A great resource for outdoor books!

Google “Mountaineer Bookstore” … in addition to 20% off you have helped raise money for local libraries.

Thinking of these routes for late summer in Zermatt

Getting ready for climbing season

Yesterday, I checked out my choucas light climbing harness (85 grams … Google this sweet item), made sure my daisy chain, ATC, and requisite locking biners were all accounted for. Today, I popped into High Peaks Cyclery and got a three month membership to their bouldering gym.

Slower than expected but good recovery from my first race

The log is more modest than I wanted, BUT still solid for the first full week of training, in the new season. I logged 12:30 hours of exercise, on 137k (111k bike, 24k run, and 2k row), with just under 3500’ of vertical gain. However, only one stretching and strength session.

Back for a college reunion

A beautiful day, and a wonderful time reconnecting with buddies. In the early afternoon, we headed up to have a beer at the parking lot, where our DPhi used to be. We met a trio of DPhi brothers - back for their 35th - doing the same thing!

Lucy’s Ski Fleet parked at our house!

So, I need to cart it all down to the cabin or the bunkhouse. Of course, she has her best boards back in Maine where she lives.

This marks the official end of my ski season

Well, Killington and Jay are closing this weekend, and of course, there is still Tuckermans Ravine. However, given the poor winter out west, I have decided not to take skis to the Sierras on my upcoming trip, in three weeks. So, this officially is the end of my 2025-26 ski season.

I have cleaned and waxed ski bases, as well as moving them in to storage at the Fossil Cabin. Today I moved ski boots to the basement, as well as taking skins, corks, scrappers, and waxes downstairs.

I am getting this book for my grandkids

A fun story, with nice illustrations, about a Saint Bernard puppy named Hugo set in the Swiss Alps, training to be a rescue dog. Google it to find a bookseller.

Shooting the breeze with Gary about what to climb in our 70s

Also drinking a little whiskey!

Post Race Thoughts

Well, maybe it was rash to be racing so early in the season! The left knee is still creakier than usual. The heel blister is no fun; I never even felt it during the race, as my left knee hurt so much. And despite keeping my pace at a reasonable level - 120 to 130bpm - I really didn’t log enough kilometers in April to be racing. Then of course there is the obvious: the older you get the more judicious you need to be in metaphorically putting yourself on the line.

Good start to the new training year

The log was modest; but it was good to do one good interval session, jump into an early season race, do some strength and stretching, as well as some climbing prep fitting crampons to mountaineering boots for my upcoming Sierra trip. As far as the regular metrics: I logged 10 hours, on 83k (58k bike and 25k run), with 3800’ vertical gain.

First race of the new season

Given that this was my longest run - by far - since October, I was pretty satisfied. This is the earliest I have raced in the new training year, so I consider it as more like a Level 3 and low Level 4 workout. My left knee really hurt on the two flat sections; needless to say I am counting the days until my gel injections. (I am even starting to consider if it is time for an early fall surgery.)

Some other goals for 2026-2027

I am aiming toward 3 running races, two nordic races, and at least one bike ride of 50+ miles (the Prouty). The first of my running events is Prospect Mountain, then Broken Arrow in June, and either the Stratton Mountain or the Mount Mansfield uphill in August.

The Grand Classic Giro starts today

Plug this into your browser for a great video preview.

https://youtu.be/ZybRVqvDdME

Goals for 2026-27 training year

The basic metrics remain the same: 750 hours, 200,000’ vertical gain, and 115 days on snow. With a gym membership, I am now looking to make a major - much needed bump - in strength, to 75 sessions for the year. I am also looking to do a big increase in MTB, to 85 sessions.

Finally, I am going to once again, join the HPC rock gym, so I can get ready for a major 75th birthday summit.

Fond memories from my recent trip to Switzerland

We had ten days of perfect weather this past March. I had some great hikes and ski days; and as always when I am in Zermatt it brings back memories from the 1970s, first with Dick and then with Lenny. Looking forward to my next trip, maybe in September … with Klink and Harry?

One of my best Zermatt moments was doing the Welzenbach route on the North Face of Lyskamm in the summer of 1978.

The past week bridged two different training years

The new training year started in the middle of the week, so the data is on two different spread sheets.

It was a good week, and I logged just a bit under 14 hours, on 100k (69k bike and 31k run), and 4065’ vertical gain. I also spent time in the gym managing two strength and stretching sessions.

Additionally, I did another snow school outing to work on crampon and axe skills. Now that the seasonal transition is complete, I have returned to tracking my speed per kilometer, as well as vertical per kilometer on foot.

27 tips from Chouinard’s CLIMBING ICE

Published in 1978, they still stand the test of time!

Spring in the Adirondacks

Last night before dinner I had a delightful run with my dog on the 1980 Olympic trails. This morning I woke up to a snow squall … you just never know what you are going to get!

The start of a new training year!

For nordic types, May 1st is the beginning of the 2026-2027 year. I spent the last hour looking at my spreadsheet and crunching the numbers. By this weekend I’ll commit to some goals for the coming year, and fully analyze last year’s performance.

At first blush, my key metrics - volume, vertical, days on snow - we’re all spot on, or close to goal projections. My 2025-26 goal was to log 750 hours, on 200,000’ of vertical gain, and 115 days on snow. When all is said and done, I managed 747 hours, almost 189,000’ vertical, and 113 days on snow.