tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80471688816913020772024-03-14T11:29:42.069-07:00Y.A.R.B.Yet Another Running BlogJeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-1081001519456035092023-05-01T17:49:00.000-07:002023-05-01T17:49:28.232-07:00Coe w/Ada 2023<p>Well, it's been a while. I was starting to wonder when I would ever go backpacking again. I would think that there was the perfect weekend, then think about trying to dig up my gear from storage in the garage and all of the stuff I needed to fix/buy, etc and then just say nah... Life with four kids, all in sports at this point was consuming a lot of time as well. I think back to all of the adventures catalogued in this blog and now realize that might have been the only time in my life that I could have pulled it off - so I am thankful!</p><p>Speaking of the kids, that is why there is this blogpost. Out of left field my fourteen year old, Ada, started bugging me about taking her backpacking. I'm not sure what prompter her, probably Instagram or something like that. I wondered whether she remembered what she thought about going hiking and such, but she was insistent. I still wasn't sure that I believed she was serious, so I kind of bought my time to see if she might forget. But, no, she seemed set. Don't get me wrong - I was super psyched that she was that interested and I was really hoping I could make it a special experience for her. I also thought that the whole thing could be a disaster if she found out real quick that this wasn't for her and then it turns into two days of hell. Well, let's see what happened:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5rOTkFqzd9yVWslxwZ9n3S6lH-8hy08Fz8ejl9oMOMcXq-zraUR5oMjM7-atAyehx6dy1MY1jo3dLmvozCDqkXZqdAwxIgILJVtVLvdadUVcye2aPZPDJHi0r-PqJaRnkHTU2mlzdZ24JwAcwwhxAJWx_wzx1YRPqwZii54XY98P3wYse075eo6j/s4032/A3B6A443-6FFC-49AC-92F0-C01A5BAF4B5C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5rOTkFqzd9yVWslxwZ9n3S6lH-8hy08Fz8ejl9oMOMcXq-zraUR5oMjM7-atAyehx6dy1MY1jo3dLmvozCDqkXZqdAwxIgILJVtVLvdadUVcye2aPZPDJHi0r-PqJaRnkHTU2mlzdZ24JwAcwwhxAJWx_wzx1YRPqwZii54XY98P3wYse075eo6j/w382-h287/A3B6A443-6FFC-49AC-92F0-C01A5BAF4B5C.jpeg" width="382" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First climb was a doozy: Straight from the parking lot up a ridge to Mt Wilson, it's like 1500 ft of climbing in 1.4 miles with plenty of 25 to 30% grade. I did it a little on purpose to test whether she was <b>actually</b> serious about this - if she gave up or whatever, we could get out of there quick without too much damage...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is what Ada thought:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8x2rM9syCMk" width="320" youtube-src-id="8x2rM9syCMk"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vk7Z0qrwILt-6apg5BAD0aeGRjsXhWFFFUO6yIxkDkT3O2skRmw3-Q7qITNG25mWDZsOaUODzwfU1mH3HvlVreuN5Rj4ks9JtuiXbnxfEqmiEW_Ur0m0Km1jJA-xlRic6n2MwaY6OEg5-6zmnKef2783FTg68OStmvmvFxU7zDAlAFT4ZA51CEi4/s4032/C407A736-89C0-49E0-A897-642D9BB8FA07.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vk7Z0qrwILt-6apg5BAD0aeGRjsXhWFFFUO6yIxkDkT3O2skRmw3-Q7qITNG25mWDZsOaUODzwfU1mH3HvlVreuN5Rj4ks9JtuiXbnxfEqmiEW_Ur0m0Km1jJA-xlRic6n2MwaY6OEg5-6zmnKef2783FTg68OStmvmvFxU7zDAlAFT4ZA51CEi4/w400-h300/C407A736-89C0-49E0-A897-642D9BB8FA07.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugpdYH5W8D6NMf7BlcR79iNxebfC5Y-VRy0S77sETVijD7Wcz4Hh8_DS4yscbrNBtoIhtqqMB1XPaD3UwE4PejDHXxGohd6YoCROe27PGO9k8augJSVYMclCuAnpDFFjtWbXp8J8aGtC91Sw59Lr5nSD8qIkYqdGTbywZ2rfZa60sEm78zdNUqlWz/s4032/5D23AEA9-EBED-4F1A-B61E-750564456C1E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugpdYH5W8D6NMf7BlcR79iNxebfC5Y-VRy0S77sETVijD7Wcz4Hh8_DS4yscbrNBtoIhtqqMB1XPaD3UwE4PejDHXxGohd6YoCROe27PGO9k8augJSVYMclCuAnpDFFjtWbXp8J8aGtC91Sw59Lr5nSD8qIkYqdGTbywZ2rfZa60sEm78zdNUqlWz/s320/5D23AEA9-EBED-4F1A-B61E-750564456C1E.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peak wildflower season here after the wonderful and plentiful rains - perfect for a Coe trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ylj6zbe3__XIzeqgFVUgqucKHKNAybHbrOPgcdV6gSVPeBXS4DHZ6dwyYHSu_zXaptubeD9yabsbVMf66_eVvCHtwa3ZySDpua8BwGv2NcxAgYIp5JQYmmqb0LI7g7Ik-qjqKtH97cQxEmRwLxYtIxlClSORJ8q_kv6HjGtl-rE8oFzg2RcBayzp/s4032/1081025B-C426-4273-959A-B681139711B9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ylj6zbe3__XIzeqgFVUgqucKHKNAybHbrOPgcdV6gSVPeBXS4DHZ6dwyYHSu_zXaptubeD9yabsbVMf66_eVvCHtwa3ZySDpua8BwGv2NcxAgYIp5JQYmmqb0LI7g7Ik-qjqKtH97cQxEmRwLxYtIxlClSORJ8q_kv6HjGtl-rE8oFzg2RcBayzp/s320/1081025B-C426-4273-959A-B681139711B9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Grizzly creek was our first snack stop. I taught Ada about elevensees. We filtered water and prepared for our next climb.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW308yBss6oDmsXFM5iKk9iTeNiq6qAPCmW72jxNSHcV6ddi_BN2Cwn5LWrtuBPOLZpLj8RiSRpcOAL7SUdA6QIU1Qc0bHJPb9t_dtp67RVOF948JSw__Jj7HWsrZQKZLS6wVD8LAxAdQ54hEbhvJ7VogUlyUMd-8nACol_Q3NYfUDFUmS8m1zZAJL/s4032/A4A17860-E359-4C21-A550-5BA22110CEE5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW308yBss6oDmsXFM5iKk9iTeNiq6qAPCmW72jxNSHcV6ddi_BN2Cwn5LWrtuBPOLZpLj8RiSRpcOAL7SUdA6QIU1Qc0bHJPb9t_dtp67RVOF948JSw__Jj7HWsrZQKZLS6wVD8LAxAdQ54hEbhvJ7VogUlyUMd-8nACol_Q3NYfUDFUmS8m1zZAJL/s320/A4A17860-E359-4C21-A550-5BA22110CEE5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have the sound on for this vid:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QwcuS2UybB0" width="320" youtube-src-id="QwcuS2UybB0"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part of teaching Ada about having a good time while backpacking - take joys in little things along the way:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LHmKD-E0LE4" width="320" youtube-src-id="LHmKD-E0LE4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQhL5e6nZ6KAE--YMOtf56_BxkWU_A47DFjGK3iECG46yy-JTBiZX6Y7udoW4LlEF8xcLecjfnC2d-fgSqK_KbbO3w3xuY31GXj0GDBsRr3Kax74jteiimJwthkQlcXIF3VFWNTb6i25bBXiJAtuAFq7V0BRCU76kispd2qnnokoYd4WrAEmYT9hK/s4032/8010E821-DCEA-43FE-82F0-B9BC00262E62.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQhL5e6nZ6KAE--YMOtf56_BxkWU_A47DFjGK3iECG46yy-JTBiZX6Y7udoW4LlEF8xcLecjfnC2d-fgSqK_KbbO3w3xuY31GXj0GDBsRr3Kax74jteiimJwthkQlcXIF3VFWNTb6i25bBXiJAtuAFq7V0BRCU76kispd2qnnokoYd4WrAEmYT9hK/w361-h271/8010E821-DCEA-43FE-82F0-B9BC00262E62.jpeg" width="361" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the creature.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlslz4TIJumBbwu8QeLsx1gXuXYnM1IdDafM-4k9d3mz7xLSWNCuIwiPXQYVYBhq8yPTJg13qvDm_EDN3NCIkg0oZk62IPl99lC7qYX9ItA__29ddfbPq3K3pihmnqGh64X4hjau6F_TmdeQicLw6FrPG9VF7pn2k781-8oOovnRN5igFaULkcJeJ/s4032/03558AED-6CC3-4697-98A9-895981E9D9C5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlslz4TIJumBbwu8QeLsx1gXuXYnM1IdDafM-4k9d3mz7xLSWNCuIwiPXQYVYBhq8yPTJg13qvDm_EDN3NCIkg0oZk62IPl99lC7qYX9ItA__29ddfbPq3K3pihmnqGh64X4hjau6F_TmdeQicLw6FrPG9VF7pn2k781-8oOovnRN5igFaULkcJeJ/s320/03558AED-6CC3-4697-98A9-895981E9D9C5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We first hiked past Kelly lake (featured in a video above). At Kelly there was this dude that had things figured out: He had packed in a big float chair. He was chillin with beers and a fishing pole in the middle of nowhere - he probably didn't appreciate us passing by, but we were out of his hair fast. The next lake we passed by was Coit lake. At Coit we chatted with another lone fisherman (this one traveled by mountain bike). We told him that we were headed for Pacheco falls and he was kind enough to give us some trail beta that wound up being very useful. He detailed a secret trail that allows people to look down into the waterfalling pools above Pacheco.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsxcQgETDx7gDHygA7QR6gUm4_Gfkaxh7AxtL5YDLAJ29T2eBXuPm040Ys6fg-FhmhaTZnC6cls64tM3OBzQ1jISbS6z2PdUjUtUXZhey6t8WYRWwVXvsAf2LoIP6fpDiLsCIRjSq5DOKWv3o3jIdbsXtEOKpsoUsp-LjOdr1yoI6rgEg5_7C6iWT/s4032/985F4792-65B2-4579-B90E-877125E47C28.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsxcQgETDx7gDHygA7QR6gUm4_Gfkaxh7AxtL5YDLAJ29T2eBXuPm040Ys6fg-FhmhaTZnC6cls64tM3OBzQ1jISbS6z2PdUjUtUXZhey6t8WYRWwVXvsAf2LoIP6fpDiLsCIRjSq5DOKWv3o3jIdbsXtEOKpsoUsp-LjOdr1yoI6rgEg5_7C6iWT/s320/985F4792-65B2-4579-B90E-877125E47C28.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin on a rock.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdGLWFlTabGINi1rp2ctv79CXPw_yqdw2zeBZD9vuGmbBrszNzBR0NbLMjX0FxxEIWtPWEO6WPkwbC55QTUm8wQiftJbeDY01EZu3bofUnS3ruXL90CYj7BjoUhYBybEoAHZWc-ryJRM6Dm5RVnF81RzHXScC2YhQtxZXDbPzeAarW9goZU6EFkFZ/s4032/73EDDE49-E3D4-4CBB-8DE5-026158061938.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdGLWFlTabGINi1rp2ctv79CXPw_yqdw2zeBZD9vuGmbBrszNzBR0NbLMjX0FxxEIWtPWEO6WPkwbC55QTUm8wQiftJbeDY01EZu3bofUnS3ruXL90CYj7BjoUhYBybEoAHZWc-ryJRM6Dm5RVnF81RzHXScC2YhQtxZXDbPzeAarW9goZU6EFkFZ/w304-h405/73EDDE49-E3D4-4CBB-8DE5-026158061938.jpeg" width="304" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacheco Falls.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I figured since this was probably an instagram kind of trip, I would plan the trip with the main goal of seeing Pacheco Falls. It did not disappoint:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dbqd6KtyGuE" width="320" youtube-src-id="Dbqd6KtyGuE"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uz27CmGCbeA" width="320" youtube-src-id="uz27CmGCbeA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g87bNIK8BmQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="g87bNIK8BmQ"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>The original plan was to fill up on water in the creek at the bottom of the waterfall, but alas, there was a wall of poison oak blocking our access. The sun was going down and we planned on climbing out of the gulch and finding our camping spot, but we needed water. As we headed back up the hill I heard water flowing to the left of us. Fortunately we found the perfect little stream to fill up on. As we continued our climb we met another lone backpacker that was planning to camp by the pond along the trail. He told us about how he was worried about being able to get to the water because of the reeds. That was when we made his day by giving him all the info: the stream just beyond the pond and the secret trail. It was nice to feel like we helped someone.<div><br /></div><div>This video shows the sweet spot we found to spend the night:<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RdRAmdtuz0c" width="320" youtube-src-id="RdRAmdtuz0c"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzrIE2ESEq4Lzgtg6Ze615ymg1O0namlseTRyEDynL-ZykZUKrqTa21EPnvCJQAiaMIMw2FGPQWzR9vCJgMXLPXKiL-i6MYdLQpTkX_7dDZlV7oQy1pFhoxtDedRnezPMUO2-bHiCvHxJY8t_xIAGr_KYGiNBemMoUaCjjfMdQXA9vSF9V-do8758/s4032/04BFDF5B-5B24-48E8-A940-14C8364F7A8E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzrIE2ESEq4Lzgtg6Ze615ymg1O0namlseTRyEDynL-ZykZUKrqTa21EPnvCJQAiaMIMw2FGPQWzR9vCJgMXLPXKiL-i6MYdLQpTkX_7dDZlV7oQy1pFhoxtDedRnezPMUO2-bHiCvHxJY8t_xIAGr_KYGiNBemMoUaCjjfMdQXA9vSF9V-do8758/s320/04BFDF5B-5B24-48E8-A940-14C8364F7A8E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain House pad thai with chicken has a thumbs up from us.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the sun disappeared, some bugs came out, so I threw my sleeping pad into the tent with Ada and we gamed out on her phone until we decided to go to bed. It was cold enough by then that the bugs weren't a problem anymore and I went out and got a wonderful night of sleep in my bivy. Fortunately there was no moon to deal with, so we just enjoyed an incredible star filled night. The next morning:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/avFVbnV8bno" width="320" youtube-src-id="avFVbnV8bno"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fgsScX4WaUNKffG1YUtDv8_JfyF8AEE7Q7-ZbzIwtMb_oNJQ9onU3sQNtw9_Qm5Mut3rFBEJ7KmEIcfIDswqzMomE9BYCrT-zl9MvpLXPXBs0cRLckN_MB5BxlVQFgQsa0sxqOUXXlpjYdFtYKT-Tk7NQA8GReT6F0JCksBe-MGLEIr6EvZSeG62/s4032/2A0F511D-FBBA-48C1-9FD2-CCFC32284C0C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fgsScX4WaUNKffG1YUtDv8_JfyF8AEE7Q7-ZbzIwtMb_oNJQ9onU3sQNtw9_Qm5Mut3rFBEJ7KmEIcfIDswqzMomE9BYCrT-zl9MvpLXPXBs0cRLckN_MB5BxlVQFgQsa0sxqOUXXlpjYdFtYKT-Tk7NQA8GReT6F0JCksBe-MGLEIr6EvZSeG62/s320/2A0F511D-FBBA-48C1-9FD2-CCFC32284C0C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the ridge as we headed back to the car.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VfmA0PErBDw" width="320" youtube-src-id="VfmA0PErBDw"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQT-oTwxAMyBZa0EMf8OxvR8f6gp6GyJgKXE1u47_RqVTT72-d1-phVS1PWTbcLNfiUOYVWfA-whZe0VsanhM6O4DHoIf8fVyzSfu-EzFGOg1trL_jmbbHE9fzeI_WojZ4fKTB8zAJlrvWLbmMlpHIaOuorYkKzUdD_RpNykwatJbQQ49HmfWEJlX/s4032/888A7421-ED7C-47C4-812F-321811160D50.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQT-oTwxAMyBZa0EMf8OxvR8f6gp6GyJgKXE1u47_RqVTT72-d1-phVS1PWTbcLNfiUOYVWfA-whZe0VsanhM6O4DHoIf8fVyzSfu-EzFGOg1trL_jmbbHE9fzeI_WojZ4fKTB8zAJlrvWLbmMlpHIaOuorYkKzUdD_RpNykwatJbQQ49HmfWEJlX/s320/888A7421-ED7C-47C4-812F-321811160D50.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All downhill at this point.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>We hiked about 15 miles with 3000 ft of climbing on day one, and did another 10 miles on day 2. It turns out that backpacking food aligns pretty closely with the preferences of a middle schooler: Chocolate, cheetos, candy, jerky, stroopwafels, trail mix, breakfast bars - Ada was pretty happy with the selection.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zGmFUoydxfU" width="320" youtube-src-id="zGmFUoydxfU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wbY3gW6RJPU" width="320" youtube-src-id="wbY3gW6RJPU"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z8ZM_kLTejQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="z8ZM_kLTejQ"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX47f5sMo7NUhRw6ajhLOqQLa42xG6o5o0fosI65vG7sTqKygiNZkofDw0WOaCJZUZP6oduOIhMd75Esog24cWd3IdahVoKzR18P3cGo1YMWZnX67IErWYRs1pLAUx1SYcD0_1iUJsMIKIuDKPHXSpLmoNsLFAxyjDUbK3RUH4Gxm4OpK4AmgG-PRR/s4032/016607F7-18FE-47FB-8B31-5D38974C2A29.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX47f5sMo7NUhRw6ajhLOqQLa42xG6o5o0fosI65vG7sTqKygiNZkofDw0WOaCJZUZP6oduOIhMd75Esog24cWd3IdahVoKzR18P3cGo1YMWZnX67IErWYRs1pLAUx1SYcD0_1iUJsMIKIuDKPHXSpLmoNsLFAxyjDUbK3RUH4Gxm4OpK4AmgG-PRR/s320/016607F7-18FE-47FB-8B31-5D38974C2A29.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for McDonalds.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I would say that the trip turned out to be a huge success. Ada was a trooper and was a really good backpacking partner. She got a realistic experience that taught her that it's really hard, but that is one of the points. The hard stuff is punctuated with beautiful experiences that are amplified exactly because she endured the hard stuff. That is why McDonalds turns into one of the most satisfying meals - because we were really hungry...<br /><br /><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-72577064336704771702019-04-21T15:47:00.000-07:002019-04-21T15:47:10.858-07:00Henry Coe Backpacking 2019: Still in one piece...A few weeks ago I began to get the itch for another Coe adventure. I'm not sure why - I've been to every corner of this park in all kinds of weather and different kind of conditions. The fun of the mystery of exploration and seeing what's over the next hill is out at this point: I know this place like the back of my hand... And yet there is the pull to keep coming back for more. Of course this is the case for any of my trail running exploits at this point. Even with the thousands of miles of great trails around the bay area, I have traveled them all, in races, out of races, training runs, backpacking adventures, etc. I keep going back because it is fun!<br />
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Spring is the ideal time for Henry Coe. The winter rains have saturated the watersheds - the ponds are full, the creeks are flowing, the water is nice and cold, and the grass is green, and the flowers are blooming. I was keen on a solo backpacking experience, not because I'm anti-social, but because there is a real experience to be had in being in the middle of nowhere all by yourself. The feeling of vulnerability and overcoming the tough physical and mental obstacles give a very real payback of achieving a certain amount of confidence and aptitude that is appealing to me. Day to day life seems to provide a façade of safety and comfort that is nice - this is why as a civilization we have decided to tend in the direction of climate controlled dwellings within range of supermarkets. Nothing wrong with that - it is what I signed up for as well - a great place to raise a family... But there is still the itch to insert just a little bit of adventure to spice things up.<br />
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This particular weekend, on which I planned a three day trip Sat through Mon, was the only weekend of April that worked with the family schedule. It happened to be a weekend with great weather - lucky me! I've made a few changes to the way I approach these Henry Coe trips: I now go with full coverage to protect from the brush and the sun. It gets pretty warm, but the payoff in terms of avoided pain is well worth it. Nylon hiking pants, long sleeve white perforated light tech shirt, my lucky Wheaties bandanna around the neck, and a full brimmed hat was the way to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHneCRw0vvT3N2EFRxYUcV1NKCfuutcU8lwzb5jt_u_ADhYE_HnoHRQStl7u2ZJDldBXhDjIm8wXE-l6fKgpse_lH_CrqjyfNJ8rvgR8_pDx_YIOcPL5kYxD8UjnQWhbmEyYYdTQOGgcU/s1600/CoeTrip1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1242" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHneCRw0vvT3N2EFRxYUcV1NKCfuutcU8lwzb5jt_u_ADhYE_HnoHRQStl7u2ZJDldBXhDjIm8wXE-l6fKgpse_lH_CrqjyfNJ8rvgR8_pDx_YIOcPL5kYxD8UjnQWhbmEyYYdTQOGgcU/s400/CoeTrip1.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Red was day 1: 32.45 miles with 5463 ft climbing</li>
<li>Green was day 2: 27.82 miles with 7726 ft climbing</li>
<li>Blue was day 3: 11.29 miles with 3258 ft climbing</li>
<li>Totals: 71.56 miles with 16447 ft climbing</li>
</ul>
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As I ascended the valley from the Hunting Hollow entrance to the park I was forced to wade through the creek multiple times. While refreshing, it did mess me up later as the wet feet began to show signs of wear as the day went on. I made a silly rookie mistake by wearing regular running socks instead of my trusted Injinji toe socks. This led to multiple hot spots developing on my toes as the day went on. I took a break in the middle of the day to dry out my shoes and socks, while filtering water and eating lunch and applying duct tape to the problem toes. This provided temporary relief, but as the day went on there were more creeks to wade through and more damage to deal with. At the end of the day when I was able to air out my feet and remove the tape I was both relieved to give the feet a break, but also worried about how they would hold up for another couple of days.<br />
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The hike was pretty magical. The greens were brilliant, the spring flowers were in full bloom, the birds were singing, and the views were forever. There was such complete sensory stimulation with the eyes watching the teeming of life, the ears hearing birds songs, and the nose picking up the aromas of the various pollen wafting through the air, and the skin feeling the warmth of the sun and cool of the breeze. And there were no distractions, it was just me and the hills, and it was great!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg086T32rwB-tZcuPlPfkWp2RuxpRUXptEUQmep-1hZ9XkjI1wLHQf5JDvxHv30_AaRf_VXGlvTbsDCGaQ0WLrDkPqaJDUkkEZTkwKlWYSF7DIw9XkH0-8bzR-cp8X3hgIfPB6TWA8V7x4/s1600/P1060875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg086T32rwB-tZcuPlPfkWp2RuxpRUXptEUQmep-1hZ9XkjI1wLHQf5JDvxHv30_AaRf_VXGlvTbsDCGaQ0WLrDkPqaJDUkkEZTkwKlWYSF7DIw9XkH0-8bzR-cp8X3hgIfPB6TWA8V7x4/s400/P1060875.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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When everything is going great it is kind of sad how just a little bit of doubt can start creeping into the head and start dominating your thoughts. When I was several miles into the hike I began to notice that there seemed to be excess moisture coming off of my backpack. Generally this just means I am working hard and sweating and that sweat gets channeled down the back, but I have had issues with my hydration bladder springing leaks before and that was my fear. The problem is that if that thing springs a leak, almost everything in your pack is going to get drenched, and depending on the size of the leak, you may not have water carrying capacity either. These are all pretty catastrophic situations for backpacking at Coe, and it started occurring to me that my trip might be cut off prematurely. Fortunately when I took that break to fix my feet and eat my lunch, the inspection of my pack revealed that all was fine and that huge worry was lifted from my thoughts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP9B1Gib9GaRySHg1fsMDKEkTZUtf1Mdn4ueZZ7wkkUhhZuK6gFyrhUud_R7Mpmb77d7elrybwI64wIBbvYxLHqmFfUDzGgnbaTHZcPcMaYNv5lR85IATj4MNREHioBc3DcTkdUfcgU8/s1600/P1060780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP9B1Gib9GaRySHg1fsMDKEkTZUtf1Mdn4ueZZ7wkkUhhZuK6gFyrhUud_R7Mpmb77d7elrybwI64wIBbvYxLHqmFfUDzGgnbaTHZcPcMaYNv5lR85IATj4MNREHioBc3DcTkdUfcgU8/s400/P1060780.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coit Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As I headed north through the park I decided to take a route that would bring me to each of the lakes along the way. This route wasn't necessarily the most efficient to get to my main destination of the Orestimba Wilderness, but I wasn't there for efficiency, I was there to see things. The lakes did not disappoint, it was a joy to witness the vibration of life that thrives near the water. At one of these lakes I met some fellow backpackers and we had the usual conversation about where we were headed and what was going on. When the guy heard what I was up to, he got this far off stare in his eyes and confided in me his desire to one day make it to the wilderness on the north end of the park. Apparently last year he had gotten himself in pretty good shape and was ascending the final ridge that separates the state park from the wilderness, the Mississippi ridge, when he injured his knee because he was pushing too hard. He had to turn around, but at the top he did get a glimpse of wilderness and vowed to return one day and complete his mission. Its stories like that that remind me not to take my health and capabilities for granted, and it reminds me that these things are hard and deserve the attention and respect that they require...<br />
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The hike proceeded up and down the ridges until finally I dropped down off of Mississippi to Orestimba creek where I followed the old farm road past the Rooster Comb and on to the confluence of the Orestimba and Robison Creek where I filled up on water one last time before climbing up a slight hill and making camp and preparing for the ascent of Mt Stakes in the morning. One interesting tidbit from this hike was that I saw the first woman that I have ever seen in the Orestimba. I was shocked when I was about to leave Orestimba creek to take the Rooster Comb trail and I see a woman in short shorts, running shoes, and a small fastpack coming off of the trail in my direction. I asked her what she was up to, and she told me all about the trail/not a trail situation that she just went through. I would imagine she didn't really know what to expect from the wilderness as the maps clearly show where trails should be, but when you actually go out there you find out that it's been a long time since anybody did any work on them, so a lot of times you are dealing with remnants of a trail. I think she was glad to be done with it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZMfBIcDg-0RltJFWtaEOT5saFTrS3BxV8yPZEM1-vwr6MrvrHguqgDMX8uI8BaP3WPrVjcLqUgzjLc5s0IDfcZlayYj5KEHpiBlxoONroa4zLxKTQ_5CPntwnGDNlleJWlC8gySD9zU/s1600/P1060800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZMfBIcDg-0RltJFWtaEOT5saFTrS3BxV8yPZEM1-vwr6MrvrHguqgDMX8uI8BaP3WPrVjcLqUgzjLc5s0IDfcZlayYj5KEHpiBlxoONroa4zLxKTQ_5CPntwnGDNlleJWlC8gySD9zU/s400/P1060800.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rooster Comb</td></tr>
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Camping on the hill was a peaceful affair. You could hear the water falling over the rocks in the distance and the frogs starting their chorus. I chocked down my AlpineAire Chicken Gumbo (average), crawled into my tent, and sent my wife a good night message through the satellite messenger. I then read until I thought I could pass out and then began my regular backpacking routine of barely sleeping at all. As the first light became available in the morning I slowly started packing up my stuff. At some point while crouched over in my small tent I felt my back give a slight twinge. Not good. I then slowed everything down, paying close attention to my posture and being extra cautious, got ready for the climb up the mountain. The climb was uneventful. My back complained, but I found a rhythm and routine of changing posture that seemed to provide some relief. When I finally pushed through the last chaparral bush and ended up on a newly graded dirt road on top of the ridge, I knew I had made it. I followed the dirt road west towards the high point of the park at which point I recognized the outlines of the old farm road following another ridge back down to the Robison valley. As I climbed back down the ridge I found a fork in the road that might have been the Mt. Stakes trail that headed toward red creek road. One day I may explore this path, but I knew that this trail is notoriously overgrown and hard to follow as you near the valley floor, so I opted to follow a path that I was already familiar with. As I neared Robison creek I must have missed the trail that Sachin and I were able to successfully navigate several years back and was forced to bushwhack down the same gully that I was forced to take the first backpacking trip that I had done at Coe. After refilling my water at the creek, I did my best to navigate the brush and creek climbing up-river towards the pass that leads to red creek on the other side. At some point I realized I had missed the trail and ended up on yet another bushwhack. Finally I linked up with the trail and was able to successfully navigate down to red creek, but not without first twisting my ankle in a hole in the grass field. The issues were piling up at this point: my back was bothering me, my toes were chewed up, my ankle was messed up, and I was rattled by all of the bushwhacking. When I got down to the creek I decided to take another break to eat some lunch, air out the feet, and dry out my camping stuff that was still damp from the morning dew. It was a good decision as I was able to chill out in one of the most beautiful parts of the park, and regroup before the big climb up the chaparral trail back to Mississippi ridge.<br />
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I hiked to Mississippi lake, which is kind of a stunning place given it's location high up on the ridge and the fact that it is the biggest lake in the park. There I sat down to review my route options to get back to the car. I had seen most of the stuff that I had set out to see, I had climbed Stakes, and now I was trying to figure out where I might want to make it to set up camp that night. I aimed at making it to Los Cruzeros, which is a beautiful confluence of streams in the middle of the park. This also happens to be the place where my family and I had quite the <a href="https://jrjohnsonyarb.blogspot.com/2016/02/henry-coe-backpacking-wfamily-2016.html">adventure</a> several years back. I made it to the stream as the sun was starting to set, and refilled my water. Learning from that family adventure, I decided to climb up from the stream to an open meadow to camp that night to avoid the extra moisture from the running water and the cacophony of the frogs. Again, it was another peaceful night. I enjoyed my Backpackers Pantry Three Sisters Stew (average), sent the wife a message, read my book and passed out. This night I slept like a rock - I think I finally wore myself out!<br />
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The next morning I had almost no flexibility in my back, which made packup really challenging. Somehow I muddled through the whole affair - just took my time and tried to enjoy the beautiful morning with the early sun just starting to glow over the green pastures around me. My hike up to Mahony Meadows was incredible. This ridge is definitely one of the most stunning places in the park right now with the bright green open grassland dotted with ancient oak trees and placid ponds. As you hike along the ridge you are treated with views forever. As I headed south along the ridge I could see the steep drop down to the coyote creek valley below and the Coyote ridge on the other side to the right.<br />
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I made it back to the car just before lunch time and concluded what ended up being a great trip to Coe. Mid-April is definitely one of the nicest times of the year to explore the park. Here are some pics a vids:<br />
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Video Montage:<br />
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-46363457370479862052018-09-15T16:42:00.000-07:002018-09-15T16:42:00.317-07:00Quicksilver Challenge Kids Race 2018!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have had racer in the Quicksilver Challenge Kids race ever since Hayley was six years old. Now we have four in the race. Hayley is about to age out: turning 13 before next years race, she will have to become a spectator or graduate up to the 10k. The race is a one mile out and back course on a rolling fire road. The kids are always excited about this race because they usually get some pretty nice goodies at the end. I like it because it is free.</div>
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Seth beat Hayley last year - which I think she took pretty hard, getting beat by her then six year old brother. This being her last year, she decided she was going to go all out and take back the crown as the fastest Johnson kid miler. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZaQs2y-bO1jC5I3c75cgLx3L3eZ7XLVogyln_xxfQol74meZdxTpT5tQcOz6-Ymgp2ShRFvfraBtdWGUX4ffI0W3WVsOPCCUuQIopC3FqX74lWw6rppSSAjUsNp547Ef9iGXVLDsP2U/s1600/IMG_20180915_082855937_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZaQs2y-bO1jC5I3c75cgLx3L3eZ7XLVogyln_xxfQol74meZdxTpT5tQcOz6-Ymgp2ShRFvfraBtdWGUX4ffI0W3WVsOPCCUuQIopC3FqX74lWw6rppSSAjUsNp547Ef9iGXVLDsP2U/s400/IMG_20180915_082855937_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small turnout this year. But it is a fierce group of competitors!</td></tr>
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And they're off:</div>
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nL_jxs4DzSM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nL_jxs4DzSM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUGBLPbq4NvOmB7pDbilHcktpuj-lq0aAiFWa0RzVwWIQVfLDPxEUBgux4eJcE-BGznv9J5WUpXz7N25msomr5Da59WwnnpVI6CQ3-i3Bp9ECV8ucIPGFCpaHAA4Nrti2_1ok0oQtTDE/s1600/IMG_20180915_083721089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUGBLPbq4NvOmB7pDbilHcktpuj-lq0aAiFWa0RzVwWIQVfLDPxEUBgux4eJcE-BGznv9J5WUpXz7N25msomr5Da59WwnnpVI6CQ3-i3Bp9ECV8ucIPGFCpaHAA4Nrti2_1ok0oQtTDE/s320/IMG_20180915_083721089.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't know this kids name, but by the looks of it he might be one of the well trained quicksilver cross country boys. The kids all agreed - he was fast. He had a pretty comfortable margin for the win.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seth charged up the last hill to the finish like a little dude on a mission. Apparently he ran with Hayley for most of the race and then decided to drop her like a bad habit and flew to the finish line for second place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hayley ran a well paced third place. She seems resigned that Seth might officially be faster than her - but I have yet to remind her that if she so chooses - that she has many years of actual distance training ahead of her and the potential to transform her as a runner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPf8N4fOmh6gnadr5LaR59neBdr7dAK0YZ5fdQ-oJRmwu1M-MJA2XYoqBhVTz8cenVAl56YBU8uAb0jiriy2iqf_y2_KqFe6PPgZtgvTsHcwsHEnnCQFm-BqqVqVeJX4un3YHRPEPR_Y/s1600/IMG_20180915_083749219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPf8N4fOmh6gnadr5LaR59neBdr7dAK0YZ5fdQ-oJRmwu1M-MJA2XYoqBhVTz8cenVAl56YBU8uAb0jiriy2iqf_y2_KqFe6PPgZtgvTsHcwsHEnnCQFm-BqqVqVeJX4un3YHRPEPR_Y/s320/IMG_20180915_083749219.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little girl ran with beautiful form and took it out hard with Seth on the opening downhill. Well done.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake chugged up the hill with a determined pump. He was ready for a donut!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada ended up getting into a little bit of a sprint at the end, dueling another determined gal for a finish. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice Ada relaxing HARD in the background. They earned their goodies!</td></tr>
