EAST SIDE: day 2

Yesterday we drove down to Millpond Campground, just outside Bishop and I went for a 45 minute trail run. Danny, Mark, and I had a great dinner cooked on a Coleman stove, and a wee bit of whiskey.

Today I started with a yoga session, then a ski tour up to Mosquito Flat at 10,300', and finished up with some easy intervals.

Heading to the east side of the Sierras

These are the peaks above Virginia Lakes, where I skied last year with Hudson.

Teton Rockfall

https://adventure-journal.com/blogs/news/rockfall-changes-world-famous-teton-skyline-forever-well-until-the-next-rockfall-that-is

TAHOE: day 3

Once again, I started the day with a nice yoga session.  After working out details of our plan for the East side of the Sierras, Mark dropped me of at a trailhead, and I did a very nice ski tour in the shadow of Castle Peak. Later in the day I spent ten minutes, tossing easy weights around at Mark's house. GREAT DAY. 

Tahoe: day 2

Yesterday, I started the day off with a yoga session, and then did a 50 minute run. In the afternoon Danny and I did a two hour ski up near Mount Rose. A great day, and then Mark introduced me to Viking Valhalla on Netflix. 

Danny’s House

Mark and I headed over to see Danny and watch the Celtics play the Heat. An impressive snowpack still covering his front lawn.

Tahoe: day 1

Plenty of snow up high. However, my choice of tours - Pole Creek - was a poor one. Too much hiking (5.5k) and too little skiing (3.5k), but it was a good two hour workout with some nice vertical. Followed up with a good yoga session.

UTMB book review

https://www.trailrunnermag.com/people/culture-people/book-review-the-race-that-changed-running/

Super long travel day

Up at 4am, then the 7am plane to Chicago, then Phoenix, then to Reno, and an hour drive to Olympic Valley. Plenty of snow above 6700'. Hoping to do this snow climb before I leave,

Last workout with Stash for awhile

We had a good jog on the new nordic trails. Heading out tomorrow to Tahoe to see Mark and Danny, as well as doing some late season ski tours. Flying home on June 8th.

Shining Mountains … a video about the vanishing glaciers of Glacier National Park

https://youtu.be/hro6ciOyVkY

New data on strength training

https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/muscle-fiber-strength-research/

Recent picture from Mammoth …

There will obviously be snow to ski tour on next week!

Recovered well from the race

I am back training lightly, for a few days.

Beginning to gather for the start of the race

It was a week of tapering and recovery before the Mining For Vert Challenge. So, the volume was less, but with the race, data on intensity sky-rocketed. I managed to log 12 hours last week, with 6250' vertical, on 94k (55k bike, 36k run, and 3k ergometer), as well as three yoga sessions, and single strength session.

Good race at Mining Vertical 4 Hour Challenge

Oldest competitor (so won age group) but only a couple of minutes off 60 year old podium. The stats were: 13 laps, four hours, 17k, and 4075' vertical.

My one sentence summary … plenty of gas left in the tank but no fluid for the knees!

At reunion at Union College

Next year is my 50th, but a bunch of us came to reconnect with friends from the class ahead of us.

Hoping to do lots of skiing in the Sierras

However, there are lots of good trail runs I can do in the afternoons, after a morning ski tour.  This new guide book is a good one! 

In less than two weeks I’ll be in the Sierras

So, I am pulling out guidebooks, both old (this 1995 volume) and new (Sierra Trail Runs) to start planning some adventures.  

Dusting of snow and first jog of the year on 1980 biathlon trails

Over night lows tonight will, again, be in the twenties.

BLAST FROM THE PAST … canadian rockies 1974

Bill Trollenberg, Stephanie White, and I spent three months hiking and climbing in the Canadian Rockies. This was my first big, and long, climbing trip. Among others, we climbed Mount Rainier, Mount Athabasca, Mount Olive, Saint Nicholas Peak, Snowdome, Mount Woolley, and a failed attempt on the Wishbone Arete of Robson. The picture was of me honing technique on an early season frozen waterfall.

Excellent Rest Day

Starting with some tea and ginger snaps, then proceeding to a sauna down at the Fossil Cabin.

A beautiful spring week with solid training

Last week the weather was clear and mild; I logged over 16 hours and over 6500' vertical, on 115k (61k mostly MTB, 45k on foot, and 9k ergometer). I also did three yoga sessions, a strength session, and I am looking at putting a racing bib on next Sunday.

