Excellent video … The Proving Ground

https://youtu.be/CN8coLjWOzc

Day 113 on snow this season

I rode lifts yesterday at Whiteface with my skimo race gear. I snapped this picture as it my be the last ski of the season.

Haute Route FKT broken

Chamonix to Zermatt in just 20.5 hours!

So in 15 months I’ll turn 75

I was wondering, what would I want to do by way of celebration? Have a party with family and friends? A trip to a dream place I never got to visit, like the Himalayas? A present to myself of some high end gear - hot road bike or fancy skimo setup - which I could never rationally justify? No surprise, I think I would want to celebrate by climbing a mountain! Something I have not done: Shasta? Mt. Hunter? Mount Whitney? Frendo Spur? So, there are many factors to consider: for one, who would I go with? Me, and most of my contemporaries are in the - what I call - “almost a has been” category. Not exactly retired from climbing, but ghosts of what we once were. Which brings me to the conclusion of needing a guide to do this thing. Next, of course there is a serious need to evaluate my personal fitness, strength, and mobility. As a for instance, let’s take the Matterhorn as an example. I have always wanted to climb the north face. I have been to Zermatt probably a dozen times, climbing several great routes. On two occasions I was there to give the north face a go … heavy snowfall precluded both attempts. At 75 could I even make it up the standard route, the hornligrat? Really, I have no fucking idea, so a quick google search led me to the Matterhorn Fitness Test (google it) … who knew? After that, I would need to assess what level of rock climbing I would be comfortable with? Would a guide even be willing to take a 75 year old? How much would it cost? I’ll keep you updated on my evolving thoughts, and will certainly give the Matterhorn Fitness Test a shot, when I am next in Zermatt.

Two new nordic skiing videos streaming now!

You can watch the fantastic video - Threshold - about Jessie Diggins on Peacock, and a Norwegian video about Klaebo - with subtitles - on Amazon Prime. I have been watching them peddling on my exercise bike while it’s been raining.

Wonderful blog of the Swiss Alps, history of photography, and mountain culture

Of course, it’s all in the service of selling his exquisite black and white mountain landscape photography. BUT WELL WORTH A VISIT!

Thinking the Prospect Mountain will be the first mountain race of my season

Also thinking of the Stratton Mountain Uphill, the Mount Mansfield Uphill, and possibly the Broken Arrow VK, or something in Europe!

David Hochschartner (Hock)

For ski racers April is a recovery and transition month

So, the volume is low, and I try to ski when I can. But, I do a bit of running, dust off the gravel bike, get back into a regular strength program, and hike trails that have dried out. Sometimes, I even pull out the shoes for a little easy bouldering. This past week I logged just over 12 hours, on 104k (88k bike, 11k run, and 5k ski), with 2500’ vertical gain. Going to the Yankee game with Len meant I had two rest days! However, I also alpine skied for two mornings, as well as doing one stretch and one strength session.

Snow coverage still pretty good …

I rode lifts this morning with my Skimo racing gear.

BLAST FROM THE PAST … Ramer bindings

In the late 1970s, I became aware of this setup, as it was the standard issue binding for winter Colorado Outward Bound courses. The caveat was, that we could not use the lockdown mechanism - insurance only covered nordic skiing - and so we removed that portion of the bindings on our students skis. After teaching those courses, I bought myself a pair, and mounted them on an old pair of my dad’s Rossi Stratos. It was the perfect setup for approaching ice climbs, as it worked well with climbing boots, and was a heck of a lot faster than snowshoes.

The Yankees lost but a great day at the stadium

THANKS LENNY!

Yesterday was my 110th day on snow

The return of winter allowed some pretty decent skiing on Mount Van Hoevenberg. It is closed for the season, so they haven’t groomed in over a week but, as you can see, the coverage was pretty decent.

Return of winter and a sauna

With snow on the ground Monday, and maybe a bit more to come on Tuesday/Wednesday; I thought it a good time to fire up the sauna. While there wasn’t enough snow to roll around in, I did manage to get a good rubdown with the snow, after each 15 minute session.

It was a fun week

I hooked up with some college buddies at our annual Killington gathering: we watched some NCAA basketball, skinned some laps, drank a few beers, plus closer to home, I also enjoyed two mornings riding lifts at Whiteface. I logged just over 15 hours of exercise, on 98k (59k bike, 24k ski, and 5k row), with just under 5300’ vertical gain. Heck, I even did a stretching session last week.

Re-reading The God Of Skiing

For a skier, this is a must read.

The Antiquarian shop in Zermatt

Looking forward to re-visiting that delightful store and collection of artifacts. The paintings, sketches, and etchings were of particular interest to me, although most were way out of my price range.  I particularly enjoyed viewing the Albert Gos works … he is known unofficially as the "Matterhorn painter."

The image below is of his painting of the chapel at Schwarzee, on the shore of Lake Noir.

I am excited … even if nobody else is!

HEADING BACK TO THE MOON

Interesting article on avalanche rescue dogs

This Puppy Could Someday Save Your Life nytimes.com

Spring is coming to Lake Placid

Yesterday, I took my dog Stash out for a warmup in our back pasture, before heading over to Mount Van Hoevenberg for a ski workout. Today, I spent the morning riding lifts at Whiteface with my Skimo race gear.