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-14815956711337296412018-09-10T19:53:00.000-07:002018-09-10T19:53:44.692-07:00Pacing Sachin at the 2018 Headlands Hundred<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few weeks ago I was honored when my buddy Sachin asked me to pace him at the Headlands Hundred. Here I will write down my account of what transpired.</div>
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Headlands was not Sachin's first choice of the hundred mile mountain race that he wanted to prepare for this year. He is a goal oriented dude that when he sets his mind to something he is very meticulous and focused in every step of the process. He was originally training to complete a race called the Fatdog 120, a 120 mile race in a real alpine environment in Canada. That race got canceled at the last minute because of forest fires. He had already done all of the training, spent all of the money (including investing in an altitude tent to help him acclimate to the elevation), so the cancellation understandably came as a blow. He decided that all of that investment shouldn't be wasted though and decided to find a replacement race. Headlands fit the bill with it being a local hilly race with pretty straight forward logistics. The race would not however test his mettle with respect to technical mountain trails at elevation - but his fitness and mental resolve would still be put on the line. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />I got to sleep in, make coffee, read my book, generally just chill out, and then drive up across the Golden Gate bridge to hang out on a beautiful sunny day at the beach before expecting Sachin somewhere after 4 p.m. at the 50 mile mark of the race. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sachin - all smiles and high fives at the 50 mile mark.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sachin was somehow able to convince his girlfriend Kate to drop him off at the race, drive around the headlands for 20 hours following him around and catering to his every need at every aid station (mixing drinks, wardrobe changes, gear exchanges, etc), driving around his stinky pacers, and then drove him home. Something tells me he owes her one or a lot. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJNgY6GpAeOp5FXkUnMrFKQNSAWuhyyF5dJMLimi-NNvknf8CHApHpv1PFSw33nAa0hugU8ebC56-uYq8H045WfXUyOUi0c-_lQATkdKs6bSMFX92ZFl18qyFFqxI9ezhdnIotVTNFXg/s1600/IMG_20180908_170159490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJNgY6GpAeOp5FXkUnMrFKQNSAWuhyyF5dJMLimi-NNvknf8CHApHpv1PFSw33nAa0hugU8ebC56-uYq8H045WfXUyOUi0c-_lQATkdKs6bSMFX92ZFl18qyFFqxI9ezhdnIotVTNFXg/s320/IMG_20180908_170159490.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In stark contrast to last years race, there was hardly a cloud in the sky and the runners were fully exposed to the sun pretty much the whole day. That took its toll on the runners! Sachin was however able to take pretty good care of himself, and ran some really well paced loops, never burning himself up. This discipline really helped him cash in once the temperatures started dropping.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best thing about this years weather was the fact that the views were amazing.</td></tr>
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Sachin came into the 50 mile aid station in fifth place. He ran the first lap in 4:45 and the second in just over 5 hours, staying steady. The leader of the race at the time, John Burton (who I've paced at a couple of races now) decided to withdraw. Then Sachin started to methodically catch the other racers in front of him because they were starting to slow down, while Sachin was holding steady at his 5 hr per lap pace. I should note that most every runner in ultra-running, especially at the longer distances (100k, 100 mile, etc) slow down as the race progresses - something that is known as a "positive split". It is so hard to fend off muscle and brain fatigue when you are talking about those kinds of distances. Sachin was somehow able to keep things even. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the moment that Sachin was about to take the lead of the race from Mike (guy I don't know) at about mile 62. After we put some distance on Mike, Sachin was explaining to me that this leading a race thing was pretty stressful. He did not like the idea of having to worry about everyone chasing him for 40 miles!</td></tr>
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After Sachin took the lead we headed down into the Tennessee Valley aid station (kind of the main hub of aid stations where the race passes through multiple times). Many of the volunteers were super excited about helping out the new race leader. The funny thing was that many of the volunteers remembered me from last year (I take pride in thanking the volunteers and joking around and trying to have fun). As we were leaving the aid station they were all cheering for me doing an awesome pacing job. As we headed up the next hill, I was joking with Sachin about how I was getting more love than he was... <br />
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From the moment Sachin took the lead it was basically my job to try and get him to relax a little because this leading a race thing seemed to be rattling him a little bit. He kept second guessing his pacing, nutrition, etc. I told him to just keep doing what he was doing. That was all he had to do.<br />
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There are a lot of out and backs on this course where you are able to get an idea of where your competitors are at with respect to you, so you can tell how much you might be able to relax or push depending on what you are trying to accomplish. The tricky thing is that there are several different races going on at the same time and sometimes it is hard to keep track of who is running what race and who your competitors are. Especially in the dark. Sachin was relying on me to give him information on where everyone was - but I was doing a piss poor job. I guess I wasn't super excited about that part of my job because in my mind it just didn't matter where the other guys were at. There would be nothing good that would come of Sachin getting this information. Either the guys are catching him - in which case he might try to speed up and burn himself up just trying to keep the lead, or Sachin was creating a larger gap - in which case maybe he could relax a little and make sure to take care of himself and just finish the race. Personally I like the idea of keeping him a little bit on edge so he would stay in the zone. That zone was paying off handsomely for him. He was entirely focused. He was in and out of aid stations without wasting any time. He peed while hiking. He was relentless. He thought about every way that he could save time and be efficient.<br />
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As we crested the hill at about mile 78, he was totally convinced that the headlight that he saw behind us was someone that was about to catch him. I said yeah, maybe - doesn't matter, just keep doing what you're doing. He then proceeded to drop some insane downhill miles down to the golden gate bridge. I was barely keeping up with him. As we got to the aid station at the bottom (with me huffing and puffing), I turned to Kate and Sachin's buddy Matt who was able to help out with crewing duties last minute and I told him that if Sachin throws down another downhill like he just did that I was tapping out and Matt would have to take over. He said he was ready to go.<br />
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Sachin and I started heading back up the hill and since this was an out and back section we had a chance to really scope out second place. It took us a while before we ran into someone that we thought might be in his race. I estimated maybe a 20 to 30 minute lead. Sachin was worried. I decided to do the math for him to try to relieve him of some of this crazy paranoia he was going through. Basically the chaser would have to average over a minute per mile faster pace than Sachin to catch him. When we crested the next hill, Sachin decided to drop some seven minute miles down to the next aid station - I couldn't believe it. Your quadriceps just shouldn't be working that well at mile 87 of a hundred mile mountain race! When we rolled into the aid station I tagged Matt in to get Sachin to the finish line - I was toast.<br />
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I caught a ride with Kate to the rest of the aid stations to track his progress and then watch him and Matt roll into the finish line for the win in a time of 19 hours and 56 minutes - the eighth fastest time in race history. Before the race Sachin had communicated an "A" goal of sub 22 hours and a B goal of sub 24. I'm not sure if he really believed he was capable of achieving what he was able to set out and do, but it was one of the coolest things to get a front row seat to: To witness someone totally nail their race and in the process blow everyone's expectations (maybe even including his own). I'm just glad he allowed me to be a part of it!<br />
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-88325578516349862352018-09-04T21:27:00.000-07:002018-09-04T21:27:02.612-07:00Backpacking w/ the boys in Santa Cruz Mtns. 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Time for a spur of the moment backpacking adventure with the boys:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu-nYd_oYOQ4Mhh0xiq3xkFLGUz_uiwmvhiqsxybkwgFRJ9wg3ddmjH-tw-greISVr40LihqB0WnJyYPqnSr6fBvx8EIWKGORwkQR3zuMWl3Jjp7QvZCyYSk-c3Ra9Sgps41mIPfZfu0/s1600/P1060681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu-nYd_oYOQ4Mhh0xiq3xkFLGUz_uiwmvhiqsxybkwgFRJ9wg3ddmjH-tw-greISVr40LihqB0WnJyYPqnSr6fBvx8EIWKGORwkQR3zuMWl3Jjp7QvZCyYSk-c3Ra9Sgps41mIPfZfu0/s320/P1060681.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The women folk accompanied us on our first mile to wish us farewell as we marched off into the wilderness.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbarTapdjGvoq4958nT9wzwnX9E_ztLI-9Mhr5EjZNSTfCpLcMVrAFLaLhYgnSgwxxSFkJZKTTtmLhSjSILwMycNtUK1Y0LumkgmbLbtbzB1aVX9L3gZN7rL2fr0ElExNPXPafSfCtZFk/s1600/P1060687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbarTapdjGvoq4958nT9wzwnX9E_ztLI-9Mhr5EjZNSTfCpLcMVrAFLaLhYgnSgwxxSFkJZKTTtmLhSjSILwMycNtUK1Y0LumkgmbLbtbzB1aVX9L3gZN7rL2fr0ElExNPXPafSfCtZFk/s320/P1060687.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty soon it was just us and the trees...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ktkkx5F3nmMr77_r6zbNZpGwyoAqjVnJ5PI9ZEVDXeO_DE76b3CN3FpMIPWKESg9vvQXoatDTdPYaS2KHEQjygpBW0R_aIJchdAZ01Ys1J8Ony2o9uQYuMoC79ZsIrJavFKRKesr9QY/s1600/P1060688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ktkkx5F3nmMr77_r6zbNZpGwyoAqjVnJ5PI9ZEVDXeO_DE76b3CN3FpMIPWKESg9vvQXoatDTdPYaS2KHEQjygpBW0R_aIJchdAZ01Ys1J8Ony2o9uQYuMoC79ZsIrJavFKRKesr9QY/s320/P1060688.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seth spotted a good plot to set up for the night, so they went ahead and started site prep and construction.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmRbHIQbj8ueW8mxAnRM40ZVD8OLLTyLL65zdto5yr3yR4jXEnEctTTVOTMa3MJMxFwpmMNRoaugRIlGQODh8tzXYIXE7NbPagofQlXdWD_8f7s5KVumb_X0rcEHoJj0AWc10LTHm4e0/s1600/P1060689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmRbHIQbj8ueW8mxAnRM40ZVD8OLLTyLL65zdto5yr3yR4jXEnEctTTVOTMa3MJMxFwpmMNRoaugRIlGQODh8tzXYIXE7NbPagofQlXdWD_8f7s5KVumb_X0rcEHoJj0AWc10LTHm4e0/s320/P1060689.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I gave them the option of rain fly or no. At first they thought it was pretty obvious that they should have protection against the elements, but when I explained to them the pros and cons, they decided to try without...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N4VS27Zd8Hu3DVli1_pZb9PowTjF8Ac6KeLc0XlfkyZ5Li-8-z-dwb1-yWpNjKFPPWTImzqCK3G2Rr06uLiUzeSS0WeXZ1rTxXdS8VWrgk58NLVv1Xc1OKhgqJxcoAGZOalnUkzH8us/s1600/P1060692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N4VS27Zd8Hu3DVli1_pZb9PowTjF8Ac6KeLc0XlfkyZ5Li-8-z-dwb1-yWpNjKFPPWTImzqCK3G2Rr06uLiUzeSS0WeXZ1rTxXdS8VWrgk58NLVv1Xc1OKhgqJxcoAGZOalnUkzH8us/s320/P1060692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We then retired to the "kitchen" as the boys designated the space within their grand plan. Mountain House Chicken Teriyaki was a big hit for this age group!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2Quywj-vr6OfWyXk5Ff_DG2QAh7WjcPQANuZZdNXoBwCsC_q2cAGCxseYvVjsyFum922KnAolM1HD8klBDiCgBfmB2gFEikEPzG4Dwv8zh4y6MnatW5Wyc01BREXu078KcPa2iTpTOI/s1600/P1060693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2Quywj-vr6OfWyXk5Ff_DG2QAh7WjcPQANuZZdNXoBwCsC_q2cAGCxseYvVjsyFum922KnAolM1HD8klBDiCgBfmB2gFEikEPzG4Dwv8zh4y6MnatW5Wyc01BREXu078KcPa2iTpTOI/s320/P1060693.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During an after dinner walk we discovered a truly huge tree. This thing was one of the biggest trees I've ever seen in these hills. The boys named it "Big Aspidistra", or big A for short. We then continued to name every worthy tree on down the alphabet: Big B, Big C, etc. In fact, on this trip we came across so many large trees that we made it all the way through Z.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOL7-GQyFuaMIBMsYvZ2GNSDpvcP3p11FJJiwpck048oNu2eMlUwf9Jm66lYl7L9rkpbBVP-_I3tYhN0ANJ8KfFleyh4pHEilWbBHN4uzaevBfEC9w2xRoDZRynP2KdjyhRUT4GpauJ4/s1600/P1060699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOL7-GQyFuaMIBMsYvZ2GNSDpvcP3p11FJJiwpck048oNu2eMlUwf9Jm66lYl7L9rkpbBVP-_I3tYhN0ANJ8KfFleyh4pHEilWbBHN4uzaevBfEC9w2xRoDZRynP2KdjyhRUT4GpauJ4/s320/P1060699.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They slept better than I did.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuU5SMRsKPbJbLmvMGO5UkY8yaUnG2k3OAKdnq15PcWxV9k88Tc5m9z8jgFE_kzuhAVSk9A3Z7bzIuwN2etX0uf2i_n3jU40KNGPCvDO-n4wxCwThTybczwJJTvOFGJ6vdo4cR_ZZ9Yk/s1600/P1060701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuU5SMRsKPbJbLmvMGO5UkY8yaUnG2k3OAKdnq15PcWxV9k88Tc5m9z8jgFE_kzuhAVSk9A3Z7bzIuwN2etX0uf2i_n3jU40KNGPCvDO-n4wxCwThTybczwJJTvOFGJ6vdo4cR_ZZ9Yk/s320/P1060701.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice foggy vibe in the morning.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSm0khVr3e0M2fkwqIYzj74fHJ_pN4uGy0nEqJQuhWZXuTJ3rL4cQg8vNjz0ZMhvY8iIs9Jkk5ewt31jBlrjxKup8AW1HHNCyotYreiviKyeSpJzgttFiuMbxFJKZ5wUA6ufJWOs6ykDg/s1600/P1060713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSm0khVr3e0M2fkwqIYzj74fHJ_pN4uGy0nEqJQuhWZXuTJ3rL4cQg8vNjz0ZMhvY8iIs9Jkk5ewt31jBlrjxKup8AW1HHNCyotYreiviKyeSpJzgttFiuMbxFJKZ5wUA6ufJWOs6ykDg/s320/P1060713.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down by slate creek someone had gone through the trouble of creating some wonderful trail art. The boys and I had a great time discovering several of these gems in our exploration of the creek.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-qhgHdmrOcQRM0ZDvSla-cGQzF5uobg0rcEQDFfMSwozdDG9LoZo61yV9aX3tsywPZwu39xw8Y_Xib5Ye9kg2ZFDmw4H6RmrAMCr5w_MXlRn7E4A1CH8ERRLDvVJWRyq9XDRAVVAOVw/s1600/P1060714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-qhgHdmrOcQRM0ZDvSla-cGQzF5uobg0rcEQDFfMSwozdDG9LoZo61yV9aX3tsywPZwu39xw8Y_Xib5Ye9kg2ZFDmw4H6RmrAMCr5w_MXlRn7E4A1CH8ERRLDvVJWRyq9XDRAVVAOVw/s320/P1060714.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail art. I gave it more thought since then and have decided that this is just a great idea to keep kids entertained in the forest.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz0Xovd7V6dYyB2zf983RWTW5XhzhgE5FhhiA_RoVe5j8-gdpD3oBp3jSYX_13gvSpaUlziT67TQRyYvq53uujNLjzOyJ1Zv8ErXX8gobXREpcQZai6PdlknzdicIndNSac9K6mvHUds/s1600/P1060715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz0Xovd7V6dYyB2zf983RWTW5XhzhgE5FhhiA_RoVe5j8-gdpD3oBp3jSYX_13gvSpaUlziT67TQRyYvq53uujNLjzOyJ1Zv8ErXX8gobXREpcQZai6PdlknzdicIndNSac9K6mvHUds/s320/P1060715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtSQrUrGPkcfhYr-0xpewbnwrvnelObHZe63YoRiDeJ-DTp3HE4p82BpxygaiBDWN7boiYi2HaiVdbzkOpCK3rIYBmqML6MhFiqoQAgdk4pol0aguKqgClNtJnKdjynk3GO-95r9BFzE/s1600/P1060720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtSQrUrGPkcfhYr-0xpewbnwrvnelObHZe63YoRiDeJ-DTp3HE4p82BpxygaiBDWN7boiYi2HaiVdbzkOpCK3rIYBmqML6MhFiqoQAgdk4pol0aguKqgClNtJnKdjynk3GO-95r9BFzE/s400/P1060720.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone's favorite slug.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcdIRGTzIwYCL0ZaWyfs-itzusMssFs9y564r7xpxkOjoCuYL6VdsrT8PZNMVaXABS4uy398jdTsRjJz7yPy863nJ-RlxMMtes33U4K8oixfxXd-v7nbQFu6FL-nGoZdlKzyOsZYPXrI/s1600/P1060721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcdIRGTzIwYCL0ZaWyfs-itzusMssFs9y564r7xpxkOjoCuYL6VdsrT8PZNMVaXABS4uy398jdTsRjJz7yPy863nJ-RlxMMtes33U4K8oixfxXd-v7nbQFu6FL-nGoZdlKzyOsZYPXrI/s320/P1060721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgols7X01r3g75G0LBgieq2tPJy0iifNW0vV2HxtxVfG900UmKjJiFgSelAzwxDHNVrXiDZh1KoQ5FryERUEvnlaVtr5lWvWbJlGJefVxhzpbaB9wwpidNOdJGzTY6uA-aoVWPlGpH6arM/s1600/P1060729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgols7X01r3g75G0LBgieq2tPJy0iifNW0vV2HxtxVfG900UmKjJiFgSelAzwxDHNVrXiDZh1KoQ5FryERUEvnlaVtr5lWvWbJlGJefVxhzpbaB9wwpidNOdJGzTY6uA-aoVWPlGpH6arM/s400/P1060729.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby newt? Who knows... But Seth names him "little black spot", I think this might have been the highlight of the trip for Seth when he discovered this little guy under a rock...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdwjFMW_NlNxQf7bMqnvS862GzexVgIeiMFCCXpkI99F3Wndmg0ljjiEraYIVMN5CoD5a1tsMG21GAhW5Skxgix-w5madleAWZ8BCbtr-YoP6E2_v03se3IIM45UUtOtECOZ3Jc5ONJA/s1600/P1060733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdwjFMW_NlNxQf7bMqnvS862GzexVgIeiMFCCXpkI99F3Wndmg0ljjiEraYIVMN5CoD5a1tsMG21GAhW5Skxgix-w5madleAWZ8BCbtr-YoP6E2_v03se3IIM45UUtOtECOZ3Jc5ONJA/s320/P1060733.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little snake. We came across one that looked just like this one a half hour later, and the boys were convinced it was the same snake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAbnn945TlaDj1kPLDMoh5qkikeFGUy_T4lR5kDXa_Tgn-CZbKlPHKnplVi6YSz_Y4Oox4ag-KnyGWI8lGhGvKEf8HKLT50Zpun6itHzNIfoG8tX6HG0hD6-Y2AcwhLgONte5xSdZ16g/s1600/P1060735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAbnn945TlaDj1kPLDMoh5qkikeFGUy_T4lR5kDXa_Tgn-CZbKlPHKnplVi6YSz_Y4Oox4ag-KnyGWI8lGhGvKEf8HKLT50Zpun6itHzNIfoG8tX6HG0hD6-Y2AcwhLgONte5xSdZ16g/s400/P1060735.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake likes Jerky.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1UNnTTsBratZKWjBhuKnjf118CwDBrAWAOgokG30QU1qkAIORdTEGB-3Z9OJpSP7vShn7D_KOQBm6YuQFIbnvU2Toy-3UfwGNE5QapMnotxrQkLxEGy4mb8q3yuuIwgguP8ZXuMtBhA/s1600/P1060739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1UNnTTsBratZKWjBhuKnjf118CwDBrAWAOgokG30QU1qkAIORdTEGB-3Z9OJpSP7vShn7D_KOQBm6YuQFIbnvU2Toy-3UfwGNE5QapMnotxrQkLxEGy4mb8q3yuuIwgguP8ZXuMtBhA/s320/P1060739.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And climbing.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2prVUO2juzAC0KWpXhnMo_YH3TImMRHy8O_dEAnUGHwn87n6M7HQXklbAzEI1mT4Jp-ZxGkaIatm2cdICHwuiWBCuLRyLTqeGocwlCicZ15BoSYc6Ax_GHR5-8L1X9pamG-RMJNRpRbY/s1600/P1060741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2prVUO2juzAC0KWpXhnMo_YH3TImMRHy8O_dEAnUGHwn87n6M7HQXklbAzEI1mT4Jp-ZxGkaIatm2cdICHwuiWBCuLRyLTqeGocwlCicZ15BoSYc6Ax_GHR5-8L1X9pamG-RMJNRpRbY/s400/P1060741.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And waterholes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun79bBDZz6KGi9i_J9RzgdosT2KXy111AyXDokkiY48FIkMQi3ThFo9czEPjSRl9f3aywhybvhptlWJjfJhtnle3PeuCzUW9eFOisA_BqG9Z2MAio4wSfJ9qrON6QgpjbRWTzsfIR8GE/s1600/P1060745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun79bBDZz6KGi9i_J9RzgdosT2KXy111AyXDokkiY48FIkMQi3ThFo9czEPjSRl9f3aywhybvhptlWJjfJhtnle3PeuCzUW9eFOisA_BqG9Z2MAio4wSfJ9qrON6QgpjbRWTzsfIR8GE/s320/P1060745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And rocks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG0CWlnFbaC0_lrYlpHcjjoWKTjhEoR0ROQJ81duItqZO-vHgUpnHaLbkw-vQHq5_n7yjaIDY4jY9KgZ-pxQWPtcTkXlMyH9WwzlP6K9ExeHgnDkMdeb9qom-mqKZgkYP15yMCbnqlyU/s1600/P1060755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG0CWlnFbaC0_lrYlpHcjjoWKTjhEoR0ROQJ81duItqZO-vHgUpnHaLbkw-vQHq5_n7yjaIDY4jY9KgZ-pxQWPtcTkXlMyH9WwzlP6K9ExeHgnDkMdeb9qom-mqKZgkYP15yMCbnqlyU/s400/P1060755.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And waterfalls.</td></tr>
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Video of waterhole.</div>
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Video of little snake.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreR5Vw3POhUmOuU3huhyFWApXHWvzxlDE9mzg5WeLDVyLp42XSX0FbnVZfbH1qszmzAo9FyrlY9icXPgRsdztHP0nPNiM941s4T_UlOhoOVtMqcQDgzyj11SCPbDJSwssSWcunTd089Q/s1600/IMG_1989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreR5Vw3POhUmOuU3huhyFWApXHWvzxlDE9mzg5WeLDVyLp42XSX0FbnVZfbH1qszmzAo9FyrlY9icXPgRsdztHP0nPNiM941s4T_UlOhoOVtMqcQDgzyj11SCPbDJSwssSWcunTd089Q/s400/IMG_1989.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not clean.</td></tr>
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-43683509862882118922018-06-06T13:29:00.000-07:002018-06-06T13:29:21.695-07:00San Francisco One Day 2018 ReportI like the idea that one can accumulate a "life resume". I guess what I mean by life resume is a list of highlights throughout your life that have made a significant impact in the happiness or growth of a person. I believe that a lot of the stuff that I write down in this blog might be part of that resume and it is important to try and capture at least a fraction of the memory of what went on for personal reflection reasons, and maybe even for other eyes that might get something from it. <br />
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I am attempting to make a conscious decision to stop looking at these endeavors as successes or failures because I am coming to the conclusion that the ultimate outcome is growth as a person. In those terms, every time I gear up for a big adventure, whether it be an ultra marathon, or a big backpacking trip (within the context of this blog), it always results in a success. In terms of a tangible outcome of the 2018 San Francisco One Day, I was not successful. I ran 77 miles around a one mile loop course by the bay. I quit with about eight hours still left on the clock because the cost/reward equation just wasn't working out for me. I had an "A" goal of running 109 miles to get a mileage PR, and a "B" goal of at least running 100 miles and contributing to Quicksilver team points. At 77 miles severe chafing started to take it's toll on me and I was doing the mental math and decided it wasn't worth it anymore.<br />
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When I analyze what went wrong I would summarize it like this:<br />
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1) While the 6 p.m. start was novel and allowed for running through the night with fresh legs, it seemed that I for whatever reason was unable to manage moisture accumulation.<br />
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2) Body glide failed me for the first time. I applied the lubricant periodically, taking time every once in a while to completely towel down and start over again. I even changed my shirt because I started to suspect that moisture was soaking from my shirt into my shorts as well. While I think all this helped, it was just prolonging the inevitable.<br />
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3) I ran a good pace. I finished 62 miles by hour 12 (6 a.m. in the morning), and thought my goals were totally within reach. All I had to do was average four miles per hour for the rest of the race.<br />
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4) The sun did some damage. I completely changed into dry clothes once the sun came up, hoping that might get me through the next 12 hours. The problem was that it was getting warm fast, and heat was aggravating my chafing even more.<br />
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5) The sleep deprivation started getting to me. It's not that I wanted to stop and take a nap or had a hard time keeping moving - it was more that I started getting a little grumpy with the sheer mass of young beautiful San Franciscans getting out there for their morning jogs in their yoga pants and smiles and bouncy strides. I was constantly having to dodge and navigate the crowd with very little patience still left in my head.<br />
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These were the things that went wrong for me. But it's all good! It was actually a beautiful experience. Running through the night with fresh head and bouncy legs was wonderful. There was a nearly full moon above the San Francisco skyline keeping us company. It was bright enough to cast shadows on the course - which was interesting. Every-time I ran along the bay said of the lagoon I heard the waves from the bay lapping up on the beach. It was a peaceful and eery feeling cruising through that night. It was also wonderful to get rid of all of the tourists once it got really late and all that was left was us crazies banging out the miles. A new innovation for this race was that you got to change directions around the loop at will, so we were constantly greeting each other and joking and high fiving and stuff. It was also funny to get the random San Francisco night owl weirdo person coming by on their bike, electric scooter, whatever with neon lights and strange music blasting - like that was the best way they could figure out how to spend their Friday night/Saturday morning.<br />
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This was a well run race with wonderful volunteers and a fantastic aid station and lots of friends. I will probably be back some day...<br />
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-67060378953141786122018-05-26T18:28:00.000-07:002018-05-26T18:28:09.763-07:00Some musingsOn my long run today I was thinking about ducks. You see, when I was a grade-schooler I used to walk along a stretch of canal on the way to school. There always seemed to be ducks there. To stave off the boredom of the walk I would tell my two younger sisters stories about a duck kingdom. These were stories about heroes and villains, doing the right things and the wrong things, stories with adventure. It seemed so easy back then to tap into the mystery and pull a story together, no matter what a silly thing it was about impossible scenarios and magic. When you are a kid just about everything has some degree of wonder and awe. You see things for the first time - your brain hasn't yet formed all of the patterns and grooves that take away possibilities. I remember constructing these stories almost effortlessly while on our walk just by watching ducks and tapping into something that I didn't understand. Where is it that our stories come from?<br />
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I did see ducks on my run. But I think what really brought the nostalgic memories to the front was the set and setting of my trip today. As I was ascending the hills of the peninsula that separate our house from the ocean I was climbing up through the clouds. It was an foggy, cool day and I was in cruise mode. Just motoring with no hurry to be anywhere, letting the mind wander and soaking in with gratitude the privilege of having nothing more important to get done but wander my paths. The foggy days in the forest are some of my favorite. Even though I know every root and bump in the trails, every turn, tree, bridge, the fog seems to spice things up a bit because the normal patterns are obstructed. My mind needs to recalculate to remember what is coming next because I'm working off a constricted set of information. It also blurs the normal sight lines, so you are a little bit more locked in - paying attention to your surroundings because it seems like anything can happen. A new tree fall across the path, surprise animal encounter, other hikers, etc. The fog makes things a little more mysterious. And that was when I spotted the ducks hanging out on the pond. I wondered why it was this set of circumstances that recalled my childhood memories.<br />
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I think the fog reminds me that there are possibilities. Almost endless possibilities, and this in turn allows me to remember when I was a child and most things still had mystery. I thought about how the mystery was lost. Do we trade something in when we decide to take our slot in the adult world that we have prescribed for each-other? So you go to school, learn some smart peoples explanations for the whys and whats of this world. Slowly chop away at the mystery. Abstract complicated, not quite understood, observations out to study-able chunks and theorize away. Write down the rules so that the mystery is completely gone. Get a job, get married, buy stuff, pop out some babies, buy more stuff. Parents happy, guidance councilor happy, corporations ecstatic!<br />
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The germans have this word <span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;">Gemütlichkeit. </span>It is a complicated word to translate. What it means to me is it describes a feeling or way of being that is warm, peaceful and comfortable. When I was cruising along the mountain footpaths in the fog observing the ducks and being transported back in time, I was flowing in gemutlichkeit. The mere contemplation of a time when life supplied awe and wonder in a seemingly endless stream seems to warm my soul. So what's the point? There is no point. Just chill out and "hang loose". Life is beautiful.<br />
