trail junction<br />
7:24 Ypsilon Lake/Lawn Lake Trail junction<br />
7:38 Lawn Lake TH (Finish)<br />
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From now on I'm going to call this route "Briggs Loop".<br />
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-23175696691991107912019-08-06T22:47:00.002-07:002019-08-06T23:10:57.506-07:00Camp Hardrock 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u62a1mtf1qI/XUnav8q4eRI/AAAAAAAAFgo/XQvx6tvZsW4h5WWFUVxUSbUJvY-vtmz9ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u62a1mtf1qI/XUnav8q4eRI/AAAAAAAAFgo/XQvx6tvZsW4h5WWFUVxUSbUJvY-vtmz9ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5991.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The photo above was taken on top of Green Mountain at about 12 miles into what would have been a 100-mile loop around the San Juan Mountains at Hardrock 2019. Instead, on this day, we turned around here and headed back to Silverton for a 24-mile "fun" run. Mother Nature may have cancelled the race this year, but she couldn't put a dent in the Hardrock Spirit we all shared on this beautiful day!<br />
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I got to give a talk the other day on this record snow year in Colorado. People usually don't buy my excuse that I climb all these mountains because it's part of my "job". I'm not only soaking in the beauty, but also observing the alpine hydrologic cycle at work. Ok, whether you buy it or not, it was one of the most fun and best received talks I have given in quite some time. It must have been the Hardrock emphasis and all the "eye candy" of the San Juan Mountains.<br />
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This year, like in 1995 when Hardrock was last cancelled due to snow, Silverton had a big snow year with 269 inches by June 1. What made these two years particularly a problem for Hardrock though, was the high amount of snow that came after March 1. This Spring snow is typically wetter, producing a very high snow water equivalent, or what snow hydrologists like to call "SWE".<br />
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When deciding if conditions will be favorable for the Hardrock event to take place each year, the Hardock committee considers several factors, one being the SWE at the Red Mountain Pass SNOTEL station (<a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/co/snow/products/?cid=nrcs144p2_063323">USDA-NRCS SNOTEL</a>), which sits at 11,200 feet (approximately the average elevation of the Hardrock course). If SWE is above 23 inches on June 1, then there is potential for dangerously high runoff and streamflows to occur when Summer comes. On June 1, 2019, the SWE at Red Mountain Pass was 34 inches.<br />
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This wasn't the only factor weighing against Hardrock 2019 though. This snow season saw unprecedented avalanches, leaving avalanche debris across roads and trails still yet to be cleared. In fact, Grouse Gulch, a critical aid station location on the Hardrock course, was still buried at the time Hardrock was to occur this year.<br />
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Photos of several other locations taken on or near the Hardrock course this year compared to past years tell quite the story from lingering snow and ice:<br />
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to high streamflow:<br />
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but one thing never changes in the San Juans, and that is the spectacular beauty of this mountain range, regardless of the snow levels.<br />
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A 360 degree video perspective atop Bridal Peak (because you just don't know which direction to take the best picture):<br />
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See you next year Hardrock! Snow or no snow, the Hardrock Spirit will be alive and well!<br />
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-41682148710455348632019-01-02T21:55:00.002-08:002019-01-02T22:49:02.199-08:00Catching Up (2016-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Running trails, climbing mountains, and getting back to nature where life slows down and the mind clears to the beauty filling the senses. It took a lot of patience and hard work, but it's great to be back!<br />
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I thought a long time about sharing this story since we all get injuries along the way, often surgeries, and then we recover, especially in the world of mountain ultrarunning. But if I can help one person with similar symptoms, then it's worth sharing.<br />
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On a typical long run one Sunday morning in March 2016, my right sacroiliac joint seized up and I could barely walk. It took me 6 hours to get from the top of the Westridge Trail in Lory State Park back to my home about 6 miles away. After multiple tries of resting (weeks at a time) and comebacks, the SI joint felt better, but now the pain in the groin, butt, and tailbone still made it difficult to impossible to run.<br />
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I decided on an MRI in July 2016, which revealed 5 pelvic stress fractures from the sacrum to the pubic bones, so it looked like I just needed more rest. Living on Horsetooth Reservoir, I decided to pick up stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), which I still enjoy a great deal and continue to do even now that I can run.<br />
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Despite my best efforts to recover while laying off the running, every time I would try again, it was the same story. Mostly groin pain, both sides. Every run felt like I had already been running for 90 miles. So finally in the Spring of 2017, I got a second opinion on the MRI and this time was told I wasn't going to get any better without surgery (actually two surgeries). Femeroacetabular impingements (FAI) of both hip joints resulted in torn labrums, with the right side barely having any cartilage left. With no hesitation, and with the goal of running <a href="https://bear100.com/">The Bear 100</a> in 2018 (so I could get <a href="https://www.hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a> qualified again), I wanted the surgeries (both arthroscopic) as soon as possible. Despite shaking his head in disbelief at times, my surgeon knew it was possible and it wouldn't matter if he recommended it or not. We did the first surgery on the right hip in July 2017. Unfortunately, there was not enough labrum left to repair in this surgery, so it was more of a cleanup mission and shaving down the bones, both on the femoral head and acetabular socket, to relieve the impingement. The prognosis was not great but I would likely see at least some improvement.<br />
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Rehab started quickly and I was back on the SUP after about a month, and also very committed to the stair climber at the gym. I even did about a month of easy trail running, although still painful, leading up to surgery #2 (the left hip) in December 2017. This time the labrum was reconstructed, along with more bone shaving for the impingement. This meant a longer recovery, but a better prognosis for improvement. So again, it was a quick commitment to rehab (mostly glute/core strengthening) and generally trying to stay in shape. I returned to the SUP by March 2018 and again spent a lot of time on the stair climber. In April, I got the ok to start running, but only on a treadmill for the first month. I also discovered the <a href="https://www.technogym.com/us/line/skillmill/">Skillmill</a>, which I still use regularly today.<br />