The benefits of altitude training

https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/10-rules-for-altitude-training/

Scouting ski tours for Memorial Day in Tahoe … IMPRESSIVE!

Of course, this SNOTEL data is from May 11th, but with many places still showing snow depth over 100 inches, it seems likely I'll be doing some ski touring!  Quite the resource … check it out. 

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/wcc/home/quicklinks/imap#version=167&elements=&networks=!&states=!&counties=!&hucs=&minElevation=&maxElevation=&elementSelectType=all&activeOnly=true&activeForecastPointsOnly=false&hucLabels=false&hucIdLabels=false&hucParameterLabels=false&stationLabels=&overlays=&hucOverlays=&basinOpacity=100&basinNoDataOpacity=100&basemapOpacity=100&maskOpacity=0&mode=data&openSections=dataElement,parameter,date,basin,elements,location,networks&controlsOpen=false&popup=&popupMulti=&popupBasin=&base=esriNgwm&displayType=station&basinType=6&dataElement=SNWD&depth=-8&parameter=OBS&frequency=DAILY&duration=I&customDuration=&dayPart=E&monthPart=E&forecastPubDay=1&forecastExceedance=50&useMixedPast=true&seqColor=1&divColor=3&scaleType=D&scaleMin=&scaleMax=&referencePeriodType=POR&referenceBegin=1981&referenceEnd=2010&minimumYears=20&hucAssociations=true&relativeDate=-1&lat=39.1481&lon=-120.2787&zoom=9.7

SKY RUNNING article in the Wall Street Journal

https://www.wsj.com/articles/skyrunning-endurance-race-sports-343cfd52?st=ltht10k8xxqxbc3&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink&_hsmi=257515908&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8Z_9HbK3PtrQeCySDOa_USfP44DyQeIC6PWaOWkyk43pPDmZkgHA6Y0TIQbc0Z38ADm2CrG1itBFqtDPtltHihk1-OeQ

Legendary American climber Tom Hornbein passes away at age 92

On the 1963 American Everest expedition, Hornbein and Unsoeld did a two person alpine style ascent of the unclimbed West Ridge, which was far ahead of its time.

https://adventure-journal.com/blogs/news/tom-hornbein-legendary-everest-pioneer-dead-at-92

Beautiful day and a nice hike up Prospect Mountain

BLAST FROM THE PAST … the backside of beyond

https://earnyourturns.com/12155/rerun-the-backside-of-beyond/

First week of new training year

A good first week - with mostly crappy weather - however I managed just under 15 hours, just under 4000' vertical, and 111k (72k bike and 39k+ run). I also did three yoga sessions, a strength session, and my first MTB ride of the season.

As you can see from the picture on the Jackrabbit Trail, it has been pretty wet.

Nordic skiing in June

https://fasterskier.com/2023/05/great-skiing-in-june-its-real-and-mt-bachelor-has-your-ticket/

What was in your skimo pack this winter?

Not too different from my pack, except a warmer parka, warm hat, and another lightweight wind shell for over the puffy.  (The 'dacks are colder and more blustery than being on a piste in the alps.)  But, this list will be perfect when I head out into the Sierras in three weeks. 

https://www.dynafit.com/en-us/what-s-inside-my-skimo-pack

Not logging big mileage but …

I feel like I have had a successfully transitioned back to running, after the ski season. Next up, is hopping on the mountain bike.

Book Review … Born To Run 2

https://news.ultrasignup.com/born-to-run-2/

Video highlights of 2023 Trofeo Mezzalama skimo race

An exceptional 12 minute video - no narration - just stunning footage of this La Grande Course. The race begins in Cervinia and 45k later ends in Gressoney, in between there is 3300m of ascent, including three 4000 meter peaks. 

https://youtu.be/jBlHPWE1GaM

Quick review of 2022-23 training year

So the highlights were as follows: 772 hours of training, 226,000' vertical, 127 days on skis, 4 uphill running races (2 age group podiums), one 50k+ ultra, one Skimo race, and two trips to the Sierras, as well as a trip to Zermatt.

A couple of big disappointments: no climbing or mountaineering just a bit of bouldering. I was only able to average one strength workout a week. And, I did not do any of the planned nordic ski marathons.

In summary, a productive year to kick off my 70s, now it's time to set goals for the next year.