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Ramble over.Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-23401053653912954212017-10-10T17:31:00.000-07:002017-10-10T18:16:34.992-07:00High Sierra Backpacking: Sachin's Loop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Back to back in the high sierra (thanks Joanne!). It has been a great past two weekends where I got to explore all kinds of new incredible territory. This past weekend Sachin and I backpacked 54 miles with over 11000 ft of climbing taking two days. Sachin proposed a big loop starting at Lodgepole campground in southern Kings Canyon. I had never been there before and was excited to check out some new terrain.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOdizTO4JiSHSp8LorfEmzySCpQlMQFC3ZDyiTRxkYEJEl4nidIsoIzB3VremOzKFtlqEdkqqjdFCQkB2L2Ij28KWz3lAtWWEfG5pyEPGE277-pGNYy9qoWDwthAPXqeEDocw1jXhpr4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-10-10+at+10.53.20+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="635" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOdizTO4JiSHSp8LorfEmzySCpQlMQFC3ZDyiTRxkYEJEl4nidIsoIzB3VremOzKFtlqEdkqqjdFCQkB2L2Ij28KWz3lAtWWEfG5pyEPGE277-pGNYy9qoWDwthAPXqeEDocw1jXhpr4/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-10-10+at+10.53.20+AM.png" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sachin's loop. 54 miles with over 11000 ft of climbing. Red is day 1 (33 miles, 6824 ft climbing), Blue is day 2 (21.4 miles, 4508 ft of climbing). Start/Stop is Lodgepole campground in Kings Canyon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsOlD6r8Jz0tqUYmGcQ1yrZ_-stuFcyP69Opyq8SQqKiv0vCVgmEgAJ9ULj-A2hdd5aYJlV9Lud4b5ajDJvtaflYvUt21d2wx_lUhE2-CT5tNePF9HLj0p33k6ZNlX_f_eedLGsbVxH8/s1600/P1060547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsOlD6r8Jz0tqUYmGcQ1yrZ_-stuFcyP69Opyq8SQqKiv0vCVgmEgAJ9ULj-A2hdd5aYJlV9Lud4b5ajDJvtaflYvUt21d2wx_lUhE2-CT5tNePF9HLj0p33k6ZNlX_f_eedLGsbVxH8/s320/P1060547.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started the hike in the dark, climbing through the forrest. As we came around one of the corners we spotted a couple set of eyes shining back at us. A couple of bear cubs were traveling the trail ahead of us. We assumed the mother was with them, but never got a good look. We kept making noise, attempting to get them out of the way, but it probably took 10 to 15 minutes of us chasing the bears up the hill before they decided to crash downhill through the forrest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZg5WuHdsDHqtv1AsWXmDlO5DOp0RZ04d6K0YAxDXtcJweA_25jtPC79loVayq5W4jsYYo7lyP-ZCdj0PaeipaOwFfQLro2VF81j0bF9fqU2Bcy-DATwTbZ-r4wVppXaLJbVvShu70DM/s1600/P1060550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZg5WuHdsDHqtv1AsWXmDlO5DOp0RZ04d6K0YAxDXtcJweA_25jtPC79loVayq5W4jsYYo7lyP-ZCdj0PaeipaOwFfQLro2VF81j0bF9fqU2Bcy-DATwTbZ-r4wVppXaLJbVvShu70DM/s320/P1060550.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were in wilderness territory, outside of the bounds of Kings Canyon National Park, and came across a hunter who was questioning us about the trail that we had just descended. Here we see a "snow surveyors shelter". I guess when things get crazy in the winter, the surveyor can seek some safety here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVs3WBi-oDlCTTR2YXh06dbbbzw5q1U13YyUtws2Qju9HPBUw-Iq14O3PuCu8EWpd1E2cJ89XW0yBvG1BdPjpbyp8YF9HGs1GeAmKk1z2OROg-vL3upXstcHpDumRcNQkvmDXhB0TB_k/s1600/P1060552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVs3WBi-oDlCTTR2YXh06dbbbzw5q1U13YyUtws2Qju9HPBUw-Iq14O3PuCu8EWpd1E2cJ89XW0yBvG1BdPjpbyp8YF9HGs1GeAmKk1z2OROg-vL3upXstcHpDumRcNQkvmDXhB0TB_k/s320/P1060552.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much of the first half of the loop was through the forrest without extensive views of alpine granite terrain. We did get pretty high and were able to see some fun stuff in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRijzrXxd_w1n3Ziwl9whxMgFL9vthDK3MYQ4uXp_fx5Vtj04hOoXUk9k2FgJ2eJjIsNrn3FHLczCrSuESwdcKKCmAAdETJe4-nyCwAMptDCtal3lrgM7OhSFwIjDia3h8DjX5jELWYo/s1600/P1060558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRijzrXxd_w1n3Ziwl9whxMgFL9vthDK3MYQ4uXp_fx5Vtj04hOoXUk9k2FgJ2eJjIsNrn3FHLczCrSuESwdcKKCmAAdETJe4-nyCwAMptDCtal3lrgM7OhSFwIjDia3h8DjX5jELWYo/s320/P1060558.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our trail skirted Sugarloaf peak. It was a very prominant chunk of rock. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugl67ww2MJF2A80CPW5VH7d9FxuPBIbT07gGWh_YrQZuFlpcCsJ2O9w-Dpkdl-wcS7hqFn_f-o4x2Wad2qgNsZj1KKB_h4zgtWigVxoHxIxgoKbEW21SsQiTS_lH6xTgYw7L8GOdBnvo/s1600/P1060562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugl67ww2MJF2A80CPW5VH7d9FxuPBIbT07gGWh_YrQZuFlpcCsJ2O9w-Dpkdl-wcS7hqFn_f-o4x2Wad2qgNsZj1KKB_h4zgtWigVxoHxIxgoKbEW21SsQiTS_lH6xTgYw7L8GOdBnvo/s320/P1060562.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw plenty of this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioh2In7UtdR9N8X4eSfj1I2vllP37MQfjEyclK2VXxR4LDge8B8Y9S4dQkSfknCyQjAZArQ1aN7HOJ-uILSTU5BqYZzRKzbgswDdXvZ1ByhZ5kHTxfsqDfKVU5A_it-Ob5GkaK6Ft4mA/s1600/P1060572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioh2In7UtdR9N8X4eSfj1I2vllP37MQfjEyclK2VXxR4LDge8B8Y9S4dQkSfknCyQjAZArQ1aN7HOJ-uILSTU5BqYZzRKzbgswDdXvZ1ByhZ5kHTxfsqDfKVU5A_it-Ob5GkaK6Ft4mA/s320/P1060572.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we start to climb up Deadman's Canyon, we start to see some serious rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vofg7KwmcpGQDeTA9ObKrSFMJkCKYXK1jGVure5MXuMbzYp1PldvBaSQWwJfh4i-AOgfBzjI8FhpMC4Fj9uUMOjEJHn4bhHJhr_8MOCAAia5lnDsWubyuO6PVtSJMcycRuJUAtMoNTo/s1600/P1060573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vofg7KwmcpGQDeTA9ObKrSFMJkCKYXK1jGVure5MXuMbzYp1PldvBaSQWwJfh4i-AOgfBzjI8FhpMC4Fj9uUMOjEJHn4bhHJhr_8MOCAAia5lnDsWubyuO6PVtSJMcycRuJUAtMoNTo/s320/P1060573.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sachin was loving the Aspen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0dSr1MTsCOoZu2jejWU7DHCjZ_tZrWvXN2RbPXBOBD3UIHJ8EtNX6PJP0QKRSvSWg_Z-x70W3BOwxUcWGSFP4zQP4axKMvgBoTU9UkrQ7KNZALAUydoXROK0gwA0erZ7zhaGgec-uPU/s1600/P1060574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0dSr1MTsCOoZu2jejWU7DHCjZ_tZrWvXN2RbPXBOBD3UIHJ8EtNX6PJP0QKRSvSWg_Z-x70W3BOwxUcWGSFP4zQP4axKMvgBoTU9UkrQ7KNZALAUydoXROK0gwA0erZ7zhaGgec-uPU/s320/P1060574.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following trail climbing up this creek reminded me a lot of a canyon climb on the IMTUF course in Idaho.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ9dSEnErZciG2157f-n19OXWufbVeNCZXQQ9tv2HnBdYK3NwewQ-tvf2VEtGI8xmuZaPjSjtxLHp44-YiWPBPSAU9uhDPiDIvUtkwE5QcxCKitZCjdCk_dlkl_DMkC8KnH5KNjax0QE/s1600/P1060575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ9dSEnErZciG2157f-n19OXWufbVeNCZXQQ9tv2HnBdYK3NwewQ-tvf2VEtGI8xmuZaPjSjtxLHp44-YiWPBPSAU9uhDPiDIvUtkwE5QcxCKitZCjdCk_dlkl_DMkC8KnH5KNjax0QE/s400/P1060575.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the smooth U carved out by glaciers a long time ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqCo65sHkxJQ66j8z6M7zmtEolzWn9BohoUMF1_pS67DkX201McTc1R9UXAoTDRPsNoyrIl5P3JYgPZ4J3OgERf3KaORH12aYo-G5CA1cOfw4iiq59drgZxA1kJdiKqx_bf85IEPPihk/s1600/P1060579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqCo65sHkxJQ66j8z6M7zmtEolzWn9BohoUMF1_pS67DkX201McTc1R9UXAoTDRPsNoyrIl5P3JYgPZ4J3OgERf3KaORH12aYo-G5CA1cOfw4iiq59drgZxA1kJdiKqx_bf85IEPPihk/s320/P1060579.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Canyon just kept going and going and getting better as we went.</td></tr>
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Here is a Video of of the stream falling down the rocks:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn292IPA32JaPmhXnL_4mNbt1GcpIK8eqlABswzCpMYXeVlIrXPQrcszeG-MVm9FJZTLL6dIGDkAi4ldA6fIRxslofnPeswWfs25CuXT6udgNWNX0uuFRA7MKLIod2eO2Dt2ta68jZUoE/s1600/P1060588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn292IPA32JaPmhXnL_4mNbt1GcpIK8eqlABswzCpMYXeVlIrXPQrcszeG-MVm9FJZTLL6dIGDkAi4ldA6fIRxslofnPeswWfs25CuXT6udgNWNX0uuFRA7MKLIod2eO2Dt2ta68jZUoE/s400/P1060588.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT82Ql2E6IceIt0zdPMumJ9Dov5kKq8XQVVKl120NHqnt99i04jnllc9vsc1vAm_ORjGBrEpmx_RPkYzO1-bAiW1Vm_adNEOrFW6CpYtMIh5bzL7KOn1lhLDU5AQbggPIbBFqkJmRXJw/s1600/P1060590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT82Ql2E6IceIt0zdPMumJ9Dov5kKq8XQVVKl120NHqnt99i04jnllc9vsc1vAm_ORjGBrEpmx_RPkYzO1-bAiW1Vm_adNEOrFW6CpYtMIh5bzL7KOn1lhLDU5AQbggPIbBFqkJmRXJw/s320/P1060590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the sun started to set we were scouting out a nice place to camp that set us up to tackle the pass in the morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9-dNt3-zek2aq-HKUrDKO7abv2LzI7jkUo2_zsXYKoINjS-HV4KNSJ19P7qVWD7wYymJuo0GA0sEGWZQz8pX7y4E84zhOeSm7buOOUy1_fLLSlP3esoKp68REq-dnFJ0omhdOL3Tuno/s1600/P1060594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9-dNt3-zek2aq-HKUrDKO7abv2LzI7jkUo2_zsXYKoINjS-HV4KNSJ19P7qVWD7wYymJuo0GA0sEGWZQz8pX7y4E84zhOeSm7buOOUy1_fLLSlP3esoKp68REq-dnFJ0omhdOL3Tuno/s320/P1060594.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We reckoned this would be the perfect spot. Some nice soft, flat sand, protected by rocks with the soft sound of the waterfall in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUbmUEWCrXGqiu3Az-qklfs3RYI9pBSLELKe3xDvvd6zXN1OaN8JEZ2sfc8OAZJSOywIgLllhYNx3-meZriUKeLAuQziSQEB59nq6O139VW2rJ1oOQTJ4ACYjQdyynKnW6To93OYFRcw/s1600/P1060595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUbmUEWCrXGqiu3Az-qklfs3RYI9pBSLELKe3xDvvd6zXN1OaN8JEZ2sfc8OAZJSOywIgLllhYNx3-meZriUKeLAuQziSQEB59nq6O139VW2rJ1oOQTJ4ACYjQdyynKnW6To93OYFRcw/s320/P1060595.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It got pretty cold, but it was actually a comfortable night of sleep, all things considered.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dgcPCM1TStTXTMYYqEx-L-lS7n3n9px-YvDESoUPhFz3Z6b0rfarhOBXZa219KU5t0Y_OyxqUesF2D9PBr3lvpmob5M4E7vEyxDt295-ax8gp2x6P-ERLUGDl_fhJ_Cl5c6aW4mGhOQ/s1600/P1060597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dgcPCM1TStTXTMYYqEx-L-lS7n3n9px-YvDESoUPhFz3Z6b0rfarhOBXZa219KU5t0Y_OyxqUesF2D9PBr3lvpmob5M4E7vEyxDt295-ax8gp2x6P-ERLUGDl_fhJ_Cl5c6aW4mGhOQ/s320/P1060597.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now starting to climb from the floor of the valley in the morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6m3mRSxRtsxXBaccai4B6gwAs9a_0EC81jiKeeQk34SvaGc5ErxCY5hvkJwAc-Km29-vx220nhbeMYyLMX5puW-4LWkpm6rB7YD5yRUD_D8otM7VpuCTeQRbbxqV986I7jWMVCAKVvuc/s1600/P1060610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6m3mRSxRtsxXBaccai4B6gwAs9a_0EC81jiKeeQk34SvaGc5ErxCY5hvkJwAc-Km29-vx220nhbeMYyLMX5puW-4LWkpm6rB7YD5yRUD_D8otM7VpuCTeQRbbxqV986I7jWMVCAKVvuc/s320/P1060610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up and over the top of Elizabeth Pass.</td></tr>
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Video of one of our breaks on the High Sierra Trail:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHMdoJ2HHUVMutSS3qOb2uKReJt5zB6461L9KncWKTGdo9d_znpFgmZwkP1mKhXuDaGsuIQyB5OTCtNi3iIBq2HruwdXztJWrPa9cS5G3z6C2kIylyP_rqhOPlgIznqwh9-36cHHaA18/s1600/P1060634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHMdoJ2HHUVMutSS3qOb2uKReJt5zB6461L9KncWKTGdo9d_znpFgmZwkP1mKhXuDaGsuIQyB5OTCtNi3iIBq2HruwdXztJWrPa9cS5G3z6C2kIylyP_rqhOPlgIznqwh9-36cHHaA18/s320/P1060634.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some really weird looking rock in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMqrQQ2TrpT-PJ0Rr826M8N1_weOcO9OkRdRe5sSF_DGPHZmWxqhYYxQ9X4WouYqI6gPLsWfcaz8T116PxvHVQ2GYaLbkS-mb2BelUp7v51oqGH50kaZWLr_HQ9G5TdIOiBAtSXEAe6Q/s1600/P1060644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMqrQQ2TrpT-PJ0Rr826M8N1_weOcO9OkRdRe5sSF_DGPHZmWxqhYYxQ9X4WouYqI6gPLsWfcaz8T116PxvHVQ2GYaLbkS-mb2BelUp7v51oqGH50kaZWLr_HQ9G5TdIOiBAtSXEAe6Q/s320/P1060644.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This section of the High Sierra Trail contoured a very steep mountain side with some spectacular views off to the left.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzcCkWQ_eR9naeJnRrnjyiEvXMQG32QZmjXy72JMsyB9ZxhQUs7lKNrygcIsRZNT5yITo7BSlA18xGlfwBZ2qozrsCFcH7cOXqsEmafHxuqYSckmvrnGijKQYkGLhGKeWRoRn_iWdAbE/s1600/P1060651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzcCkWQ_eR9naeJnRrnjyiEvXMQG32QZmjXy72JMsyB9ZxhQUs7lKNrygcIsRZNT5yITo7BSlA18xGlfwBZ2qozrsCFcH7cOXqsEmafHxuqYSckmvrnGijKQYkGLhGKeWRoRn_iWdAbE/s320/P1060651.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great trip! After we cleaned up a little we actually went right next door to inspect the General Sherman, a giant Sequoia. It has the distinction of being the largest tree in the world. Which means I have now seen the big three: Grizzly giant in Yosemite, General Grant in KC NP and Sherman in Sequoia NP.</td></tr>
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-16615474329027505432017-10-04T15:21:00.000-07:002017-10-04T15:24:33.604-07:00Kings Canyon Backpacking: Some High Sierra Cross Country Exploration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This backpacking route was the brainchild of my buddy James Bueno. He was gracious enough to drag me around the mountains for three days on high sierra trails and cross country in Kings Canyon National Park. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1p3TfnaTYr5lTOXyn6rlNsQ-T6ubiNLAFQzJxQRKNJEV4CznBF7AYv-79T7Jk_r4zxpuBL56wpiD_pK8G9fgLFghr39vZqUWBvkFUfo7Up1l3jjcGzkmDmA_AvG94JC3_qrcTfjWw1E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-10-03+at+4.11.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1p3TfnaTYr5lTOXyn6rlNsQ-T6ubiNLAFQzJxQRKNJEV4CznBF7AYv-79T7Jk_r4zxpuBL56wpiD_pK8G9fgLFghr39vZqUWBvkFUfo7Up1l3jjcGzkmDmA_AvG94JC3_qrcTfjWw1E/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-10-03+at+4.11.14+PM.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Trip. Starting at Roads End in Kings Canyon NP going clockwise: Red is day 1, Green is day 2, and Blue is day 3.</td></tr>
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Stats for the trip:<br />
<ul>
<li>Day 1: Roads End to other side of White Pass: 25.1 miles and 9869 ft of climbing</li>
<li>Day 2: White Pass to north side of Pinchot Pass: 17.7 miles and 5157 ft of climbing</li>
<li>Day 3: Pinchot back to Roads End: 27.2 miles and 2093 ft of climbing</li>
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Totals: 70 miles with 17119 ft of climbing<br />
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<h3>
Day 1: Roads End to other side of White Pass</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKttIN8cjHB7HhmYa4PEcZqwMfAJzGWCcIfHOdhddr5x2YW3NethRfGIprC5f-zFmy10sYxvd7RUOnleXMScBTc7UM8I8lNwzHPL14TLgJG48iBiHTimLK3_dhlGGO-1ijgLXccan29D8/s1600/P1060342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKttIN8cjHB7HhmYa4PEcZqwMfAJzGWCcIfHOdhddr5x2YW3NethRfGIprC5f-zFmy10sYxvd7RUOnleXMScBTc7UM8I8lNwzHPL14TLgJG48iBiHTimLK3_dhlGGO-1ijgLXccan29D8/s320/P1060342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started up the Copper Creek climb which was about 5000 ft in 8.5 miles. It was a nice warmup given our chilly 6 a.m. start. Saurabh Basin joined us for the first 16 miles of our journey. Saurabh is a dedicated ironman triathalete who also runs ultras. It was cool to get to know him a little better, I am sure we will share some runs in the future. Here you see the silly looking big guy, James and his pointy pole, and Saurabh showing us how a hydration system works.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggmYe8DSo6IfMBNNe87-dDE0PAn6IuS7YnWpd_LC4lTha95Ctt4rhymTfjrLUVyNb_m92eilOT0d-KQWGDBlHkVXr_BCFWKf3c4z08SQCgWM7sIGDcQaBBYlsiHvVeU62GZxftjXR188/s1600/P1060347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggmYe8DSo6IfMBNNe87-dDE0PAn6IuS7YnWpd_LC4lTha95Ctt4rhymTfjrLUVyNb_m92eilOT0d-KQWGDBlHkVXr_BCFWKf3c4z08SQCgWM7sIGDcQaBBYlsiHvVeU62GZxftjXR188/s400/P1060347.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was almost like entering a different world as you climbed up out of the valley.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc87O4kbJwJuCWjImKdRAm8B7Iy26r2CUNtE3LAmYH-frEPQYaE2JVduN43HFjNLC12LntJYHK_dM72rvcsOHhx5OUBfTsVqk-ARVBz6t97W2E-PotsDWYZo5OSi-baG3P6YhabVUK7hY/s1600/P1060350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc87O4kbJwJuCWjImKdRAm8B7Iy26r2CUNtE3LAmYH-frEPQYaE2JVduN43HFjNLC12LntJYHK_dM72rvcsOHhx5OUBfTsVqk-ARVBz6t97W2E-PotsDWYZo5OSi-baG3P6YhabVUK7hY/s320/P1060350.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the top of the Copper Creek climb we veered off the trail to take a treck through the high country. This particular stretch of trail is described as part of the Sierra High Route. The route is not necessarily a trail, but describes a line you might take through the mountains that keeps you at high altitude. The best way I can think of to describe it is to compare it to the John Muir Trail (JMT). The JMT was designed to allow for an efficient, stock passable, route from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney. This means that a trail can be built that allows the quadrupeds to not freak out in the mountains. The Sierra High Route, on the other hand, parallels the path that the JMT takes, but tries to keep you high and assumes that you have four limbs and know how to use them to climb stuff. The high route is not for quadrupeds. And it is not a trail, necessarily. Here we see James telling us that we don't need to filter that water. I filter anyways.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4NFH047Hl5Gr4_UgA0i4dOkOTaDN3b80IiO0eTXpaq1FK_eRAx4T84VrkwRPtm3nS2G7BK2uuJol-B5AoZwRvTvOIiuCErSKxavLBzWREnBkBf-lPADKYBBWo5dcZlxqeSsX2mxEP_I/s1600/P1060357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4NFH047Hl5Gr4_UgA0i4dOkOTaDN3b80IiO0eTXpaq1FK_eRAx4T84VrkwRPtm3nS2G7BK2uuJol-B5AoZwRvTvOIiuCErSKxavLBzWREnBkBf-lPADKYBBWo5dcZlxqeSsX2mxEP_I/s320/P1060357.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grouse Lake. This is the first lake we encounter along the high route.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCKyTyRkmJQGBQE2mXVxl2G4DfnGX4kFB0i_K_czpqngNJF6NoEFfPljhwtyRGweC1OlvXTFOS0zfazZycWFg0FsXB_mZ_AQZ-aNw9EsZvuo0LIuHB6fWeqkP13c2y9uVCckVfvFY2UY/s1600/P1060363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCKyTyRkmJQGBQE2mXVxl2G4DfnGX4kFB0i_K_czpqngNJF6NoEFfPljhwtyRGweC1OlvXTFOS0zfazZycWFg0FsXB_mZ_AQZ-aNw9EsZvuo0LIuHB6fWeqkP13c2y9uVCckVfvFY2UY/s400/P1060363.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at the lake from Grouse Pass. We climbed up from the bottom of the valley that is beyond.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyJyZIVEXNhvu3pD2RRIX7aC4_a1j_ri4-QO1GFAUddkoWFRfOpIBkbZVus1kXITngoxZsJmrIW99oH8l4wv4P-8yUHEdBY4TyHnKonduJCYwY4z_LaZ1MwPbkh30ixM3IpvAannpGlI/s1600/P1060367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyJyZIVEXNhvu3pD2RRIX7aC4_a1j_ri4-QO1GFAUddkoWFRfOpIBkbZVus1kXITngoxZsJmrIW99oH8l4wv4P-8yUHEdBY4TyHnKonduJCYwY4z_LaZ1MwPbkh30ixM3IpvAannpGlI/s320/P1060367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James is happy to be here.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YBKg7VBxtSFpRtO0uUIW5L-lTgX1rLPa_vBINjPt7cSEVeLDsLJB2iUVG6HTCdMPpyusMOBgJkBNMHtt8De9sjsmNz2NZRIeRdz1IA81zb8-R71LBWhw27CCoyF3bYTF0qRf5-EVPmM/s1600/P1060369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YBKg7VBxtSFpRtO0uUIW5L-lTgX1rLPa_vBINjPt7cSEVeLDsLJB2iUVG6HTCdMPpyusMOBgJkBNMHtt8De9sjsmNz2NZRIeRdz1IA81zb8-R71LBWhw27CCoyF3bYTF0qRf5-EVPmM/s320/P1060369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saurabh is enjoying a cross-country hike. Maybe.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0MGGejDhlLLVMNWtOvBvSRysKTIrOo_o_gBF_PsUCBSu1gkYil2W-KqH055NwWvAVldad6X_U33IfjodWMqH-50BPAIdYkhaBkto0BtXmopWIl9pnCIVT3HqsELFtxMkcE5J4-QJ3SU/s1600/P1060370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0MGGejDhlLLVMNWtOvBvSRysKTIrOo_o_gBF_PsUCBSu1gkYil2W-KqH055NwWvAVldad6X_U33IfjodWMqH-50BPAIdYkhaBkto0BtXmopWIl9pnCIVT3HqsELFtxMkcE5J4-QJ3SU/s320/P1060370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other side of Grouse Pass we see our first snow field that we need to cross.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQmqmdF7AhzhdNFVGBkbuIeysf0RAFvxeUEa5K2ebguPgEPzBLzY9-giadpzkTjB3n_9PcX-Viw6OBlBmPKENPzFq8_OppxmM1GoShUBTemQAzksbnzHtJAkREH9xrwB2qs3NwPBy9G8/s1600/P1060373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQmqmdF7AhzhdNFVGBkbuIeysf0RAFvxeUEa5K2ebguPgEPzBLzY9-giadpzkTjB3n_9PcX-Viw6OBlBmPKENPzFq8_OppxmM1GoShUBTemQAzksbnzHtJAkREH9xrwB2qs3NwPBy9G8/s320/P1060373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After crossing the snow field we strategize the descent down to the glacier lakes.</td></tr>
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Video of the Glacier lake pass descent:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oKeEmLY3xAU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oKeEmLY3xAU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiHE2U67NYfBD41OOjPts3WEiXZJNf0q9uVaOtAB7n1DGXoRQfaSrO926pTGpvnWjIQp8rStfrOfKrFKcmqQ6IMa3ovpFC9DOZmCmw_Fi4SN2YthCGK8NGe5aGCXRjlTBKAqTjyrAYZI/s1600/P1060379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiHE2U67NYfBD41OOjPts3WEiXZJNf0q9uVaOtAB7n1DGXoRQfaSrO926pTGpvnWjIQp8rStfrOfKrFKcmqQ6IMa3ovpFC9DOZmCmw_Fi4SN2YthCGK8NGe5aGCXRjlTBKAqTjyrAYZI/s320/P1060379.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the glacier lakes.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohDH1tuDCNv3Y_2dj05XHku5ib4WFB5NsiWqVCl7gshMlu89AwnuDUnPOzpR__YxnyOoUDFRoJ-PcrGuP4ToclthNzZgAcocTdP_HsoGQVwYY287IOCNZoeepjPQ97yySzg-GzY1Rd_M/s1600/P1060380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohDH1tuDCNv3Y_2dj05XHku5ib4WFB5NsiWqVCl7gshMlu89AwnuDUnPOzpR__YxnyOoUDFRoJ-PcrGuP4ToclthNzZgAcocTdP_HsoGQVwYY287IOCNZoeepjPQ97yySzg-GzY1Rd_M/s320/P1060380.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool dead tree.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61tg73tsQgbEZpJWz65cCtR0k04To08VP-8Tr_E1gdbh2B0HQFXlaWBTxzc2DRI2_ibEjUTWYMuQDtupo8hEuX8HV10vhX14YofhRaHVBrSaSSjj3KklIRJHQs44oY6T1uU7xqzuzPjg/s1600/P1060383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61tg73tsQgbEZpJWz65cCtR0k04To08VP-8Tr_E1gdbh2B0HQFXlaWBTxzc2DRI2_ibEjUTWYMuQDtupo8hEuX8HV10vhX14YofhRaHVBrSaSSjj3KklIRJHQs44oY6T1uU7xqzuzPjg/s320/P1060383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saurabh, negotiating the rocks on the downhill.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYDHmMkLFLjWeer7t28zh9hlG0zPEf91oZM0QGn7EUfyBpJ3rAT548LqUndhz_YuwEePYBOHsuELr3nZ_QhN4ojBq6TD_DcUN3sl8SvOFs13vzPnWixBYhTRB8D-sjKQm9xrvUjkaCLc/s1600/P1060384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYDHmMkLFLjWeer7t28zh9hlG0zPEf91oZM0QGn7EUfyBpJ3rAT548LqUndhz_YuwEePYBOHsuELr3nZ_QhN4ojBq6TD_DcUN3sl8SvOFs13vzPnWixBYhTRB8D-sjKQm9xrvUjkaCLc/s320/P1060384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really interesting rock features.</td></tr>
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Saurabh showing us how it is done!<br />
<div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mtFbBMgYjCk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mtFbBMgYjCk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxXoSAMh_941FpdQ8Pq7Pm-D6H8fHChZ5lNldjgfHuLr1qpJPnoVkMUWUJS69ZW5nj1YQ6HbkIbVayvbOWu-V7Zz8F0FwR7zDPGIivI1jU7jxScd11LZ7xim78LCBDFgHMAgiLTzsaaU/s1600/P1060388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxXoSAMh_941FpdQ8Pq7Pm-D6H8fHChZ5lNldjgfHuLr1qpJPnoVkMUWUJS69ZW5nj1YQ6HbkIbVayvbOWu-V7Zz8F0FwR7zDPGIivI1jU7jxScd11LZ7xim78LCBDFgHMAgiLTzsaaU/s320/P1060388.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The glacier valley descent to Dougherty Meadows. After completing this section of the high route, Saurabh followed the trail back to his car as he had to be back in town to go to work on Monday. James and I continued on the adventure. We followed a short section of trail to visit the State Lakes, but then veered off of the trail once again to explore the high country.</td></tr>
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Video of the Windy Ridge Crossing:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XUmR0-ffNCs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XUmR0-ffNCs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzY8HQRhwMr-ihTs7mW8M_YSbaO1PfBcxn9oVQHn-uWheTM6cE-6MAQe7RbI0ta4HqYQspgD7ZyOLUSHLGMR6N8PQoxBqLUPpQhPJFlQeRz-swDeoQuiOmz5kntgbEEtLTVvv9B8C6qg/s1600/P1060392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzY8HQRhwMr-ihTs7mW8M_YSbaO1PfBcxn9oVQHn-uWheTM6cE-6MAQe7RbI0ta4HqYQspgD7ZyOLUSHLGMR6N8PQoxBqLUPpQhPJFlQeRz-swDeoQuiOmz5kntgbEEtLTVvv9B8C6qg/s320/P1060392.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we trekked cross-country we came across this cool flat spot that would make a pretty spectacular camp ground with the views in the distance. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV6GQXnXVfCi90Brha7IlYwjfiihEdBIhDioXYxwF_JMTtZYFwNKmsTPm0zbQ7wzbMEgUnj2wBVMppjJLxIHq6zklUel5NiIbUkX-ld6ugzg_BwO6l5o4aOmxAQ3zjS3_vGcs2F_cnEE/s1600/P1060396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV6GQXnXVfCi90Brha7IlYwjfiihEdBIhDioXYxwF_JMTtZYFwNKmsTPm0zbQ7wzbMEgUnj2wBVMppjJLxIHq6zklUel5NiIbUkX-ld6ugzg_BwO6l5o4aOmxAQ3zjS3_vGcs2F_cnEE/s320/P1060396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the horseshoe lakes I think.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFqDCwh57Oc8G8e3cUkQFjqcjN27LbVn3jOBKJ-SWTKPfn3mTeYxGcLtXIEOEUvyTHAzrdIK2WF7BI6fwbTLUFM7mO5TqFDut_pGVc6ux-4DUwCzB1DEDC_kP0kkT1JYK86oxAqchenY/s1600/P1060397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFqDCwh57Oc8G8e3cUkQFjqcjN27LbVn3jOBKJ-SWTKPfn3mTeYxGcLtXIEOEUvyTHAzrdIK2WF7BI6fwbTLUFM7mO5TqFDut_pGVc6ux-4DUwCzB1DEDC_kP0kkT1JYK86oxAqchenY/s400/P1060397.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from Windy Ridge as we traversed over to the south fork of Cartridge Creek.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlFX0AJvWOgFX_tmvTVPfxR7lUIOUD6Jgmgahq8sYTJ8xctWl6Osi1kKZuCfJ4dZfRRXUj37_TnC0sA2hswmMkdD4peo-6HXSNlgUnKTpVX_qIMlzfE5gPTjvhj1XLro6k1BsyMC8deo/s1600/P1060399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlFX0AJvWOgFX_tmvTVPfxR7lUIOUD6Jgmgahq8sYTJ8xctWl6Osi1kKZuCfJ4dZfRRXUj37_TnC0sA2hswmMkdD4peo-6HXSNlgUnKTpVX_qIMlzfE5gPTjvhj1XLro6k1BsyMC8deo/s320/P1060399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVNLLgSiW44d_NdqXQgs-N_xPWPcW6-x-oMblw9vpIRRma0iHTIxg6owVd40IFgXTv_RjaYjbjroh2vDCq1txWEwm_k-ApwD4f46fy1h-w5KIIWt5jCJud-bIvKZZwv0QOWoDCw8h0YQ/s1600/P1060400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVNLLgSiW44d_NdqXQgs-N_xPWPcW6-x-oMblw9vpIRRma0iHTIxg6owVd40IFgXTv_RjaYjbjroh2vDCq1txWEwm_k-ApwD4f46fy1h-w5KIIWt5jCJud-bIvKZZwv0QOWoDCw8h0YQ/s320/P1060400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joanne liked this picture. It made her feel warm and cozy inside.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzur2wAOjWyF4EevTV_87CPohxqQEa9fc2SQN9wIGEsm-LHhhEfmq0ghuUGf0f0c5JW2nqsLovi0AgREs7XIP9fnn15D1ODMBlJtE0vHtECIFCRPiLxCJLjNk32XQXcV5zbzBGZCwJsg/s1600/P1060408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzur2wAOjWyF4EevTV_87CPohxqQEa9fc2SQN9wIGEsm-LHhhEfmq0ghuUGf0f0c5JW2nqsLovi0AgREs7XIP9fnn15D1ODMBlJtE0vHtECIFCRPiLxCJLjNk32XQXcV5zbzBGZCwJsg/s320/P1060408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the views we had as we were climbing the "White Pass". This climb was pretty brutal on us. We kept coming to a wall of rocks that we assumed was the final stretch and we would be done with the climb, only to find another wall of rocks waiting for us. The sun was going down and we were behind schedule on reaching Marion lake for the first night. James was getting headaches around 11000 ft and it was going to be cold that night, so we wanted to drop at least some elevation for a decent night of sleep.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDvH9e_FGe9AKRbD3Ktt7if9Fjhx6j3t52ReXcy9SwzXhGmKI-ui8TzjWHo-6qV8cjADmf65dN-H8bsJfMYZSUHAy7a6aVQhKIj8VpaRMMGKbDPyNPm9EsjLWZpTangMmEKfeORuA5O8/s1600/P1060409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDvH9e_FGe9AKRbD3Ktt7if9Fjhx6j3t52ReXcy9SwzXhGmKI-ui8TzjWHo-6qV8cjADmf65dN-H8bsJfMYZSUHAy7a6aVQhKIj8VpaRMMGKbDPyNPm9EsjLWZpTangMmEKfeORuA5O8/s320/P1060409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That decent night of sleep didn't happen. We dropped down off of White Pass in the waning light to some wet valley where we were forced to make camp. We desperately picked a flat piece of earth maybe 50 ft from a high alpine bog. As we set up and cooked dinner, a mist settled on our gear that pretty soon turned to frost. Needless to say, it was a fitful night of sleep. On the plus side, while I was waiting for my meal to hydrate, I took the desert hill climb record from Seth. I think James might have been slightly annoyed that as we were the only people in this little corner of the earth - a peaceful, starry, night, getting ready to eat our last meal for the day and hit the sack - I am there on my smartphone, playing a silly computer game attempting to regain my honor as the family "hill climb" champion. Seth (my six year old) had been earning minutes on my phone by doing chores and had collected basically all of my records in the last few months. Well, that night I took back the "desert stage" in commanding fashion. And I let the whole world know about it. But I think James was the only person to hear my celebration.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Day 2: White Pass to north side of Pinchot Pass</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5Zt9Qj4I9qvAq4Qv43jFcSVojsmPsqPmgCluCoHaCuPywqmynKlN-2CK6qjrKfxk-4Rke4a3mkLKTmbqp2HxS8nRNNZWyuQ4HTq4sE4rZbkgIrARn-r0UuAw7UTzgollDXcMs5IwyuM/s1600/P1060411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5Zt9Qj4I9qvAq4Qv43jFcSVojsmPsqPmgCluCoHaCuPywqmynKlN-2CK6qjrKfxk-4Rke4a3mkLKTmbqp2HxS8nRNNZWyuQ4HTq4sE4rZbkgIrARn-r0UuAw7UTzgollDXcMs5IwyuM/s320/P1060411.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view looking back at the "wet valley" as we climbed the Red pass the next morning. One of the scarier moments of the trip for me was as I was packing up my stuff from camp, I threw out my lower back. I seem to do this to myself once or twice a year, and it usually happens when doing some sort of mundane thing like bending over to tie my shoe laces. What really freaked me out this time was the realization that we were really in the middle of nowhere, and if my back decided to really complain, there was going to be no way to put the weight on my back and make the climbing moves required to get over the mountain passes. Fortunately the injury seemed to be of the minor variety and I started to be very careful with my movements. Also fortunately, it seemed that the constant and varied movement that we were doing seemed to keep the pain at bay. I know when this injury happens in the real world - sitting at a desk is one of the more painful ways to work through it. Who would have thought that a better option would be to do something really difficult?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TLsn2JK4HnGVOVRKmb0cZytN58NH0xdmh85M0_TOATFMPri2XGZLoicIgvT2n1BdVeTXIMsuYZicLBMg6xMspIHiD2TCKfzStcj_NopsFLDEY8P-kpGittVEXsizI2-IcCngElQKxxo/s1600/P1060413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TLsn2JK4HnGVOVRKmb0cZytN58NH0xdmh85M0_TOATFMPri2XGZLoicIgvT2n1BdVeTXIMsuYZicLBMg6xMspIHiD2TCKfzStcj_NopsFLDEY8P-kpGittVEXsizI2-IcCngElQKxxo/s320/P1060413.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from Red pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYePMEW_kTEdBdLjHxJBnfeCJEk83yEKl_hZVvhuNZ52tNvL8daVMF2O0i4tZYj2xbElL2QLY3_06HB-thePymyquS9dtG8_KTzVQ8YdxWmoCHJoKxpGkqM7AA7nGQdRmuBB0Mh12p7KU/s1600/P1060417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYePMEW_kTEdBdLjHxJBnfeCJEk83yEKl_hZVvhuNZ52tNvL8daVMF2O0i4tZYj2xbElL2QLY3_06HB-thePymyquS9dtG8_KTzVQ8YdxWmoCHJoKxpGkqM7AA7nGQdRmuBB0Mh12p7KU/s320/P1060417.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on lale Marion from Red pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrnaGSc99C9EcawdXWw_owk4FViCaYlPXMbSd09IVl1NGqDMiZiupw3yGAeDJBbzk24JiwLD5D1EtBFunQ53L9tg7kUjvEvYWZNpAecOPtZTjWjXdijp_04SMcTFiveDHEeRKf3y4K-M/s1600/P1060421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrnaGSc99C9EcawdXWw_owk4FViCaYlPXMbSd09IVl1NGqDMiZiupw3yGAeDJBbzk24JiwLD5D1EtBFunQ53L9tg7kUjvEvYWZNpAecOPtZTjWjXdijp_04SMcTFiveDHEeRKf3y4K-M/s320/P1060421.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We descended this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4sYYeil9lq6itzpxIVQcheyjmUZyDKMY0-bjjifS05HX4zFrUFTY6Mbe6pXOjqpiMLRS0hyS7pnoIRbu_k_thhx1kGSqaI3X-GeDASGfYgwu2O9UKSrxkA7GHLYTS-hrCGFmirOwJyQ/s1600/P1060422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4sYYeil9lq6itzpxIVQcheyjmUZyDKMY0-bjjifS05HX4zFrUFTY6Mbe6pXOjqpiMLRS0hyS7pnoIRbu_k_thhx1kGSqaI3X-GeDASGfYgwu2O9UKSrxkA7GHLYTS-hrCGFmirOwJyQ/s400/P1060422.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxotvkr2pMiUnUV4zmZkkv66hBYDuAv7AbD1OkQ794P1MYMpzWRaDvA56vONu2snKYLQJTuc4ytrUTMHqGrIcdYv8n3En1e0YpQEW9O2GWvELkC_7GVkxrDkQ1_Wm0lCrEFaIuSxTwN2A/s1600/P1060424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxotvkr2pMiUnUV4zmZkkv66hBYDuAv7AbD1OkQ794P1MYMpzWRaDvA56vONu2snKYLQJTuc4ytrUTMHqGrIcdYv8n3En1e0YpQEW9O2GWvELkC_7GVkxrDkQ1_Wm0lCrEFaIuSxTwN2A/s320/P1060424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really blue. I don't know what is going on with this lake, but it is weirdly blue.</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oMuOwJhzx-I/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oMuOwJhzx-I?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1ighiDXDLb12OVTb85qJ0Y7mhfFz2SiY8A8W-Hhx2fVPiqVYamGC_E_IbrwJK7NnWsttrd29PRUudiuzeMF3y6sWjZ5d5WU6cJLqyEl25vwzwfBGMLlxcR13ENQ4fRTkEgXlfp7bbns/s1600/P1060426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1ighiDXDLb12OVTb85qJ0Y7mhfFz2SiY8A8W-Hhx2fVPiqVYamGC_E_IbrwJK7NnWsttrd29PRUudiuzeMF3y6sWjZ5d5WU6cJLqyEl25vwzwfBGMLlxcR13ENQ4fRTkEgXlfp7bbns/s320/P1060426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gulch descent down to lake Marion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsL6NyjldF37RVigijUirhfFkE1cxSo78OdXDPNha_PZcnCumte93CBTkwK5MgxOiltMWAJZ8AkgVCVupNP9zQpyeYyk-CRR6FqC5yINlks_OooANJ77kgsS2-ThPcKvRQfIBiXFwHjU/s1600/P1060428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsL6NyjldF37RVigijUirhfFkE1cxSo78OdXDPNha_PZcnCumte93CBTkwK5MgxOiltMWAJZ8AkgVCVupNP9zQpyeYyk-CRR6FqC5yINlks_OooANJ77kgsS2-ThPcKvRQfIBiXFwHjU/s320/P1060428.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told you it was blue. Right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LcYwiK8Bq11GOFBHB7NNzRD4_RImphrR3giAYahFWUPOpQwcKHg5UYqpCopUAetaLjUtDoamnh6WFQB81zOlHlEj-ZSqbxkE3tyboZ7m4NSD6HzZzrXM1BmicZh-LFnMJdBSj7q-4Z0/s1600/P1060432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LcYwiK8Bq11GOFBHB7NNzRD4_RImphrR3giAYahFWUPOpQwcKHg5UYqpCopUAetaLjUtDoamnh6WFQB81zOlHlEj-ZSqbxkE3tyboZ7m4NSD6HzZzrXM1BmicZh-LFnMJdBSj7q-4Z0/s400/P1060432.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views as we climbed up to Dumbbell Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvb9KukQ5WIMBSSW322RpCtwTYrX4fK4MCqLelfym_5EINqHnxSHGIP2b7f2AgigX1fEkXgnNMkJwyLbg-px-0s_j3JimkbxUV51rd03i1RiAFZbVkfO8IfTwsE9jbLF0_XfrBp6iLXPw/s1600/P1060443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvb9KukQ5WIMBSSW322RpCtwTYrX4fK4MCqLelfym_5EINqHnxSHGIP2b7f2AgigX1fEkXgnNMkJwyLbg-px-0s_j3JimkbxUV51rd03i1RiAFZbVkfO8IfTwsE9jbLF0_XfrBp6iLXPw/s320/P1060443.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other side of Dumbbell Pass we were treated to a fun snow field descent. It was really exhilarating for me because it was such a novelty. I was being super careful, jamming my hiking poles into the snow and taking little steps as I was afraid of loosing traction and sliding down the hill into some rocks and having a bad ending to my trip. Fortunately, we saw some tracks in the snow which meant someone else had braved it first. That gave us enough confidence to go ahead and go for it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQNwJAaZQjoFZqnJ_8szapG41rgOhBiyQ240mRu-vY6eQHXKY-OknpTtmrmHF6ZPFRmdF-QDJvecA25BMPX-OohOLM4_dTSX8eqGiLoT3Z3hRSjXaYlamP_tyUDRhbXseXI0pz8QEhxU/s1600/P1060444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQNwJAaZQjoFZqnJ_8szapG41rgOhBiyQ240mRu-vY6eQHXKY-OknpTtmrmHF6ZPFRmdF-QDJvecA25BMPX-OohOLM4_dTSX8eqGiLoT3Z3hRSjXaYlamP_tyUDRhbXseXI0pz8QEhxU/s320/P1060444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It gets pretty cold at night...