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I returned to trail running in May and progressed to the point that I thought I could finish the <a href="http://gnarrunners.com/never-summer-100k/">Never Summer 100K</a> in July. I figured if I could finish that, then I could finish the Bear in September. As it turned out, I would finish them both.<br />
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To summarize a race report for both of these races, they were pretty much the same. I was not as prepared for either race as I typically would want to be. I sat on a rock and wanted to quit about half-way through both races (I had a million good excuses to not finish). I even resorted to trekking poles for the last 50 miles of Bear, which I never use. However, I did finish both races, which was really my only goal (I knew I would be slow), and last month I got my spot in Hardrock 2019.<br />
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So now the plan is to continue to get stronger. I know I am not fully recovered from the second surgery (up to 18 months for full recovery) and there are still days that hurt more than others, but I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was before the surgeries. I've gotten back to doing some speed work and even some short road races, making me actually feel like a runner again. I now know it's all about the glutes and the goal is to literally be a "strong-ass" runner to keep those hip joints working for as long as possible.<br />
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Thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way! Despite the surgeries and recoveries, I still fit in many great adventures over the last couple of years, just at a slower pace.<br />
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-40862461220714225642018-11-23T18:36:00.000-08:002018-11-23T18:36:45.323-08:00Hardrock 2019 Odds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I could think of no better reason to revive this blog after nearly 3 years than by posting some much anticipated <a href="https://www.hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a> odds for next week's lottery. Maybe I'll follow this post with a little write-up on where I have been hiding for 3 years, but you might need to grab a bag of popcorn before reading that story.<br />
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So with a record number of applicants and the continued format of 3 selection pools (Never, Veterans, and Else), here is the breakdown.<br />
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Never Category (never started a Hardrock)<br />
45 spots<br />
2246 applicants<br />
17,052 tickets (average 7.6 tickets per applicant)<br />
Lowest number of tickets: 1<br />
Highest number of tickets: 512<br />
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1 ticket = 0.27% chance of getting selected to Hardrock<br />
2 tickets = 0.53%<br />
4 tickets = 1.1%<br />
8 tickets = 2.1%<br />
16 tickets = 4.2%<br />
32 tickets = 8.2%<br />
64 tickets = 15.7%<br />
128 tickets = 29.0%<br />
256 tickets = 49.7%<br />
512 tickets = 75.0%<br />
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Else Category (started Hardrock but have less than 5 finishes, or a former Veteran dropped to Else)<br />
65 spots (2 spots already taken by last year's top male and female)<br />
228 applicants<br />
897 tickets (average 3.9 tickets per applicant)<br />
Lowest number of tickets: 1<br />
Highest number of tickets: 20<br />
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1 ticket = 8.2%<br />
2 tickets = 15.7%<br />
3 tickets = 22.6%<br />
4 tickets = 28.9%<br />
5 tickets = 34.7%<br />
6 tickets = 40.1%<br />
7 tickets = 45.0%<br />
8 tickets = 49.6%<br />
9 tickets = 53.7%<br />
10 tickets = 57.5%<br />
20 tickets = 82.2% (Randy, it's time for you to get back in the Vet category where you belong!)<br />
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<br />
Veteran Category (5 or more Hardrock finishes)<br />
33 spots<br />
38 applicants<br />
369 tickets (average 9.7 tickets per applicant)<br />
Lowest number of tickets: 5<br />
Highest number of tickets: 27<br />
<br />
5 tickets = 64.0%<br />
6 tickets = 70.8%<br />
7 tickets = 76.4%<br />
8 tickets = 80.9%<br />
9 tickets = 84.6%<br />
10 tickets = 87.6%<br />
15 tickets = 95.9%<br />
20 tickets = 98.8%<br />
27 tickets = 99.8%<br />
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Note: These percentages are based on the preliminary ticket counts just released the other day, but updated ticket counts should not significantly change these odds. Also, I am not accounting for any additional entrants coming off the wait list like I have in the past. The wait list has moved less and less each year, so no guarantees there. My amateur statistical methods are summarized <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2011/11/hardrock-what-are-chances.html">here</a>.<br />
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Good luck everyone! Lottery to be held on December 1.<br />
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-78141602872752236812016-01-14T13:24:00.000-08:002016-01-15T08:55:10.850-08:00132My 2015 numbers:<br />
132 Horsetooth Rock summits<br />
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That's the only thing I keep track of now. I'm pretty happy with 132, my second highest to the 164 from 2013. I wouldn't say that my summit count is always correlated to how well my "training" is going. In fact, I would say sometimes it might be negatively correlated because it means that I am getting out on some bigger mountains. But I still like to keep the tally because it does give me some motivation to get to the highest point on my backyard trails, and at least a few others I know are interested in my summit count.<br />
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2015 also had me picking up my 7th 100-mile finisher buckle at the very challenging <a href="http://www.ouray100.com/">Ouray 100</a>. That was really my only race in 2015. I did finish the inaugural <a href="http://gnarrunners.com/never-summer-100k/">Never Summer 100K</a>, but made a point to never consider it a race since Ouray was just 6 days later. It turned out to be one of my most enjoyable "races" ever on a spectacular course. I look forward to volunteering this year at this great event.<br />
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2016 is not shaping up to be much of a racing year for me either. I was pretty disappointed to miss out on <a href="http://hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a> for a second year in a row, but very excited for many of my friends that got in. I was even denied by the <a href="http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run/leadvilletrail100run/">Leadville 100</a>, but wasn't too heartbroken by that one. The only race I plan to run this year now is the <a href="http://www.mogollonmonster100.com/">Mogollan Monster 100</a> in September. It is a Hardrock qualifier, which I will need to put my name in the hat for Hardrock 2017, and it will be fun to explore this part of Arizona where I have never been.<br />
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My focus this year will be to get out on the trails for the sake of getting out on the trails (no upcoming race needed to motivate me for that). I am excited to knock off some more adventures and routes I have been scheming but never have time to get to. Kristel and I are planning to do some "fastpacking" trips this year, with the ultimate trip being the <a href="http://www.mattmahoney.net/nolans14/">Nolan's 14</a> in August. We won't be doing it in under 60 hours.<br />