The Nordic Training Season … is defined as May 1 - April 30

So, last week was the "official" end of the 2022-23 nordic season. It was a good week in a qualitative sense, although totals were much lower.  

The highlight was getting into Huntington Ravine, as well as the spectacular views of Boot Spur, and the head wall of Tuckermans Ravine. Skiing down the Sherburne Ski Trail was a New England classic, although the lower portion was melted out. And finally, despite the rain watching my daughter put a race bib on for the USATF uphill run, at Mount Sunapee, was a treat.  Hoping to get to Huntington Ravine next year in late March or early April to climb up South Gully, down The Escape Hatch, and ski all the way out to Pinkham Notch. 

So, for the final week of my training year the totals were: just under 16.5 hours, just over 6300' vertical, and 91k (49k exercise bike, 36k run, 6k ski).  Today will be the day to total up all the data, look at last years goals, and make some goals for the 2023-24 season. 

Knees are still creaky from long day in the Whites

USATF uphill championship

Given a hectic last five weeks - drive east, new job, new apartment - Lucy's training has not been the central focus. She pushed hard, reconnected with some old nordic racing pals, and so it was well worthwhile, even if she wasn't really in race shape. 

Great day in the White Mountains

Hiked and skinned up to the floor of Huntington Ravine. (From left to right in the picture is South and Odell's Gullies, then Pinnacle Buttress and Central Gully.)

After lunch we skied and hiked out, and then skinned up to Hermit Lake. We then skied down the Shelburne Ski Trail, and finally hiked out the last two miles. A superbly beautiful.

Level 4 uphill intervals

Earlier in the week I did my first interval session of Old Mountain laps, to start out the new running season.

BLAST FROM THE PAST … thinking about one last trip to the Cordillera Blanca

Huaraz, the Chamonix of South America.  I have had four wonderful trips to Peru, and am hoping for one more before I hang up the spikes!

Nice Adirondack spring day with some snow flurries

BLAST FROM THE PAST … the right reverend bardini

An extended obituary and a salute to Alan Bard.

https://earnyourturns.com/17796/profile-the-right-reverend-bardini/

How much endurance do you have to lose when you age?

https://www.trailrunnermag.com/training/most-people-get-slower-with-age-but-is-that-inevitable/?_hsmi=255642873&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--6KtgOZltwQB7Vy4uoEVJ8a7CINBOAwYr6PF7POoACEVyrEiMucbwfyoiHaWXy6ImZhAUIBWqQ75NDWgyN8gCFopqQJw

Getting excited about trail running again

Of course, I am looking forward to ski touring out west in May, but now my mind is about a return to trail running and hiking. I will certainly run some uphill races again; I will also want to do a few long trail runs (20-30k range) in scenic mountain terrain; but I think I am going to retire from the yearly ultra-running race. 

Last week finished a 2-3 week transition back to the summer mode, of running, hiking, and biking. I managed to log 15+ hours, just over 4500' vertical, and 128k (93k exercise bike and 35k on foot). This week I will pull out the mountain bike.

The link is to a ten minute video, about trail runner Dylan Bowman, his company Freetrail, and the Gorge Waterfalls race. Gets you ready to lace up your shoes.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RfmL3KQefvY

Mezzalama: the last skimo Grande Course race of the season

The Mezzalama race just finished and ended the 2023 skimo race season.  The race alternates every other year, with the PDG (Patrouille des Glaciers) as the unofficial world championship of team, long form, skimo racing. Enclosed is a link to the history of this race, as well as a short video.

https://www.dynafit.com/en-us/trofeo-mezzalama-history

First spring trip up Owls Head

As always balance seems off on this first rocky trail of the season. And as always, a beautiful view for such a short hike.

Next week LUCY will be running in the Sunapee Scramble

Dipping her toe in the trail running water, she is not likely to jeopardize anyone's spot on the team to travel to the World Championships in Austria. But this will be a good shakeout to clear the cobwebs out after her frenetic move east. 

https://trailrunner.com/trail-news/scramble-at-the-inaugural-sunapee-scramble-for-team-usa-opportunities/

Hiking laps up Mt Pisgah

Its mud season in the Adirondacks. During this time my quest for vertical workouts finds me on steep dirt roads like Jay Mountain or Old Mountain Roads, or Baxter and Roundtop Lanes, or yesterday, on the cat track, service road at Pisgah.