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96JpcEZmgckMPC3e8ppckgNkVZCYWpTb3_XhxcR__hfc5DezyKSeZ3bWYyULLIsiN-QW9jvq-lr67j5rQwxVrKuQgiLOLZiVOcWZoShjZppxufrsgAIGDvsgqGHp8BusMN22WWK3B5pM/s1600/P1060448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96JpcEZmgckMPC3e8ppckgNkVZCYWpTb3_XhxcR__hfc5DezyKSeZ3bWYyULLIsiN-QW9jvq-lr67j5rQwxVrKuQgiLOLZiVOcWZoShjZppxufrsgAIGDvsgqGHp8BusMN22WWK3B5pM/s320/P1060448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet snow feature down by the lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q9_yXbCAPLhV8J0DvhTRCKT9fPywp9VcI6JFbvA7c5JdYksIUGjvWOwPQeUPabwvIU2jV7QjrwjeQDp35TCFzSwFea9yqUQpaU7fLiMQW26AlYpCB2Yn007N6Worprlcmtl2tTYeEwY/s1600/P1060450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q9_yXbCAPLhV8J0DvhTRCKT9fPywp9VcI6JFbvA7c5JdYksIUGjvWOwPQeUPabwvIU2jV7QjrwjeQDp35TCFzSwFea9yqUQpaU7fLiMQW26AlYpCB2Yn007N6Worprlcmtl2tTYeEwY/s320/P1060450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James - looking back at the Dumbbell lakes basin from which we hiked up to the Observation Peak pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HYRorPHOYuTXsoJ_tSftA9BtBNDNQHT4Gydy08pPZHLEsVVsyHBf0nWYyqa1u7U02bjG_prWu-jkcTiNbSlvL5ZTQCeDjnr4E49kbZ2rVQuWMnll264KqhSD-trkRt0O3wnTwmzG2Ug/s1600/P1060454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HYRorPHOYuTXsoJ_tSftA9BtBNDNQHT4Gydy08pPZHLEsVVsyHBf0nWYyqa1u7U02bjG_prWu-jkcTiNbSlvL5ZTQCeDjnr4E49kbZ2rVQuWMnll264KqhSD-trkRt0O3wnTwmzG2Ug/s320/P1060454.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here was our first view of the other side of Observation pass. I saw this snow field and walked up to the edge to find out it was a cliff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4nxoLaWvyU-MTlyxBhkGDo_bnEY0RCY7LQZHG9MqMIV2wR6Khw3M6_2HhiVQyu5jhmmkcCagnznTs___2C8ws_2B_gqqKoQJH0OhhaScCfNBinSziwZCuJASWQpLAw3TDh84NHgc3TY/s1600/P1060455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4nxoLaWvyU-MTlyxBhkGDo_bnEY0RCY7LQZHG9MqMIV2wR6Khw3M6_2HhiVQyu5jhmmkcCagnznTs___2C8ws_2B_gqqKoQJH0OhhaScCfNBinSziwZCuJASWQpLAw3TDh84NHgc3TY/s320/P1060455.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As close to the edge as I dared step. I believe they call this a "snow cornice". Basically a cliff of snow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhbeOqZX51zseDGJ2cOhaCTlyKE7ldDBIagMPrAJyghkuGVXC9RORc3rBUBn0MEcr6mkvt1JY_Mfkzwo65UGKchiW9FMYWTrb6UjlU58lqsadRpeuiLE8dS1A0RJ-Pv3W-pIKoNxSfrA/s1600/P1060457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhbeOqZX51zseDGJ2cOhaCTlyKE7ldDBIagMPrAJyghkuGVXC9RORc3rBUBn0MEcr6mkvt1JY_Mfkzwo65UGKchiW9FMYWTrb6UjlU58lqsadRpeuiLE8dS1A0RJ-Pv3W-pIKoNxSfrA/s320/P1060457.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't know where we could go. I began to think this was the end of our journey and we would have to backtrack somehow. That thought scared me too! Could we actually climb all of that stuff that we went down? The whole thing seemed pretty overwhelming at that point. James was more positive. He was smart and actually saved some trail beta on his phone that we were using to navigate with. Trail beta is basically information on trail travel that someone else has made available. James had researched this route before we set out and was pretty confident that we could do it. The beta had said that finding the cornice was a possibility and suggested that we could climb up to the left and find a bypass down the mountain to get past the snow. It worked! Here is a view of the cornice from our "bypass"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i4NrTkaR6WJX0Pr5CpqFD0jSk3xm9zpBaHirT29yyrGze46XUfwyDx3ZUfOuqvA9E4lc577lacDLXhN0xk0agO0HLCE8NMGumycuyIp7l9vgek0ceegrTX6hPrFo7PjHT1IdXXZUZxg/s1600/P1060459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i4NrTkaR6WJX0Pr5CpqFD0jSk3xm9zpBaHirT29yyrGze46XUfwyDx3ZUfOuqvA9E4lc577lacDLXhN0xk0agO0HLCE8NMGumycuyIp7l9vgek0ceegrTX6hPrFo7PjHT1IdXXZUZxg/s320/P1060459.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back up at the snow cliff after we climbed down the bypass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMVTVySXWnxEi4COy4hJJY_4LIHrKJjQ9S-L7mAu8zD9niLe7DHy01KsPOjoIyyLByB2kXbv1p4Hz-9qEAgFXTvoTkETlvtM6Pe0SISpjeewi4kjdllwBjPTjwtJjJGa987DDbWRTx8E/s1600/P1060461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMVTVySXWnxEi4COy4hJJY_4LIHrKJjQ9S-L7mAu8zD9niLe7DHy01KsPOjoIyyLByB2kXbv1p4Hz-9qEAgFXTvoTkETlvtM6Pe0SISpjeewi4kjdllwBjPTjwtJjJGa987DDbWRTx8E/s320/P1060461.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snow field descent off of Observation Pass. I was trying to be careful, but then slipped and fell on my butt. I kept sliding but found I could control my slide as long as I didn't build up too much speed. You can kind of see my butt slide path to the left of the rocks in the middle of the picture. </td></tr>
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Video of James showing us his Ski technique:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4TCCxoX0f7Y/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4TCCxoX0f7Y?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinj_o1X1EtgyGTEVn7z4zddJDJxnly2ol5uJ-5c3oQ1WCeg1Hsz2b1lFCKPKX_n2gGbER63fi24u4iCJshmV5G4-wArAufa2WMI-FpdIHoqn6fpCbdC1csO9RMP0lqKkMcsS5iwvNHae8/s1600/P1060464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinj_o1X1EtgyGTEVn7z4zddJDJxnly2ol5uJ-5c3oQ1WCeg1Hsz2b1lFCKPKX_n2gGbER63fi24u4iCJshmV5G4-wArAufa2WMI-FpdIHoqn6fpCbdC1csO9RMP0lqKkMcsS5iwvNHae8/s320/P1060464.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amphitheater Lake. We came down off of Observation pass and then had to do some Talus hopping along the shore until we got to this point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWv8i7rPuvmex__cPd111VHL79NyYntQJL5ILlkY25CjIXQfBlhnVf9EpEota9vNCjHMvncsq2-a7b6rqE4yPk03mBDIH2wgnLK5Yu_mybmMCIdNxSpnfFvPHsZQgsFI9atO6UpaZLT8/s1600/P1060466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWv8i7rPuvmex__cPd111VHL79NyYntQJL5ILlkY25CjIXQfBlhnVf9EpEota9vNCjHMvncsq2-a7b6rqE4yPk03mBDIH2wgnLK5Yu_mybmMCIdNxSpnfFvPHsZQgsFI9atO6UpaZLT8/s320/P1060466.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is the pass that we just descended from. The snow cornice is the little speck of white at the bottom of the "V". You can see the snow "O" around the rocks that James and I slid down. Then we did a little bushwhack through the little bit of green stuff you see, and then did some Talus hopping down to the shore. I would say that this descent was one of the highlights and big challenges of the trip!</td></tr>
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Video of Amphitheater Lake:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOC3hZF-uY8QBdaRTB8nTXDjcIKaLCODY_fGGuIF1NS_vIv-EzU5c6C45onstdicOt4KGgikq0O5bjPWuYCzLcFAZRzSq9wdXh5l1-iFjO6msPlO6o0UICphfPUWlBTdn6MRm-Oq8tM8/s1600/P1060468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOC3hZF-uY8QBdaRTB8nTXDjcIKaLCODY_fGGuIF1NS_vIv-EzU5c6C45onstdicOt4KGgikq0O5bjPWuYCzLcFAZRzSq9wdXh5l1-iFjO6msPlO6o0UICphfPUWlBTdn6MRm-Oq8tM8/s320/P1060468.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you see the smooth "U" in the middle of the picture? That is the last cross-country pass of the trip - the Upper Basin Crossing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVg4OQYVExPwz9c8Zy-Izlp-RyCMfexh620JeZm__pDG4OPj9I2zl2c1efEd5f9CcW1SusbZK_fhfuZu12WcaB3o1mBBse7V8RNBNYkcQ-cywkZYAH8QeHi8U3BmdxkqFQdGFjXVvCtg/s1600/P1060470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVg4OQYVExPwz9c8Zy-Izlp-RyCMfexh620JeZm__pDG4OPj9I2zl2c1efEd5f9CcW1SusbZK_fhfuZu12WcaB3o1mBBse7V8RNBNYkcQ-cywkZYAH8QeHi8U3BmdxkqFQdGFjXVvCtg/s320/P1060470.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views down to Amphitheater lake as we climb to the pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPyOmjXvjXhzU_7srp78DNzqhw7uto0KUGUUqbU2D_nNJjhBROb1bvqIAud6w6lhxGVzHAiJHw0CUHXte0i_X9Sn8Ht6Czpexprl_Blu9FFmvRtmGwpcmQzgoR90HWzJ3g0Dmvr_dI_Y/s1600/P1060473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPyOmjXvjXhzU_7srp78DNzqhw7uto0KUGUUqbU2D_nNJjhBROb1bvqIAud6w6lhxGVzHAiJHw0CUHXte0i_X9Sn8Ht6Czpexprl_Blu9FFmvRtmGwpcmQzgoR90HWzJ3g0Dmvr_dI_Y/s400/P1060473.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views I was soaking in as we assessed our situation. We were only 150 ft from the top of the pass and then hit an obstacle. I couldn't figure out a safe route to get to the top. From my vantage point I saw smooth 45 degree angle rock going straight up to the pass. That scared me because I assume that if you lose traction on that rock that you will go sliding down and smash into the Talus that we had just climbed. James caught up to me and said he would scout across to the north and see if there was a better way. He found a gully that had some potential. I traversed over to where he was pointing and decided to go for it. It was still really sketchy, but it was probably the best of the bad choices. I suppose we could have backtracked - but we were too far, too deep in, to give up now. And the thought of trying to go back the way we came seemed just as scary as taking the risk up the gully. As I scrambled up the pass I was coming across a bunch of lose rocks that I was scared of sending towards James. I gave him warning and he said he was paying attention. I don't know how much good that would have done. One of the lose rocks shifted and cut my shin, but I was committed to the move at that point and got up over the ledge. With adrenaline pumping I made it to the top of the pass and then got out my camera to try and get some footage of James reaching the top as well. </td></tr>
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Video of James making it to the top:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFPXug927L3xzsU7zjhD7c0sF2Y7nr2vEGa6EELOR8lLD75g-gS2NBpaij_2DyNIuMosGSolQlTgZD1-DEbThrSE6-K09aGEUF2rOmwXB0f2a98eQt-tGf-OZfB_gcuQFEf004mnla74/s1600/P1060480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFPXug927L3xzsU7zjhD7c0sF2Y7nr2vEGa6EELOR8lLD75g-gS2NBpaij_2DyNIuMosGSolQlTgZD1-DEbThrSE6-K09aGEUF2rOmwXB0f2a98eQt-tGf-OZfB_gcuQFEf004mnla74/s320/P1060480.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After enjoying a really mellow hike descending the upper basin and then crossing the south fork of the Kings River, we joined up with an actual trail! Here we started cruising along the JMT making progress back to the car. A wave of relief washed over me as I realized that the difficult stuff was done and my back had made it through.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzzOIJErkjrBWDXKSJ0oGBDCLR9Fwlu9q103hPXlKKUvhsniuY3BMKa_ttBIOXPJ-nVQvq2geF1FAbqD3_jRV-OEtE_9Yvf1h1xIwbOJ1wmyPf6kiWlL4lPbvR5Q9xpQXqmpjtXjnREY/s1600/P1060485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzzOIJErkjrBWDXKSJ0oGBDCLR9Fwlu9q103hPXlKKUvhsniuY3BMKa_ttBIOXPJ-nVQvq2geF1FAbqD3_jRV-OEtE_9Yvf1h1xIwbOJ1wmyPf6kiWlL4lPbvR5Q9xpQXqmpjtXjnREY/s320/P1060485.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We camped near here on night two.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg093YIxcKT2xspo5cZP67LMoPhiNoTcG7wRQBsdZfdnGdKNZ8hoajVoa5PM5I0P1i9WcIdtjXgIZfD9cwA6omtHSz6TRLDvlkZ3Kx6qTg2V-01bSzQ1xOAO2HkjD4RZpN0AVigx4w_k/s1600/P1060487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg093YIxcKT2xspo5cZP67LMoPhiNoTcG7wRQBsdZfdnGdKNZ8hoajVoa5PM5I0P1i9WcIdtjXgIZfD9cwA6omtHSz6TRLDvlkZ3Kx6qTg2V-01bSzQ1xOAO2HkjD4RZpN0AVigx4w_k/s320/P1060487.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At this camp we saw the first other hikers on this trip. We had the whole high country to ourselves, but the JMT is a little more popular. There was a nice couple here that was telling us about their month long adventure on the JMT. It was pretty interesting as the guy had his own company in Santa Cruz and would enjoy a beer and complete payroll on a mountain pass. They were traveling slow and in style. The lady was capturing 360 degree video. It looked like they were enjoying themselves. Unfortunately their solar charger had crapped out on them and they were currently at the mercy of other hikers sharing their power. James was gracious enough to let them charge up their gadgets off of his battery that night.</td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;">Day 3: Pinchot back to Roads End</span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhmeZ7FsnrCgMX-8sAzbkJxGNB7WMXP34R35oakiKlr7Kp6SsD-oeKtDRbOwYKmpLdz6mE_1P3L6P3G19HeL2T5qI4PAFONjJqh2lwS-ocDEMsP6ob0qmdh0-WoIqfNk2p1rkDK-Vfm0/s1600/P1060490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhmeZ7FsnrCgMX-8sAzbkJxGNB7WMXP34R35oakiKlr7Kp6SsD-oeKtDRbOwYKmpLdz6mE_1P3L6P3G19HeL2T5qI4PAFONjJqh2lwS-ocDEMsP6ob0qmdh0-WoIqfNk2p1rkDK-Vfm0/s320/P1060490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning cruising.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW92gQGRwZhlzU8lMbkEczny3EDCKRWKpWmp2njpeMxnLtin1nSuzkXpVnp-MjyO4mmCpJsNAzHQHv26kl-Kjvb3xXJajnWOYSJE4vYukqiqgFYyg48J4QssMFKMe7A7Dul8WKwHsX7Gc/s1600/P1060496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW92gQGRwZhlzU8lMbkEczny3EDCKRWKpWmp2njpeMxnLtin1nSuzkXpVnp-MjyO4mmCpJsNAzHQHv26kl-Kjvb3xXJajnWOYSJE4vYukqiqgFYyg48J4QssMFKMe7A7Dul8WKwHsX7Gc/s320/P1060496.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still climbing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Video as we were climbing to Pinchot Pass:</div>
<div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Swb2ZWFWFso/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swb2ZWFWFso?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAHFrbpnO9gYk7a-7wbCI7Tf6TXwCfIgmc50IMjBZZHzl7Ksu8msrHAN5za8qgPzaUXeXYwtET-dDEdyceB4SnMkDjleIS3AbmKMJ5hvmthgTkFRwCgLrrCxGj0g1mY5fB_BkWVfwou8/s1600/P1060507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAHFrbpnO9gYk7a-7wbCI7Tf6TXwCfIgmc50IMjBZZHzl7Ksu8msrHAN5za8qgPzaUXeXYwtET-dDEdyceB4SnMkDjleIS3AbmKMJ5hvmthgTkFRwCgLrrCxGj0g1mY5fB_BkWVfwou8/s320/P1060507.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making it to the top of Pinchot Pass the next morning.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdZp1h_md076oV2Xb52Cs8ai7TLcC99NFa9R8u9FJdLYnb6h9k7rzNIc50vrxwSA0NnW58taeUC0ZN6WMi-D-7IupXANcRboMoX-XDf33vdRTPanhZ2-KH5eK3MAm39NOHfRDq35sfVs/s1600/P1060508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdZp1h_md076oV2Xb52Cs8ai7TLcC99NFa9R8u9FJdLYnb6h9k7rzNIc50vrxwSA0NnW58taeUC0ZN6WMi-D-7IupXANcRboMoX-XDf33vdRTPanhZ2-KH5eK3MAm39NOHfRDq35sfVs/s320/P1060508.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot James.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eM3H-NxZIWxGJTYdw8iWxne94_XjAjv6_xekp6vuouUMKqm2UH2819x5Am4GE2HlEo5XA0ftL4cm0DDv6H0zgfOzrf7stfG4lsiK5Ua4BP_39zJBr0gQ9lp1l_ZVIaaTDjS77Rym-Gg/s1600/P1060509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eM3H-NxZIWxGJTYdw8iWxne94_XjAjv6_xekp6vuouUMKqm2UH2819x5Am4GE2HlEo5XA0ftL4cm0DDv6H0zgfOzrf7stfG4lsiK5Ua4BP_39zJBr0gQ9lp1l_ZVIaaTDjS77Rym-Gg/s320/P1060509.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See him now?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAESaKgQID4MyU6gl-jMB2ISh2XkJFSycMvBrrN3IvNbf7kDgsxVqVdEwRvpf7rXlXNfLukPEeYVLKssIM1DUAoCiExZJ_Kd7gYT1lXijApeQxFczN_YLbLUCPvYsQNqpClnMvd7jteE/s1600/P1060510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAESaKgQID4MyU6gl-jMB2ISh2XkJFSycMvBrrN3IvNbf7kDgsxVqVdEwRvpf7rXlXNfLukPEeYVLKssIM1DUAoCiExZJ_Kd7gYT1lXijApeQxFczN_YLbLUCPvYsQNqpClnMvd7jteE/s320/P1060510.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How about now?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZXkIEpqBswIZPWg2ibCP8LT7i7A4wb64CHH89oMEBldDle6kt6PY496bp77pqg3rko7dvuAJ-X6RluItv-HPQgYm-OX6NzwFBRuj7ZejadKhsN1NzFjWxMHdj0ecF2uqx_NH08w2COU/s1600/P1060511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZXkIEpqBswIZPWg2ibCP8LT7i7A4wb64CHH89oMEBldDle6kt6PY496bp77pqg3rko7dvuAJ-X6RluItv-HPQgYm-OX6NzwFBRuj7ZejadKhsN1NzFjWxMHdj0ecF2uqx_NH08w2COU/s320/P1060511.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making progress</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9d-bLiuRhLH9V1XKP8TMYnd_dmTXCteJuCQ_IBMT-ERBdb9hM2brkqby8eBxhhyphenhyphenUr9m4AEufj1m4NplSksBd2JCiSK71O_HvFX1Jnol1k8bGA_OCjpKQ8Mp8qcVLrxMOGTTbmJ6c4GE4/s1600/P1060512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9d-bLiuRhLH9V1XKP8TMYnd_dmTXCteJuCQ_IBMT-ERBdb9hM2brkqby8eBxhhyphenhyphenUr9m4AEufj1m4NplSksBd2JCiSK71O_HvFX1Jnol1k8bGA_OCjpKQ8Mp8qcVLrxMOGTTbmJ6c4GE4/s320/P1060512.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxqHG8WeRYxaS2zBxa1zyer0xDKilqtfS3azs4sQSofZy-sO9qubcccIEKQp9ajlOVwRvvUCTqpaVkw-XuL3-870_faE-8evbc9PIb7D_CGqXGlMFctn97IC49mAYFYUXleHSJzxZMkg/s1600/P1060513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxqHG8WeRYxaS2zBxa1zyer0xDKilqtfS3azs4sQSofZy-sO9qubcccIEKQp9ajlOVwRvvUCTqpaVkw-XuL3-870_faE-8evbc9PIb7D_CGqXGlMFctn97IC49mAYFYUXleHSJzxZMkg/s320/P1060513.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ2TX60uq08w5_lEmZzzcQQmrCyg4U10ifwiOcrI6Y-7BAEQXrW3rPWFmvAJsag3O0ddI_UdWpHUadyVuxhBBDiHq8WpJ7K0akncQPVP5xngZpAN13id8XsnnMY2pnOzFNTPal9Ao8GE/s1600/P1060515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ2TX60uq08w5_lEmZzzcQQmrCyg4U10ifwiOcrI6Y-7BAEQXrW3rPWFmvAJsag3O0ddI_UdWpHUadyVuxhBBDiHq8WpJ7K0akncQPVP5xngZpAN13id8XsnnMY2pnOzFNTPal9Ao8GE/s320/P1060515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending Pinchot into a wide, barren landscape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbTUamGFcdKPP8CCuB4fno2iK1k2tjV4RzL8gxI328nHSJOzCN506MpKVkrGUyrW_br2Gkfx6bjTj6fqopZodAjQ-ct0E84IFsBft6iiCN9yGHqaCNT04qjOP33qCwHGNhGmdktcfId4/s1600/P1060516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbTUamGFcdKPP8CCuB4fno2iK1k2tjV4RzL8gxI328nHSJOzCN506MpKVkrGUyrW_br2Gkfx6bjTj6fqopZodAjQ-ct0E84IFsBft6iiCN9yGHqaCNT04qjOP33qCwHGNhGmdktcfId4/s320/P1060516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6tL00s7CMq-udwcJGQpzIpveYu1ctR8kflmg2R2FLwG0U8MPQg5_EPe1tvDSUxa3ga66ux8KE1_h_QHTG4gBifiHHzGEf-QZP4Yix8HJos9BdRGjPhVStZ-NVEshPVN8l8DtfFiRrto/s1600/P1060523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6tL00s7CMq-udwcJGQpzIpveYu1ctR8kflmg2R2FLwG0U8MPQg5_EPe1tvDSUxa3ga66ux8KE1_h_QHTG4gBifiHHzGEf-QZP4Yix8HJos9BdRGjPhVStZ-NVEshPVN8l8DtfFiRrto/s320/P1060523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Quick 360 video as we descend the JMT:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vfiuR_WHmQA/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vfiuR_WHmQA?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6jDEXVKKyiVUmQtNZWUbHkWuPxLn8SSiN1zT-qM6uOqDxok7bZviXyW5xGmg3hPHP542n4tsykmTdM5pzvfikSZ0C7TZTx7RMKLTmwrUvc6QN71HLHFEnZhvAuCgKhVJVAAsa98JSog/s1600/P1060537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6jDEXVKKyiVUmQtNZWUbHkWuPxLn8SSiN1zT-qM6uOqDxok7bZviXyW5xGmg3hPHP542n4tsykmTdM5pzvfikSZ0C7TZTx7RMKLTmwrUvc6QN71HLHFEnZhvAuCgKhVJVAAsa98JSog/s320/P1060537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joining up with the Woods trail descent to get back to the car.</td></tr>
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<div>
Video of Woods creek falls:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CgFYpPjkJ6Y/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CgFYpPjkJ6Y?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU6A0fsMykhYSVOy4Vv-rVf0LWmTAJrfXN8erjNB6mjddzezIR3IL0JxlgXCxU-wVlXT2mqM0eJ6-M4VmL94-IkoE65cQ6d9QiV6IgI2Mx9tqVEozywPEvR4K09lpUdnuzpXiXJo0u2A/s1600/P1060539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU6A0fsMykhYSVOy4Vv-rVf0LWmTAJrfXN8erjNB6mjddzezIR3IL0JxlgXCxU-wVlXT2mqM0eJ6-M4VmL94-IkoE65cQ6d9QiV6IgI2Mx9tqVEozywPEvR4K09lpUdnuzpXiXJo0u2A/s320/P1060539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEbf0rdLSXXT0KJLn3xp_BjJCiQ3lab9BbRCPTPRoZjzQf_4bccef0w7CdYBM-MDzDhT6lJpQlNg2WMoCAX53W17QbhjVPKR8kA-uBg2FsIPAwEssTIzsI8arsrEJMUbQt9q4jeSe5HI/s1600/P1060544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEbf0rdLSXXT0KJLn3xp_BjJCiQ3lab9BbRCPTPRoZjzQf_4bccef0w7CdYBM-MDzDhT6lJpQlNg2WMoCAX53W17QbhjVPKR8kA-uBg2FsIPAwEssTIzsI8arsrEJMUbQt9q4jeSe5HI/s320/P1060544.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks like this bridge got taken out at some point. It was a pretty sturdy bridge too! Maybe a big tree with high water? Anyways, there was a sign warning people not to cross - which was laughable to James and me. Who would hike all the way to this point and look at that river and decide to turn around? Common.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgKEQv6vcu_Pb-p3RXR-1EmlOWDTMMCRjmrb4GeSTHyCOPYld06MztqmduoMKLsb5JNJ9haA03KEK9yGVwKTVGmMuZDwxb9yRDT9cqVhrm4QHLkbHwsoCFFZyOnpHuRORjXR6qP9A7pU/s1600/P1060546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgKEQv6vcu_Pb-p3RXR-1EmlOWDTMMCRjmrb4GeSTHyCOPYld06MztqmduoMKLsb5JNJ9haA03KEK9yGVwKTVGmMuZDwxb9yRDT9cqVhrm4QHLkbHwsoCFFZyOnpHuRORjXR6qP9A7pU/s320/P1060546.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another adventure in the books!</td></tr>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-4776539672873011662017-09-15T10:00:00.000-07:002017-09-15T10:00:52.070-07:00Headlands Hundred 2017 Race ReportI have a confession to make: I no longer read race reports. It's not that they are not interesting, except they aren't. Or maybe they used to be interesting. I just can't bring myself to read another account of some poor soul suffering needlessly, trying to cover some arbitrary distance over some arbitrary tract of land within some allotted timeframe. There are only so many ways to describe the journey and challenges of an ultra marathon, and they generally all include some intricate explanation of what went wrong. How many blisters? How much barfing? How much cramping? How much tired? How much hurting? How much blood? How much cold? How much hot? How much wet? How much not? I could go on, but I'm already getting bored writing this...<br />
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So maybe this time I will try to describe the race from a slightly different perspective. This report will hopefully describe the adventure with an emphasis on the social story. I think one of the main reasons that people keep coming back for more of this flavor of self-imposed suffer fest is peer pressure. It's not the overt teen style of "if you don't do it you're not cool", but it probably is basically the same thing. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say it takes a village to put on a 100 mile ultra marathon. Here is a quick recollection of who is involved: runners, race director, volunteers(aid station, parking, course marking, course sweeping, road crossings, course monitors, etc), runner families, pacers, crews, the list can go on. The question I ask myself is why? There were maybe 100 finishers in this race. There were many hundreds of people involved in allowing those fortunate finishers to accomplish their goal. No one got rich. What is it that binds this group together and what makes it so attractive? Maybe a few accounts of my interactions with those people will help explain.<br />
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First I am going to go ahead and dispense with the boring details: I finished 100 miles in the Headlands on the north side of the Golden Gate bridge with a cumulative 20000 ft of climbing in 23 hours and 17 minutes. I am happy with my race. I got one blister, did not puke, it was perfect running weather, and I probably drank one case of cola-cola. I paced and executed as well as I could have. I seriously can not think of doing anything different that would have resulted in a better outcome.<br />
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Ok, I have another confession to make: I wrote the above on Monday after the race and then promptly lost all motivation to continue the report, that is how much ambivalence I feel towards the "race report" right now! None of my pictures turned out good. And I can't write about any catastrophes. Hmm, maybe the blog is dead. Or maybe I will use it if I ever get any good pictures again...<br />
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-2240986477766936232017-05-29T22:18:00.001-07:002017-05-29T22:18:59.751-07:002017 Henry Coe Backpacking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I haven't posted in a while. Quick update on what has been going on with my running:</div>
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I was taking it easy training wise until Joanne completed her marathon in October last year. She finished it in dramatic fashion, running the 26 mile trail run with 2500 ft of climbing and 5000 ft of descent in 7 hrs and 58 minutes when the race had a cut-off of eight hours. It was a hot day and we knew from her training runs that she was going to be right at cut-off pace all day long, it was just so cool to see her execute and never give in.</div>
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After her race I started ramping up my training with the goal of getting myself into good enough shape to compete at the Quad Dipsea race at the end of November. On the way to getting into that shape, I took on a couple of shorter trail races to have a little bit of fun and get some good workouts in. I went out way too hard at the Quicksilver Challenge half marathon in October and faded to 15th place in 1:59. Then I won the Pacifica 17k in 1:29 in November in what was the inaugural PCTR race under the new management of Greg Lanctot and his wife Jenny. Finally, on a rainy, mucky day up in the headlands, I gave everything I had at the Quad and ended up 24th in 5:23. I took it easy over Christmas break and then came back and proceeded to run every Fat Ass 50k I could get to. Oddly I wasn't able to psych myself up enough to sign up for any organized races. I wasn't even interested in defending my 4 mph challenge title. But I have been running a lot and have been feeling good. I was keeping on the table the option of running the Silver State 50 mile (Saturday May 20) and Ohlone 50k (Sunday May 21) double. This is a potent combination that tests the strongest of us, and my buddy Toshi has done it a couple of times, and my other buddy Loren (who has done it before) had talked me into giving it a go this year. When I saw the hot weather forecast I bailed. Now it was almost summer and I hadn't really done anything. No races, no backpacking... it just seemed sad. So I had to get out and do something...</div>
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Coe in May:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxna7mfFIfyT1kYiqLH_zJCaWmQjKSosLo04rY9XV4jF-M-Jh3lokB0eE6VZOYDv0VxO_5RHbYHhN_NLuU2GhgomjR4JQZSV61nFkq_JGV-KZIrsrEWx-8DZR3lHchru8daGypVVVTfHc/s1600/coe2017path.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="942" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxna7mfFIfyT1kYiqLH_zJCaWmQjKSosLo04rY9XV4jF-M-Jh3lokB0eE6VZOYDv0VxO_5RHbYHhN_NLuU2GhgomjR4JQZSV61nFkq_JGV-KZIrsrEWx-8DZR3lHchru8daGypVVVTfHc/s640/coe2017path.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tilted the view of the park. I started from the left and did the teal path day 1, red path day 2, and yellow day 3.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1L8NRdZZ95vKLA5S8qQxSWf9jzdq3n-Rr6W1W_stoiYB9vMm3j7JSlSIXG1fQorJ88StUCcxeU16Gxc6NW21oKLf8Rby6W5_2NQLTHggzoy4yUR3zDCTYV1nng8OpNgpx9K1z8eREls/s1600/P1060014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1L8NRdZZ95vKLA5S8qQxSWf9jzdq3n-Rr6W1W_stoiYB9vMm3j7JSlSIXG1fQorJ88StUCcxeU16Gxc6NW21oKLf8Rby6W5_2NQLTHggzoy4yUR3zDCTYV1nng8OpNgpx9K1z8eREls/s320/P1060014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the first time that I started a backpacking trip at Coe from the Hunting Hollow entrance. I started basically at the bottom of the park where the coyote creek leaves. This was a good call since it was Memorial day weekend and because of Big Sur being cut off from mud slides and one road open to the Sierra, it seemed that everyone descended on this park for the weekend. Starting from Hunting Hollow you can basically write out your own permit and not have to wait in line and there is plenty of parking. And you get to finish your trip with a downhill - which is awesome. This is the valley that you climb out of to get to the rest of the park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really enjoying the marine layer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redfern Pond. You can see a tent off to the right. A few guys had set up basecamp here to do fishing and day hikes. The guy had talked to me about wanting to lighten up his backpacking load, but it looked like he was living it up with his GoPro, fishing setup, camp chair, and all of the extras.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunter's Gulch was still flowing well in May.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSYH73dwVSIAaadBdhS7o1XHtaDhxfTgMNDN9pK5pAyMFliUywIoOpMCLgZvUNMvS-gVhU3r_xvfWrPLyDLTulpPKqGtiabGWDWnZ3jD4hEPIc3samIu4FxWIeOYYerqBj7-OZw5f4JY/s1600/P1060028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSYH73dwVSIAaadBdhS7o1XHtaDhxfTgMNDN9pK5pAyMFliUywIoOpMCLgZvUNMvS-gVhU3r_xvfWrPLyDLTulpPKqGtiabGWDWnZ3jD4hEPIc3samIu4FxWIeOYYerqBj7-OZw5f4JY/s320/P1060028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vasquez road on the way to Burra Burra Peak. This is the one section of the park that I haven't really explored yet. There were some overgrown sections that made me a little nervous, as in the kind of nervous that you get when you think there might be a rattlesnake under that grass that you are stepping on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjZ4bvqUtiAR_Gq0K9wTq35m3uQzJNjG9Q__m7pywJGr69XyJBKYv9N5kwGXCzkEdvYv6_kgPFfT0kYfPVXnMo0Uc-MAl9bzR9tR0pgHOlg0w5w-YKrONRMRfVysIs7dHW88vBaq2Buo/s1600/P1060033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjZ4bvqUtiAR_Gq0K9wTq35m3uQzJNjG9Q__m7pywJGr69XyJBKYv9N5kwGXCzkEdvYv6_kgPFfT0kYfPVXnMo0Uc-MAl9bzR9tR0pgHOlg0w5w-YKrONRMRfVysIs7dHW88vBaq2Buo/s320/P1060033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dormida creek was flowing nicely. I think this is a reliable water source. It was also down in this creek where I had my tick attack. I got ticks on my twice on this trip. One tick up at Robison creek. and about six that I had to flick off down here at Dormida. I was looking for the Dormida trail that would give me a more direct route up to Burra Burra, but it wasn't obvious to me where it was, and I was really nervous about all the ticks that were on the attack and relished getting onto an open fire road. I ended up following Vasquez road up to Center Flats for the long way around to Burra Burra.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrCg9bTMz1VFr4YfTsQMHAWdmbL1Do8seBv114DqoocHUdkZi9ls07PLdO93wA4TdOA8iG7Z2eOxYIesXpKblN6nCjDWSum8X-R7J0e-CnEZxJ2i5bcDsj8oA1dGIGA03KHPLJlV7kAI/s1600/P1060036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrCg9bTMz1VFr4YfTsQMHAWdmbL1Do8seBv114DqoocHUdkZi9ls07PLdO93wA4TdOA8iG7Z2eOxYIesXpKblN6nCjDWSum8X-R7J0e-CnEZxJ2i5bcDsj8oA1dGIGA03KHPLJlV7kAI/s320/P1060036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burra Burra.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocks on the west peak of Burra Burra.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from Burra Burra east towards Pacheco.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just below Burra Burra is the Dowdy Headquarters. This is the east entrance to the park from Kaiser Aetna Rd off of 152. There were a couple of elderly lady rangers in charge here that looked to be completely overwhelmed. They explained to me that they are used to maybe having three visitors on the weekend. Their parking lot was full. There wasn't anything to see here. I was hoping for some kind of historical artifacts, but they had once glass case with four boring implements. California history sucks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuBAylv9ZW5Uqou5jB02jXPMsp5mzDEnvV3qsSPZpSFDnWmiAMzkjJBj9vDY69kx-LcOO0HAAJbkwGpufufLBCdbDOsX5kvc7p4Ht6C-lvbJRv50xIDwnIWdHhPXTDRh8Zq-pTz-X1pU/s1600/P1060048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuBAylv9ZW5Uqou5jB02jXPMsp5mzDEnvV3qsSPZpSFDnWmiAMzkjJBj9vDY69kx-LcOO0HAAJbkwGpufufLBCdbDOsX5kvc7p4Ht6C-lvbJRv50xIDwnIWdHhPXTDRh8Zq-pTz-X1pU/s320/P1060048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful descent down Macks Corral. Freshly weed-whacked.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKAFAwbRGO5WrwfX3Lbo-NryEDimyltLukFmHtB19Gzol_WZWn4ex50VHSbYv1qgc8o2YTBkdtXnAqLvS5xuEpsXrS_SFpcVkBiKV6iYWvlOQj9MouXxCq4uero93m4P5dCrxao3SOE4/s1600/P1060050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKAFAwbRGO5WrwfX3Lbo-NryEDimyltLukFmHtB19Gzol_WZWn4ex50VHSbYv1qgc8o2YTBkdtXnAqLvS5xuEpsXrS_SFpcVkBiKV6iYWvlOQj9MouXxCq4uero93m4P5dCrxao3SOE4/s320/P1060050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North fork of the Pacheco Creek. One of the nicer creeks in the park.