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So let's hope 2016 is filled with enough mountain adventures to keep this blog alive.<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqJZuB_ETy4/VpgRya57GNI/AAAAAAAAE94/SPBUqH1Ttos/s1600/10338883_449212428612063_578796311323933897_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqJZuB_ETy4/VpgRya57GNI/AAAAAAAAE94/SPBUqH1Ttos/s400/10338883_449212428612063_578796311323933897_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January summits can be challenging</td></tr>
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Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-59318125933090100942015-11-30T12:54:00.000-08:002015-11-30T12:58:26.099-08:00Hardrock 2016 Odds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The application period has closed, the tickets are counted, and in 6 days the 2016 <a href="http://hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a> entrants list (and wait list) will be announced. So it is time, once again, to see just how lucky you need to be to get to the starting line in Silverton next July. (The statistical method is summarized <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2011/11/hardrock-what-are-chances.html">here</a>.)<br />
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The "Never" Category:<br />
There are 1315 applicants who have never started a Hardrock and 47 spots in the 2016 race available to them. Last year, the wait list in this category went 9 deep (13 deep two years ago), so I will base my projection of "getting in" as being drawn in one of the first 56 spots (47 plus 9 off the wait list).<br />
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1315 applicants, 5480 tickets, average of 4.2 tickets per applicant<br />
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1 ticket, 1.0% chance of getting into Hardrock<br />
2 tickets, 2.1%<br />
4 tickets, 4.1%<br />
8 tickets, 8.0%<br />
16 tickets, 15.4%<br />
32 tickets, 28.5%<br />
64 tickets, 48.9%<br />
128 tickets, 74.1%<br />
256 tickets, 93.5%<br />
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The "Else" Category:<br />
There are 191 of us going after the 70 spots in the category of having started a Hardrock, but having less than 5 finishes. With 2015 Hardrock top finishers Kilian Jornet and Anna Frost taking two of those spots automatically, that leaves only 68 for the remaining 189 applicants. Last year's wait list went 12 deep in this category (16 deep two years ago), so I will say that if you are a top 12 wait lister, then you will get in.<br />
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189 applicants, 708 tickets, average of 3.7 tickets per applicant<br />
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1 ticket, 13.6%<br />
2 tickets, 25.4%<br />
3 tickets, 35.6%<br />
4 tickets, 44.4%<br />
5 tickets, 52.1%<br />
6 tickets, 58.7%<br />
7 tickets, 64.4%<br />
8 tickets, 69.3%<br />
9 tickets, 73.5%<br />
10 tickets, 77.2%<br />
11 tickets, 80.4%<br />
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The "Veteran" Category:<br />
Since Hardrock moved to this three-category lottery system, every Hardrock "Veteran" (5 or more Hardrock finishes) who has applied, has been offered a spot. With only 43 applicants for the 35 available spots, the same should be true this year as well. Last year, the wait list of 9 cleared, and this year the wait list will only be 8 long.<br />
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There could be some minor adjustments to the ticket counts over the final days, but not enough to significantly change these probability estimates.<br />
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Lottery on Sunday, December 7 at 10am MST. Good luck!<br />
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-27014629795689678232015-11-23T06:34:00.001-08:002015-11-23T06:34:35.980-08:00Redwoods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A dream finally realized last week. Running through some Redwood forests!<br />
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And then you pop out of the forest to this!<br />
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Sonoma County, California.<br />
Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-6436767042331983012015-10-27T20:31:00.001-07:002015-10-27T22:45:24.659-07:00Maine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another October trip to Maine to visit the family and, of course, some time in the beautiful Maine woods. Unlike the last 2 years, where we have headed up to the family camp along the Appalachian Trail, this trip was spent in and around my hometown of Dixmont. Flying into Portland meant the traditional run from my sister's house around Back Bay and along the beach to the Old Port. Kristel and I also had a nice run in <a href="http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/index.pl?search_radio=1&state_park=14&historic_site=&public_reserved_land=&shared_use_trails=&town=&distance=&submit=Go+%BB">Camden Hills State Park</a> just down the road from Dixmont. The highlight, though, was prouncing around my parents backyard and placing third in the first Erskine Woods Cross Country race. My 10-year-old niece Logan, the budding star of the champion Ellsworth Cross Country team, not surprisingly took top honors. Good times!<br />
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-86658519264042808292015-09-27T10:53:00.001-07:002015-09-28T05:04:20.496-07:00Ouray 100The "Bridge of Heaven". It seemed like an appropriate place to finish some 40,000 feet of climbing over the last two days and nights. One final bib punch to mark my arrival, though my hands were so cold that even the simple task of punching a hole through my race bib was more than trivial. Tired, weary, and cold, I knew that it was all downhill back to the finish in Ouray. I knew that another 100-mile finish was almost in the books. A very satisfying feeling, especially on this course.<br />
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A little over a year ago, I took on the <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2014/08/crawford-100.html">Crawford 100</a>. Only two of us would make it to the finish line that weekend. Along the way, I got to know a young race director who was new to Colorado but obviously had grown very fond of the mountains around the area he would now call home. This race director also seemed to like the idea of creating race courses that bordered on insane. Thanks Charles!<br />
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After committing to return to Crawford this year for the Beetle Kill 200K (a revised version of the Crawford 100), Charles, unfortunately, had to cancel the race. I guess there just weren't enough people crazy enough to do it. So instead, I decided to jump into the Ouray 100. At the same time, Charles got a whole new course approved that would feature way more climbing and trails than last year's inaugural race, which was mostly forest roads. I was very excited about this new course which would now have more climbing than <a href="http://hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a> and a 50 hour cutoff.<br />
