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.

Heading out to the Tetons tomorrow

It has been many years since my last visit, which I believe was around 1989. I spent a great deal of time in the Tetons between 1975-1989, doing many of the classic climbs,  and so have many fond memories. 

Just considering the Grand Teton, I have done several of the best routes: 3 x Exum Ridge, Petzold Ridge, Underhill Ridge, North Ridge, Complete Exum, and twice attempted the East Ridge in summer and winter. My one regret was never to have done the Black Ice Couloir, which given climate change, is hardly ever in condition these days

Looking forward to seeing Mark Ewing and John Deaton, but I suspect we won't be climbing the Grand

UTMB racers are off on their 100 mile journey

The route around Mont Blanc, goes through three countries, and racers will be on course for 20-46.5 hours. The loop has just under 33,000' vertical feet of climbing, and both the male and female winners of this year's Western States 100 were on the start line.

Big Day … both the CCC and UTMB races start today

At this point, halfway through the 100k race two Americans are leading the CCC race as they approach the Champex Lac aid station pictured below.

MIDWAY THROUGH UTMB WEEK

The PTL (330k) event started on Monday, followed quickly by MCC (40K), TDS (140k), and the ETC (15k).  The first of the major events - the OCC (57k) - started today, with the CCC (100k) and the UTMB (170k) to start on Friday. 

This is the aerial view of Flegere, taken just after the lead women went up and over. In the photo you can see Chamonix below, and Mont Blanc in the distance. Today's race, featured a brutal climb up to Flegere, followed by a screaming, quad killing, 7k descent to the finish. Eli Hemming became the first American male to win this hotly contested race.

Set a new 20k PR on my mountain bike

 I did not set out to do a fast paced workout, but when a guy passed me early on, with a slick bike and maybe a smug look … I guess I lost control.  HRM registered firmly Level 4/5 for an hour. 

All you need to know for Olympic Skimo 2026

https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en/ski-mountaineering

BLAST FROM THE PAST: fall 1974 Canadian Rockies

My first really big trip - three months - with Stephanie White and Bill Trollenberg. Hock leading out on Stanley Falls in classic, old school, style.

A good week with more incremental gains

An interesting week: chatting, hanging out, and doing stuff with NCS/CTT alumni. It was especially wonderful to reconnect with the Class of 1984 as they were my very first NCS students.  However there some downsides: no afternoon naps, I ate far too much food, and there were several late nights.  

BUT, I did manage to continue making incremental gains with my hamstring.  I was able to log 15 hours, with 165k (140k bike, 25k run), and 2000' vertical. No stretching or yoga this week, and just a single strength workout; however I tied into a climbing rope and was finally able to log one top-roped pitch! 

Back on the end of a rope

On Saturday I headed up to the NCS Crag and spent the morning belaying alumni, and even jumped on the wet and over grown "Buried Treasure."  OMG … I am pretty rusty!

Kilian’s big project this year

In this week on the The Alpine Connection project he has already linked up 44 Valais summits, all over 4000m. Follow it on Strava or his YouTube page.

Snow prediction for next winter

Farmers' Almanac: Here's Where the Powder Will Fall This Winter skimag.com

ALMOST BACK ON TRACK

Not as fast, or as much vertical as usual, but back to the 1/3 run and 2/3 bike … trying no to push it!

Getting the Fossil Cabin ready for guests

Former NCS student (Class of 1984) Charles Barnett, and his two teenagers Nora and Nick, will be staying at the cabin for Friends Weekend. Stash is going to love the extra attention!

Just about 85% and hamstring almost pain free

This was a good week, and by the weekend I was able to do some short and easy jogs. So, I anticipate slowly increasing my vertical I the coming weeks before heading to the Tetons.

This week I logged just under 16 hour, on 176k (158k bike, 18k run), with 2100' vertical. I also managed 3 upper body and core strength workouts, as well as one stretching session.

Great video about Yao Miao

Spectacular mountain footage from Chamonix and Sierra-Zinal.  Well worth 16 minutes.

https://youtu.be/Y2ligLJuvfI?si=LaqSonqNsRUuiAFT