Zermatt And Its Valley … delightful book online

A wonderful book written by Francois Gos, which was translated into English and published in 1927.  Fantastic black and white photographs, and a detailed history of all the towns leading up to Zermatt, the various hamlets and alpine pastures, as well as the important peaks. 

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b4341443&seq=7

Mount Van Hoevenberg has closed for the season …

Of course, there is still snow, so die-hards (like me) will still get out there this week.  No grooming, so unless you like icy ruts, skiing will be best when the snow has softened. It was a great winter, they groomed well, and the did a fine job hosting many high profile events.

On a personal note, I had a good week of training.  I logged 15:43 hours of exercise, on 169k (122k bike, 28k ski, 10k row, and 9k run), with just under 4000' vertical gain. I also did a morning of alpine skiing with my skimo race gear. 

Adirondack Spring

Great man-made skiing to be had, or hiking up 1000' vertical feet to where the snow is deep. But, soon cyclist and trail running on dirt roads will come into play.

Find your Max VO2 with a five minute test



Five-Minute Power-Based Test to Predict Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Road Cycling journals.humankinetics.com

Sunset over the back pasture

More on the Pierra Menta

These are not the easy - barely needed - kick turns you see in the Olympic Skimo Sprints. These kick turns are the real deal leading to a mountain pass … this is true ski mountaineering!

World Cup is done BUT we still have fantastic skiing



100th Day On Snow This Season



BLAST FROM THE PAST … 2011 attempt on Haute Route

The classic ski route from Chamonix to Zermatt is usually done in April and early May.  It can be done in March - when we went - if avalanche conditions are moderate.  

In 2011, the first crossing was completed in late March after we returned to the states. However, we did some excellent piste and good ski tours. Additionally, Carter Rowley and I managed to make attempts on the Petite Aiguille Verte as well as the Cosmique Arete. 



TRAINING while the BIG DOGS are in TOWN!

It's the biggest event of the year, as the World Cup circus comes to town.  

Of course, skiing at Mount Van Hoevenberg is off limits.  However, I cruised the competition site on foot a few days before the competition, wanting to see the hot shots up close. Additionally, I get to the races early and stay late for the awards. Finally, I have 15 twenty-something's staying in our home, which needless to say, cramps my style a bit. All of this is by way of saying, my normal exercise routine was a bit disrupted. 

That said, given the hiking on the competition course, it was not an insignificant week.  I logged almost 13 hours, on 102k (73k bike, 17k run, 6k ski, and 6k row), with 2000' of vertical ascent. I also skied two mornings at Whiteface on my skimo racing gear.  ( The photo, taken by my buddy Klink is of Jessie Diggins skiing a fast qualifier in the sprints.)

David Hochschartner (Hock)

The awesome Globe Ceremony for the overall best skier

Jessie raising the Crystal Globe, flanked by Ilar and Dahlqvist.

The Edelweiss Hut

In the winter, it is closed until June however, it is one of my favorite spots to have lunch or just a snack on your way to the Trift Hut. It's lighted up on winter evenings to remind people of this wonderful spot, on their summer visits!

Fantastic World Cup Racing in Lake Placid

The crowd was large and energetic. The snow was nuking which made waxing a nightmare for the techs, and it sure looked like spring had not come to the Adirondacks yet.  The only glitch, was needing more shuttle bus capacity to get people to the stadium quicker from the parking at the horse show grounds. 

Thankfully, I was gifted a VIP ticket, and while I was enjoying the food, drink, and an occasional break in a comfy chair, it was the free parking on site that was most appreciated. 

The interval start racing was tight and exciting, Swedes and Norwegians were dominate in both races, however Jessie finished fifth (securing a lock on the Crystal globe), and we had four American women in the top 30. Klaebo, who only arrived Wednesday evening, thrilled the crowd with his win, but the biggest roars were for Gus who finished seventh and Ben who finished 11th. 

Everyone is looking forward to sprints … especially the men because Klaebo will sit this one out!

Linn Svahn Best in Blizzard to Win 10km Classic at Jessie Diggins Invitational; Diggins Fifth nordicinsights.news

Views on the way to Zum See

A fantastic moderate hike, and in the summer don't forget the rock shoes for some bouldering!

Views on the way to Zum See

A fantastic moderate hike, and in the summer don't forget the rock shoes for some bouldering!

Yesterday … wearing of the green on St. Patrick’s Day

Sixty miles an hour winds, kept me inside on the exercise bike, except for two 30 minute warmup hikes.

THE BIG DOGS ARE IN TOWN … and Klaebo was cleared medically to hop on a plane today and race in the finals

World Cup Finals: How to Get There, Where to Eat, and Other Logistical Notes from a Local nordicinsights.news

Pierre Menta … putting mountaineering back in Skimo

BLAST FROM THE PAST … 100 years ago!

My two souvenirs from Switzerland

A mug for my morning tea, and a copy of a pencil sketch of the view from the Winkelmatten chapel. Unlike Lenny, I could not bring back a load of Swiss chocolate, because I know from prior experience I would have eaten all of it on the plane.

A good recovery week

For a week with 30 hours of travel, wrestling with jet lag, dealing with fatigue from the previous week, and disappointment from the poor snow conditions. So, I am pretty satisfied with having logged 11.5 hours, on 87k (59k bike, 19k run, 9k ski), with 3115' vertical ascent.

What a great idea … ski the last lap with Jessie Diggins

World Cup Nordic Finals

March 19-21 … a gathering of the clan!