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A small group of 45 of us would gather at the park in Ouray at 4am on Friday to start this thing. From the start, and throughout the race, my mind would not think about the miles or the number of feet climbed. Instead, I just told myself, "14 climbs". That was the best way not to get caught up in the enormity of this challenge.<br />
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Climb 1 (Silver Basin):<br />
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With a full moon trying to glow through the clouds, I would find myself in the familiar place of climbing Camp Bird Mine road. Just three weeks earlier, I was pacing Adam at Hardrock up this same road. With a few runners out ahead, I would settle into a comfortable mostly hiking (occasional running) pace with Jeremy, who shared much of the Crawford experience with me last year. Jeremy runs more 100s than anyone I know, including Grand Mesa just the weekend before Ouray. This makes me feel better about my run at the <a href="http://gnarrunners.com/never-summer-100k/">Never Summer 100K</a> the previous weekend. I really don't know what fresh legs feel like anyway. It was fun catching up with Jeremy and we topped out at Silver Basin right at timberline and just as the sun was rising.<br />
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Climb 2 (Chicago Tunnel):<br />
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After retracing our path back down to Lower Camp Bird, the next climb then began up to the Chicago Tunnel. I separated from Jeremy, and was now running alone. This climb would eventually change to singletrack (all road up to this point) and put us well above timberline. I am constantly in awe of the scenery. The San Juans never cease to amaze me. After a slight hesitation in course-finding, I spot a man on a dirt bike carrying flags. It is Charles, and I am relieved that I am on the right trail. The climb, like the one before, goes quite easily for me.<br />
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Climb 3 (Fort Peabody):<br />
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Again, it was back down the same way we went up, at least down to the trees. The next climb would take us to the highest point on the course. For the first time I would feel the altitude a bit and would slow a little on my hiking pace. Near the top, I meet up with Charles on his dirt bike again. He informs me that the turnaround would be Fort Peabody (a structure at the top of the peak), instead of Ptarmigan Lake due to the ice and snow. This actually shortens the course some, so I am all for it. The views, as expected, are amazing! Mountains in all directions as far as the eyes can see!<br />
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Climb 4 (Richmond Pass Out):<br />
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While difficult to choose just one, I would say the climb over Richmond Pass was my favorite section of the course. After traversing some snow fields and fun rocky terrain to get over the pass, you were then treated to some absolutely jaw-dropping views of the Red Mountains and beyond as you descended the singletrack to Ironton. So far everything was going great and I was enjoying every minute. Mostly fueling on candy bars all morning, I was getting ready for some lunch and the Ironton Aid Station came through with some great Campbell's Sirloin Burger soup, which hit the spot. My first extended stop (maybe 15 minutes) as I took the time to get lots of calories while my appetite was still intact. I headed out for the first loop (counter-clockwise) of the Red Mountains with a full stomach.<br />
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Climb 5 (Red Mountain Loop 1):<br />
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I went into full hiking mode for a while, slowly eating a turkey sandwich and drinking a Coke. The climb up a jeep road would take you near the summit of one of the Red Mountains. I would be passed by a few jeeps taking in the scenery the easy way. A funny looking touring jeep was packed with tourists who I think had a hard time comprehending why I would be climbing this road on foot. I had been alone since leaving Jeremy many hours earlier. I did have another runner in my sights (Cory) who left Ironton just before me. I also noticed a lot of storm clouds building. The loop ended with a few miles of great singletrack through the forest and back to Ironton where Cory was still there with his crew and I had another big bowl of soup.<br />
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Climb 6 (Red Mountain Loop 2):<br />
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I headed out for Loop 2, same loop opposite direction, this time ahead of Cory. I would meet another runner (Pierre) finishing up Loop 1 shortly after I left, but then saw no one for probably an hour. At one point I even worried that I got off course and that was why I didn't see anyone. I did miss a turn, but had only gone about 100 yards before realizing my mistake. After getting back to the jeep road and approaching the pass, rain drops started to fall. I topped out the pass to a close strike of lightning and then ran down swiftly in a heavy downpour as the jeep road turned to a river. I would meet many runners climbing up Loop 1 with concerned looks on their faces. They would ask me what the weather was like up higher and I felt bad to add to their concerns. It's not clear and sunny. I hit the Ironton Aid Station for a third and final time, completely soaked and the rain not letting up a bit.<br />
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Climb 7 (Richmond Pass Back):<br />
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With many people looking miserable at the Ironton Aid Station, I knew it would not do me any good to stop there. I filled up my water bottles, had a quick drink of Coke, and got going. Time for the climb back up to Richmond Pass, which I knew would be one heck of a climb based on the fun descent I had several hours earlier. It was time to just put the head down and grind it out. The rain was not letting up, the temperatures were dropping, and thunder was still booming in the distance, but what are you gonna do? Just keep moving! As I got to the edge of treeline, I stopped just long enough to get some gloves out of my pack. By the time I got them on, I was shivering violently. Time to move! Just then Cory came up behind me. There had been no lightning on Richmond Pass for a while and the rain was actually starting to lighten up, so we got after it in a hurry while the going was "good". However, the wind was blowing right through my soaked gear and it was darn cold! Cory and I stuck close together over the pass, the first time I had actually run with anyone since early in the morning, and it would be the last time really for the rest of the race. I slowly warmed up on the descent back to Camp Bird Mine Road, where I was looking forward to the next aid station at Weehawken Trailhead. Cory ran down the road faster than I did, so I would come into the aid station alone right at nightfall. The stars were now out, the rain had stopped, and I had dry, warm clothes at the aid station. All was good again!<br />
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Climb 8 (Alpine Mine Overlook):<br />
