Exploring in Argentiere

We spent the morning walking around this tiny town, and our first stop was their small, but ornate church.

A rainy day in Chamonix

So, I thought I would trot out some pictures from some of our more photogenic moments.

However, it was a good day: caught up on reading election news, did some easy stretching and strength work, went to the steam room, had a nice run on the Promenade d'Arve, and had a wonderful dinner with Selden.

Another easy bouldering session at Gaillands

The rock was wet from a bit of rain last evening, so I stayed in my approach shoes, and did not go too far off the deck.

The jog out was on the first couple of kilometers of the UTMB race.

Continuing to have a great time in Chamonix

Aside from Saturday, it has often been cloudy with an occasional drizzle. However, most every day we have seen some clearing, allowing us to soak up views of these tremendous peaks.

This picture of the Aiguille Rouge - taken from Montenvers - brings back fond memories of my 2008 trip. In this range, Larry and I climbed routes on the Index, Gliere, and Crochues.

On a different note, despite some jet lag, as well as the long travel and packing days, I was still able to have a good training week. I logged just under 13 hours, on 82k (44k run, 38k bike), with 3,325' vertical. I also managed to get in my first bouldering session of the season.

October 6: Sunday in Chamonix

This morning I did an easy hike - out and back - to Lac Gaillands, and then spent about 45 minutes bouldering at the crag there.  The afternoon was spent reading, sitting in the hot tub with Selden, and then another hike to La Pierre a Ruskin.

John Ruskin (8 February 1819 – 20 January 1900) was an English writer, philosopher, art historian, art critic and polymath of the Victorian era. He wrote on subjects as varied as geology, architecture, myth, ornithology, literature, education, botany and political economy.

He spent a great deal of time in Chamonix, and this rock was a place where he used to sit, think, paint, and gaze at the Mont Blanc massif. 

A beautiful sunny day in Chamonix

We took the 11:30 cog railway to Montenvers, at the tail end of the Mer de Glace. Selden and I spent two hours, absorbing the views, digesting the historical and glacial exhibits, and then had a light lunch.  By 3:30 pm I was out on the trails enjoying some more amazing views.

From Montenvers the views of the Dru, Grandes Jorasses, and Aiguilles Rouges are spectacular. Immediately behind Selden is what is left of the Bonatti Pillar, after the recent major rockfalls. The link connects to a wonderful historic piece on this 1955 route, both before and after the rockfall. 

IN FOCUS: The Ghost of Bonatti - A Brief History of the Petit Dru Rock Scar ukclimbing.com

Chamonix trail run

In addition to a nice walk and dinner with Selden, I did a trail run on the Petit Balcon Sud. I started up the very steep first kilometer, just as clouds were lifting to unveil the Bossons Glacier.

More about the Chamonix Guide fresco

From left to right: Louis Lachenal, Lionel Terray, Roger Frison-Roche, Rene Claret-Tournier, Armand Charlet, and below the balcony – Gaston Rebuffat.

The Oldest Guiding Company in the world

The company was started in 1821, and there is a wonderful mural in the center of town - near Snell's Sports - which has full scale paintings of the most famous guides.

The bottom mural, are of the earliest guides, from left to right … From Lt: Edouard Cupelin, Francois Devouassoud, Joseph Ravanel, Michel Payot, and Michel Croz.

Maison de la Montagne

Selden jumped in to make a rope of three, with this mural of a guide leading a client on the Mer de Glacé during the 1800s.

My fav … Snell’s Sports

The first of four floors!

Pretty tired but glad to be in Geneva

Waiting for our shuttle to Chamonix … yahoo!

New Kilian Jornet film … 177 peaks in nine days

https://www.irunfar.com/into-the-unknown-kilian-jornet-pyrenees-film

Fall Foliage is approaching its peak

Of course, peak foliage will probably come this weekend, while we are in Chamonix. By the time we get home, most of the leaves will probably have fallen.

I had a nice hour long hike with stash today.

Next two days are all about getting ready for Chamonix

That said, it was a good week; despite a lot of World Cup spectating - which was awesome - my training log did not suffer too much.

I logged just under 18 hours, on 171k (141k bike and 30k run), with 3425' vertical. I also managed one strength workout this week. Key metrics pointing towards ETC race next year were: 16:06 per kilometer, 115' vertical per kilometer, on terrain graded 3/2 using the Ultrarunner's scale.

FYI …as per the numerical scale, the adjectives for this week's terrain equate to being "hilly" and "groomed". Of course, the key adjectives for the race I am pointing towards are "very hilly" and "a rocky trail". So, I need to up my game!

Selden: The historian, writer, and revolutionary war scholar in the family

Gets another deeply researched piece published.

For Nordic Skiers This May Be the Highest Volume Of Your Year

Here is a Strava exploration of how U.S. team member, and Dartmouth student, John Hagenbuch puts it all together. And, as you'll see there is another shoutout to a high volume stud! 

https://nordicinsights.news/2024/09/27/get-to-know-a-skiers-strava-john-steel-hagenbuch-goes-long-very-long/

Beautiful sunset

Women U23 MTB Short Track

A hundred meters after the start they head up the first uphill, starting on the rollerski loop, and shortly transition to grass, dirt, and mud. There are three types of races: short track (roughly 16 minutes), Olympic format (roughly 75-90 minutes), and the 100K marathon. The Olympic format is the most technical of all the races. Along with current and former world champions, all the medal winners from the recent Paris Olympics will be on hand.

BLAST FROM THE PAST … journal from June 1987

I used this journal off and on; from the summer when I directed the Adirondack Trail Improvement Society, to TTW, on to TTE, and much later in 1998 on a trip with Presidio Hill School students. Recently, I have started sketching in it - preparing for those years when I can't climb anymore - so I will take it to Chamonix next week.

