Mammoth Trail Fest 26K Livestream

https://m.youtube.com/live/f-ERmOx-Sh0?si=aF1RWP9yQ804AtPb

The last of the Golden Trail races goes live tomorrow at 10am from Mammoth California; this is the last chance for elite athletes to qualify for the finals in Italy. I raced the inaugural uphill race - the dragonback - last year and placed 1st in my age group. 

Difficult new route on Ranrapalca

Well, my hard climbing days are over, but I would love to make at least one more trip to the Cordillera Blanca. Stay at La Casa de Zarela, re-climb the classic easy routes - Urus, Ishinca, Pisco - as well as hike a bit and trail run.

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/alpinism/ranrapalca-nw-face-climbed-peru-pou-brothers-micher-quito.html

Free Climbing the Leaning Tower in Yosemite

Athletic climbing, great footage, spectacular scenery, and a look at the process it takes to free climb these big wall routes.



https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=aWLzPPQQUWgZsmth&v=bcnsDIamHjM&feature=youtu.be

A good transition week …

From Lassen Peak to Mount Van Hoevenberg; with two travel days off, my focus was on recovery. Still, I managed to log a respectable 12 hours of exercise, which included 61k (35k run and 26k bike), five yoga sessions, and just under 4200'. Much of the aerobic work was at altitude between 6-10,000' … with my last two kilometer splits to the summit of Lassen being 16:30 and 19:09.

The picture of Mark dropping me off at the Reno airport, captures two guys who have just recaptured their dirtbag selves after 2+ weeks in the mountains!

However, Adirondack scenery is looking pretty good!



The first avalanche transceiver and the man who invented it

https://www.skiinghistory.org/article/skadi-man

Missing those Sierra views

The view of Mount Dana, and the couloir I climbed many years ago with Mark, Callie, and Lewy.

“The Impossible Record” … running up Pikes Peak

https://www.outsideonline.com/running/news/people/will-the-impossible-record-running-up-pikes-peak-ever-be-broken/

Day #15 … back home

Twenty-four hours after Mark dropped me off at the Reno Airport, I was back at the farm in Lake Placid.

Day #14 in the Sierras

Yesterday was another beautiful day in Tahoe. A low key, lazy morning, unpacking from our trip to the Lassen area. We also managed to squeeze some yoga and a hike on the original Western States Trail into our morning.

We had a leisurely lunch in town with - Danny Hyde - another fossil friend who goes way back. Afterwards I had a run, followed by tacos, and a viewing of the 1976 version of Midway. Heading home tomorrow.

Lassen Peak

Also known as Mount Lassen, this is a lava dome, and the southernmost active volcanos in America. This 10,457' mountain last erupted in 1921. I managed to make the round trip in under three hours.

Glaciers Disappearing on Mount Rainier

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/climate/mount-rainier-glaciers-climate-change.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Climate%20and%20Environment

Day #13 in the Sierras

The focus for today was packing up camp, hiking up Lassen Peak (10 580'), driving to the southwest National Park entrance, and then heading back to Mark's house.

A great day, a wonderful trail, and fantastic views.

Day #12 in the Sierras

A superb day, with a great run on the Pacific Crest Trail and a hike with Mark on the Spatter Cone Trail. Volcanic rocks, collapsed lava tubes, columnar jointing, and deep holes where the lava exited; not to mention great views of Lassen and the other dormant volcanoes peaks.

However, Mark failed to hook any fish, so we had salami and cheese instead of fish tacos.

Day #11 in the Sierras

A long drive north to the Hat Creek Campground. I managed a good yoga session and then a wonderful hour run on the Spatter Cone Trail … great views and awesome volcanic features.

Day #10 in the Sierras

We spent a casual day at Mark's house in Olympic Valley. We concentrated on washing dirty clothes, cleaning our pots and pans, having fun with Mabel and Liz, watching CNN to catch up on news, and I managed a good yoga session as well as an hour run on the old Western States Trail.

We will head out in two hours for Mount Lassen; after hiking up to the summit tomorrow, we may head to Mount Shasta. 

Courtney’s triple crown, and finally an American male wins UTMB

https://www.irunfar.com/2023-utmb-results

Day #9 in the Sierras

Closing out, Part One of this fossil adventure. 