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I took my time at the trailhead, getting all fresh and dry gear for the night ahead. Cory's crew and all the volunteers there were amazing, giving me everything I needed and more! It was a short, 2000ish foot climb up and back down the Weehawken trail to the Alpine Mine Overlook. It turned out to be a beautiful trail! I met 2 runners coming down (one who would eventually DNF and Cody) on the climb up, and finally met Cory and his pacer not too far from the top of the climb. The top greeted me with a great view of the town lights of Ouray below. It was a beautiful night! I took advantage of the cell phone service and gave Kristel a call to let her know how things were going. I was still feeling pretty strong.<br />
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Climb 9 (Hayden Pass Out):<br />
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After a quick stop at the Weehawken trailhead, I headed down Camp Bird Mine Road a little further until turning onto a side road which would lead me to the Hayden trailhead. Hiking up this steep road, I nearly got run over by a deer. Seconds later, I see two sets of eyes coming at me which turn out to be two dogs, a sweet Black Lab and a playful Great Dane who is almost bigger than me. They tagged along with me up the road to the trailhead and I figured they would eventually turn back for their home as there were a few houses nearby. I started up the trail and they just kept coming with me. It was quite comical as the Great Dane would keep pushing me off the narrow trail when he would pass me. After about a quarter mile, I knew this wasn't good. Luckily, the dogs had name tags and a phone number. I dug out my phone hoping to have service and I did. Even though it was just after 1am, I got in touch with a very happy owner. I felt even better when he told me of his daughters who would be so happy to hear that their dogs were safe. Bentley and Knox gladly accompanied me back to the trailhead where we waited for their late night ride back home.<br />
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I recommenced the lonely climb back up the Hayden trail (maybe I should have asked if the dogs could keep pacing me) and went through my toughest part of the race. While my stomach was ok, I was losing energy and wanted to sleep. This climb took forever! I met the leader and eventual winner Graham as I was still climbing. He had a huge lead by this point. Finally over Hayden Pass, I would meet Cory closely followed by Cody. Turns out I was in 4th place! I just couldn't believe no one had passed me over this section. I arrived at the scenic Crystal Lake aid station shortly before sunrise. I stayed just long enough to head back where I came from without the need for my headlamp anymore and hoping the new day would rejuvenate me.<br />
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Climb 10 (Hayden Pass Back):<br />
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I can't say that I was a whole lot faster on my return trip over Hayden Pass, but I did improve. I wondered how many were still in the race at this point and I would eventually meet quite a few, with Pierre the first, probably about an hour behind me. The steep, loose rock on the descent back down the other side may have been more difficult now than it was going up. When I hit Camp Bird Mine Road for the easy downhill back to Ouray, I struggled to run. My legs were hurting. I was finally back in Ouray where I was pleased to grab an ice cold Coke and leftover pizza from my car near the start/finish line. It was late morning and it was going to be a hot day.<br />
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Climb 11 (Twin Peaks):<br />
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Twin Peaks is a mountain that literally rises straight up nearly 3000 feet above the town of Ouray. This climb was steep, reminding me in places of the <a href="http://www.manitouincline.net/main.htm">Incline</a> with railroad ties often providing the only means for getting up this terrain. The course took us right to the top of a small rocky summit, with a bit of scrambling to get to the very top where the bib hole puncher sat. I was both cursing Charles for this and thinking this was pretty cool at the same time. Besides it would have been a shame not to tag the summit after all the work to get up there and the view straight down onto Ouray below was amazing! I met Pierre pretty shortly after getting down off the summit, so I figured I better kick it into gear if I wanted to hold on to 4th place. It was probably good to be pushed a little and, thankfully, my legs responded as I ran pretty well down to the Silvershield trailhead aid station.<br />
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Climb 12 (Silvershield):<br />
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Three climbs to go! This climb back from Silvershield would be the easiest of the 14 as well, so I was feeling pretty good about things and starting to smell the finish. The climb was probably less than 2000 feet back to the trail junction to the Twin Peaks summit, but luckily no need to summit again. Then it was back down the steep Twin Peaks trail to Ouray, which was quite a challenge on tired legs. I came back into the town park just in time for a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. No need to go to my car and I got out of there quickly for the next climb.<br />
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Climb 13 (Chief Ouray Mine):<br />
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I had forgotten that there was a 50-mile race on this day that was essentially the last 50ish miles of the 100-mile course. I made the next climb to the Chief Ouray Mine keeping pace with what I would learn later were the top two 50-milers in their race. As it would turn out, only one of them would finish, Natasha, as she would win the 50-mile race and be the only finisher. I was feeling strong and really enjoyed this trail which would lead us to a cool abandoned mine named for Chief Ouray. It was also cooling off as the clouds were building up. I ran hard coming back down, on some very nice singletrack, which was much better than the loose, steep trails that seemed to make up much of the day. I came back into town just as the skies opened to heavy rain and lightning flashing everywhere. I jumped in my car without getting wet and hoped that the storm would pass quickly so I could get back out and finish this thing.<br />
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Climb 14 (Bridge of Heaven):<br />
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After about 20 minutes of refueling in the car, I detected a slight decrease in the rain intensity and no booms of thunder for a while. It was time to get back out there. I was bundled up, a bit overdressed when I started out, but I would be thankful for every piece of clothing before this climb was over. It was almost headlamp time and for the first time ever I would be racing into a second night. Shortly after starting the climb up Old Horsethief Trail, I met Cory and his wife/pacer Alissa. Good to see them surviving the storm and Cory about to finish in 3rd place!<br />
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This was a big climb, nearly 5000 feet, so I just tried to focus on one foot in front of the other, which wasn't easy in my sleep-deprived state. Then the hallucinations started. First I thought someone left a backpack on a tree stump. Then, it was a phone or some electronic device that got dropped on the trail. I picked it up and looked it over for several seconds before realizing it was a rock. My body was doing fine physically, but I was losing it mentally. As I got above the trees, it got really cold. Although there was a light rain, I was at least able to stay dry and fairly warm. I met Natasha and her pacer looking frozen but moving fast on their way down to a 50-mile victory. Then it was the moment I was dreaming of for nearly two days, a sign that read "The Bridge of Heaven". I'm sure in daylight there must be an amazing view that inspired the name, but for me, just the sight of the sign was one of the best views ever!<br />