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwK81mf3Sg7UiUAR5W-UCG71TUt5w3oHSmX1ig7eL51Zn3g9Npb2Atz0arhnzN7pD4GUn3hvDneG-Fho5I8Ys5lHro2ge8EDinh1U-NFv_OLPI2vjYWmci_NVw_KDIJqBSFzjAjfZDPI/s1600/P1060051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwK81mf3Sg7UiUAR5W-UCG71TUt5w3oHSmX1ig7eL51Zn3g9Npb2Atz0arhnzN7pD4GUn3hvDneG-Fho5I8Ys5lHro2ge8EDinh1U-NFv_OLPI2vjYWmci_NVw_KDIJqBSFzjAjfZDPI/s400/P1060051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioh4vLJBkFgI6N8a00H7kGOhF7-U7sPZPrnwvZ9_EXkXPbbDDF-3PwXLterDsQU6JXqj7JnTnnTrdhRzB6IyevWnekkys0nqwP3sWhJUQizR4kGHKCNrD0hPiT8A9f6BRipItQtrxQZFE/s1600/P1060055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioh4vLJBkFgI6N8a00H7kGOhF7-U7sPZPrnwvZ9_EXkXPbbDDF-3PwXLterDsQU6JXqj7JnTnnTrdhRzB6IyevWnekkys0nqwP3sWhJUQizR4kGHKCNrD0hPiT8A9f6BRipItQtrxQZFE/s320/P1060055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the tributaries to the Pacheco Creek on the climb up Dutch's trail to get to Mustang peak. This was my last fillup for the long haul through the hottest part of the day. I would be completely empty by the time I got down to the Orestimba. A complete fillup for these purposes is about 110 oz.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ8LVu0j-zI9Swu6_Buc9SpzW14TXZHJoD8fsStfG_Wkao1KvBH1-VVgXmAzQwVJ334O0lpwphDNI0UOjywajiNoCII8isoJXMexOsxB9HMqBZndkosutTV2mSzy0udrm_JgwoDIrlNo/s1600/P1060061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ8LVu0j-zI9Swu6_Buc9SpzW14TXZHJoD8fsStfG_Wkao1KvBH1-VVgXmAzQwVJ334O0lpwphDNI0UOjywajiNoCII8isoJXMexOsxB9HMqBZndkosutTV2mSzy0udrm_JgwoDIrlNo/s400/P1060061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible views of the park from County line road nearing in on Mustang Pk. In front you can see the Robison Ridge and behind you can see the Stakes Ridge.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbhTw0hlOyUNFhK_7uVNyBXV1bbnKQXYBbFsCMiRotIgMqcv1ZAJZngqLBrhvLLjF3TYjuImJeGuRL17DFOPPe10X1ZlDlSFLS9by605ztLdYR_Ztc_fF2v7HIRYl2z5jujRll1_K98E/s1600/P1060069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbhTw0hlOyUNFhK_7uVNyBXV1bbnKQXYBbFsCMiRotIgMqcv1ZAJZngqLBrhvLLjF3TYjuImJeGuRL17DFOPPe10X1ZlDlSFLS9by605ztLdYR_Ztc_fF2v7HIRYl2z5jujRll1_K98E/s320/P1060069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Orestimba wasn't exactly raging. At least by this point down river it wasn't too warm. And it tasted ok. Up river from here I wasn't interested. I filled up, cooked dinner (mountain house chili mac, it was average) and then had to decide what my plans were with the Orestimba wilderness. At this point I decided with the sun and heat that I was facing that I just wasn't interested in another Mt Stakes expedition, so I settled with a circumnavigation of the Red creek - Robison Creek drainages.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJUu2RiE3BWoLmgj_6vXuMB_O_2pxuuJ4Q4yAPILa2wOwNJk9wAXroIlHFPssb9ue9cUUu7IfDXB3_r-qEdsd3ip_23llKP-tFvhU8zFPbxPJy08J1k7cNdyihnp6_cE3M1Wem_CVvao/s1600/P1060073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJUu2RiE3BWoLmgj_6vXuMB_O_2pxuuJ4Q4yAPILa2wOwNJk9wAXroIlHFPssb9ue9cUUu7IfDXB3_r-qEdsd3ip_23llKP-tFvhU8zFPbxPJy08J1k7cNdyihnp6_cE3M1Wem_CVvao/s400/P1060073.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Creek Road looking back towards the Orestimba. This is known as Paradise Flats. There used to be an airstrip off to the right. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeppiuoO91h-iqjfidBYNqGPhKnDMbkB2B7y9pTjb1HgKgTEoWYp0WRe2VuNO9-WRxEa_jEr8ebmGUjHfpze6Oc2g72DCtA8X4qNx2AKXlnxxMgyXNY4TFEsfwX-8QaCJHfSBix0_r-Xk/s1600/P1060074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeppiuoO91h-iqjfidBYNqGPhKnDMbkB2B7y9pTjb1HgKgTEoWYp0WRe2VuNO9-WRxEa_jEr8ebmGUjHfpze6Oc2g72DCtA8X4qNx2AKXlnxxMgyXNY4TFEsfwX-8QaCJHfSBix0_r-Xk/s320/P1060074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parks in this neck of the woods have a terrible problem with feral hogs. Here, three of them are enjoying life under an oak.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX0p1cQMLI_UqIzJ9pFRT717NZLFeUbRSsFLma8U5iFjYk3L1UxswcClwHVzEHpjPDphWhpQHJideEPoXjA6lsc8-S6nzRigxcr0dkUPWQOlQU8wSGLzPOefu9xeHBULDGUFjRoilbrQ/s1600/P1060076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX0p1cQMLI_UqIzJ9pFRT717NZLFeUbRSsFLma8U5iFjYk3L1UxswcClwHVzEHpjPDphWhpQHJideEPoXjA6lsc8-S6nzRigxcr0dkUPWQOlQU8wSGLzPOefu9xeHBULDGUFjRoilbrQ/s320/P1060076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whats left of Paradise Lake. They had a massive dam collapse</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5QZd2NTCbJgji7w5XZW0VuRrRGibd0ntyjeWZ4YpuZNlTMyjdVbwGoCk1GX7qmuRGhBo8Ic3f0VKgcoKvH2VveoSv2ykIu67h7tABDwIru8F3jFyd4V8QS109oMicAEmOZhGQUnirXE/s1600/P1060077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5QZd2NTCbJgji7w5XZW0VuRrRGibd0ntyjeWZ4YpuZNlTMyjdVbwGoCk1GX7qmuRGhBo8Ic3f0VKgcoKvH2VveoSv2ykIu67h7tABDwIru8F3jFyd4V8QS109oMicAEmOZhGQUnirXE/s320/P1060077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It must have been quite the sight to see this dam give in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns3I4jg04foT4mSRNW4FTwNzqbJ0cYwDQKMzNT8pWMDqsqs9IMQhhRCN-mnXDWE0mUmGbPnDkb6AceKlKBWKv65-1hqE4ZMsPhWXCdgRECB2yH3xI6stGFai7z8X1LqULaveWNI2iYQs/s1600/P1060089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns3I4jg04foT4mSRNW4FTwNzqbJ0cYwDQKMzNT8pWMDqsqs9IMQhhRCN-mnXDWE0mUmGbPnDkb6AceKlKBWKv65-1hqE4ZMsPhWXCdgRECB2yH3xI6stGFai7z8X1LqULaveWNI2iYQs/s640/P1060089.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning wakeup along Red Creek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK9LNBScaKAX1UinkSLPzohbmUlxfZHOrSl73L_xoC0JnPxhrgciJBfQz7_5sYIP8fc6RK-ojAq4bVZyvY0-REUwdhENN31RZYWg1rQqSqlnnTGbQxWEMRRqa5njpjVnoS8HhEA3Bdh8/s1600/P1060096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK9LNBScaKAX1UinkSLPzohbmUlxfZHOrSl73L_xoC0JnPxhrgciJBfQz7_5sYIP8fc6RK-ojAq4bVZyvY0-REUwdhENN31RZYWg1rQqSqlnnTGbQxWEMRRqa5njpjVnoS8HhEA3Bdh8/s320/P1060096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before climbing up the ridge to drop into the Robison drainage I met the first person without the name of Toshi or Sachin that I have seen in the Orestimba wilderness. He was going the same route that I was, and I gave him some beta. I would see him again later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TBhRuFXyHUCsAUFaGrWs5d599FJw_8ZKg6y8G0Owmlng4HHydXCrugnZqmprkhIs39_qtBipxRC4UKtXOXvYHqjWdX0C4nFXXjXAduiI9AyUOZIBnwgOVrNKFLUT_22aSN_JYtO9P48/s1600/P1060100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TBhRuFXyHUCsAUFaGrWs5d599FJw_8ZKg6y8G0Owmlng4HHydXCrugnZqmprkhIs39_qtBipxRC4UKtXOXvYHqjWdX0C4nFXXjXAduiI9AyUOZIBnwgOVrNKFLUT_22aSN_JYtO9P48/s320/P1060100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robison was flowing nice in the upper part of the valley, but was hardly noticeable in the middle where the valley widened out. Then it was flowing good again at the falls before it joins the Orestimba. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSP9zOQrsZ2E3QRnWag_JKkbt9WcTj7hWrA8RfJB1o4PInpIsw6EqMW5ZhNFYyjBVXmlZjAbjBVArun4VmPEhpzkdBRUfB_yvKKqVPq2tQ647LOf4Gi7LwV0HaPJ0WWPGapi0NN57UlE/s1600/P1060108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSP9zOQrsZ2E3QRnWag_JKkbt9WcTj7hWrA8RfJB1o4PInpIsw6EqMW5ZhNFYyjBVXmlZjAbjBVArun4VmPEhpzkdBRUfB_yvKKqVPq2tQ647LOf4Gi7LwV0HaPJ0WWPGapi0NN57UlE/s400/P1060108.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The confluence of Robison and Orestimba. Here I met underwear Dave. He is the second person without the name of Sachin or Toshi that I have seen in the wilderness. And he was hanging out in his underwear. Interesting guy. Some kind of amateur archaeologist with an interest in the areas native Americans. He was exploring old sites. Later he would show me some pits in the ground in a valley that would be the foundation of a wigwam or whatever they called their houses. There was a whole village there.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA65fhn-Mev6WH-nSaIDe3cUunihYibbrffi_ee98mm7z8sAJvDtP959obmkT1LS0vFswu4du4CPex6Vs16LpoqoACGVivg9-9ItZstWvRj14BMTqtereMJMkkyZiMVo7d3p8PERn-4U/s1600/P1060111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA65fhn-Mev6WH-nSaIDe3cUunihYibbrffi_ee98mm7z8sAJvDtP959obmkT1LS0vFswu4du4CPex6Vs16LpoqoACGVivg9-9ItZstWvRj14BMTqtereMJMkkyZiMVo7d3p8PERn-4U/s320/P1060111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the Orestimba Valley from the Rooster Comb trail.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_mNRouGsr9eFBHF3gGP0ns8HoD28PYStXkV4iezfkCgAgeerb35TsybLpz8bCJCMuihOkLHDHKl_UdKE-wLzVT4W7A9SpwdCPAX_s7YFZL8tooJs-0bxXlNjo-pMJD8FlDoxbmEHKhA/s1600/P1060115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_mNRouGsr9eFBHF3gGP0ns8HoD28PYStXkV4iezfkCgAgeerb35TsybLpz8bCJCMuihOkLHDHKl_UdKE-wLzVT4W7A9SpwdCPAX_s7YFZL8tooJs-0bxXlNjo-pMJD8FlDoxbmEHKhA/s320/P1060115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFhWvXEdOWeIi_GPW2n6wCRYlcrUtGdoU0xhjquFtcXYN8vLMXw3Ug8VA5aRSH4dEc5H0tWRJ5W1Zl-h8KxSIW9ccQVob6IG2Bgpj4kj_oHvNfjg3pyQmao5g08gU6gFL-pQpr4_sHwI/s1600/P1060118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFhWvXEdOWeIi_GPW2n6wCRYlcrUtGdoU0xhjquFtcXYN8vLMXw3Ug8VA5aRSH4dEc5H0tWRJ5W1Zl-h8KxSIW9ccQVob6IG2Bgpj4kj_oHvNfjg3pyQmao5g08gU6gFL-pQpr4_sHwI/s400/P1060118.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After I was done with my circumnavigation I decided to make progress back to Hunting Hollow. It was so hot and exposed on the Orestimba road that I was just getting cooked and decided that I didn't want to get cooked again on Monday, so I started devising my exit strategy so that I would be done by lunchtime the next day. This necessitated a little bit of a night hike, which was much more preferable than day travel at that point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPUQMuWjE7PRDSrZcDQgRukdhDWZPBP-g05WEn6mF-F7_CRNePWQeDuQVesGTxV9eMbCks7q1K6VCVUbqCie9Py1weKcq-NvGu0Ge5I4nlM9kJNFIzxwzyjNmjbdK7-v9_I8abV7kFWg/s1600/P1060122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPUQMuWjE7PRDSrZcDQgRukdhDWZPBP-g05WEn6mF-F7_CRNePWQeDuQVesGTxV9eMbCks7q1K6VCVUbqCie9Py1weKcq-NvGu0Ge5I4nlM9kJNFIzxwzyjNmjbdK7-v9_I8abV7kFWg/s320/P1060122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Burra Burra from Wagon road as the sunlight fades.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monday morning on a ridge outside of Wilson Camp. I toyed with the idea of getting all the way to Wilson camp, which would have left me with a short 4 mile hike back to my car for Monday, but then thought about all the people at the park and realized it was probably a busy affair and all of the critters would be aware too. I don't even bother trying to hide my food from the animals on these trips because I usually set up in pretty obscure places. The problem people have with critters getting into their food is when the animals set up shop next to an established camp ground where they have gotten used to it. Anyways, I climbed a little ridge from the trail and found a nice spot in a field under some oaks which was perfect. I didn't bother with the rain fly because I figured there was no chance of condensation all the way up here. To my surprise I woke up to a foggy morning!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fog burnt off a little high on the ridge and I got some sweet views of the inversion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of Wilson camp. It was as I suspected. There were a ton of tents. And strangely enough, as I passed by at 7:30 a.m. there was not a peep to be heard. I could hardly believe that a whole camp of people could sleep in like that! For a moment I thought about running through their camp and giving them the wake-up call.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting back below the clouds back to Hunting Hollow.</td></tr>
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I enjoyed my trip, but I think May might be too late for Henry Coe given my preferences. The long hot days just kicked my butt, and the walks through the fields could leave me poked pretty good. So many prickly things... Something else I need to remind myself for future trips: Backpackers pantry Pad Thai might be the best foil bag meal I have ever had.<br />
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-58810061861806288092016-09-05T17:20:00.003-07:002016-09-06T17:01:36.757-07:00Backpacking Desolation Wilderness w/ my Bro.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time for the guys to go to the mountains again. It's been a couple of years and it seemed that Josh got over what happened <a href="http://jrjohnsonyarb.blogspot.com/2014/10/backpacking-with-bro-in-big-sur.html">last time</a>. This time I was determined to show him some granite and see if he could dig it as much as me. I didn't want to necessarily throw some really high stuff at him since I was unsure of how he would handle the altitude, so I went with a place that had most of the grandeur, but stuck mostly between 7000 and 10000 ft. Desolation Wilderness fit the bill. I was fortunate enough to secure some overnight permits mostly because I had picked a rugged, far from the trailhead "zone" for our first nights destination. It seems that this limits the amount of backpackers applying for this particular permit. I had designed a lollipop loop that started from Wrights lake, climbing six miles over Rockbound Pass, then continuing on Rockbound, but then veering off to travel the McConnel Lake loop where we intended to stay the first night. After the loop I wanted to climb up to the Velma Lakes and then up over Dicks Pass, then descending to lake Aloha for night two. Third day we would climb up over Mosquito Pass, then descend along with the Rubicon River, taking our first chance we could get to climb back up to Rockbound Pass and descend the final six miles back to the car. I think the whole trip would be about 42 miles with 8000 ft of climbing, and I felt pretty confident that Josh could do it. I intended to stay flexible with agenda though, knowing that all kinds of things can derail these type of plans.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYlhUQhZYWhv70UZIbrdiIVZNRUjw6PHkkAtCpdWc60bjl2KGs9Nepcw0iGXlS3LOsviW6LJTC_-zeh9vGjpYKLHVJEb9ebzqOebd__nuJg_sSjtNC2GJtXvAuydpEWWsNV449_t4-gI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-09-06+at+4.53.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYlhUQhZYWhv70UZIbrdiIVZNRUjw6PHkkAtCpdWc60bjl2KGs9Nepcw0iGXlS3LOsviW6LJTC_-zeh9vGjpYKLHVJEb9ebzqOebd__nuJg_sSjtNC2GJtXvAuydpEWWsNV449_t4-gI/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-09-06+at+4.53.43+PM.png" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started at Wrights lake in bottom left and traveled on Rockbound (north) until we veered off on the McConnell Lakes loop(purple and turquoise). Day two we finished off the loop and went up to Velma Lake and Dicks Pass, then to Lake Aloha(orange). Day 3 we went over Mosquito Pass and followed the Rubicon down until we went back to Rockbound and the car(purple). Sorry, don't have turn by turn, but if you have a map you can trace where we went.</td></tr>
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The day started with a 5 a.m. wake-up, and a couple of hour drive to get past Sacramento before the traffic really starts. Got a solid breakfast and then an hour later arrived at the trail-head. The weather was looking perfect for the trip, low 70s for the high, and in the 40s at night.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty Lake was Josh's introduction to the Alpine lake smorgasbord.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockbound - living up to the name. Josh really enjoyed the rocky trails (in the beginning).</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location of our first snack break.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still in good spirits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockbound Pass (8500 ft), looking back at where we came.</td></tr>
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Video from Pass:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at lake on other side of pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at lake Schmidel as we climb over the next pass beginning the McConnel Lakes loop. At the top of this pass we hit our first low-point of the trip when Josh started to wonder whether he could keep going or not. His blisters were giving him issues and he was sucking air and thinking that the altitude was taking it out of him. We took a nice long break at the top - I helped him get a better tape job on his blisters, got some food in him, and as we descended he seemed to bounce back a bit. I think he took some confidence from this experience that things don't always keep getting worse and you can bounce back.</td></tr>
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Video of Josh not falling down the mountain:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the high alpine meadows in the loop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHpqtlb1-wy78ImZrwGtfNQSDiQWfWr-CMBIyk8GR0CWIqiFdJpnqvELD3HwNWPGGxmYVT1n-X5Li1u_mmk14gFjI6U6YXORsbfWVJAy5A4W4m1-9Q7yb7hRBK1RINsMDeBngVrVirhc/s1600/P1050889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHpqtlb1-wy78ImZrwGtfNQSDiQWfWr-CMBIyk8GR0CWIqiFdJpnqvELD3HwNWPGGxmYVT1n-X5Li1u_mmk14gFjI6U6YXORsbfWVJAy5A4W4m1-9Q7yb7hRBK1RINsMDeBngVrVirhc/s320/P1050889.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner time. Josh was super proud of finding his rock "recliner"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KlgrZeUFcxorxcyjrYzk7FiYLnRKfDCq9kYd-ydGVz_3Ms0x7YxliqB4IZ7vodextzi9tu2052V1dFSs7XIz6DgAjEs5y73opH81gg1aktm41H5KHtOnNDiN8kgArC4uv8HDwEsVLTw/s1600/P1050892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KlgrZeUFcxorxcyjrYzk7FiYLnRKfDCq9kYd-ydGVz_3Ms0x7YxliqB4IZ7vodextzi9tu2052V1dFSs7XIz6DgAjEs5y73opH81gg1aktm41H5KHtOnNDiN8kgArC4uv8HDwEsVLTw/s320/P1050892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun going down.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRcz1WGJBewFmtRaiYnKsljQ_ur79VebSpAhLlTeS5TOSeYChLX16Ct7Ttq1ScFT16V_ryFDmnAK5k9AlHj5kkTeMyGqnU9Ef1S9PJYbmnsCvOApcuxQBo2lfLxwI3d74oKm20a7v9eE/s1600/P1050893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRcz1WGJBewFmtRaiYnKsljQ_ur79VebSpAhLlTeS5TOSeYChLX16Ct7Ttq1ScFT16V_ryFDmnAK5k9AlHj5kkTeMyGqnU9Ef1S9PJYbmnsCvOApcuxQBo2lfLxwI3d74oKm20a7v9eE/s320/P1050893.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail started getting a little sketchy after hikers were warned that travel past this point would be hazardous to stock animals. We navigated down a rock hillside with nothing but a series of Cairns guiding our way. As we were loosing light, Josh spotted a great spot to set up for the night and we bivied up.</td></tr>
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Video of where we are going to die:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sSCUtB8FjG8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sSCUtB8FjG8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9nO63tFIBN2i6uDKHAlZfP7nJODuPDdlu4zb5bhMwoyh_XbeeK3obfkqxt6mnniBFsKx61QehzQbzZxTRpd8r04ByhJ7cC1UXnpwf8hw51DLTLctYfwJoVXcTyYbpiraoAtVoG6vHtY/s1600/P1050898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9nO63tFIBN2i6uDKHAlZfP7nJODuPDdlu4zb5bhMwoyh_XbeeK3obfkqxt6mnniBFsKx61QehzQbzZxTRpd8r04ByhJ7cC1UXnpwf8hw51DLTLctYfwJoVXcTyYbpiraoAtVoG6vHtY/s320/P1050898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilarious shot I got of the human tomato the next morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQg-snUZANM-nqrkPYk9jeL_tjiV8cprDC49qDQOwzvrZDQ7PaSd9RSEQMUI2meYi7QkphsqbL5Wxvddqe4sVh9-483LPN5usOseeNrHz_R12L7-Mym2Mcx4wI63pLyf8k9e0s1630SKM/s1600/P1050899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQg-snUZANM-nqrkPYk9jeL_tjiV8cprDC49qDQOwzvrZDQ7PaSd9RSEQMUI2meYi7QkphsqbL5Wxvddqe4sVh9-483LPN5usOseeNrHz_R12L7-Mym2Mcx4wI63pLyf8k9e0s1630SKM/s320/P1050899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super happy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to get going again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVopqrufGTkJIQQm82EBSbZpGx3IrmcyBEy_7t3YUcvvUKkRcUbyETol7IPMVVQ_BBNEDLgEMuluU7GBdaes97cRWmsre74kq7BYh33derivnqve34JdOS6Ytpd3gErLOF_fGEKFi_Ts/s1600/P1050909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVopqrufGTkJIQQm82EBSbZpGx3IrmcyBEy_7t3YUcvvUKkRcUbyETol7IPMVVQ_BBNEDLgEMuluU7GBdaes97cRWmsre74kq7BYh33derivnqve34JdOS6Ytpd3gErLOF_fGEKFi_Ts/s640/P1050909.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First of the "Q" lakes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrwNZMuC4ObyMbCHxzDywGdwWpTmwfbwkYIcLOOSUUvLRgpe3RrLBlJvCuPhAh4yEqm-UNqjcccNgnfKY-3JyF2QeSu4ui_ixhDMRPnfdrndQZ5ygt2ASe6HVUseVaoSEAoqylLqza_o/s1600/P1050913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrwNZMuC4ObyMbCHxzDywGdwWpTmwfbwkYIcLOOSUUvLRgpe3RrLBlJvCuPhAh4yEqm-UNqjcccNgnfKY-3JyF2QeSu4ui_ixhDMRPnfdrndQZ5ygt2ASe6HVUseVaoSEAoqylLqza_o/s320/P1050913.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the sign on the other side said "hazardous", this one's warning was even more ominous.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K4Szwxq1Myg01xXuvK2uQtZ0dXlraPIksTN8PAqr06YMB2SJqy-L3bQnJUetLXKrCeG7Q6BYawaAh8JJ3nnhMwFqWI8BLKjTgiJC5yevSxnkvuskzauz4X77r_6gbcdS7M_Sj-rgwHQ/s1600/P1050915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K4Szwxq1Myg01xXuvK2uQtZ0dXlraPIksTN8PAqr06YMB2SJqy-L3bQnJUetLXKrCeG7Q6BYawaAh8JJ3nnhMwFqWI8BLKjTgiJC5yevSxnkvuskzauz4X77r_6gbcdS7M_Sj-rgwHQ/s320/P1050915.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting shape for a tree on the climb up to Velma Lakes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn77GnV-VlkGSySkTdpZKIFeEbMYkk6yNkJRLPIdUC39Vxkflbu1h2-oa8alznJ8OYPePfHGFk2BZFlryzUt4BXH7nCTEg980mnLmHURiGdmQ91H83AKsjrqvQUSu4EvEprUfO6Y1lzVo/s1600/P1050919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn77GnV-VlkGSySkTdpZKIFeEbMYkk6yNkJRLPIdUC39Vxkflbu1h2-oa8alznJ8OYPePfHGFk2BZFlryzUt4BXH7nCTEg980mnLmHURiGdmQ91H83AKsjrqvQUSu4EvEprUfO6Y1lzVo/s400/P1050919.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally got a view of lake Tahoe up at Dardenelles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDgw-yaHvheZTgne-yF42OQAbLJ1UqfTijLFUa3ixJ1aJzfYv3Te0SCjg2CfUJO5MO-BJGmwY6bO_RqX41C0ZILAHj8oylsw_0laZlNTFNRL3FZAQa2KrwZoVFE4lQ1xduFzqBni5rY4/s1600/P1050924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDgw-yaHvheZTgne-yF42OQAbLJ1UqfTijLFUa3ixJ1aJzfYv3Te0SCjg2CfUJO5MO-BJGmwY6bO_RqX41C0ZILAHj8oylsw_0laZlNTFNRL3FZAQa2KrwZoVFE4lQ1xduFzqBni5rY4/s320/P1050924.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at Dicks lake and Dardenelles as we climb up to the 9400 ft Dick's Pass.</td></tr>
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Video at Dick's Pass:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the other side of Dicks.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlabjXvzyN_D95aYQR0-WrKFA0s9qsd9XoDovM6oy69ZcogMX36jhGpoLVe41nY4L1VgFNjh-W9xi9HtnyZ2HI0dYphpxA0yZE22ByjhqYsI-YGR8Bt0hm6boDciWlY5UmGOeU-k6gEc/s1600/P1050931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlabjXvzyN_D95aYQR0-WrKFA0s9qsd9XoDovM6oy69ZcogMX36jhGpoLVe41nY4L1VgFNjh-W9xi9HtnyZ2HI0dYphpxA0yZE22ByjhqYsI-YGR8Bt0hm6boDciWlY5UmGOeU-k6gEc/s320/P1050931.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner time. It was after we packed up from this to do our last couple of miles of the day that Josh's ankle really started giving him some trouble. I was getting worried and started going through potential bailout plans. I even ran a couple of scenarios past him, but he seemed intent to finish the thing. At some point it seemed he was able to get the ankle to loosen up enough that we were moving ok again and I thought we might be alright. Still, that night I sent a message via Delorme to Joanne about his ankle. I think we received plenty of prayer, and he got a great nights sleep, and the ankle performed admirably on the last day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kwFvOLU9pt2NWoaFhlzw0k69V3bmrBN1tZeV9Jt8rVtsPwTHcRYccWuF6jwg5kUaYS2i42fvthyphenhyphenoh0YHvjZclBleKa6vSJ4tCAqC-Dwws9Nz6ZxX8NNuVa2YqtMdHqUKnicF6_kXhI0/s1600/P1050941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kwFvOLU9pt2NWoaFhlzw0k69V3bmrBN1tZeV9Jt8rVtsPwTHcRYccWuF6jwg5kUaYS2i42fvthyphenhyphenoh0YHvjZclBleKa6vSJ4tCAqC-Dwws9Nz6ZxX8NNuVa2YqtMdHqUKnicF6_kXhI0/s320/P1050941.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh - hobbling along with his walking stick.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh picked another winner of a camping spot at lake Aloha. It was an incredibly windy night though.</td></tr>
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Video of Aloha campsite:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing up the next morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aloha!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending from Mosquito Pass.</td></tr>
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Video of Josh braving the "dam":<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up and over Rockbound one last time and back to the car.</td></tr>
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Josh did seem to be proud and happy to complete the loop that I designed. His feet did take a lot of blister damage and he was worn to the bone when we finished, but he says he had fun. He admitted that it was not necessarily his kind of fun. It might take another couple of years before he decides to submit himself to this kind of adventure again, but for some reason he decided to come back after last time, and hopefully his body and mind can bounce back from this and he can enjoy the memories from this trip. I know that I will cherish these memories! On the way home we were able to stop in Placerville and have an awesome post trip dinner (they are always the best when you are famished and tired of trail food). Fried mushrooms, schnitzel and German lager. Great stuff.</div>
Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-85042236239794684932016-07-01T15:58:00.000-07:002016-07-01T15:58:36.596-07:00Bryce Canyon 100 Mile Race Report 2016. 84 mile DNF.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wow, what a trip! I have to say that Bryce Canyon, and all of the beautiful land around it, including Zion National Park, is some of the most awe inspiring terrain I have had the privilege to experience. My family and I had yet another great road trip to see something completely new and I am so happy we did it. It has been a great blessing that the fam has been so enthusiastic about supporting me on these big running goals of mine, and it is even better that we can turn it into a great family experience where cool family memories and bonding experiences can be forged.</div>
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Why Bryce Canyon 100? For me, a big part of what I get out of this silly hobby of mine is that I get to explore new places. The most inspirational runs I have had have been where I planned a route through new terrain. There is something that is motivating when you are absorbing views in a fresh way. I even get a little bit of that when I run the same trails that always run on my home mountain, but the seasons have changed, or the light is different, or I am at a different place in my head when I am out there - the best runs happen when you feel just a little bit of mystery about what's around the next corner... Bryce represented that new terrain that begged to be explored.</div>
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I have to say I felt really confident about my fitness going into the race. Training was solid for the past, well, couple of years really. I don't know if we can really call it training. I just run a lot. Anyways, I had pretty high hopes for doing well at this race. As race day approached, and I started to get the first forecasts for the weather, I think I did start to try and reset my hopes a little bit. It was predicted to be quite warm. Turned out it was record warm, but I was even prepared for that! I actually did a little bit of heat training this year. I put on my black long sleeves and did some Mission Peak repeats in 80 - 90 degree heat in mid-day. It nearly killed me. But I do think it contributed to me getting through the day at Bryce. Also, I threw out my back trying to tie my shoes one morning in the week leading up to the race. The back never got the rest that it needed due to time and travel, and all of that, so on race morning I actually had to wake up my wife at 4:50 a.m. to put my socks and shoes on because I couldn't reach my feet. Good idea to go run 100 miles with 20,000 ft of climbing? Maybe not, but it isn't a good idea in any circumstance, so who's keeping score anyways.</div>
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Then the guy said go!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The race started with some really nice rolling single track through the forest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we had a big downhill through the "hoodoos" Those are the geological formations that this park is famous for: rock spires with irregular weathering patterns.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we descended the early morning sun started to light up the landscape below us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some really "flowey" singe track.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now we are running along the base of the plateau (we started on top of it).</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonus miles. As tends to happen at these things, someone missed a flag, and the rest of us followed that person like sheep and we all ended up getting a couple of bonus miles early in the race - at least it was pretty bonus miles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I was leaving Proctor Aid station - I felt compelled to get a shot of their impressive setup. They really do put on a professional event at Bryce.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinda pretty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOZuiGp7KSLUpEoIKZvCN-CJT0UoFNhY9cxRhaHSXq3KGBERt-UdLy-BBFcEFSuy_KCUi4ByjrxGoR1X3XIJN8KHhWimSnRx9PNENalAFc3gPpT8MQP2nKiBwigMGarwc_qZXOQ0j8WQ/s1600/P1050744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOZuiGp7KSLUpEoIKZvCN-CJT0UoFNhY9cxRhaHSXq3KGBERt-UdLy-BBFcEFSuy_KCUi4ByjrxGoR1X3XIJN8KHhWimSnRx9PNENalAFc3gPpT8MQP2nKiBwigMGarwc_qZXOQ0j8WQ/s320/P1050744.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 9 mile section between Proctor and Bubbler was described in the manual as "rugged". It lived up to this billing. Quite steep and technical in places and it brought us back up to the top of the plateau.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbler aid station. I gave all these poor souls a tough time for taking a seat at the aid station. That 9 mile section, combined with the rising heat, really sucked it out of us runners, but if I'm feeling half-way decent I feel obliged to talk as much trash as possible.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7vuA16vMeDCaRGLLKDptWvVUTXJ55fNvcPP76B671QTR8ifbu4-fLtpSDXXXStN_essvaoORwQt65ySAF2zK-cheoXLSuMsvn30TFmk7GKsOeOuR6Lm4i80ECHF_yGsN9csfP1uJBK0/s1600/P1050746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7vuA16vMeDCaRGLLKDptWvVUTXJ55fNvcPP76B671QTR8ifbu4-fLtpSDXXXStN_essvaoORwQt65ySAF2zK-cheoXLSuMsvn30TFmk7GKsOeOuR6Lm4i80ECHF_yGsN9csfP1uJBK0/s320/P1050746.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next rolling section along the rim was incredible. A fantastic tour of what this place has to offer. It was also really exposed and hot, and at 8500 ft. I was in full coverage and had ice in my hat and ice around my neck, so I actually felt ok.</td></tr>
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Hilarious that youtube chose to grab my goofy face out of all of the time slices to show at startup.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young man (sorry I forgot your name) helped me at Kebab aid station. I had to have him stash my broken hiking poles in my aid bag. Unfortunate happening in that last section: I was happy as a kid in a candy store - pushing myself along with my trusty hiking poles when the unthinkable happened. One of the poles just snapped. For no apparent reason. So that makes it official - I can no longer recommend black diamond Z-poles to anybody. They are pieces of junk. That is pair number two that have done that to me. I will tell you something else: It is tough to adjust your mindset when you had planned to use this incredible piece of equipment through the whole race (I am a 100% believer in hiking poles being a performance(and therefore fun) enhancer at these events) and in an instant having to wrap your brain around a new reality.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising down a valley from the Plateau to Straight Canyon Aid station at the bottom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had no idea that my wife had planned this awesome set-up for me down at Straight Canyon (mile 41)- she put a lot of thought into what might lift my spirits! There was a neat selection of drinks and food and a shady seat surrounded by my favorite people!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28KrGq-HTgyLoJG8N3QDOi-y44lCuZglAtc1fjsakKLB5gwVx5j52p_Y0wG-xV8jweJayn5HWi7CGbuBRHI1lQnGM0Uz64SJVychfWXgprZwtiOKKE381bnkXq4FQPVxCRaxkHy9DGWI/s1600/P1050759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28KrGq-HTgyLoJG8N3QDOi-y44lCuZglAtc1fjsakKLB5gwVx5j52p_Y0wG-xV8jweJayn5HWi7CGbuBRHI1lQnGM0Uz64SJVychfWXgprZwtiOKKE381bnkXq4FQPVxCRaxkHy9DGWI/s400/P1050759.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After leaving my family down at Straight, I had the biggest climb of the day awaiting me as I ascended up to the "Pink Cliffs". The climb was a long and gradual dirt road until we hit some flags that pointed us straight up. This was a fun steep little sucker punch. After topping out we were greeted with these views.</td></tr>
