Lake Champlain just visible in the distance

On Monday I perused almost all of the ski area webcams in the northeast. I noticed that several had made skiable snow during the run of cold nights last week. On the previous day, I even watched a skier, at sunrise, on Stratton's webcam skinning up a nice long patch of snow.

So, yesterday I drove to Bolton Valley - the closest patch of snow - unfortunately I got booted off, even before I clipped into my skis. (Next time, I will do it as a dawn patrol, knowing that all I will have to do is apologize, rather than get permission.)

All was not lost, as I had a good run up the skinning route on the edge of the ski area boundary.

WOW … KILIAN JORNET AND HIS ALPINE CONNECTIONS PROJECT

https://www.kilianjornet.cat/en/blog/petite-balade-alpine?utm_source=em&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=111924_routefinding_1&utm_klaviyo_id=01GQMSY133HGKT7KSCB0CMAK2H&_kx=VOA8zu5fg4rURwSosHy2WlWapQ1Ue6IQgCg0iNyBd8g.YgU9me

Lots of cold nights …

But, still no snow, and a burn ban until the end of November for fear of forest fires.

However, Whiteface opened - one or two runs - on the upper mountain, then downloading on Facelift. Probably just Fridays through Sundays until Thanksgiving.

I logged just under 17 hours, on 190k (163k bike and 27k run), with 3400' vertical. I also did two strength sessions, as well as one PT stretch.

At the start of every snow season the books I revisit …

Last week I re-read A Medal Of Honor, a novel about an Olympic biathlete, this week it's The God Of Skiing. A novel about a fictional Tack Strau, who skis and competes with all the greats. It is an often poetic ode to winter, the great resorts, big mountains, and going fast.

The cover photo is of Fritz Stammberger; certainly a flesh and blood man, in the mold of the main character. First to ski the north face of the Maroon Bells, notching climbs all over the world before perishing on a Hindu Kush expedition, or as some believe, captured and tortured by the Russians for helping supply CIA weapons to the mujahideen.

Next on my list of novels are: The Downhill Racers, The Lonely Skier, The Snow Gods and a couple anthologies of ski stories.

Excellent morning workout

I started with a 30 minute shakeout on the exercise bike, then over to Mount Van Hoevenberg for a crisp interval session on a bluebird 30 degree morning. Getting ready for an easy afternoon session of 60 minutes on the bike. 

Lindsey Vonn training and perhaps racing again

https://planetski.eu/2024/11/14/lindsey-vonn-set-to-race-again/

Latest grim 2025 snowfall prediction



Thinking of skiing Norwegian Birkie



Birkebeinerrennet worldloppet.com

Mystery surrounding secret Finnish kick zone invention for wet snow

 https://nordicinsights.news/2024/11/13/reports-finnish-inventors-devise-secret-tape-like-kickwax-solution-superior-in-wet-conditions/

David Hochschartner (Hock)

Maybe snow tonight, but more forecast in Jay Peak in Vermont

Keeping fingers crossed, and gearing up for a quick trip to ski on the Jay Peak golf course.

Good training last week. I logged just over 16 hours, on 161k (131k bike and 30k run), with 3300' vertical. I also did a bouldering session in the HPC Gym, two strength sessions, and two good PT stretches.

A wonderful Saturday in the Adirondacks

It started with a very chilly but quite nice mountain biking excursion on the rail trail. The middle of the day had me start to re-read A Medal Of Honor; the novel of a young biathlete as he tries to make an Olympic team, and compete in Cortina. (Well written, and true to life, as the author John Morton was an Olympian, and eventually head ski coach at Dartmouth.)

Finally, I ended the day with a sunset run on the 1980 Olympic trails.

Registration is open for the worlds longest nordic ski race

https://www.nordenskioldsloppet.com/1884

Case study of a 70+ year old world record holding runner

Pretty amazing!

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36860525/

First bouldering session at HPC gym

I am hoping to do one session a week at High Peaks Cyclery, through the winter into the spring. Range of motion through my right arm is pathetic.

A new extreme ski line on Mount Cook

https://www.skimag.com/adventure/first-ski-descent-mount-cook-new-zealand/

2024-25 adk Tour de Ski schedule

A good week despite election anxiety

Ski-able snow on Monday, and a dusting of snow at weeks end. I logged 16:40, on 159k (122k bike, 30k run, and 7k ski), with 4325' vertical. I had my fourth day on snow, and did two strength sessions, and two good stretches.

Another thought on the aging athlete

https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/declining-muscle-power/

The ski mountaineer running for the Senate

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/caroline-gleich-senate/?utm_term=ool&utm_campaign=ool-longreads&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--jaw9WfxkOEUB0MzOlBHGKvt9qs0E5r32g1tvr4E4vuNbNz_Cb4SasOjY3qIxD2NsGfNeUarSjWE_mVU2e5SCXM7n15g&_hsmi=331854297&utm_source=newsletter

Endurance performance and aging

It's going to take me awhile to digest this, but of course the bottom line is obvious … performance declines!

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2375571/

Looks like Quebec might be good for a November 8-10th trip

I am going to keep my eye on Foret and Mont St. Anne, and maybe gas up the Hockmobile for an adventure. 

A good reminder for all FOSSILS

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/27/opinion/body-muscles-40s-aging.html

Yesterday was day four on snow



A good week, with a little bit of everything

The spectacular fall weather continued, and I logged just under 15 hours, on 136k (113k bike and 23k run), with 3250' vertical. I also did two hours of alpine turns, a great mountain bike ride, a good strength session, as well as some stretching. Great to visit Harry, also great to chat with college buddies on our monthly zoom.

And, I woke up to some snow, so I am leaving in another 40 minutes - when the sun rises - to check out the toll road.