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I stumbled my way back down the mountain, just trying to keep enough focus not to fall down and hurt myself. I passed by Pierre and stopped to congratulate him and thank him for pushing me. Not soon enough, I finally found myself back in the quiet streets of Ouray. I came into the park to a couple of cheers, the only people awake, and asked them where the finish line was. I then found Charles asleep in the gazebo and decided I should wake him up so he could officially end my race. After 45 hours and just after 1am on Sunday morning, my Ouray 100 race was complete!<br />
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Final thoughts:<br />
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For essentially a first-time race (given the course was completely changed), I thought it was a great event! Yes the course seemed a bit contrived with all the out and backs, but a perfect loop or point-to-point course isn't always going to be possible. The course featured all of the great trails around Ouray while being almost completely different from the Hardrock course.<br />
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As expected, I got asked many times how this race compared to Hardrock. I have finished Hardrock 10 hours faster than this race, and if that is how you rate a course's difficulty, then Ouray is harder than Hardrock. But in my opinion, so many other factors need to be considered. Ouray had no passes as technical and steep as Hardrock's Virginius or Grant-Swamp passes. Ouray never put you in as remote locations as you find yourself in Hardrock, where if things go very wrong, you can be in major trouble. Finally, and the most important factor to me, Ouray averaged about 1000 feet lower in elevation than the Hardrock course. At no point during this race did I experience the nausea that I have experienced every time I have attempted Hardrock and I am guessing this was mostly due to the slightly lower altitude.<br />
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I heard a few complaints about the race. With only 9 finishers, 80% of those who started, did not finish. I think the course was more difficult than many expected and that can lead to negative feelings for some, especially after a DNF. Those measuring distance had it anywhere from 104 to 120 miles! I am glad I only counted the number of climbs and not the number of miles.<br />
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I joked with Charles after the Crawford race that he had created the "<a href="http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/">Barkley</a>" of the West. I don't know a good nickname for this one yet. Anyway, this was a pretty bare-bones, low-key event, and some people expect more. I have a feeling some of the early years at Hardrock, Wasatch, Bear, and others were not much different than this. Where this race will go in the future, only time will tell. I would highly recommend it and no doubt it deserves to be a Hardrock qualifier. Charles also offered very generous prize money to the top 3 (I got 4th, ouch!), which you rarely see at these events.<br />
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I'll finish this long report by thanking everyone who made this event happen. Charles, you again went above and beyond for a race director! Hopefully you can get more support in the future and keep this event growing. To all the volunteers and crew members who stepped in to help out as well, THANK YOU! These mountains are special to me and I appreciate the opportunity to challenge myself in them once again.<br />
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Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-12155193577513542952015-09-21T11:38:00.001-07:002015-09-21T13:12:30.584-07:00Snowy Range<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The pictures say it all. The Snowy Range of the Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming.</div>
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Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-5077083606434246752015-09-13T11:36:00.001-07:002015-09-13T12:15:45.474-07:00A Grand Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lunch in Grand Lake? Kristel agreed but I didn't say how we were getting there. Finally, I made the Bear Lake to Grand Lake run across <a href="http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm">RMNP</a>. My first time on these trails, and they were amazing!<br />
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The route started from the popular Bear Lake trailhead up to Flattop Mountain on the Continental Divide and then down the Tonahutu Trail to Grand Lake (19ish miles out). After scarfing down some delicious grub from the Dairy King, we escaped the busy tourist town and made our way back up the North Inlet Trail for a return to Flattop and eventually back to our starting point at Bear Lake (18ish miles back). I had hoped to drop down into the Glacier Gorge from somewhere near Andrews Pass and come back to Bear Lake from a different trail, but dwindling daylight and only one headlamp between the two of us foiled that plan.<br />
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A few more people on these trails than I typically like, especially near the trailheads, but that was expected on this Labor Day weekend. Otherwise, I loved this loop! A great way to do lunch!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning departure from Bear Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view toward Glacier Gorge Basin on the climb to Flattop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Flattop headed to Tonahutu.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A burn area along the Tonahutu Trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the CDT entering Grand Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only place without a huge wait, but it was delicious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many gorgeous waterfalls along the North Inlet Trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sharkstooth from near Andrews Pass.</td></tr>
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-52516142796206615472015-08-20T10:03:00.000-07:002015-08-20T10:03:22.643-07:00Recovery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a busy July with <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2015/07/hardrock-2015.html">Hardrock</a>, <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2015/07/never-summer-100k.html">Never Summer</a>, and the <a href="http://www.ouray100.com/">Ouray 100</a>, I am finally starting to get back to running again. I was very happy with my experience at Ouray (my 7th 100-mile race finish) and will get a report up soon. So far in August, I have still caught more trout than miles run. That's probably not a bad thing.<br />
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Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-24283275837008134352015-07-29T13:50:00.000-07:002015-07-29T13:50:00.219-07:00Never Summer 100K<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This race had been on the radar for a couple of years and I would say it even exceeded my high expectations. I knew I wanted to be a part of this inaugural event as it had "epic" potential. When the opportunity came up to "race" it, I jumped at the chance. I know how much hard work it took by all the volunteers to make this thing work and I thank you all for allowing 197 of us lucky runners to take on this challenge.</div>