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Video at the "Pink Cliffs"</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the cliffs as I descended to the turn-around point at Crawford Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Once again my family got me fueled up and on my way. This time I left the camera with Joanne since the sun was starting to go down and I had already seen the whole course and gotten all of the pics. Now it was just a matter of retracing my steps through the night and get this thing done!<br /></td></tr>
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Joanne seemed worried about me at the turn-around. I got there with 12.5 hrs elapsed - which for me seemed about right for the conservative approach I took during the heat. I knew, in all likelihood I was not going to negative split this thing or anything - I have learned that I always slow down during the night. Joanne thought I looked pretty worked-over. She asked me how I felt and I told her I was exhausted. She started to go into sympathetic mode, and I decided I better get out of there!<br />
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The climb back up to the pink cliffs was rough. I was exhausted. But the sun was starting to go down and I held out hopes that the cooler air would bring some pep back to my step! As I ran down to Straight Canyon I started loosing sunlight and I immediately started feeling better. There is something about this time of day that seems to always give me energy. I started passing people again and then rolled into the aid station ready to prepare for the dark. To my surprise, Joanne and the kids were there to greet me. Keep in mind, this is way past the kids bedtime, and I was totally expecting them to get checked into the hotel for that night and see them the next morning. Turns out, Joanne had taken a vote in the car about whether to see if daddy was still ok at Straight, and with a 4-1 outcome (what kid doesn't want to stay up past their bedtime?) they decided to come see me. Joanne later explained that she thought she was going to give me a ride back to the hotel from Straight, lol. She was delightfully surprised to see me in high spirits and giddy. I got out my flashlight, kissed the family goodbye(goodnight) and headed back up to the plateau.<br />
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There is something special about the highs and lows you go through at this distance. It is incredibly empowering to know that you can bounce back from lows and that it doesn't always get worse. It is a testament to the human bodies incredible resilience. I rolled into Kebab aid station ready for some broth and coke - the standard for this point in the race. I had been paying attention to a nagging issue with my appetite for the last few hours. I noticed I was less likely to drink or eat a gel while I was running - it just made me feel like I wasn't going to be able to keep it down. Sitting down and chilling out and having broth and coke seemed to help. The next section was a long blur - but I was actually making pretty good time. I was calculating that if I could keep up my current pace I might still be faster than 25 hrs, which would have been great from where I was sitting just earlier in the day. By the time I got to Bubbler the tiredness started to settle in though. I got my broth and coke, and then headed out for the "rugged" 9 mile section to Proctor. I ate another gel in this section, but wasn't getting any energy. I was just staggering up the climbs at this point. On one steep section I actually laid down on the trail and then continued to barf up the meager contents of my stomach. There in front of me I saw the undigested gel, just sitting in the dirt. I realized my stomach wasn't processing anything. Not good. I continued to stumble through the section, but the climbs took forever! I finally made it down to Proctor Aid station with full intention of trying to get myself back warmed up again (I wasn't moving fast enough to keep warm anymore - that record heat during the day - yeah, it went down to the 30s at night!) I got some broth, but took one sip - realizing that anymore was going to come right back up again. I had to take it easy for a while and see if I could get my stomach back. I drapped a sleeping bag over me and then promptly passed out (it was about 3:30 a.m. -that 9 mile section took me over 3 hours!) I woke up a little later - realized that I still couldn't eat anything and then decided to crawl into the sleeping bag on a cot, thinking that some sleep my reset my systems or something. I was way ahead of cut-offs and didn't have to worry about any of that, so I literally had all the time in the world to try and fix this. I woke up with first light - about 5:30 a.m. I tried to eat - but the stomach wouldn't have it. I know I could have crawled it in for the finish: Proctor is at mile 84 - just 16 more miles! But I didn't have the will-power for it. If I couldn't eat then I had no energy and the climbs would have been miserable. I informed the aid station of my choice to DNF and then got a fortunate ride back to the hotel from some other crew members.<br />
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I suppose if circumstances would have been different, I might have decided to gut it out. For instance, if I had never been able to do it before. But I have done it several times now and didn't have the interest. I don't feel any regret about quitting - I was actually quite relieved. A DNF is a failure to do what I set out to do - but really, I think I did accomplish so much on this trip that even that couldn't deflate me too much. I really hope I learn something from these things though. What led to my stomach issues? That is a tough one to diagnose. My guess right now is that I was just stuffing too much food in my face early in the race - and that combined with the heat(blood being prioritized for body cooling as opposed to digestion duties), might have fatigued my digestive system (if such a thing can happen. I was pretty sure my digestion system was unfatigueable - I have for instance, consumed 12 stakes in one sitting at a western sizzler buffet before) Maybe next time in that situation I will try and hold off on my aid station smorgasborging.<br />
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What's next? Joannes trail marathon! That's right, my wife and my sister hatched this crazy plan over Christmas to run our local Skyline to the Sea point to point trail marathon with something like 2500 ft of climbing, 5000 ft of down...It is going to be epic.<br />
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I am also taking a bit of an off-season right now - sleeping in, doing noon-time runs, staying away from long runs. Basically taking it easy for a while. But I do have plans. I want to get a little more pep back into my ultra-step, so late summer and fall will see me getting ready for the Quicksilver Challenge half marathon (I haven't done a trail half in like 2.5 years!). Considering all of the volunteer hours that I have put in for the club and at that park it seems crazy that I haven't ever run a race at Quicksilver. So I am going to pop that cherry! Then I am going to lace up the trail shoes for the quad-Dipsea! I am really looking forward to finding out if I can finally prepare correctly for that race and give it an honest go. <br />
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I also hope to get out to the Sierra a couple of times for some backpacking. I believe my brother is visiting in September and I have always wanted to show him those mountains, so hopefully something can work out there. <br />
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Exciting things to come!Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-87350682651202696722016-06-14T11:43:00.000-07:002016-06-14T11:43:40.472-07:00Tahoe Training Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Three days to go until I line up at the Bryce Canyon 100 mile. Threw out my back this morning as I tried to tie my shoes for one last early morning Rancho San Antonio run. Really praying that I'm good to go by Friday, lol. This last weekend I had a blast with running friends up in Tahoe to (hopefully) get some last minute altitude acclimatization. If such a thing can happen...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views as I climb Tunnel Creek Rd.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySk_zC_17-hvgMK7gcSfQpr5Qwj2APRTaIawxRqED_NCm4eWlDcd4xWevvyfh_vrm0MtiB6XfUOLA89i1kwhdjCAj3KIrlXGF0Rcvk_K4xHqR69tow_JRZB75EzPBOT-hPaF7QdKtn74/s1600/P1050604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySk_zC_17-hvgMK7gcSfQpr5Qwj2APRTaIawxRqED_NCm4eWlDcd4xWevvyfh_vrm0MtiB6XfUOLA89i1kwhdjCAj3KIrlXGF0Rcvk_K4xHqR69tow_JRZB75EzPBOT-hPaF7QdKtn74/s320/P1050604.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This place is like a giant adult playground!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPhaPO0gze8tUS2PDi9BXMX7OCMyBzYwj6fBTfZw0zeBX43SXP9fzgWZWcCU2YbXtKgBQltD2ZB2CawbJVnnePWJcy7ccIytGgTDHMI57S6Bu68hD7eHJViTPT6lGMpPdxjQpDVy23iE/s1600/P1050605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPhaPO0gze8tUS2PDi9BXMX7OCMyBzYwj6fBTfZw0zeBX43SXP9fzgWZWcCU2YbXtKgBQltD2ZB2CawbJVnnePWJcy7ccIytGgTDHMI57S6Bu68hD7eHJViTPT6lGMpPdxjQpDVy23iE/s400/P1050605.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tahoe Zephyr Cove Quicksilver crew.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFa9DI59lDCqgwIgeRPPm-AheFiS0V74mw-B3M_RAALjD92oHbZ9eXY-h1d1OYIOSNBPTI5p8Yu_asUOMuR3yCpggyXypM7UPigfq6thLu4vwjK7EjAdqZeU7tDKMdC3OpKhr1KiMmaY/s1600/P1050608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFa9DI59lDCqgwIgeRPPm-AheFiS0V74mw-B3M_RAALjD92oHbZ9eXY-h1d1OYIOSNBPTI5p8Yu_asUOMuR3yCpggyXypM7UPigfq6thLu4vwjK7EjAdqZeU7tDKMdC3OpKhr1KiMmaY/s320/P1050608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuart, cruising.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOzZfhKxJdCGCMBV-1une5buwtVKufSvUZtGmAi5ur3i0bi1yFlv_I_cP1X_IYLO0TuavTUiT9jyVBK8OosssXJxXUn975nRW6l612eczuvGc18tK_vF8-3-sfqXM3s3Jp_2lq4Rrx6U/s1600/P1050616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOzZfhKxJdCGCMBV-1une5buwtVKufSvUZtGmAi5ur3i0bi1yFlv_I_cP1X_IYLO0TuavTUiT9jyVBK8OosssXJxXUn975nRW6l612eczuvGc18tK_vF8-3-sfqXM3s3Jp_2lq4Rrx6U/s320/P1050616.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSV3ewBFI_XN_lzQTp4aZn6ZTlqT-EKMSGvH3FsbbTxHgVmrycmWoFaq_MQKTv-XtYG7jRpRGJLsP5nV7NnHeP9URiOM7hIC3Z2A9S1jjFqkoYVECVYVcfvRvETX7tBJdayJL-kK4RlI/s1600/P1050620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSV3ewBFI_XN_lzQTp4aZn6ZTlqT-EKMSGvH3FsbbTxHgVmrycmWoFaq_MQKTv-XtYG7jRpRGJLsP5nV7NnHeP9URiOM7hIC3Z2A9S1jjFqkoYVECVYVcfvRvETX7tBJdayJL-kK4RlI/s320/P1050620.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to lose steam. It looked as if storms were gathering and peeps had about 5 miles left to do - including descending the infamous diamond peak.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxERwmmbiatcWzTNr9A4e-h2xIMG6WE7I-Jn7vktIUPUP6yt04zBp_MaB5vLJIimy1Hk_a3LnFzLWin7Du0M3q9NZJLBrvNEcHXAX5EOrMbZnO7PKQFljVABL58d2P2GMSh5UHTgsbC0/s1600/P1050622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxERwmmbiatcWzTNr9A4e-h2xIMG6WE7I-Jn7vktIUPUP6yt04zBp_MaB5vLJIimy1Hk_a3LnFzLWin7Du0M3q9NZJLBrvNEcHXAX5EOrMbZnO7PKQFljVABL58d2P2GMSh5UHTgsbC0/s400/P1050622.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandra decided to come back down Tunnel Creek with me. Pretty much can't beat the views!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtLwFqxMa2PXl4-Yevwmg6Fxnj_hUFWr7euJ9SGs12mA0uj809KN9BVfQtnWV89gV6co_3mpWcqIDwX2KH8jq1MKsJvpBd5VeyWoQ_14GBLc0crzOqT-G8VYY-yOmoSJ8OjipjD4GWw0/s1600/P1050623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtLwFqxMa2PXl4-Yevwmg6Fxnj_hUFWr7euJ9SGs12mA0uj809KN9BVfQtnWV89gV6co_3mpWcqIDwX2KH8jq1MKsJvpBd5VeyWoQ_14GBLc0crzOqT-G8VYY-yOmoSJ8OjipjD4GWw0/s320/P1050623.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to use someone else's entry for the organized TRT training run!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeGcE_9QD0hvGeVxanLu-tUpWw23lqE3V1OiUGzLPR3thWeRO6-WBytuVMNybF8X8dDrUj9iyazwVZt34cM9xheeGp1MARM_bkUbvU8CtIdL_csloMOnHafLQh1K-Xyh-BJgAPqpsnMM/s1600/P1050628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeGcE_9QD0hvGeVxanLu-tUpWw23lqE3V1OiUGzLPR3thWeRO6-WBytuVMNybF8X8dDrUj9iyazwVZt34cM9xheeGp1MARM_bkUbvU8CtIdL_csloMOnHafLQh1K-Xyh-BJgAPqpsnMM/s320/P1050628.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow on the way up to lake Marlette.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnpL-n3EXH3FT3uk_VTBiAabQAeozFoO3IOI5wMquf-NYE-DzkuqyqG8yRMoqSP2sfogzJYn9qJOVwtFaGZCYrsn5nrBcq6bw4IuRsH9zv2FIGmj46MwiHn_0QfGjPavnybQ4CaMAVKY/s1600/P1050636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnpL-n3EXH3FT3uk_VTBiAabQAeozFoO3IOI5wMquf-NYE-DzkuqyqG8yRMoqSP2sfogzJYn9qJOVwtFaGZCYrsn5nrBcq6bw4IuRsH9zv2FIGmj46MwiHn_0QfGjPavnybQ4CaMAVKY/s320/P1050636.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive aid station setup for a training run.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNmirENigZ49TuphnV0oW2ltWnjFYROW8dFLFQm4pvd-XDvFbZRp7B_qnA1TwPBrw6tL6pl-ieasyVqoTiHgL6KezzdARDdiMpxJrFNdRjcroPFqSK4VB2KKIP_QvXKaa0l7P_5ox4qI/s1600/P1050647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNmirENigZ49TuphnV0oW2ltWnjFYROW8dFLFQm4pvd-XDvFbZRp7B_qnA1TwPBrw6tL6pl-ieasyVqoTiHgL6KezzdARDdiMpxJrFNdRjcroPFqSK4VB2KKIP_QvXKaa0l7P_5ox4qI/s400/P1050647.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing Snow Valley Summit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkzSQltUvmvIcx2jwoa1b_O9dWFnciMEdzrudJM1zuSjyiR5b53WpCy06J7xhF3p3Xf0ddvICUMkcTAIhJB0n3QjxW24x-tOEJ4DGHapqMWAmw4qqmyrf9ES7FZLK3l82TP06kkadQhU/s1600/P1050651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkzSQltUvmvIcx2jwoa1b_O9dWFnciMEdzrudJM1zuSjyiR5b53WpCy06J7xhF3p3Xf0ddvICUMkcTAIhJB0n3QjxW24x-tOEJ4DGHapqMWAmw4qqmyrf9ES7FZLK3l82TP06kkadQhU/s320/P1050651.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are some nice patches of snow on the course right now. I had some fun doing some sliding.</td></tr>
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Video of my try at sliding:<br />
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Video at the top:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaCS_MHUmmdh4ouqzYRybNLbJGF0qsCbJuFTfUA2bwwoMwTLnVkCswbDvMVaXQq7dGhPOVjc2EzI5FEY_N9toj0C4ttsaz3ma43R4rEusANNwi8Ra9OXDc4REGfn3hOlOk1QYzwOKbFU/s1600/P1050657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaCS_MHUmmdh4ouqzYRybNLbJGF0qsCbJuFTfUA2bwwoMwTLnVkCswbDvMVaXQq7dGhPOVjc2EzI5FEY_N9toj0C4ttsaz3ma43R4rEusANNwi8Ra9OXDc4REGfn3hOlOk1QYzwOKbFU/s640/P1050657.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnbTmjiQopCX9ULPXv-wZSVRSGB6F6eoMiJLjVY_Eg2T51YrWcH7ttWwJOFWc7Re1G2Y9W-Jn-CuVmpD7ux5mqkNPI6fGOcAy4VO0VcqeGkKSd2syjR2bjp3exuqUURN8cJTYAwuXscE/s1600/P1050664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnbTmjiQopCX9ULPXv-wZSVRSGB6F6eoMiJLjVY_Eg2T51YrWcH7ttWwJOFWc7Re1G2Y9W-Jn-CuVmpD7ux5mqkNPI6fGOcAy4VO0VcqeGkKSd2syjR2bjp3exuqUURN8cJTYAwuXscE/s400/P1050664.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The descent from snow valley. I had been here once before when pacing BJB in the middle of the night of the TRT 100 back in 2012. I had no idea how awesome the views were!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping into Tahoe post run. The best shower - ice bath combo. Our abode had a walkway that led straight to the beach. That was nice.<br />
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King of California showing me how it's done:</div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-74829422387895139992016-06-13T18:47:00.000-07:002016-06-13T18:47:24.714-07:00Quicksilver 100k Report 2016<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GnaJRYx0SGUYDnQkQ44UKEIuZO3kJmSuvKjwmJUxdkWKRxYj90sPbl9mulQbkGvo47DN-nr6t1BTjlGbI96mZWK2DwxwsuruyVgmRynPHLGDVXX0HadA_RUYcDFRObMHzRqTuMfeTRY/s1600/P1050527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GnaJRYx0SGUYDnQkQ44UKEIuZO3kJmSuvKjwmJUxdkWKRxYj90sPbl9mulQbkGvo47DN-nr6t1BTjlGbI96mZWK2DwxwsuruyVgmRynPHLGDVXX0HadA_RUYcDFRObMHzRqTuMfeTRY/s320/P1050527.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lexington Aid Station 2016: I got fired from my duty as aid station captain. My duties were taken by veteran Amy Burton who showed me how it is really done. Sadly I didn't even receive the title of deputy captain which fell to the young John Paul Burton. Lesson one: bring donuts for the volunteers! Duke and Bjorn were there to actually do work while I sulked off to the side with my donut.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Paul - I assume he is doing some sort of important clerical duty required by the captain...otherwise the "deputy" might have actually got away with doing less work than I did.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzom-UE4iNfvlqZo25sY2G8K77QfLxAVh_x-LepZDstMUu3ZJxp3RNRcQkKDkvI5C6FYJLsLIimJpwhg3WiT9-x8JhIR_3cBsL1S3DkiLQrfG_aPpavQEH8e721CoESqqP4aNA-rAGWdg/s1600/P1050532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzom-UE4iNfvlqZo25sY2G8K77QfLxAVh_x-LepZDstMUu3ZJxp3RNRcQkKDkvI5C6FYJLsLIimJpwhg3WiT9-x8JhIR_3cBsL1S3DkiLQrfG_aPpavQEH8e721CoESqqP4aNA-rAGWdg/s320/P1050532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a happy french-man picture and this one. This one makes me laugh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsZX1qmc8SPYN_k_X816KbG0pTAuUvKwNQjlx-uaWYPCdKRxxN86IyXOij5XMrg54Tvaz0Bq3Q3-xalG-NiWyn-EkmyjGux9s5QnPHs_AUTy6xaEAJkXx4Y80H5ysB1_PzLQJwNM6pHQ/s1600/P1050537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsZX1qmc8SPYN_k_X816KbG0pTAuUvKwNQjlx-uaWYPCdKRxxN86IyXOij5XMrg54Tvaz0Bq3Q3-xalG-NiWyn-EkmyjGux9s5QnPHs_AUTy6xaEAJkXx4Y80H5ysB1_PzLQJwNM6pHQ/s320/P1050537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Burton ran into our aid station along with the only man in the race who could make him look wimpy and un-impressive. Here he is receiving some aid of questionable legality from the "captain". The "deputy" looked on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVFmKzYu0P3xehJ8DFoHCASDuzMH2v_DpA3vlVHDecqxglMxXvjO2p61ovKYoEvmgBH3mA2UZssIaKT0NYouX96ppCZjVAsisNKpHPnZwGtI9LnROxZb0DYVEIySZpuhjzLI5o_1yH8A/s1600/P1050542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVFmKzYu0P3xehJ8DFoHCASDuzMH2v_DpA3vlVHDecqxglMxXvjO2p61ovKYoEvmgBH3mA2UZssIaKT0NYouX96ppCZjVAsisNKpHPnZwGtI9LnROxZb0DYVEIySZpuhjzLI5o_1yH8A/s320/P1050542.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sure Chris wasn't just flexing for this photo op!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_EgyvpkIvqRUK74FQmLA1HndCfLAccWZhyphenhyphenIj7HKyt_Dvu3jt85cOUMMWSeDrVgYAb3cFng3L2Xii8ZSnT5Rr5gVPWkQoWtw0qNoRdUc8bWLpR72lImcS2_yp1JuhS1751M_hSlRocxg/s1600/P1050545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_EgyvpkIvqRUK74FQmLA1HndCfLAccWZhyphenhyphenIj7HKyt_Dvu3jt85cOUMMWSeDrVgYAb3cFng3L2Xii8ZSnT5Rr5gVPWkQoWtw0qNoRdUc8bWLpR72lImcS2_yp1JuhS1751M_hSlRocxg/s320/P1050545.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Matt Ward.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYdjGkiRHisnHnAUHYmMTKWWHJZwTz-hFES3Pp4s1l9hy21lhdCg5IS7Z-8_Bvy8SndMlTTb3q0BcyaHtiU1yVy592lm5M4RTSLheRDOJONUezKL7xp6CfwzqonROvz_WWalikwYXXqU/s1600/P1050547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYdjGkiRHisnHnAUHYmMTKWWHJZwTz-hFES3Pp4s1l9hy21lhdCg5IS7Z-8_Bvy8SndMlTTb3q0BcyaHtiU1yVy592lm5M4RTSLheRDOJONUezKL7xp6CfwzqonROvz_WWalikwYXXqU/s320/P1050547.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The women's leader, Krissy Moehl asks: which way to the weight room?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQT_jXq6_Wbl7TT1g4Gvt9T0S5xx5HlvXixRk5D98y_fFHAEQFdT9bCq_uKvOdA93sDtMh0qUxawiidmxNMbcz1aOKVYBbhsOjM6Wn85Po5UdzmmgXxGmEb4KlBAAwo3-dou795GSzjw/s1600/P1050549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQT_jXq6_Wbl7TT1g4Gvt9T0S5xx5HlvXixRk5D98y_fFHAEQFdT9bCq_uKvOdA93sDtMh0qUxawiidmxNMbcz1aOKVYBbhsOjM6Wn85Po5UdzmmgXxGmEb4KlBAAwo3-dou795GSzjw/s320/P1050549.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haha.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6td1PLG1HYCFAQogpBKfs2HBwdvTnpwI9ewX2ld-cnRgB95FkyB81PgLvn8w4x0tX1jXsHJBLnZNpJJa6k9eiZTpRTHewdZdn2kvs4xMp1590ph-2w8NtC-QVpQd6YH2pzFN_HVPGe1k/s1600/P1050550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6td1PLG1HYCFAQogpBKfs2HBwdvTnpwI9ewX2ld-cnRgB95FkyB81PgLvn8w4x0tX1jXsHJBLnZNpJJa6k9eiZTpRTHewdZdn2kvs4xMp1590ph-2w8NtC-QVpQd6YH2pzFN_HVPGe1k/s320/P1050550.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saurabh - I'm sure he was talking about triathlons or something like that.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsOnfOnUUfcWKoMeY3Ccz2KMCduJ_xpQhr8KfvynYJheW_3JDbQiR-hRnBJm2nApNqMZdv3RluA354dEmFoMX7pkrl6xSqY4chFfORlB0WjK6WeS7hCAzp3aqK8ilfP7T45kJCKhyphenhypheng8E/s1600/P1050552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsOnfOnUUfcWKoMeY3Ccz2KMCduJ_xpQhr8KfvynYJheW_3JDbQiR-hRnBJm2nApNqMZdv3RluA354dEmFoMX7pkrl6xSqY4chFfORlB0WjK6WeS7hCAzp3aqK8ilfP7T45kJCKhyphenhypheng8E/s320/P1050552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl9YZ6yyeEHrBCvFKly9JPYdnHxSpa_YjcChrjYaT7nuSQ9Em0ef5DLIlzp6InyEILfrdNEqFR5ABfYK6JlS93qSsX3I0gOWLQS3VXrdWo4KgstwuJzS3_H1LmrLMdgT5TQe3hYpgKQQ/s1600/P1050553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl9YZ6yyeEHrBCvFKly9JPYdnHxSpa_YjcChrjYaT7nuSQ9Em0ef5DLIlzp6InyEILfrdNEqFR5ABfYK6JlS93qSsX3I0gOWLQS3VXrdWo4KgstwuJzS3_H1LmrLMdgT5TQe3hYpgKQQ/s320/P1050553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP-_P-rUSucgfCDIpquE6VjiF5d7j7PAeT2ypKNC4rtLfRmoosB12fl-xvp0FUU6EuT9sZjJRRN0xVGDTxJsu3BdVPlZIeXPrTWSZhqIntR4ci-o3AzfvjJASKkjqeCZcPXH_bt6hjtk/s1600/P1050554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP-_P-rUSucgfCDIpquE6VjiF5d7j7PAeT2ypKNC4rtLfRmoosB12fl-xvp0FUU6EuT9sZjJRRN0xVGDTxJsu3BdVPlZIeXPrTWSZhqIntR4ci-o3AzfvjJASKkjqeCZcPXH_bt6hjtk/s320/P1050554.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clyde the glide - gracing Quicksilver with his presence!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJM6VD6c5iPlPa6Zin5IyDDNjdHxJFwS4MSpn05xa9pWq_najrlrq1TNyDSS39jYrcNodSJg-Xkb6XkwjiwGnAuiOF4VnvUEqxQtaTbfgHoiY2GD7-Xm0keoUURWNkUpRTK1SSbo1HFo8/s1600/P1050555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJM6VD6c5iPlPa6Zin5IyDDNjdHxJFwS4MSpn05xa9pWq_najrlrq1TNyDSS39jYrcNodSJg-Xkb6XkwjiwGnAuiOF4VnvUEqxQtaTbfgHoiY2GD7-Xm0keoUURWNkUpRTK1SSbo1HFo8/s320/P1050555.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some old guys.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KP_vaFH4Ed3FdFYjcvq6Bv_E2GmnmH7SBF0SE0Zg_5CIcCZ1Hn0ngr1W9dFAtW4UPv0yYZeFWx3En0cPFYPwkZqR92_fUxcyh9d_QxejDXjU5MNrigoRAgJ2rSw4Cu8pVcC840QeTjA/s1600/P1050557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KP_vaFH4Ed3FdFYjcvq6Bv_E2GmnmH7SBF0SE0Zg_5CIcCZ1Hn0ngr1W9dFAtW4UPv0yYZeFWx3En0cPFYPwkZqR92_fUxcyh9d_QxejDXjU5MNrigoRAgJ2rSw4Cu8pVcC840QeTjA/s320/P1050557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1ACMnTNZw-L9LZFoSufwQdXUXu0x9y7azwuqdtNIluSYQ4Dsl_2A0opTLtlky475mQPxAoXlSxTomAfu6YZwdinhpEKMhkvDaFXxKCUO2wENsgC3fnqwQRTH2bjcGrzVeN1SzsGDVjo/s1600/P1050563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1ACMnTNZw-L9LZFoSufwQdXUXu0x9y7azwuqdtNIluSYQ4Dsl_2A0opTLtlky475mQPxAoXlSxTomAfu6YZwdinhpEKMhkvDaFXxKCUO2wENsgC3fnqwQRTH2bjcGrzVeN1SzsGDVjo/s320/P1050563.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15 yr old Briley.</td></tr>
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I was sweeping the Quicksilver course when I came upon the Kennedy aid station. The aid station volunteers wanted to know if they could send 15 year old Briley back down the mountain with me (they needed an extra space in their vehicle for a drop from the race). So funny - poor Briley was going to get a fierce introduction to the silliness of this sport. I grabbed some food and we were on our way - Briley eager as a pup to take off! I said: slow down there lad - I need to see if I can shove all of these potato chips down my throat by the top of the climb. The poor guy was completely deflated. All he wanted to do was run and here I was stuffing my face with food. Well, we did start down the other side of Sombroso when I started to probe him about his running credentials. It was somewhere in here that he took a tumble down the trail. It started to hit me that someone had entrusted the safety of this young man to me and I was already failing miserably. His longest run before this was 13 miles - we did 15 with about 2000 ft of climbing and 3000 of descent, lol. Needles to say, he was ready for his burger when we hit the picnic area!<br /><br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-16998113594202843242016-06-13T18:09:00.001-07:002016-06-13T18:09:39.162-07:00Mission Peak from Ohlone College<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00i9ca_5-7p7Z3p8g26XL5yW8uNvu6d7FO3NnPk5yFVRh_XXvpd8wsPzFEq8vfqs8jK4SwdL2gvOR13puu4w9-Hfox3jxW_7ZITS8NDPsv5H3yUsut-DPDPm0dL_ZXLdYw_FYbA9onFQ/s1600/P1050577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00i9ca_5-7p7Z3p8g26XL5yW8uNvu6d7FO3NnPk5yFVRh_XXvpd8wsPzFEq8vfqs8jK4SwdL2gvOR13puu4w9-Hfox3jxW_7ZITS8NDPsv5H3yUsut-DPDPm0dL_ZXLdYw_FYbA9onFQ/s320/P1050577.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up from Ohlone College</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WLAWW0P_NFPwKx1XHzrNzaED-bGTmE-xU6jk9p0wdJhzim2ITnG0jIHP2tgiz5ngI7YFs4lW7CKby30uuz6M71utmh0QFhB-nEhsDJA71ydxLkyGlRB-Gv-peDHy_3NjT2cn19UcWn0/s1600/P1050579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WLAWW0P_NFPwKx1XHzrNzaED-bGTmE-xU6jk9p0wdJhzim2ITnG0jIHP2tgiz5ngI7YFs4lW7CKby30uuz6M71utmh0QFhB-nEhsDJA71ydxLkyGlRB-Gv-peDHy_3NjT2cn19UcWn0/s320/P1050579.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice views as you climb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB7XJ3zQ1SNjOzmudyGG8S__Twv_GFdf2qEdBetKTtsdHXT_8qUb7hyZB5-lhoqEg9htNhcaaStAdxBShUHT3AF3p3TwPQobeEJtYodlfYEK-1imli_vBah32f8H2P40-l8_oi_FHdew/s1600/P1050580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB7XJ3zQ1SNjOzmudyGG8S__Twv_GFdf2qEdBetKTtsdHXT_8qUb7hyZB5-lhoqEg9htNhcaaStAdxBShUHT3AF3p3TwPQobeEJtYodlfYEK-1imli_vBah32f8H2P40-l8_oi_FHdew/s400/P1050580.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rescue Copter. I was going up the trail when I noticed the helicopter circling above. I didn't really think much of it as there are helicopters seemingly everywhere around here. As I was going up the trail I noticed a bunch of hikers camped out in the shade of some trees which made sense because of the really hot afternoon. At some point the helicopter was loudspeakering something to me that I couldn't quite understand. I later decided they were trying to tell me to clear the trail. As I climbed I saw the helicopter set down on this open knoll where I was just at. I assume there was someone in that hiking group that needed a rescue.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q7kibMk20QLUKFRhChFGZvZ5aEyVhV4bD1VxkUrv3WjYetDezaNBcKb56N9L3z5F3_Qv7GUIYCDiyI4ByTYxUikAbhpZmhP1FIVtxz6-rWaoE8nliDAPYBaJj_ktkDODx9sWXWodUNs/s1600/P1050581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q7kibMk20QLUKFRhChFGZvZ5aEyVhV4bD1VxkUrv3WjYetDezaNBcKb56N9L3z5F3_Qv7GUIYCDiyI4ByTYxUikAbhpZmhP1FIVtxz6-rWaoE8nliDAPYBaJj_ktkDODx9sWXWodUNs/s320/P1050581.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final Stretch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkuKMo6ktZY8PucYoViWbo8BDRPUQKfOwJ6pQAyndf9J4A_pppe3KOSMAVwr9wBwecrvZ6xCLURGqTAtlPyupOU0M6HKAFdFiP2aZc8pPTvFn-nl-rEMdOSKcPSTZos6W6nEZ4rtE0NY/s1600/P1050583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkuKMo6ktZY8PucYoViWbo8BDRPUQKfOwJ6pQAyndf9J4A_pppe3KOSMAVwr9wBwecrvZ6xCLURGqTAtlPyupOU0M6HKAFdFiP2aZc8pPTvFn-nl-rEMdOSKcPSTZos6W6nEZ4rtE0NY/s400/P1050583.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paragliders having some fun</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9TYX0vktyt6dwW8_2uumJcdnaOCmArdaAggwxBKL5vHmN-JB7UIqfHC2kVSeY0bl1XYVajfpX7-B4HOHe2ZM5AbQ2xmbOp29Mqu1D0Iw8m9s_mKzNteJ3WDwvj4YLO0MwYnHl3SWp8Q/s1600/P1050585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9TYX0vktyt6dwW8_2uumJcdnaOCmArdaAggwxBKL5vHmN-JB7UIqfHC2kVSeY0bl1XYVajfpX7-B4HOHe2ZM5AbQ2xmbOp29Mqu1D0Iw8m9s_mKzNteJ3WDwvj4YLO0MwYnHl3SWp8Q/s640/P1050585.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sunol.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2d1JRj7FNwIvoYd9EH1Q_L_JpZ-fUe1NnzeEgIuJIvA_qUsvr-GdZXoQ-zrAlqZ3R2E8i_xYJQa4j64Nt6rZS9psAq8FuMH9TxzYXf2jqky2wJAQBUYLQbnTdhYoXxmQcULSGI-hQoQ/s1600/P1050586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2d1JRj7FNwIvoYd9EH1Q_L_JpZ-fUe1NnzeEgIuJIvA_qUsvr-GdZXoQ-zrAlqZ3R2E8i_xYJQa4j64Nt6rZS9psAq8FuMH9TxzYXf2jqky2wJAQBUYLQbnTdhYoXxmQcULSGI-hQoQ/s320/P1050586.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above the bay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTpA3R8Zu_lprk1ly9R4hKPp8Ma8Zc5t5gSl0QD95QfTymd0W2C3zFzGRZoyCJTtCMQMvzZMF21tBFftk9bmRvW6SAylJBzU0WWFGIR8QBcGPYoOqBKvJLBJIieTvKckq0_jz3vTl-HE/s1600/P1050587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTpA3R8Zu_lprk1ly9R4hKPp8Ma8Zc5t5gSl0QD95QfTymd0W2C3zFzGRZoyCJTtCMQMvzZMF21tBFftk9bmRvW6SAylJBzU0WWFGIR8QBcGPYoOqBKvJLBJIieTvKckq0_jz3vTl-HE/s400/P1050587.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-3616934179231387662016-04-26T18:49:00.001-07:002016-04-26T18:49:14.077-07:00Ruth Anderson 50 mile race report 2016 and Pinnacles Family HikeI thought I would bounce back quickly from the 4 mph challenge. As far as I knew I got out of there without any injuries or serious damage and thought I could hop right back onto the training wagon and ride it all the way through a spring of racing and culminating in my next 100 mile attempt at Bryce Canyon on June 18th. A few days after the challenge I went out for a little test run and my whole left leg felt like it was going to fall off. My ankle hurt, my knee hurt, and my hip hurt. I was like, uh-oh. I slowly worked my way out of the funk with various running strategies that seemed to hurt less, and even got myself to the point where I thought I might be able to hop into the Ruth Anderson 100k (one month post 108 miles at 4 mph challenge). I sent out an annoying promotional email to the Quicksilver racing team trying to drum up some more runners so that we could put some teams together and make Ruth some fun. With that impulsive move I pretty much locked myself into attempting to run 100 km on flat asphalt - basically exactly what my body was complaining about at the time.<br />
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In the lead-up to the race I was dealing with an ominous sense of foreboding. This seemed like one of the dumbest decisions in my running. But ultra marathoners don't have a good track record of dealing intelligently with FOMO (fear-of-missing-out).<br />
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I don't actually have a ton to write about how the race went for me except to say that thankfully I seem to have come out of the other side no more worse for the wear. Thank goodness. I ran conservative. It got hot. I got tired. I decided to call it a day at 50 miles (a insidious option at this race). Quicksilver didn't score one team in any distance. But it was another great day to be alive and be able to put one foot in front of the other. Share the pain with the other weirdos out there and hang out afterwards with the friends and awesome community of bay area ultra-runners. I ran 8 hours and 5 minutes. Considering I have run trail 50 milers way faster than this - it gives an idea of what kind of day it was. Am I disappointed? No way! These last couple of weeks I feel like my legs, body, and soul have finally bounced back from the 100 miler. Seems like it takes me about a month to rebound from the hole I put myself into during one of those big efforts. <br />
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<h3>
Pinnacles Hiking Trip w/ the Fam</h3>