Hard frost in the morning, sunny but chilly days

Great fall weather continues.

Away for two days …

But, now I am back trail running in the 'dacks. It's deer hunting season, so dressing accordingly and picking trails wisely.

Day 2: downstate in the Catskills

A great MTB ride in Minnewaska State Park with Harry; and perhaps even more exciting was the cheesecake his girlfriend baked!

Start to scout signs of snow for drive-able early ski trip

Heck, Lab City and the Menihek Ski trails are only 16 hours away!

Third day on snow this season

Of course, I was not skiing the terrain park!

Another good trail run with Stash

The good weather continues, and today I am heading down to see an old college buddy. The trip will also include downhill skiing at Big Snow, the only indoor, all year-round ski area in America. My trip will also include some mountain biking in the Catskills.

Sorry to say … not much snow in the near future.

Looks like and inch or two might happen just before the election, but probably not enough to ski on the toll road.

Anton Krupicka and the FKT on the LA Freeway

The LA Freeway, stands for the 34 mile ridge line, including 24 peaks, that extends from Longs Peak to Arapahoe Peak.  Anton Krupicka was a brilliant ultra-marathoner from roughly 2007-2015.  A significant Achilles injury was the impetus for him to branch out and become the multi-sport athlete he is today. He uses rock climbing, skis, and multi-day adventure bike packing trips to tie together various "adventure runs" while in the mountains. This fall he got a couple of "golden tickets" for his second place finish at the Grindstone 100 miler.  He anticipates that he will do either the Hardrock 100 or make a return to the UTMB 100 miler next summer.

This is a great "How to do look" at the LA Freeway route.

https://www.lasportivausa.com/blog/la-freeway-fkt-anton-krupicka/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADohTkpa7JCtMdLHXkya_UkIp-T_I&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmt24BhDPARIsAJFYKk2TUW2bu6kQfcukXwQiOp2GMVpP0kZ7BboCsFFj2HIxc9OCJAid4IsaAij2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

A great week in the ‘dacks

You can't ask for much more: skiing, great trail runs, good strength sessions, and some glorious weather. As for the stats, I logged just under 16 hours, on 141k (105k bike, 22k run, and 14k ski), with 4750' vertical. I also managed two strength sessions, as well as some yoga.

Extending ultra-running and FKT efforts into the mountains

On some level alpinists, rock climbers, and mountaineers have always been interested in speed … the "Nose" in a day, some nordwand in a day, or an 8000m peak in a day! Well now we are talking about the Nose and North Face of the Matterhorn in under two hours, and Manaslu in under ten hours!  

Not sure how I feel about it - these guys have impressive engines - but I know these type of challenges are not going away, anytime soon. So, an interview well worth reading.

https://www.irunfar.com/tyler-andrews-manaslu-speed-record-himalayas-2024-interview

Another good trail run

Another hard frost this morning, as the overnight low was 22 degrees. By 10:30 am the temperature had risen to 50 degrees and Stash and I went for a run at Mount Van Hoevenberg, on the East Mountain trail.

Running a few hill intervals at Whiteface

A nice workout which included two level 4 repeats, each at 6:30 minutes. After the warmup and cool down, the workout logged 5k, 750', in 68 minutes.

Look for it!

This comet won't be back for another 80,000 years.

Frost on the pasture, moon setting, and a dusting of snow

Second ski tour of the season

Snow season has started!

First day on snow, skiing up the whiteface toll road.

Thanks again to Lucy!

Here she is running by the Fossil Cabin, and out to the 1980 Olympic trails with Stash. Selden and I could never have managed the Chamonix adventure, without her taking care of the farm.

As for my training, another good week despite the travel, the jet lag, and the lack of sleep. I logged just over 14 hours on 117k (81k bike and 36k run), with 2050' vertical.

Another Patagonia running vest option



The other option is much smaller, and would be a perfect replacement for my current running vest … perfect for a 1-2-3 hour trip.  Whereas the 18 liter (previous post) would have a wider range: alpine climbing, ski touring, and adventure runs. 

Patagonia® Slope Runner Endurance Vest youtube.com

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KgvMxaBJM-4

Thinking about a new running vest/pack

My first generation 5-6 year old Salomon running vest is showing its age. Thinking about this item ….

Use the link to read a review. 

https://alpsinsight.com/stories/patagonia-sloperunner-exploration-pack/

Home running trails with Stash

Thanks to Lucy for making it possible for mom and dad to have an adventure, to celebrate their 40th. Lucy took care of the sheep, chickens, geese, and our dogs; additionally she took Stash on some nice long runs.

New remains found on Everest of “Sandy” Andrew Irvine

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/sandy-irvine-body-found-everest

Excellent book about running into your 70s an 80s

Seems to only be available in England and various European countries, so I bought a copy in Cham. A long time fell runner, working through what is going on with his body as he approaches 70.

Lots of science research cited, but it's written for the lay person, with enough information for the curious to get to the clinical data.

I was hooked by his back of book blurb, " Welcome to the uphill struggle of going downhill."

Heading for home

We get picked up at 6:45am, and our Geneva flight takes off at 11am. The picture is from yesterday is of the Argentiere terminal moraine, with the snout of the glacier just barely visible. As with the other local glaciers there has been a substantial retreat in the past 100 years.

We had a great trip, and a wonderful 40th anniversary.

Last workout in Cham

After lunch with Selden and a nap, she went to the hot tub and I went for a workout. I ran 2.5k to Gaillands, bouldered for 45 minutes, ran back to the hotel, and then took a sauna.

A great day, a great trip, and early wake up, and hoping the hurricane does not play havoc with Dulles airport traffic.

Back in Chamonix

We did some grocery shopping for our last day in France, and I was checking out new running vests.