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Being 2 weeks after <a href="http://hardock100.com/">Hardrock</a> and 1 week before <a href="http://ouray100.com/">Ouray</a>, I decided not to even think of this as a "race", but instead went very conservative, chatting with friends and taking tons of pictures. Even with a conservative approach, I felt pretty worked by the finish line. <a href="http://www.gnarrunners.com/">Pete and Nick</a> have created a monster. It was like a mix of Hardrock, Bighorn, Bear, and Wasatch all rolled into one incredible 65 mile course!</div>
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While I had hiked or run several parts of this course in <a href="http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/StateForest">State Forest State Park</a> over my 20 years living in nearby Fort Collins, putting it all together in one big loop made me appreciate it even more. Put this race on your bucket list everyone!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The starting line at Gould Community Center</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing up Seven Utes with the full Never Summer Range about to come into view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristel and Alan traversing the ridge before the drop to Lake Agnes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The climb to North Diamond Peak to the beat of the kilted drummer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traverse from North Diamond to Montgomery Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Montgomery Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing toward Kelly Lake. Most amazing wildflowers ever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some scrambling above Kelly Lake</td></tr>
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-52442269390174608462015-07-16T15:43:00.003-07:002015-07-16T15:43:43.007-07:00Hardrock 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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No race report this year. <a href="http://hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a> is not a "race" anyway. For the first time in 4 years I did not get a spot in Hardrock. But as I would learn, you don't need a spot in Hardrock to be a part of Hardrock. I was left behind at the starting line, geared up and ready to go (#2 on the waitlist). After experiencing this event as a spectator and pacer for the first time, however, I feel I may have learned even more than if I had run it. I can't wait for the next opportunity when it comes. Until then, I will just keeping coming to Silverton to be a "part" of Hardrock every year.<br />
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Congrats to Adam Wilcox on a great race just 2 weeks after a strong <a href="http://www.wser.org/">Western States</a>! I had a blast sharing his adventure from Ouray to the finish line.<br />
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Congrats to all who kissed the rock in 2015!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the action at Grouse Gulch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adam picks up Kristel at Grouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Kroger's Canteen around midnight</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick bite for the pacer in Telluride</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on the descent from Oscar's Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful morning climbing out of Chapman</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final grunt up to Grant-Swamp Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A still frozen Island Lake below</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending the Putnam Ridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adam getting congrats from an excited AJW. Western/Hardrock complete!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long overdue! Kari crushing her 1st Hardrock! 5th place female!</td></tr>
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And a finish to Hardrock we will never forget: video <a href="https://vimeo.com/133271468">here</a><br />
Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-30769804699896224102015-06-25T10:47:00.000-07:002015-06-25T10:47:04.095-07:00'Tis the season'Tis the season to get into the high country. A great start to summer in one of my favorite places, the Comanche Peak Wilderness (and the Northern tip of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/index.htm">RMNP</a>) .<br />
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Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-49476080022147311932015-06-09T00:01:00.000-07:002015-06-09T00:08:45.594-07:00Pikes Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I would have guessed it to be more like April than June up on the mountain, but I still always find it more than worth the trip to this prominent peak 100 miles south of Fort Collins. All the reports were telling us it was probably too much snow to the get to the top, much like the whole Front Range right now, but Kristel and I were hopeful. We at least knew we would get more time at altitude than we have been able to get all this year, a good thing with <a href="http://hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a> potentially on the horizon for both of us (still moving up the wait list).<br />
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As expected, the snow was pretty substantial above 11,000 feet. We were lucky though to catch the snow in just the right conditions to give the summit a try. Of the many Pikes Peak summits I have done, this was by far my most enjoyable. We saw nobody else on the mountain above timberline, until we got to the summit house. Pretty crazy seeing all the tourists getting off the Cog Railway wearing flip flops. They all looked at us like we were pretty crazy too. Kristel's first 14er!<br />
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We rounded out the weekend with another climb to the A-Frame shelter at timberline (12000 feet). With the bright sunshine all morning, we got reports from a couple of climbers coming down that the snow was getting really soft. We decided one summit was good enough for this weekend. We also had a good time hanging out at Barr Camp. Great to see Neal and Theresa back running the camp, at least until the next caretakers come in this summer. Also spent some time on the mountain with soon-to-be Leadman <a href="http://shadmika.blogspot.com/">Shad</a>, soon-to-be Hardrocker Kircher, and <a href="http://pittbrownie.blogspot.com/">JT</a> (no "soon-to-be" because he's already done all that). Good times! Didn't even feel like a near 50-mile and 14K climbing weekend, but it was. I guess that is why I love Pikes Peak.<br />
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Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-59815055124704015862015-04-02T13:00:00.000-07:002015-04-02T13:00:30.138-07:00Snow in the Canyonlands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a bit late posting this, but the annual late winter trip to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm">Canyonlands National Park</a> was a little more wintry than last year. The snow certainly made the slickrock a challenge at times, but the beauty more than made up for it. Kristel and I spent two days this time exploring the Needles district of the park and still have not hit all the trails there.<br />