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Here are some pics from our trip we just took to Pinnacles National Park:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a preview of the awesome hills we are about to tackle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQOKbqZqsR9AexBWTMMEzGFm31r939zjvf5HB-sj8O-IQIyP03M9zjHvhfrGkOkF3S1OsZvqNKxmDKIrJcs9J3-e_ii8WzUwapBAxZqDwhVt2XK3vXqTQ3ZwQ8bVcAGKbxuwQIfxzBWA/s1600/P1050478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQOKbqZqsR9AexBWTMMEzGFm31r939zjvf5HB-sj8O-IQIyP03M9zjHvhfrGkOkF3S1OsZvqNKxmDKIrJcs9J3-e_ii8WzUwapBAxZqDwhVt2XK3vXqTQ3ZwQ8bVcAGKbxuwQIfxzBWA/s400/P1050478.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite the variety of foliage. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swear I didn't know that shorcutting could result in a $5000 fine and or imprisonment. I didn't see the sign for that until practically the top of the hill. Seems kinda harsh. But then again, I can imagine if everyone in California did all of the shortcuts, this place would be a mess, so it makes sense. But rock scrambling makes the climb somewhat bearable for the little ones!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake says: This new Pinnacles is CRAZY!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids are practically pros at posing for mommy now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the north wilderness trail. I split off from the fam for a little 7 mile jaunt while they scrambled through Balconies Cave. I met them on the other side. The trail was really fun. A bit brushy in spots, and unnecessarily curvy with a bunch of creek hopping. There was some sweet ridgetop running in the middle with full views of the rock formations. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the rocks from the North Wilderness Trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Valley descent at the west end of the North Wilderness Trail.</td></tr>
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<br />I got some footage of Seth bombing a rocky downhill. I wanted to compare it with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je58qRiQEZc">his run</a> from three years ago at Memorial Park. He is really impressive for a little guy. 5 years old now. Now he is going so fast though that it is hard to get footage that isn't too bouncy. See if you can watch it without throwing up!</div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-42818062509791393062016-03-24T22:16:00.000-07:002016-04-24T20:16:21.593-07:004 mph challenge 2016 race reportThis is a recap of the fourth annual Hunger Games! Each district was required to submit a runner for the grueling competition where the everyone is eventually eliminated except for the "victor", who gets to take home the miniature plastic likeness of a runner clad in shiny yellow. The unlucky "tributes" were reaped from their home district because of various sins such as being a lazy slob all winter long, signing up for a race that they are no-where near in shape enough for, or because the sixty dollar price point for an event with nearly unlimited low price per mile was too good to pass up. The tributes are required to run six miles of trail, rocks, hills and road within 90 minutes or else they were eliminated and returned to their districts in complete disgrace. If the six miles were covered within in the allotted time, the runner is required to complete yet another six miles. Over and over again - until only one person is able to complete the task. This year the "game maker", Mark Swanson, chose a six mile stretch of trail along Whiskeytown Lake near Redding, CA for the arena.<br />
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The tributes for this years Hunger Games were assessed by the potential "sponsors" (aid station volunteers in charge of handing out indispensable sustenance to the runners) to see who would merit their favor in times of need:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Petersen. This man had previously ran 56 miles during the second Hunger Games where the game makers decided to make the participants trudge neverendingly through calf high water. The crowd loved that spectacle. At 36 years of age and 56 miles as his longest distance traveled, David was considered a long shot for sure...(no chance at all) (photo credit: Ted Goldsmith)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davy Crockett. The man, the legend. 76 100 mile finishes to his name. 57 years of age and only getting tougher and uglier every year. Representing the monogamously challenged district of Utah, he was expected to deliver. And deliver he did.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E4ssi3cqBTnkKar7trUgLPPDMrQqojhtvLeFNO-ZYi2p47annqWFt2i4KInod50APk3eKputDiRw2vUq2o2qIOB7L6qJtuvnaJdqvG4FRVRpB4zkIjf9BRIZQkxYAc8USRYWA2deUWA/s1600/Jeremy+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E4ssi3cqBTnkKar7trUgLPPDMrQqojhtvLeFNO-ZYi2p47annqWFt2i4KInod50APk3eKputDiRw2vUq2o2qIOB7L6qJtuvnaJdqvG4FRVRpB4zkIjf9BRIZQkxYAc8USRYWA2deUWA/s320/Jeremy+%25281%2529.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy Johnson. Representing the rich district of bay area, he was a crowd favorite for his chiseled physique and devilishly good looks hidden behind a seriously manly beard. He enjoys leisurely walks in the forest and Indian food. He really likes Indian food. (photo credit: Ted Goldsmith)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrDtg1yoyW9RiwH3OxlcVyil9TlCVca98suCwhFBH6x8UK7XbAzEDrSrmLb-UQd4SozdIEaJCst6SZiojmebDjpoJaogytcEkccdS_qQDsyZYg3fndwILo740a12TNdfbwMMzYz8TuvM/s1600/Joe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrDtg1yoyW9RiwH3OxlcVyil9TlCVca98suCwhFBH6x8UK7XbAzEDrSrmLb-UQd4SozdIEaJCst6SZiojmebDjpoJaogytcEkccdS_qQDsyZYg3fndwILo740a12TNdfbwMMzYz8TuvM/s320/Joe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe Palubeski. A formerly "sponsored" athlete, he was a rare breed at this event for sure. Being of superior pedigree this should have been an easy win for him. The crowd enjoyed his shrewd tactics, such as feeding fellow competitor Jeremy Johnson some three year old "sunsweet" prunes at mile 30.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmMvRGFRYkkpRE7vdcpB8OYTEEhvi4GELNCE-YZMaJWtqGU9DiQdW_PoXjrFOIOXmTpvuDhjDh2bZDd9shjfVb4MC3VgBixGwn_0BekDJErFftiIk8otwGImQkEFQmhVjzmNLL_8hVL4/s1600/scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmMvRGFRYkkpRE7vdcpB8OYTEEhvi4GELNCE-YZMaJWtqGU9DiQdW_PoXjrFOIOXmTpvuDhjDh2bZDd9shjfVb4MC3VgBixGwn_0BekDJErFftiIk8otwGImQkEFQmhVjzmNLL_8hVL4/s320/scott.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Martin. Representing some podunk, hillbilly district up north (no-one really cares). He has a decidedly surfer dude vibe for a sport laden with engineers and professionals. Always seems to be proclaiming about some astronomical goal, but only delivering half way. Except he did complete the Euchre Bar Massacre - an even more humbling Hunger Games style of competition. This made him a wildcard...</td></tr>
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There was also 90 mile Tim. Tim McLean. I'm not going to write too much about Tim here because I can't find a single picture of him. It's as if his continual collapse at this competition has led him to erase any traces of his existence on the internet, so as not to remind himself of his inadequacy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the 4th annual Hunger Games</td></tr>
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Panem was practically delirious with anticipation as the runners trotted off the start-line at a startingly brisk pace of 4 mile per hour ish. Bouts of running were interrupted with bouts of walking, etc. And so on and so on. Scott Martin was heard mumbling something about The Hobbit: There and Back again. Except that this was like: there and back, there and back, there.... and back, there and back, etc again. He also consulted with Jeremy Johnson about discovering ten vultures that were eyeing him. Jeremy told Scott this was not good. Not good at all.<br />
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At some point around mile 20ish, Joe Palubeski sprung his first plan of taking down one of the race favorites - Jeremy Johnson. He described how on one of his bathroom breaks he stepped off of the trail and discovered some interesting archaeological finding. Being a high school history teacher, Joe fancied himself as someone who stored all of the accumulated knowledge of the local artifacts. This newest of his findings though, when presented to Jeremy, seemed to have an eery, sinister vibe to it, perhaps some sort of Gallic shrine of evil. Jeremy stayed away from this place. Joe also told Jeremy about a ghost town drowned under the lake. Joe seemed to be pulling out all of the stops in an attempt to rattle the potential champion...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camden House aid station</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antsy tributes, ready for the slaughter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creek crossing. Caused much angst amongst those runners who hadn't experience what the game makers threw at runners in the 2014 edition.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road. Yuck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shasta Bally. You know who has the CR for that, right? Right?</td></tr>
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The crowd was cheering for Davy Crockett. He ran hard from the word go, each time gapping the rest of the field early on each six mile lap. His intimidation tactics lost their edge later in the game though, as the other runners would eventually catch him on the trails. He began to deploy other tactics such as showing off his beautiful singing voice while trying to imitate Miley Cyrus, or whoever was playing on his iPod.<br />
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It was a beautiful day for running, but then, as usually happens at these things, the sun goes down, the 36 mile runners go home. And all you are left with is 12 crazy people turning on their flashlights and heading into the night. Just a few hours later and it was down to 7 men on the course. Things were thinning out fast. Finally Joe Palubeski, for all of his potential and energies put into the various shenanigans, realized that this was not his day to put it on the line and he called it a day at mile 60. Scott Martin eventually succumbed to the bad portents and his old man hip issues forced him to call it at mile 60 as well - exactly half of the 120 miles and course record that he had planned on. After this, Panem could finally concentrate on who the real men were: Davy Crockett, David Petersen, 90 mile Tim, and of course, Jeremy Johnson.<br />
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The rest of the night was, well, dark. There was more there and back again. More aid from those friendly sponsors, ramen noodle soup, quesadillas, grilled cheese, etc. The game maker did throw a curve-ball and offered chocolate milk at Oak Bottom campground. Jeremy was the only runner who partook. In fact, Mark had purchased a half gallon of the stuff, and Jeremy drank most of it. At some point (mile 76), 90 mile Tim finally admitted that something else had gone wrong for him, He had lost a toe nail or two, and foot blisters were making his night a living hell. He was done. That left three tortured souls out there on the course with the pride of their entire districts hanging on the line.<br />
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There and back again. When interviewed after the race, Jeremy Johnson had this to say about these miles:<br />
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"I was on autopilot for most of the night. A mini can of coke at every aid station was keeping me going. David was killing me on several laps during this time. My confidence was shaken and as we left Camden House aid station at mile 90, thoughts of quitting crept into my head. 96 miles started to sound like a pretty good day for me. It would represent the 24 hour mark in this event, and I knew the sun would be coming up to greet me for my penultimate lap. As I ran through the early morning darkness though, I came up on and passed Mr. Crockett, and then at the bottom of the hill around the two mile mark of the six mile stretch, passed yound David (I call him young because he seemed like a youthful soul to me, maybe in his twenties. Turned out he was a year older than me. Whatever). David had to take a pit-stop near the Gallic shrine. At this point I made it up in my head to go for it. I thought, if this is going to be my last lap, might as well give what I got. I accelerated down the road until I reached the lakeside trail. Knowing the topography and how the curvy ins-and-outs of the trail along the lake allowed for following runners to track the flashlight of the runner in front of them, I decided to turn my light off in an attempt to throw young David off of my tracks and not give him anything to aim for.<br />
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As the sun rose and gave me just enough illumination to see the rocks in front of me, I picked up my pace even more. Suddenly it seemed like I was flying. Just out for my usual morning run, cruising on some beautiful lakeside trail. I finished the lap strong and then waited for several minutes until young David shows up at Oak Bottom. As he crosses the line he immediately exclaims that the next lap will be his last! He wanted 102 miles so that he could officially cross the century mark and that was it for him. I asked him if he really just made that proclamation. Jokingly he returned with, well, maybe I just said that, lol. I don't know if my surge had anything to do with his decision making process or not, but suddenly things just got interesting. As we waited for Davy, I told Mark about my observations of Mr.Crockett. I thought he was playing the part of the the losing boxer in the championship fight. He was bruised and battered, bleeding from everywhere, hanging on to the ropes while the champion swung away at him. Soon the champion would tire himself out and just collapse on the mat while Davy claimed the victory. You see, at some point Davy put away his ipod and was only able to channel his pain through various grunts and vocal cues that, frankly, scared the daylights out of the rest of us. He was the vision of toughness. The man that would not give up the fight, nomatter what. I was just sure that this guy would never quit. As Davy crossed the line with about 5 minutes to spare, Mark breached the subject that one more lap would be 100 mile finish number 77 for him. Like usual he responded with a not to friendly grunt. He was in beast mode.<br />
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Anyways, we ran the next lap in the early morning light, which was nice. I finished a strong lap. Young David finished his lap and was immediately relieved to finally be done with the thing. Then came Davy across the line. I saw the first smile from him all day long, and he exclaimed: number 77...<br />
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I took my aid and then headed back to Oak Bottom for the final lap, knowing that that was it. Thank-goodness."<br />
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So that concludes the coverage of the 4th annual Hunger Games. Deep End(my kids always thought that was what I said when reading their stories to them)<br />
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Notes on the race:<br />
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- drank 20 oz of water per lap - about 2.81 gallons<br />
- ate a whole bag of Cheetos (the big bag)<br />
- ate half a bag of dark chocolate<br />
- 5 oranges<br />
- 15 bacon strips<br />
- some old prunes<br />
- a large amount of quesadillas, ramen soup, chicken soup, and grilled cheese sandwiches.<br />
- almost half a gallon of chocolate milk<br />
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One pair of old Nike Tierra Kiger trail shoes did the trick.<br />
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Two shirts: Quicksilver racing jersey and then under-armor shirt<br />
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One pair of Injinjis.<br />
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One pair of brooks shorts.<br />
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The hot shower at the end rocked!<br />
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-56742831573884448052016-02-15T16:06:00.002-08:002016-02-15T19:26:16.396-08:00Henry Coe Backpacking w/family 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, I saw that valentines day was coming up and figured I would propose the most romantic idea that I could: take the family backpacking! I mean, usually I am a romantic date for valentines day. I'm not really a flower giver, and I am not really good at presents in general, but I have been known to give a nice new shiny kitchen implement. If you knew my wife, you would know I did it right. Anyways, where we were going had all the right ingredients for a romantic date: beautiful flowers, pretty sunset, pretty sunrise, husband cooking a delicious dinner, picturesque peaceful landscape, etc. So what could go wrong?</div>
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Well, when I went into the office at the Henry Coe State Park headquarters to obtain our wilderness permits, the ranger replied: "Are you sure? There are many adults that wouldn't attempt that hike..." And with that we were off.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to rock some Henry Coe trails!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This trip literally used up all of my accumulated backpacking equipment, plus the normal camping equipment needed for six people, lol. We didn't load up the kids too much. The girls got daypacks with their clothes, trail snacks and sleeping bag, the boys got hydration packs(they shared their water with the girls), snacks, and clothes(the hydration packs are girl packs, which I am sure neither boy was extremely excited about, but they bore their loads well). The rest was shared by mommy and daddy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada(7 yr old with blue hat) had seen me dunk my bandana in creeks before, so she decided to be like daddy so she could stay cool in the afternoon heat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seth(5 yr old with a penchant for taking risks) found what he deemed to be a sufficiently awesome trail artifact.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my girls...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch time at Manzanita Point before we drop down to the creek. Jerky and Cheetos of course...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seth, pushing his limits early.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We dubbed Joanne's backpack the "jetpack"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJr-rS4GY4ib6W28napm4pa_9tvqxTXc20RJ-NBAJ-kBM8BgqLiQ_LpdjKzRosuJXgJLbsYml0ajrM9Y2eqp3ZE4diNPSnRAT8CEGyNXQDNU0mK7UlwQypMhSFKePy06vLYsQ61JXY64/s1600/IMG_1840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJr-rS4GY4ib6W28napm4pa_9tvqxTXc20RJ-NBAJ-kBM8BgqLiQ_LpdjKzRosuJXgJLbsYml0ajrM9Y2eqp3ZE4diNPSnRAT8CEGyNXQDNU0mK7UlwQypMhSFKePy06vLYsQ61JXY64/s320/IMG_1840.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My poor 35 liter fastpacking pack was stretched to it's limits with probably 40 liters of gear and another 20 liters hanging off the outside. Probably stressed that sucker pretty good, but it keeps truckin'. There is some serious history with this pack now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs9Biq3WYZY3jcCVOxaJJYsG5bw0LLedPddNxwli4REX8Uhasv0pZfoc6iao86m5fIRoewWc-tJU8EasmFSvH0IwyfhtsW9pDcyDDnQqYF62S___6HsLgp93Pez4TJ6YNa9griTRfq-s/s1600/IMG_1808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs9Biq3WYZY3jcCVOxaJJYsG5bw0LLedPddNxwli4REX8Uhasv0pZfoc6iao86m5fIRoewWc-tJU8EasmFSvH0IwyfhtsW9pDcyDDnQqYF62S___6HsLgp93Pez4TJ6YNa9griTRfq-s/s320/IMG_1808.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">China hole. This place is pretty awesome. Great place to mess around in the creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joanne just soaking it in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPgWU57g8o5xsOKdCgThYer7TAJGuyx9yl-sreySdHoD7zIkEv0u2HigAm0icAjhvL7vMB2Nkpyi5WqKWi6b4VnGRS2L3mP-_N2prEYiDt8W4Hg_Id0huOZVlYV6D3BRoo3qi6xzHzFU/s1600/P1050279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPgWU57g8o5xsOKdCgThYer7TAJGuyx9yl-sreySdHoD7zIkEv0u2HigAm0icAjhvL7vMB2Nkpyi5WqKWi6b4VnGRS2L3mP-_N2prEYiDt8W4Hg_Id0huOZVlYV6D3BRoo3qi6xzHzFU/s320/P1050279.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea what is going on here, but this picture is just one of those special ones where you capture a moment in time and it just seems cool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwkuKHqjny9hiAme24CNHAANgC9arLSFfnDeIVlhayzdoTaNQGCo7mM2qmqbpK19EEiNEc2XHNisCswQNR_gkZUm05bw5cWFJvt7dS_CxyD5KGEWBWfsPeWsJCqwFd90geC9dzCAf11Y/s1600/P1050281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwkuKHqjny9hiAme24CNHAANgC9arLSFfnDeIVlhayzdoTaNQGCo7mM2qmqbpK19EEiNEc2XHNisCswQNR_gkZUm05bw5cWFJvt7dS_CxyD5KGEWBWfsPeWsJCqwFd90geC9dzCAf11Y/s320/P1050281.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seth was not content with just playing in the water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHymOBFFRULXNOiZE7O6S15iBkQ9tunAMsDvD1FDzcxugow2Asn9HMmKluiMfPL_Y7sU1p3rg9lF42kxu-QGdQPpg2jE1XZVzNRzsEUH07b1YmgU_gWBPFhqRg8LFY1PATl9EMk4q7yJE/s1600/P1050283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHymOBFFRULXNOiZE7O6S15iBkQ9tunAMsDvD1FDzcxugow2Asn9HMmKluiMfPL_Y7sU1p3rg9lF42kxu-QGdQPpg2jE1XZVzNRzsEUH07b1YmgU_gWBPFhqRg8LFY1PATl9EMk4q7yJE/s320/P1050283.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hiked the "Narrows" which is a windy, rocky, technical trail that follows the creek. The kids had the most fun with this trail! I actually made a navigational error(which is hilarious considering how many miles I have covered at this place) and we added an extra 1.2 miles of this type of trail to our hike on day one. The kids didn't seem to mind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9yArINHas-Kai6yeSGmW-fRacCZbljK25wyPuGsmKhHigAPaz0GUeOYwH_KyQxurIGU5kENQTWherL8FQjT4ZpPZxLBj_lNCVLm5gdiwfSspDxfwXHk59iIcJn7EvhANHKUtim_UJcw/s1600/IMG_1841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9yArINHas-Kai6yeSGmW-fRacCZbljK25wyPuGsmKhHigAPaz0GUeOYwH_KyQxurIGU5kENQTWherL8FQjT4ZpPZxLBj_lNCVLm5gdiwfSspDxfwXHk59iIcJn7EvhANHKUtim_UJcw/s320/IMG_1841.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of these along the way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xPPkYtOWEjJR0EvWy5xbjxK_LchrenKRYqU7UlWP23HNmIvnpUIuh6r-JXvaZm84lbKV_9FbzcbFOH6_iB_v-EI1GuNIbTKDjEL6Tvit83mirhZsEQt07JVi7zbymRbQqZbJfPImAcI/s1600/P1050293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xPPkYtOWEjJR0EvWy5xbjxK_LchrenKRYqU7UlWP23HNmIvnpUIuh6r-JXvaZm84lbKV_9FbzcbFOH6_iB_v-EI1GuNIbTKDjEL6Tvit83mirhZsEQt07JVi7zbymRbQqZbJfPImAcI/s320/P1050293.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Cruzeros is a beautiful camp location next to a creek in an open valley. Setting up camp was quite a bit more enjoyable than tearing it down. Let me explain the setup: I had the boys in 30 degree bags in the two person super light tent. I had the girls in 20 degree bags under my tarp. And my wife and I used my two 25 degree bags with bivy sacks and we tried to steal some of the tarp to keep the dew off of our faces. Bear in mind I really thought it wasn't going to get any colder than like 40 degrees, and that would only happen in the morning right before the sun came up...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR-2k5RHi9Zfz1DSQHCFnNpasGo6IGN1acmAdK4Bd82UzNT955lTKOn93ApNvmW_jyyg0U-g0OiCd4R0TjSy6nFkYVgh_ZgLQx8DJkiuQzBAI_oBU03Q2nDdUYp2zv7bfU_7SR9kE3ws/s1600/P1050292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR-2k5RHi9Zfz1DSQHCFnNpasGo6IGN1acmAdK4Bd82UzNT955lTKOn93ApNvmW_jyyg0U-g0OiCd4R0TjSy6nFkYVgh_ZgLQx8DJkiuQzBAI_oBU03Q2nDdUYp2zv7bfU_7SR9kE3ws/s320/P1050292.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy right now. Let's see in a few hours...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9d9aPv94y23SqWLHZbjq2AzHowDPpcBvKDjGE8KQ_ZZuD4jKDcPdIz6jPwOHCIyODC5UWatz26tIDTCADKGtMXk_rbwU1HFeZ4pVOwBTNCropbkzcTRSE6b6_DtTkcciW6hLIFV6l1s/s1600/IMG_1772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9d9aPv94y23SqWLHZbjq2AzHowDPpcBvKDjGE8KQ_ZZuD4jKDcPdIz6jPwOHCIyODC5UWatz26tIDTCADKGtMXk_rbwU1HFeZ4pVOwBTNCropbkzcTRSE6b6_DtTkcciW6hLIFV6l1s/s320/IMG_1772.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is three days of backpacking food for six people...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp8iFoOg9tRHGUODvNK-fCjrv3Y2anGEywD8VswwlXNkg4KY0ZHKIVWI_hjfNoJsdLyXokIih9XnN3NmyyH78hs-C-Fe0ERU6LY_pporn9mtntKjmRZQqReRfyYTO15QgtkA19T0lxPM/s1600/P1050296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp8iFoOg9tRHGUODvNK-fCjrv3Y2anGEywD8VswwlXNkg4KY0ZHKIVWI_hjfNoJsdLyXokIih9XnN3NmyyH78hs-C-Fe0ERU6LY_pporn9mtntKjmRZQqReRfyYTO15QgtkA19T0lxPM/s320/P1050296.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They actually all genuinely liked the "Mexican style chicken and rice" (see I am a good cook. very romantic) Only Hayley(9 yr old girl in pink) was into my "Beef Pho", so that is what I ate...</td></tr>
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That night was interesting. First warning sign was that our stuff was already wet when we crawled into our sleeping backs. The inside of the tarp was wet. And then I realized my strategic error of campsite selection. Being next to the creek in a valley puts moisture on everything! Only the boys in the double walled tent escaped the situation. Next issue: The girls couldn't handle the croaks of the frogs. The sound was driving them crazy. And some noisy neighbors(without kids of course, because who would be crazy enough to take a bunch of little kids backpacking?) Then the cold came. My wife has a superpower: she can sleep on her good ear and no amount of noise will bother her (she had meningitis when she was one year old and lost all hearing in her right ear) - so she was out quick(I didn't know that she was nursing a headache that was only getting worse). When it started getting cold the girls started voicing their grievances. Of course this was mostly directed towards me because they know mommy when she goes to sleep... About those "20 degree" ratings: I assume they mean you could sleep (however uncomfortably) in 20 degree weather if you used the bag correctly. And if the bag was dry... moisture inhibits the insulation capabilities. Try explaining to a seven year old that she has to sleep on her back and put her head in the mummy compartment and cinch the breathing opening around their mouth, etc to trap heat! There is no way. So by 10 p.m. it was definitely not working. I was empathizing big time and knew that they were in agony, especially Ada. I went with the first solution I could think of. I invited my 7 yr old into my mummy bag with me(to hypothetically share body heat - if we could actually fit...) Well, it took some major contorting that included me putting one arm above my head to reduce the width of my shoulders and basically wrapping around her. It was a tight fit that stretched my bag (more on this later), but she was immediately 100% better and promptly fell asleep in my involuntary embrace. I instructed Hayley how to use the mummy bag correctly (she was not a fan and abandoned the instructions promptly, leading to a nighttime of moaning and complaining - which I took in full force because in inviting Ada into my bag I pretty much committed to no sleep that night), and then I told her to put Ada's bag on top of hers to act like a blanket. This worked at first and then she tossed in her sleep and Ada's bag was off and she was complaining again. Ada and I engaged in a dance that we called "changing sides", because in my body contortion one side of my body would get fatigued, go numb, and then start hurting, so I would request a side change and we would wiggle for several minutes while attempting to stay on the sleeping pad and achieve the new position. It was not idea, but it was doable. Then I started to get cold. Ada had it nice: she basically had a 200 lb heat generating meat blanked surrounding her. I had a stretched feather bag that had now lost it's insulating capability. The insulation comes from the air barrier created by the feathers in the bag separating the air of outside and inside. Well, imagine what happens when the feathers are squished together? So I was shaking and Ada would ask: Are you cold daddy? and I would answer: "I'm ok". It is ok. Shivering is just the bodies response to core temperature dropping below nominal. Shivering means muscle contraction, which means using energy, which means internally generating heat. You just can't really sleep when you are shivering, or at least I can't. But in this situation it didn't really change anything. Just a little bit uncomfortable - been there, done that. Oh yeah, and the boys slept like rocks. They were the only ones. <br />
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I was thankful for the sunrise. I got up first and started away on the herculean task of packing up all of that stuff and trying to fit it back into our packs, all the while trying to manage the comfort of my family: Keeping a couple of kids in the adult bags while I packed up their stuff, etc. It was a dance of sorts, a very logistically challenging dance. Also, there was frost on our stuff, so yeah, it got cold. Joanne was a trooper that night, and endured a big headache that abated by some time in the middle of the night, right when she started getting cold and thinking about how to communicate her will to abandon day two of wilderness sleeping (we planned a 3 day trip). When she woke up in the morning and found out about our fun night she was relieved and knew that we were locked into hiking back to the car that day. Don't get me wrong, I think she felt sorry for us, but relief was definitely foremost in her mind, lol. So I plotted the quickest way back to the van.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBV2Jxv2x9cHmYta6VK4gvO5wsEtZapBdSyVZphHp-7Xwr708sgveE20YjPjcbhovW8nI4ICH2ub8XUQYZnPGxZlsF_YAim-V2nE-K7wLfzgZHY2uvOAPYYTekzIMUi-bf22hibfLPpA/s1600/P1050298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBV2Jxv2x9cHmYta6VK4gvO5wsEtZapBdSyVZphHp-7Xwr708sgveE20YjPjcbhovW8nI4ICH2ub8XUQYZnPGxZlsF_YAim-V2nE-K7wLfzgZHY2uvOAPYYTekzIMUi-bf22hibfLPpA/s320/P1050298.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seth: sporting his mothers jacked to stay warm for the morning hike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghroqc337zXMrWL0FlMZOoZ8xwogRoOkTWEqAkJplYrasmqTvoQbjrdnbVr-cOQo_4UansGLZxMRDXO95kPWNmNNbcxMZnsXhyphenhyphen8MHn7uL7DavEPDYe6QgDQHgSp-O9y7Pdez4JOP2qwa0/s1600/IMG_1847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghroqc337zXMrWL0FlMZOoZ8xwogRoOkTWEqAkJplYrasmqTvoQbjrdnbVr-cOQo_4UansGLZxMRDXO95kPWNmNNbcxMZnsXhyphenhyphen8MHn7uL7DavEPDYe6QgDQHgSp-O9y7Pdez4JOP2qwa0/s320/IMG_1847.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am sure Blake (3 yr old with orange hat) was telling me about all of the fun he was having... He was, in general, a pretty good trooper. I mean, what should you expect from a 3 year old kid? He slowed us down a lot though and it took all of our tricks to keep him going. Candy, contests, stories, uphill towing - everything was on the table.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJL6T2vGUjS6hDLP4NrLXhwk-AGBOyAgKY_zZwDADNhkwAvlw1kf8KRWwN08AqhhoZlCOK4ekqEVu5HnMXiAFg2cQNvt8AGM10jncBpV7ypEo_OaQVMHD017n3-MN27GD83G8Nq5zvaI/s1600/IMG_1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJL6T2vGUjS6hDLP4NrLXhwk-AGBOyAgKY_zZwDADNhkwAvlw1kf8KRWwN08AqhhoZlCOK4ekqEVu5HnMXiAFg2cQNvt8AGM10jncBpV7ypEo_OaQVMHD017n3-MN27GD83G8Nq5zvaI/s320/IMG_1855.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hayley: being goofy with 2 miles to go.</td></tr>
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We covered 10 miles on day one (didn't plan such a big day, but it actually turned out pretty good). 7 miles to get back to the car on day two. I thought the kids did great. They were strong, hiking well with weight on their backs and getting it done. Joanne is a tough woman. She carried a big load and never complained about the situation. And it was valentines day. I am so lucky to have such a fun family that are willing to tackle adventures with me! Next time I think we will be better prepared. At least we had some good learning opportunities and much fun was had.<br />