After an hour run - out and back - to Sawmill walkin campground, we broke down our camp, and headed back to Tahoe.  I managed an easy sunset run, before a dinner of lasagne and salad prepared by Liz. Post dinner activity was peek-a-boo with Mabel. 

Tomorrow or the next day, we hope to head up to Mount Lassen National Park.

Day #8 in the Sierras

REST DAY … a bit of yoga, breakfast at Nicely's, reading, getting a few groceries, answering some email, and charging phones.

Another beautiful day. Capped off by fish tacos from three trout Mark caught.

Day #7 in the Sierras

Mark and I spent the afternoon doing snow school with Tori (although I squeezed in multiple laps). Although she is a 5.11 rock climber, and expert skier, Tori has far less experience with snow climbing.

The curriculum included: snow anchors (pickets, deadman, bollard), boot axe belays (pictured below), glacier travel, and stacking tools while climbing steep ice. Needless to say, Tori is a quick study.

Day #6 in the Sierras

A cold night, with a low of 28 degrees. However, it gave way to a beautiful day with yoga, a run up to and on the Gardisky Trail, and another bunch of snow laps with ice axe and crampons. Left to right: Hannah, Mabel, Hudson (getting ready to leave) Tori, Liz, and Mark.

Day #5 in the Sierras

A terrific yoga session and run into the Buttermilk Boulders. The climbing problems were well beyond me but Tori, Hannah, and Hudson got up some 5.10-11 routes.

Day #4 in the Sierras

A casual day doing a trail run toward the Druid Stone, and got lost on a MTB trail. Nice run though. And of course, before we heading back up to Tioga Pass, I stopped at my favorite … Schat's Bakery

Day #3 in the Sierras

A casual morning, snagging camp sites for the rest of the Ewing clan who arrive later in the day. I had a good session doing practice laps with my ice axe and crampons. Afterwards I also had a good yoga session.

Day #2 in the Sierras

A beautiful day, which I started with an easy 30 minute hike followed by 30 minutes of yoga and core work. In the afternoon, we snagged a campsite at junction (just outside north entrance to Yosemite. After that I did a two hour out and back hike to Saddlebag Lake.

Day #1 in the Sierras

A day of packing, stretching, and traveling to the east side of the Sierras. I only managed four hours of sleep after my late arrival into Reno. However, I slept pretty well last night at the Lower Lee Vining campground. We arrived just before sunset at Mono Lake, and ate dinner in town.

Packing in the shed

Pulling out crampons, an ice axe, as well as a snow stake and fluke. Maybe a snow slog is in our future, on this road trip.

A 20 hour travel day

Nothing direct about my route … Lake Placid to Albany, then to DC, Dallas, and Reno. The last leg was the drive to Squaw Valley and in bed by 12:45am (local time).

Tough conditions for the next race of UTMB Week … the 140k TDS

The race started about 12 hours ago, but many folks will be out for another dozen hours.  Some snow has fallen at higher elevations, making this very technical course, even tougher.  The enclosed link will inform you, and let you follow racers as they make their way around this course. Stop and watch the three minute video of the 2023 highlights. 

https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/tds

A Change Of Pace

Getting ready to head to the Sierras; if all goes well, after about 18 hours I should arrive in Squaw Valley.  For a change of pace, here is an update on the ballot initiative that Lucy is helping to lead.



https://www.levernews.com/the-campaign-to-keep-electricity-bills-high/

Good Morning, Mont Blanc

Now that UTMB WEEK has started, tune into this daily show - on the FreeTrail YouTube channel, or the FreeTrail Podcast channel. Of course, you also need to go to the UTMB website, and follow along on UTMB Live. 

Bulking up for the Sierras

This past week was an easy one, as I was a bit fatigued coming in, and I didn't want to "shoot my wad" before heading west. (My knees were also bothering more than usual.) In addition, I had an extra day off for the Yankee game, and I also tried to be the dutiful ex-headmaster at the alumni reunion.

Still, I managed to log 12.5 hours, 81k (37k exercise bike, 36k run, 8k ergometer), 4150' of vertical ascent, and three yoga sessions. NOW ITS ALL ABOUT PACKING.