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Day one:<br />
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Day two:<br />
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-76825879555658133212014-12-31T22:54:00.001-08:002015-01-13T08:39:08.222-08:0087<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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87 summits of my backyard peak this year. A far cry from my 164 last year and not even close to <a href="http://irunmountains.blogspot.com/">Clarkie</a> who was near 200 this year. At least we will be tied starting tomorrow. I always like the vertical I get when I am chasing summits, but there are just too many great (and lesser-travelled) trails out here that frequently steer me away from the Horsetooth Rock.<br />
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These last few months of 2014 have been filled with some great Fall running from the Wasatch Front in Utah to the Appalachian Trail in Maine, and of course the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Mild weather and snow-free trails had been the norm around here, at least until the last week.<br />
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2015 will potentially have me running three of the most rugged and remote mountain ultras in Colorado: <a href="http://hardrock100.com/">Hardrock 100</a>, <a href="http://gnarrunners.com/never-summer-100k/">Never Summer 100K</a>, and the <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=30680">Beetle Kill 200K</a> (all within a 5-week period). Should be fun!<br />
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(Update: Unfortunately, Beetle Kill 200K is not happening this year, so I'll be doing the <a href="http://www.ouray100.com/">Ouray 100</a> instead.)<br />
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Some highlights from the last few months:<br />
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<br />Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-19533284988161425402014-12-09T08:57:00.000-08:002014-12-09T09:02:59.248-08:00The Hardrock Wait List (Do I train for this thing or not?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now that the suspense of the <a href="http://hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a> lottery is over, let the suspense of the Hardrock wait list begin. Here is some info that may be of interest to many of you (my fellow wait-listers) who are wondering if it's time to start training for Hardrock or not.<br />
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Last year's Veteran category:<br />
35 spots<br />
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I didn't find the number of wait-listers for last year (I think it was around 10), but I do know that everyone on the Veteran wait list ended up getting offered a spot in the 2014 Hardrock. There has been some concern that 20-time Hardrock finisher Kirk Apt won't be able to run in 2015, but at #6 on the wait list, I'm pretty sure he will get his shot at kissing the rock a 21st time.<br />
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Last year's Never category:<br />
35 spots<br />
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This wait list went 13 deep last year. Now there are 47 "Never" spots and, therefore, I expect the wait list will go a little deeper. I personally hope it goes at least 19 deep.<br />
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Last year's Else category:<br />
70 spots<br />
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The final spot in Hardrock 2014 was given to #16 on the "Else" wait list just hours before the start. Let's just say that my Hardrock training has already begun and I will be in Silverton this July. My wait list spot? Number 16.<br />
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Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7822513681066801881.post-49789466433628658442014-12-03T12:07:00.002-08:002014-12-03T12:08:28.961-08:00Hardrock 2015 Odds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is that time of year again. <a href="http://hardrock100.com/">Hardrock</a> lottery on Saturday! The revised lottery system is now in its third year and the good news for those that have never run Hardrock, there are an extra 12 spots for you this year! The bad news is that the you're still gonna need some very good luck to get your name drawn.</div>
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For the math geeks, the statistical method is summarized <a href="http://brotherpine.blogspot.com/2011/11/hardrock-what-are-chances.html">here</a>. So here is the breakdown for 2015.</div>
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The "Never Done Hardrock" category:</div>
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1146 applicants</div>
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4105 tickets</div>
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47 spots (plus I assume an extra 5 get in off wait list)</div>
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1 ticket: 1.3% chance of getting in</div>
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2 tickets: 2.6%</div>
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4 tickets: 5.1%</div>
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8 tickets: 9.9%</div>
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16 tickets: 18.8%</div>
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32 tickets: 34.1%</div>
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64 tickets: 56.7%</div>
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128 tickets: 81.5%</div>
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The "Veteran" category (At least 5 Hardrock finishes):</div>
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42 applicants</div>
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375 tickets</div>
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34 spots plus 5 off wait list (last year's winner Darcy Piceu already has a spot)</div>
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5 tickets (fewest held by a Veteran): 76.3%</div>
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23 tickets (most held by a Veteran): 99.95%</div>
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The "Everyone else" category:</div>
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178 applicants</div>
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617 tickets</div>
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69 spots plus 10 off wait list (Kilian Jornet already has a spot)</div>
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1 ticket: 15.8%</div>
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2 tickets: 29.1%</div>
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3 tickets: 40.3%</div>
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4 tickets: 49.8%</div>
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5 tickets: 57.8%</div>
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6 tickets: 64.5%</div>
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7 tickets: 70.2%</div>
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8 tickets: 75.0%</div>
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9 tickets: 79.0%</div>
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Good luck!</div>
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Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984689096096403230noreply@blogger.com7