View from our deck

Using the PeakVisor app.



The Solace Of Open Spaces

Perusing my alpine library during cocktail hour, I came across this book which I had last enjoyed in the early 1980s.  After returning from my recent visit to the Tetons, and reflecting on the many accumulated hours I spent in Wyoming, it made sense to sit down and re-read - at least - the very first essay. A true gem, well worth your time.

http://ereserve.library.utah.edu/Annual/ENGL/2050/Driscoll/ehrlich.pdf

Excellent Video … slings, lanyards, and personal anchors

https://youtu.be/0gWOiqPAZDw?si=btk90y4XZHIPOwKy

Heading for home

It's been a good week; I logged just under 17 hours, on 168k (138k bike and 30k run), with 3200' vertical. I also managed two strength workouts and one session of stretching. One more week before we head to Chamonix.

The Big Six

Make them part of your daily warmup, or increase with weights to work them into your regular strength program. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/28/well/move/range-of-motion-exercises.html

Spectacular Fall Weather Continues

Stash and I have been running on the MTB World Cup course at Mount Van Hoevenberg the past few days. Of course, I have also been pulling out books and maps about Chamonix to get me ready for our big 40th Anniversary Trip.

BLAST FROM THE PAST … Tetons 1970s

Bouldering in the Tetons - mid 1970s - in my vintage Nike waffle trainers. Wearing my Union College lacrosse shorts, sporting long hair and a bandana. I spent two consecutive summers climbing and hanging out at the Climber's Ranch. The first summer I was solo and picked up partners, while the second summer I climbed with college buddies. 

Thinking about 2025 ETC race in Courmayeur during UTMB week

Combined with a four-day TMB hike from Courmayeur to Argentiere as a warmup. The race is 15k with just over 4000'.  Given that profile, I will need to do some specific training on terrain that is squarely in the 4/4 profile. 

Poles help improve running posture

https://www.irunfar.com/three-stride-benefits-of-using-trekking-poles

2024 Paul Preuss Award

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/alpinism/dani-arnold-receives-paul-preuss-award-2024.html

Imagine in just over two months it will all be coated in ice

Nice trail run to the north-side of Pitchoff yesterday. The scene of many wonderful ski tours and ice climbing days, as well as the place where my buddy Gary took a fall last year. Hoping for more good winter memories on this section of the Jackrabbit Trail.

With travel within Grand Teton National Park, and then travel back home, the focus this week has been on recovery. I logged 11.5 hours, on 103k (77k bike and 26k run), with just under 1700' vertical. I also managed two PT stretching sessions and one strength workout.

Heading to Chamonix with Selden in a couple of weeks!

Back home running local trails with Stash

Saturday morning jogging a hilly section of the 1980 men's Olympic 50k.

A legal performance enhancing substance that’s getting a lot of attention

https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/baking-soda-performance-boost/

Beautiful sunrise in one of my last days in the Tetons

One of the cabins at the Grand Teton Climber's Ranch poking out in the left side of the picture. A wonderful place to stay at $25 a night.

Kilian Jornet climbs all 82 of the 4000m peaks in the alps

A totally human powered 19 day project, running or biking to get to each peak.

https://www.irunfar.com/kilian-jornet-completes-alpine-connections-82-4000-meter-peaks-19-days

Day 11: Going Home

I am heading East, while Mark, John, and Liz drive West for 13 hours, spread over two days.
It was a great trip. I managed 73k and 5000'.

DAY 10:

One of the park's most popular climbs. It is a justifiable favorite; a short 4.8k out and back with superb views all the way. Mark, Liz, John, and I had a great time.

I am planning on a short trail run before dinner.

DAY 10: a superb day back at the Climber’s Ranch

 We left Colter Bay, and drove south past Jenny Lake to Moose for lunch, and then onto the Climber's Ranch. The sunset and night sky were brilliant, as was the sunrise this morning, looking out over the Wyoming Plains.

Teton Day 9: back at the climbers ranch

Ep Presidente reading in the library.

DAY 8: Teton totals for the week

I logged just under 17.5 hours, on 62K running or hiking, and with 4500 feet vertical. Good week, but the knees hurt.

Tetons Day 6: signal mountain

The fire 50 miles away made for hazy conditions, but it was a nice hike and a good view.

Lakeshore Run

A beautiful 9K run in Colter Bay, with great views of Jackson Lake and the Teton range.

Tetons Day 4: Bradley Lake out and back

A great hike; almost 12 km and over 1100 vertical, with spectacular views. Chili dogs for dinner back at the Colter Bay campground. Only Tori and Cody went in for a swim. I'm just.



Tetons Day 3: inspiration Point and some hiking in Cascade Canyon

A very easy day with all my buddies. However, some great views, and memories of climbs that I've done in Cascade Canyon … from Baxter's Pinnacle to The Durrance Ridge and on to Guides Wall on Storm Point.

Day 2: beautiful 10k hike

This loop started at the Climbers Ranch, took a herd path up Burnt Wagon Gulch, toLupine Meadows Trail, then the Alley View Trail to Bradley and then Taggart lake, and then a herd path back to the Climbers Ranch.

Les Trois Tetons

This is what the French fur trappers called the range in the early 1800s. This picture is of the Grand, Owen, and Teewinot.

First afternoon back in the Tetons

Views are hazy with forest fires in the distance. But a nice afternoon shakeout run, although I am pretty travel weary. So many fond memories here.

Tor de Geants …. Terrific video

https://youtu.be/RRUWAUus0ds?si=5Vuj0jSKUbUwWmAn

Flying out to Jackson on Monday

I am planning to reread both of these novels on my 10 day trip to the Tetons. Looking forward to spending time with Ewing and Deaton. I also have fond memories of my early trips out there with Stegs and Murph.