First race of UTMB week is the PTL (LA PETITE TROTTE À LÉON)

At 8am tomorrow morning (Chamonix time), a 100+ teams head out to complete 300k route with over 25,000m of vertical, around the Mont Blanc region within the 151 hour time limit. The link below has all you need to know about the event, links to follow team progress, and a great 12 minute video of the highlights from 2022. 

https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/PTL

The 20th UTMB week starts on Monday

Next year I hope to be back in Chamonix, to soak up all the good vibes, and perhaps even run the short ETC (15k and 1200m vertical). 

A fun day at Yankee Stadium

Well the Bronx Bombers lost again, but I had a great day with Len, a long time college buddy and Best Man at my wedding. 

Two beautiful back to back days …

And I started each with an easy cruise up to the summit of Mount Van Hoevenberg.

Hard winter climbing on the Noire … excellent video





https://youtu.be/6K4CftXlXVw

Another good week of training

I logged 16 hours, 143k (101k bike and 42k run), and just a bit over 5200' vertical.  I also managed a short yoga session, and two strength sessions. I am looking forward to heading to the sierras in eight days. 

Delightful climbing/Murder Mystery

Rainy days continue, and while my training volume is on track, I do find myself grabbing for some page turners off my shelf, to pass the time between thunderstorms. I have read this one before, but memory tells me it's worth another go.

Also, the novel is set around a body which comes out of the snout of theGlacier des Bossons, and of course with climate change, this is an event which becomes ever more frequent.

Interesting article about indoor skiing

https://coloradosun.com/2020/01/09/big-snow-new-jersey-ski-industry-indoor/

Trofeo Kima and Hillary Gerardi

https://www.irunfar.com/hillary-gerardi-trofeo-kima-la-gara-film

Starting to add some spicy workouts

i am still building volume with longer easy workouts, but I am adding a bit of intensity in each week. This is my 45 minute workout from a few days ago when I did a few fast uphill intervals.

UTMB Week … August 28 - September 3

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GWvPi1G6hwc&feature=youtu.be

8 days after finishing second in the Norwegian Lyseboten rollerski race Sophia Laukli crushes Sierra-Zinal

It's clear that this American nordic skier is super fit, and on a roll.  Sierra-Zinal is possibly the most competitive mountain trail race, outside of the UTMB races.   Now that she is leading the Golden Trail Series, how will this impact her nordic World Cup season? Will she be tired and rusty for Period I races?  Will she skip some of those races to recharge, and do a solid training block?  Is she pointing towards the Tour de Ski like last year?

https://fasterskier.com/2023/08/laukli-wins-again-on-golden-trail-marathon-series/

As per usual this summer, lots of rain

So, you have to grab the dry moments when you can. Despite this, it was another good week of training … heading west instead of the alps.

The picture is from a 9k - out and back - run to Lake Awosting in the Catskills. There is one section of the run, known locally as the cardiac hill. This also happens to be a Strava segment, which I rank 586 out of 873, and am on the leaderboard for the over 70 crowd.

The totals I logged this week: 12.5 hours, 88k (46k bike and 42k run), 4725' vertical, one yoga and one strength session, as well as a skimo session.

Walls Are Meant For Climbing

A great 27 second video.

https://youtu.be/jYBVINzxpdk

Skimo laps at Big Snow before it opens

David Hochschartner (Hock)

A great 30 hours down state!

I packed a bunch into those hours: skinning laps, riding indoor lifts with Skimo gear, a great trail run, some yoga, and a bit of biking.
The Hockmobile was loaded with all the necessary tools. Oh, and some great food, great conversation, and great whiskey with college buddies.

Ski industry trends of the future

An interesting article, especially the sections on sustainability, indoor venues, as well as uphilling and backcountry developments.  (In an hour, I'll be heading down state to Big Snow for two hours of indoor skiing, and a chat with their group sales people about using off hours for skimo workshops, and training.)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michellebruton/2022/04/27/how-the-ski-and-snowboard-industry-is-changing-in-2022-and-what-comes-next/?sh=3bb9d2b71fe5

The case for using trekking poles

https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/trekking-pole-research-2023/