<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-68709238749389778522016-01-18T14:15:00.000-08:002016-01-18T14:15:38.733-08:00Cone Peak w/ James and Paul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Headed down to Big Sur to do some fun mountain scaling with buddies James and Paul. Cloudy, overcast day: good for running, not so good for views. Here are some pics and a few clips from traversing the ridge from Twin Peaks over to Cone Peak: (Lots of blurriness because of the moisture - sorry)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jm14dlgUyo7BTHhLVoq9NwsgJ8nuTLcsPTb2ZTqAQG8FZ-mAycx6eVYcUkbyOQvqhr4kY0-0wqEkcyhdegKCiFpIv3el8R1y-oMgc2Rrqethby4LxXtAlaqhKKNbFf9x29bx80MIS8Q/s1600/P1050165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jm14dlgUyo7BTHhLVoq9NwsgJ8nuTLcsPTb2ZTqAQG8FZ-mAycx6eVYcUkbyOQvqhr4kY0-0wqEkcyhdegKCiFpIv3el8R1y-oMgc2Rrqethby4LxXtAlaqhKKNbFf9x29bx80MIS8Q/s320/P1050165.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limkiln State Beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEJw0jL1VRHhlTc0ySP1w3sxhtTHRTB9HkPpQyQx9PW-axrMVQ_-DGwEfvdYOIQ6PJdC4TEZj-l5nOM8Epu5pQjzbti_-_wcjiiQFro94B0PF2ZMxyKTp_1e7i62jR416vRm0UETGQqw/s1600/P1050166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEJw0jL1VRHhlTc0ySP1w3sxhtTHRTB9HkPpQyQx9PW-axrMVQ_-DGwEfvdYOIQ6PJdC4TEZj-l5nOM8Epu5pQjzbti_-_wcjiiQFro94B0PF2ZMxyKTp_1e7i62jR416vRm0UETGQqw/s320/P1050166.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cone Peak hiding somewhere back there in the clouds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R0ZHTeaR1QPOM5Y6vScCBI3I9QECxPXw3n7IemmOxu2aFFRv8uaQDdhVtbrCy5XfT2YDlq_wNorp3oAjoWy_Yvz1qrmyN3ZP5z7VPiRXlGyd9lK-xf1ktCKxAjChkD0QhcPG34dz1RY/s1600/P1050167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R0ZHTeaR1QPOM5Y6vScCBI3I9QECxPXw3n7IemmOxu2aFFRv8uaQDdhVtbrCy5XfT2YDlq_wNorp3oAjoWy_Yvz1qrmyN3ZP5z7VPiRXlGyd9lK-xf1ktCKxAjChkD0QhcPG34dz1RY/s320/P1050167.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High surf advisory today. The waves on the beach surprise you.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTcqzz6-8u2hpwvnQIZbUri65exmjGlpdOT-anM50InI0f58PJH3dNcgKEZXqkyKkXbZv3q4wvrA6g4AbPAd4DxwkzVY97NnxJZ8JeELZM-KXukjdC_QeBN7zyiLm7JhvsqkOyNwmYEY/s1600/P1050171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTcqzz6-8u2hpwvnQIZbUri65exmjGlpdOT-anM50InI0f58PJH3dNcgKEZXqkyKkXbZv3q4wvrA6g4AbPAd4DxwkzVY97NnxJZ8JeELZM-KXukjdC_QeBN7zyiLm7JhvsqkOyNwmYEY/s320/P1050171.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James dubs this run "Sea to Sky". So here we are at the Sea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUvNEz3F38ueKKMekt2qp_NeZQpbdWE-kBKpV92AXwDSKDPVVt5oRHdb5bzSXo9f6pKIQXDxXgf9w3tNiADC0EwEMDN9o6fDoLng5FZfPjxWb0i-fqx8O0TGfgW57zmOfgo3ayJQvlog/s1600/P1050175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUvNEz3F38ueKKMekt2qp_NeZQpbdWE-kBKpV92AXwDSKDPVVt5oRHdb5bzSXo9f6pKIQXDxXgf9w3tNiADC0EwEMDN9o6fDoLng5FZfPjxWb0i-fqx8O0TGfgW57zmOfgo3ayJQvlog/s320/P1050175.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the kilns.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO0vXPeUjdJeQWVsdHi5MVcSgOygmnUqag_I7dLxf5_uL5kdRfwPnr3z6WGXDMRF2cI5CA-_RfAjVEXWyakAhAZR7w1nkWY2Zy79ihWpx2rJ9muf2rLQrG6p_qbFAfpPAwg3V1oU62WI/s1600/P1050176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO0vXPeUjdJeQWVsdHi5MVcSgOygmnUqag_I7dLxf5_uL5kdRfwPnr3z6WGXDMRF2cI5CA-_RfAjVEXWyakAhAZR7w1nkWY2Zy79ihWpx2rJ9muf2rLQrG6p_qbFAfpPAwg3V1oU62WI/s320/P1050176.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The majesty of the Redwoods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57Pbmt6Tea9tEIIwNBCtsVG6GNB0VsWQAzqAznU_3Gvtj-zvY2optFpLLPJANTtw93NFV40lIvZ6wO8lQqfWFQ_eu37tcJIX_J7zsVpHZ-PK3R2VgZMbNVYkq1_3NAuwoQxUxKL3oDO8/s1600/P1050186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57Pbmt6Tea9tEIIwNBCtsVG6GNB0VsWQAzqAznU_3Gvtj-zvY2optFpLLPJANTtw93NFV40lIvZ6wO8lQqfWFQ_eu37tcJIX_J7zsVpHZ-PK3R2VgZMbNVYkq1_3NAuwoQxUxKL3oDO8/s320/P1050186.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing the ridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjp8YHpe-wZEeo3i64A9S-Dkm0hjAbvCszCIjB7JYex18oKJAhAqRxeJQcijtK0VJdFcjrFFoU-bQPMuAXP3rWiOs8qsaCmZOvBF2MeyMh2U8a_HWVGu_lFlqKUo1CyVD9sOlkti2lhc/s1600/P1050188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjp8YHpe-wZEeo3i64A9S-Dkm0hjAbvCszCIjB7JYex18oKJAhAqRxeJQcijtK0VJdFcjrFFoU-bQPMuAXP3rWiOs8qsaCmZOvBF2MeyMh2U8a_HWVGu_lFlqKUo1CyVD9sOlkti2lhc/s320/P1050188.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the second layer of clouds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Pqvo0-P9groPfyJLZ8ZBKbWWb03xTNHCb4RTvZGNVkw9tTr0tui81g1TtlGtmn5UE1_fc77t51Zd4i_iUSMSBCJstKHwbKlx8EmceOwhaFwhpbKwG13SxpdLfRjtXSWgsL0o7X01n4Q/s1600/P1050189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Pqvo0-P9groPfyJLZ8ZBKbWWb03xTNHCb4RTvZGNVkw9tTr0tui81g1TtlGtmn5UE1_fc77t51Zd4i_iUSMSBCJstKHwbKlx8EmceOwhaFwhpbKwG13SxpdLfRjtXSWgsL0o7X01n4Q/s320/P1050189.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secluded camp site.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZrB2sbUop854ZfEus5Nd-85BspFF0eohjEX8e9-v0-M5lhksknZO_Oy_QA_LPpTdhWb6mCJhyphenhyphenG3xVreoVg4sjgoFBquFWRk6A4EEUH0aSUw4iHN-AvNLJofED2cQdWh4nHYj08wFpaQ/s1600/P1050191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZrB2sbUop854ZfEus5Nd-85BspFF0eohjEX8e9-v0-M5lhksknZO_Oy_QA_LPpTdhWb6mCJhyphenhyphenG3xVreoVg4sjgoFBquFWRk6A4EEUH0aSUw4iHN-AvNLJofED2cQdWh4nHYj08wFpaQ/s320/P1050191.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot James?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ztXwYG24fhLDWWZdcF4sL8ck1B5U-1JcDQAfQVcpHkIFOktSv7jEt132QomwprDaDqk4HnIyRdUiGd1oRw9sZJKywPiojCU6OcgrQLqGabl96LZfGCShBNBJZ9Sh4sqk_rswRlnET5I/s1600/P1050195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ztXwYG24fhLDWWZdcF4sL8ck1B5U-1JcDQAfQVcpHkIFOktSv7jEt132QomwprDaDqk4HnIyRdUiGd1oRw9sZJKywPiojCU6OcgrQLqGabl96LZfGCShBNBJZ9Sh4sqk_rswRlnET5I/s320/P1050195.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin Peak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUIgQUEa1AwAIqVT31AvTvTMq8XTrpKEOaeJDp1JW38tkEC9I1zThOZxhhrx_EVmDRvqvWIwiuBl7ONrf8cO-Mzbgl3uzsUvdHtOL6vlZRy2JkOYRnVMmtqbZYppa3l0nFf33TzcXhbQ/s1600/P1050201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUIgQUEa1AwAIqVT31AvTvTMq8XTrpKEOaeJDp1JW38tkEC9I1zThOZxhhrx_EVmDRvqvWIwiuBl7ONrf8cO-Mzbgl3uzsUvdHtOL6vlZRy2JkOYRnVMmtqbZYppa3l0nFf33TzcXhbQ/s320/P1050201.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "sky" portion of the run. Lunch on the fire tower.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsis3iLxTYAA8atPVaXyGAC_gixN3f0Kggd90tqlsxXcYVGv24QIJ711JqD-z_Clv0XlR3ZAkyaAW-DB_9KDZGmETRRdQB0z2MVT8RGYboA9l6zGd2e5r0sZ3XQWnBoOy9x8OAQKj6fU/s1600/P1050205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsis3iLxTYAA8atPVaXyGAC_gixN3f0Kggd90tqlsxXcYVGv24QIJ711JqD-z_Clv0XlR3ZAkyaAW-DB_9KDZGmETRRdQB0z2MVT8RGYboA9l6zGd2e5r0sZ3XQWnBoOy9x8OAQKj6fU/s320/P1050205.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traditional water stop on the way down.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y_HIoWfyGApNfAfQcRhzetoHThhrj7IT2cxo_2M915RdJF0N9Ub8kJPjbmjStZyvvVlimY1pO5DqhIa2WSOTH4A-B1sEeB2MbB2Y6XXNjHj60tQNO9hiwktZoxejLk5BK-QOGS13t0A/s1600/P1050207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y_HIoWfyGApNfAfQcRhzetoHThhrj7IT2cxo_2M915RdJF0N9Ub8kJPjbmjStZyvvVlimY1pO5DqhIa2WSOTH4A-B1sEeB2MbB2Y6XXNjHj60tQNO9hiwktZoxejLk5BK-QOGS13t0A/s320/P1050207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under water shot of our "water supply" no filtering required.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnrsPS2Ecn2YpoJAbTxK7Asbd3A2eaTEXQ2_nleM2-vI73sG0xkTS0CO-YsV8rgRUaKxwG29GWKCPs_M1AmlxDlERaS4hJL6uxhF7n3O3HXKO8YmdLx5o7Vyf85IEm_C6QGJ5DvyxvN0/s1600/P1050210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnrsPS2Ecn2YpoJAbTxK7Asbd3A2eaTEXQ2_nleM2-vI73sG0xkTS0CO-YsV8rgRUaKxwG29GWKCPs_M1AmlxDlERaS4hJL6uxhF7n3O3HXKO8YmdLx5o7Vyf85IEm_C6QGJ5DvyxvN0/s320/P1050210.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quads were burning at this point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feels better now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Told you those waves sneak up on you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignjJgtUkmwqw3W8PmEkIDe5wTvWHzyCzzb6B98qO6XrJTMnEkVt5hFKduiBxntkGSCUbApcj70-BpA8qT0Q49etYSDCLSKTOyirZgaXVtUApXHlx6UgEHTzMm6Kn35EN-432HNn5jJPA/s1600/P1050229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignjJgtUkmwqw3W8PmEkIDe5wTvWHzyCzzb6B98qO6XrJTMnEkVt5hFKduiBxntkGSCUbApcj70-BpA8qT0Q49etYSDCLSKTOyirZgaXVtUApXHlx6UgEHTzMm6Kn35EN-432HNn5jJPA/s320/P1050229.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess this was sea to sky to sea!</td></tr>
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Ridge Traversing:</div>
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-54002264700346017682015-12-09T19:17:00.000-08:002015-12-10T09:24:09.017-08:00Hunter S. Thompson Fear and Loathing 50 kilos ReportI don't know the history of this event, you can check out their website if you care. I first did the 50 mile version of this fat ass in 2011. It was my second 50 mile race two weeks after my first at Dick Collins Firetrails. The concept is pretty straight forward: just follow the 49 mile scenic drive in San Francisco. It is a great sight seeing tour and there are plenty of beverages and sustainment that one might obtain along the way. No need for aid stations! But there are some awesome volunteers that go ahead and set up aid stations out of the back of their cars along the way. I was looking forward to a nice "fun" run in the city and just doing the 50 km course so I could get back home in time to fulfill some family obligations...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 50 km course. You go counter-clockwise.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH_cYmi5NFr_YJqnfy25IBnmM4YZhrKF8dwXnvDetIxMFoL4vbhNu63U5u60J5z7Q6AFxaHeESZJTuMuJ47gGSjoqXE2V6xiPvlx16e8G-HpYfD4hFII0cqpc3Bh2lo2w_ehf7MvzzH4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-12-09+at+8.30.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH_cYmi5NFr_YJqnfy25IBnmM4YZhrKF8dwXnvDetIxMFoL4vbhNu63U5u60J5z7Q6AFxaHeESZJTuMuJ47gGSjoqXE2V6xiPvlx16e8G-HpYfD4hFII0cqpc3Bh2lo2w_ehf7MvzzH4/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-12-09+at+8.30.47+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevation profile.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For some reason my wife liked this picture from the top of Twin Peaks at the start of the race.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty good crowd for a fat-ass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of Jean taking a picture...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiping and Keith Blom were the instigators of this event. Chiping is the guy in blue, helping out at the first aid station.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The SF SOMA skyline is changing. I don't remember any of those tall buildings the last time I was here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This church has an impressive roof.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stan and company getting us fueled up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was just cruising when I noticed this dude jogging in the middle of the street. Poor guy was mumbling profanities every other footstep. As I pulled out my turn sheet to figure out where to go next he yelled at me the exact directions for the next three turns. The guy is Errol "Rocket" Jones, and this is his birthday race. He and his club have been doing this race for thirty years and it is right around his birthday. His hamstring was giving him some issues but he was determined to get it done today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjpmk7JyEtVAGYs2Cyx3vn6P9KVs78axY1id440XM0Lsu4YrrRfueXziQAe1fLOpHjti_6E_NsDlqWMI74t3c8HyTPH3_JZiaREGxJTnLVmU4D-tgX_GocwF1OESaliRScd6VDVymxPw/s1600/P1050098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjpmk7JyEtVAGYs2Cyx3vn6P9KVs78axY1id440XM0Lsu4YrrRfueXziQAe1fLOpHjti_6E_NsDlqWMI74t3c8HyTPH3_JZiaREGxJTnLVmU4D-tgX_GocwF1OESaliRScd6VDVymxPw/s320/P1050098.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the church that many of the other runners didn't get to see because they followed the provided turn sheet. I too would have missed it, but as I took the incorrect turn I heard Earl's booming voice from a block away to put me back on course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the city as we climb up to the tower.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghirardelli Square.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcatraz.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Gate somewhere back there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This aid station had birthday cake for "Rocket", hot cider, and champagne. Awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the crew that I was cruising with for most of the run. Rocket, Suzanne Bon, Todd, and guy in green.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aid station where you have to decide to go for the 50 miler or cut back to Twin Peaks and finish the 50k. I chose the 50k - family stuff later in the day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back up to the peak.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with other finishers before heading home.</td></tr>
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-88251708302403652882015-09-23T16:23:00.000-07:002015-09-23T16:23:10.526-07:00IMTUF 100 Race Report 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't remember at what point after our trip to Burgdorf last year that my family and I decided that we were going to return this year, but I think it was pretty soon that we started talking about it. It was such a great 100 mile race venue and the perfect family get-away. Oh, and of course, I had unfinished business here.<br />
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A couple of weeks out from the race we were informed about a course change due to a couple of fires in the area. Several features of the race were removed and Jeremy (the race director) redesigned the course to include some new destinations and challenges. From what I could tell just reading the online chatter it was going to be a tough but beautiful new course and I was getting excited.</div>
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The training had been going well. I took a somewhat radically different approach to my preparation for the race this year, thinking that one of the reasons I had issues last year was that I might have been a little bit over-cooked going into the race with some pretty substantial training that I had done. Last year I was averaging around 300 to 350 miles and 50000 ft of climbing per month for the four months leading up to IMTUF. This year I backed off significantly with only about 200 to 250 miles and 30000 ft of climbing, but also injecting some fun long outings such as the solstice 24 hr and a couple of really fun high sierra backpacking trips.</div>
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This year some friends from church, the Valencias: Joel and Kassandra and their two boys Owen and Noah decided to join us in Burgdorf for the fun. We usually plan a trip with them and this year it just made sense to combine our family trip into the race weekend as this is definitely a great place to take the kids and enjoy some new mountains!</div>
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Here are some pics of the Burgdorf setup:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDN81YepDbaAlKic9KAqzPYo4Lui9xFwG3U431QBIV_EAGOG0Ncf4TGEE0fzFbn81fRPBG2CypY08HJ25SuIM2Ij51dJZViVBS3Jot2apwMMglItFye7j7vdhZnSQCXrbUzi6q5dmOKVU/s1600/IMG_8092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDN81YepDbaAlKic9KAqzPYo4Lui9xFwG3U431QBIV_EAGOG0Ncf4TGEE0fzFbn81fRPBG2CypY08HJ25SuIM2Ij51dJZViVBS3Jot2apwMMglItFye7j7vdhZnSQCXrbUzi6q5dmOKVU/s640/IMG_8092.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burgdorf in the morning. See the steam coming off of the pool? And the frost? Awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsXIxg3TFCZWLUCFIEVrU8hyphenhyphenre_ej9domAJUqyIzqwIDUjmqtWJYPcIe5jyfXoTc31Y4jZwoAmwL7RTY7JVrtCVkFlOKKU2B_sDZJxfvilvYghFNLkf8J0Mp9ylYCf0zX5bNdF0PSaOs/s1600/IMG_8093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsXIxg3TFCZWLUCFIEVrU8hyphenhyphenre_ej9domAJUqyIzqwIDUjmqtWJYPcIe5jyfXoTc31Y4jZwoAmwL7RTY7JVrtCVkFlOKKU2B_sDZJxfvilvYghFNLkf8J0Mp9ylYCf0zX5bNdF0PSaOs/s400/IMG_8093.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cabin: Mary. Joanne's favorite part is the view out the front!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QkBBXPKpOe9LvV1pykREqbLO-V-mdeZPP3Scon1Aa1UBO90wP4GtkY7wArpVXeqJ7hYRKDCPdf7As4EjNxG3f-DIwVTUs9kqiXubOoJnla1gfikf-HGvA8htNuQTWpD9Tt6oukSMymk/s1600/IMG_8185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QkBBXPKpOe9LvV1pykREqbLO-V-mdeZPP3Scon1Aa1UBO90wP4GtkY7wArpVXeqJ7hYRKDCPdf7As4EjNxG3f-DIwVTUs9kqiXubOoJnla1gfikf-HGvA8htNuQTWpD9Tt6oukSMymk/s400/IMG_8185.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">View from the source spring pools. These pools were so hot, you could only last a few minutes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9p6FzMelKavFme_AXO811g0rKTWcARQXn8yP2PfdbHYfQIrs98dvk9d4vWoqeuu8X2CqshQxx70PKyjjU0dhdrger16rQiRMB-SoTd2url3yXvgz6TFxCdUeNsBHj8frIR4MXeQL0Ok/s1600/P1040829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9p6FzMelKavFme_AXO811g0rKTWcARQXn8yP2PfdbHYfQIrs98dvk9d4vWoqeuu8X2CqshQxx70PKyjjU0dhdrger16rQiRMB-SoTd2url3yXvgz6TFxCdUeNsBHj8frIR4MXeQL0Ok/s320/P1040829.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">This is where boys like to play. Drainage from pools.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-x2X5fLkpAGdG-43k3OPDzFKugdcXV2ttrhRXw8M9kmwpKGwsNSgMQ8F2RsfgbdilRCfcFNZTtIgNRLhtYpB8jj3qgeixWuflw-F-VWG8C0ljw0s4tbJwklOG0xSFlB_RIl7lQbsqf0/s1600/P1040834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-x2X5fLkpAGdG-43k3OPDzFKugdcXV2ttrhRXw8M9kmwpKGwsNSgMQ8F2RsfgbdilRCfcFNZTtIgNRLhtYpB8jj3qgeixWuflw-F-VWG8C0ljw0s4tbJwklOG0xSFlB_RIl7lQbsqf0/s320/P1040834.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">This is what its all about.</td></tr>
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On Friday evening we had our pre-race briefing by the race director duo of husband and wife team of Jeremy and Brandi by the pool:</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_NfV88OjvF_NJ9yauA8Zz-YFPGdBqqS6MLXhsUxDV6TozDGwjHxfZ6GD13nPFNrNp0hWFZ9B5UYhHr8YP0BQ6iehOxCy_xhDotI6YcPK9bOaQOqLqp4WKt4SYK6j2h2_NF_8q2IpYfI/s1600/P1040812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_NfV88OjvF_NJ9yauA8Zz-YFPGdBqqS6MLXhsUxDV6TozDGwjHxfZ6GD13nPFNrNp0hWFZ9B5UYhHr8YP0BQ6iehOxCy_xhDotI6YcPK9bOaQOqLqp4WKt4SYK6j2h2_NF_8q2IpYfI/s400/P1040812.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Pre-race meeting on Friday. Photo by Joanne.</td></tr>
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I woke up at 5 a.m. Saturday morning to go to the club house to sign in and get some coffee. Start was at 6. I took my coffee back to the cabin and worked on getting a good fire going for the family to wake up to. While working on the fire, I made final preparations with my running pack and visited the restroom(outhouse in this case - yay). It was getting close to race start and I was still fumbling around with getting the fire nice and hot before I decided to split. As I made my way out the back door I heard the hooping and hollering down at the start line and decided I should probably hustle. As I got closer I heard the countdown and realized I was going to miss the start! The runners took off after the horn was blown but I was weaving through all of the spectators as they turned to go back to their nice, warm cabins. No problem, there is no reason to get anxious about a few seconds in a 100 mile race... I just settled into a nice, easy pace and started catching up with the pack.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsGOemEUpcbXFVp_RgHTEv6uhtgUS21zMCazlNjjxD-DiZGq2Up-j3vnS1hyj_V08Z9G7MU2CLr108XrYY5qG8ZrsdBhTxCViQ8VzaEwieuVDyUookxIvpZt7UHV1LYb55rl16ROkXLQ/s1600/P1040846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsGOemEUpcbXFVp_RgHTEv6uhtgUS21zMCazlNjjxD-DiZGq2Up-j3vnS1hyj_V08Z9G7MU2CLr108XrYY5qG8ZrsdBhTxCViQ8VzaEwieuVDyUookxIvpZt7UHV1LYb55rl16ROkXLQ/s320/P1040846.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Willow Basket, right as the sun is coming up. This was a highlight both years for me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBffU6rUDwGxdrWF8Nvwxj2yKwajvpIinbpZKCtehidMvaeKF8TbZp36-p6r830p3AzZ0f80WmcbjLB3Z2zZJnOKGIIj942QyjgdcUwDiQsNVZAPQ06kv2od5XRWWHBnJ_uUBbT3YZrV4/s1600/P1040859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBffU6rUDwGxdrWF8Nvwxj2yKwajvpIinbpZKCtehidMvaeKF8TbZp36-p6r830p3AzZ0f80WmcbjLB3Z2zZJnOKGIIj942QyjgdcUwDiQsNVZAPQ06kv2od5XRWWHBnJ_uUBbT3YZrV4/s400/P1040859.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I probably got this same pic last year: looking down into the valley we just climbed up from going to Diamond Ridge.</td></tr>
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One of the biggest treats at the race this year for me was snow on the high passes! It was such a trip to hike up higher and higher and see the snow up there and then all of the sudden you are in it - making snow-balls, eating it, putting it in your hat - I think this is still technically summer, right?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yUpbvwZwzArfAG2RzzZPlneJDNtl98QemdeXN79mviWpSz4v_rcwgp4TUdmLdOUuiFhUn8ObS7o2tgmJ_BkMLcimg9nnh_UKaHWXeM3nchkXCkqk6Xge2UDzYiaOlt5Dc-gulL7IwMo/s1600/P1040869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yUpbvwZwzArfAG2RzzZPlneJDNtl98QemdeXN79mviWpSz4v_rcwgp4TUdmLdOUuiFhUn8ObS7o2tgmJ_BkMLcimg9nnh_UKaHWXeM3nchkXCkqk6Xge2UDzYiaOlt5Dc-gulL7IwMo/s400/P1040869.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other side of Diamond Ridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwicFdJEB_z2wSfP0bh9FAQlGkOFz3Nj2BKYt2IPKLPYCPJjT5dVVoGgRbZyU49hQV4fhrUt6U6emdZ3BV2cTUQhk78xvJr5ezcxQj9W3UNQjqwhF1lhhGQXJjqZ4g5BGIK2hF-hX7FGo/s1600/IMG_8105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwicFdJEB_z2wSfP0bh9FAQlGkOFz3Nj2BKYt2IPKLPYCPJjT5dVVoGgRbZyU49hQV4fhrUt6U6emdZ3BV2cTUQhk78xvJr5ezcxQj9W3UNQjqwhF1lhhGQXJjqZ4g5BGIK2hF-hX7FGo/s320/IMG_8105.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Jogging down to Upper Payette Lake aid station. Crew in tow. Credit: Joanne</td></tr>
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As I ran down the hill into the Upper Payette aid station at mile 24 I knew to expect the whole crew to be there to cheer me on. It was pretty funny and chaotic as there were literally children everywhere trying to chase me down the trail. The video at the end kind of captures this mayhem. Joanne was extremely helpful in getting me set up with all of my stuff and getting my on my way. I got to do hugs and high fives with the kids and catch up a little on what kind of fun they were having with the day so far. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBlaMZFLkp-u1yeG9UjxPR3AU85lCztXA7yYZT8qA8T_5G0duK-Wu7NnZToKWkvBaFFfuZd9wL7IqII4MAiUnfnp00T3CUP-geoNjTCbwkWhmwj9r43mQEPT-juxF7qp5HSRikksNTtM/s1600/P1040876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBlaMZFLkp-u1yeG9UjxPR3AU85lCztXA7yYZT8qA8T_5G0duK-Wu7NnZToKWkvBaFFfuZd9wL7IqII4MAiUnfnp00T3CUP-geoNjTCbwkWhmwj9r43mQEPT-juxF7qp5HSRikksNTtM/s400/P1040876.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole crew!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_yqdpIPJD2V5oUmj7T_99vfZJ3YU2YryEeUkUTPKF2GFgXiEogGcEd4TSrzGkzTTXuKNnbmRB6J-3jUXsMOpSM-uLc7q7_oELcjpcwzctqZb-cnOSUMvPyqrArhI4nMX49x7Py51mVs/s1600/P1040877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_yqdpIPJD2V5oUmj7T_99vfZJ3YU2YryEeUkUTPKF2GFgXiEogGcEd4TSrzGkzTTXuKNnbmRB6J-3jUXsMOpSM-uLc7q7_oELcjpcwzctqZb-cnOSUMvPyqrArhI4nMX49x7Py51mVs/s320/P1040877.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the "upper" Payette Lakes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvVz42dyslp9f0A4b160ly8dTmeFdFL50-8E392cNkGDsLecuFfvDlgR6cAAE9xgkhNW7mZ5IiDLtDQq_HiWD8ASuVYC3Ss4RQJ7CLRyJx9srcJqLHj3j9S6bpOUyad_V18PEJKQy83g/s1600/P1040880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvVz42dyslp9f0A4b160ly8dTmeFdFL50-8E392cNkGDsLecuFfvDlgR6cAAE9xgkhNW7mZ5IiDLtDQq_HiWD8ASuVYC3Ss4RQJ7CLRyJx9srcJqLHj3j9S6bpOUyad_V18PEJKQy83g/s320/P1040880.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The real Upper Payette Lake.</td></tr>
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I had kept hearing about this thing called the "Terrible Terrence" trail. I suppose it was some kind of a game trail/sheep trail that was usually pretty brushy and hard to follow and not really much fun to travel on, but sort of the most efficient way to get us up to the fire road that took us to the crestline trail - which is where Jeremy really wanted us to be. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, the sheep that graze this land had already been through the area and mowed down the grass, making it much easier to navigate. But instead of grass, there was poop everywhere! Oh well -this section didn't last too long. Pretty soon we were dumped out onto the fire road which was this annoyingly moderate pitch that was completely runnable if I wanted to wear myself out for a 100 mile race - so instead I put myself into fast hiking gear and cruised my way up to the crestline. The road itself wasn't much fun - but the views were incredible!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOu2r_VLdaVp_hYjaFvro6xgAizRBJyX7pkp5ErHMNmAJcMgHsPJ7mEGpZI4EJBgApyV38YGyb4oYzWCLyuk41YmmwyDrxxFD4PZYOZpzz7tw-SR4qd1IhGCcKqPl55BRYLxM1moGtwU/s1600/P1040883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOu2r_VLdaVp_hYjaFvro6xgAizRBJyX7pkp5ErHMNmAJcMgHsPJ7mEGpZI4EJBgApyV38YGyb4oYzWCLyuk41YmmwyDrxxFD4PZYOZpzz7tw-SR4qd1IhGCcKqPl55BRYLxM1moGtwU/s400/P1040883.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views while climbing the fire road up to the crestline trailhead.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK7R91Gu3kOjjrn0g4Vuebw5fhBiwg0TcsVwsF__QjFyYLGIhvDV-uGOQ105V4ztzWUnVqGkt-QQkNHMuJbOoK6NL0BDhRBl4PE-Pt0awMZg7kJnvkKdPxXlNzgbEbljhRBD2ZBVZtPI/s1600/P1040890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK7R91Gu3kOjjrn0g4Vuebw5fhBiwg0TcsVwsF__QjFyYLGIhvDV-uGOQ105V4ztzWUnVqGkt-QQkNHMuJbOoK6NL0BDhRBl4PE-Pt0awMZg7kJnvkKdPxXlNzgbEbljhRBD2ZBVZtPI/s320/P1040890.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crestline.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa4C_73naxuZL90iFnfiQN7mnsglatU_6k0ws_xGiG6YnOe8PTm3Beh1H1IaVRpPxXLWZuIZZSZUGEMB8X2AOPUwS6RG_36GRrRvtdr4tyheb9bWEWKDCqzOuzNwwwejhdnAn1BNfJYA/s1600/P1040891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa4C_73naxuZL90iFnfiQN7mnsglatU_6k0ws_xGiG6YnOe8PTm3Beh1H1IaVRpPxXLWZuIZZSZUGEMB8X2AOPUwS6RG_36GRrRvtdr4tyheb9bWEWKDCqzOuzNwwwejhdnAn1BNfJYA/s400/P1040891.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible meadows up on the crestline!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwJlIpzZJRhqdl4LyjG2yPXVmGO6DnynfDiefBIejlh2v55N1HSGhLSclAXJDuLl_tAmfmut_SQ_MjbVuQ5Vpb7nxl8NxuTZIORw9ts_R5_plC_e6Tw5tvtvAU4QmtiNwpvUEPWD_6YE/s1600/P1040893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwJlIpzZJRhqdl4LyjG2yPXVmGO6DnynfDiefBIejlh2v55N1HSGhLSclAXJDuLl_tAmfmut_SQ_MjbVuQ5Vpb7nxl8NxuTZIORw9ts_R5_plC_e6Tw5tvtvAU4QmtiNwpvUEPWD_6YE/s400/P1040893.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine lake up on the crestline.</td></tr>
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I had met this man named Tom Sawyer up on the crestline and shared several miles with him. He is ex Army who was in Afghanistan and New Orleans. He showed me all of the trees that he had cut out with his chainsaw prior to the race so we could cruise the trails (he is a local who is also an ultra-runner). The crestline was really spectacular and Tom was telling me all about it. About the big fire in 95 that took out most of the trees, about the trout that were dropped into all of the high alpine lakes by helicopter back in the 80s (and were as big as your arm now). And then he told me that some day he would like to make the trails to Box lake stock passable. I didn't realize what he was communicating with me at the time, but we were suppose to be climbing up to Box lake and then up to the pass and then 3.5 miles downhill down the other side - what he was telling me was that you wouldn't want to load up a horse and go on the trails that we were about to tackle. Nice. Man those trails were tough. Usually I can make up a lot of time on the downhills in races, but I was trying to move as efficiently as possible down this mountain and then I would look at my watch and realize I was running 15 minute miles - that's basically like fast-walking pace! There would be these large step-downs where I would plant my hiking poles ahead of me to absorb some of the energy and take the pounding off of my legs. Then you would have to hop some rocks and then do a 160 degree turn at a switchback and repeat. It just went on forever. I finally reached the dirt road that would take me to the infamous snowslide trail where we were routed to go up and over snowslide pass, then down the lake fork drainage but then routed back up to Maki lake and return to snowslide pass only to then go back down to where we started - a lollipop loop. Sounds pretty straight forward - but this loop represented some of the toughest 9 miles of trail I have ever done!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrq39w498ipUqi08VCLObBvawHLyjmuaV6wT9m-GVnYDAiJ451Rx2z0G9GvoteMDNP3KB4dbnbswtmUY4IZqGhrN6Bjum_ROWGnqTnSiropu9rAvi_ms5k51AMiEu4LiPd_7614kTO30/s1600/P1040913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrq39w498ipUqi08VCLObBvawHLyjmuaV6wT9m-GVnYDAiJ451Rx2z0G9GvoteMDNP3KB4dbnbswtmUY4IZqGhrN6Bjum_ROWGnqTnSiropu9rAvi_ms5k51AMiEu4LiPd_7614kTO30/s400/P1040913.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of Box lake from the south.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipabDy-nDJ16kQUeR2CvdcDR2LS9h-fvVFP6hFTrBeilMtZHbDm-HeVre6DxuhcRaEVwzvR-wq9mgD_CD8btwVHYEoKbl406l3o24A4eQnC6AuxaeeX5J6FPsW8nyw41WYUpqLKVQARaU/s1600/P1040916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipabDy-nDJ16kQUeR2CvdcDR2LS9h-fvVFP6hFTrBeilMtZHbDm-HeVre6DxuhcRaEVwzvR-wq9mgD_CD8btwVHYEoKbl406l3o24A4eQnC6AuxaeeX5J6FPsW8nyw41WYUpqLKVQARaU/s320/P1040916.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box from the north.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BTg1s-2cg5taVt0utRs7_WM_uYukVwm49J0tSO0CzqKfJP5uaeJvbcS5-3doSmlSmNu8sjhT6d5lasuUxpE5sp1CFV8zNSI1FDMKlUfeADgoEI6TbyFfWncksLJDUhqWuYmGL3ls3MI/s1600/P1040921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BTg1s-2cg5taVt0utRs7_WM_uYukVwm49J0tSO0CzqKfJP5uaeJvbcS5-3doSmlSmNu8sjhT6d5lasuUxpE5sp1CFV8zNSI1FDMKlUfeADgoEI6TbyFfWncksLJDUhqWuYmGL3ls3MI/s320/P1040921.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box from the sky. I mean the pass. Snow = Awesome.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPQUv_U34B4hFy7ijA9QI-jbJTaH3fcSk8T6CuF_PwtAnzs4PekgfhVWN5XBGmjlR4laJxpzuczgeehTg87cXUFHdAyEJJN9SMyriVVYIhyphenhyphen-djkzjXDd736dR6xTri3cCndqFr3csTGg/s1600/P1040926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPQUv_U34B4hFy7ijA9QI-jbJTaH3fcSk8T6CuF_PwtAnzs4PekgfhVWN5XBGmjlR4laJxpzuczgeehTg87cXUFHdAyEJJN9SMyriVVYIhyphenhyphen-djkzjXDd736dR6xTri3cCndqFr3csTGg/s400/P1040926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The valley and the 3.5 mile downhill that I never saw coming!</td></tr>
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I reached the Snowslide aid station at about 5 p.m. Not a good thing since I told my family it would be around 6:30. I decided to soak my legs in the cold stream to get them cooled off before the big climb. The family was no where in sight and I decided to push on. It was on this climb last year that my race pretty much fell apart for me. This year I was had saved some legs especially to get me through this and probably the main thing that helped me this year was the cooler temps!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4BAImmawCiSUhScpPtBx1tkerYotRTELyluYEsbI7Mn_uqbzt2ta6hmg3kNOdJfvqOIYhC4yUbGQkHlWnxC6k2IjUuF9IPcoVWrryl_LgBgeb-9yH_xtQsWwQ4Pri_DNy1yFlLjTbtg/s1600/P1040927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4BAImmawCiSUhScpPtBx1tkerYotRTELyluYEsbI7Mn_uqbzt2ta6hmg3kNOdJfvqOIYhC4yUbGQkHlWnxC6k2IjUuF9IPcoVWrryl_LgBgeb-9yH_xtQsWwQ4Pri_DNy1yFlLjTbtg/s320/P1040927.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowslide climb.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5261zhPTSbb9CyRcuWH3IXqsY-MFYLX1HgQS76L2JLG7FfjLePF-DhQOhPHSv9DtHj3iTqPtdO-sTXGV2vsS0CNJgg2rpzWY9pcT9PPMQ3lJ45CxPHky9VwNx8m0NtvXYfM4tPQ1vjo/s1600/P1040929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5261zhPTSbb9CyRcuWH3IXqsY-MFYLX1HgQS76L2JLG7FfjLePF-DhQOhPHSv9DtHj3iTqPtdO-sTXGV2vsS0CNJgg2rpzWY9pcT9PPMQ3lJ45CxPHky9VwNx8m0NtvXYfM4tPQ1vjo/s640/P1040929.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowslide Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI717-vHitBSp1zlAtNS234WvchHrIHdphdaIwq1LoXEbNdESJNMLiIe5l9TM7begbdYUorCmzA9g4VGhdZWfqLIQw0VfZyyhg0-eRMeVKYRMOPcjtFwoMSFa6c_-7TcEG_gsh57tyQ9U/s1600/P1040934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI717-vHitBSp1zlAtNS234WvchHrIHdphdaIwq1LoXEbNdESJNMLiIe5l9TM7begbdYUorCmzA9g4VGhdZWfqLIQw0VfZyyhg0-eRMeVKYRMOPcjtFwoMSFa6c_-7TcEG_gsh57tyQ9U/s400/P1040934.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at Snowslide Lake as I am climbing to the pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5ghHvmUN3ap-8_nrxRl5WAq0WRFvahQBiw6W3ik96pPsehilwNI1jGzeBY31Ro3ItcTj86gfhIN-rjFmT283vjmVG7mhqaQT1SRGN7fDmBBVF3V7-eC0H-t3az2CDNfLVO9yzgsu9Z8/s1600/P1040935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5ghHvmUN3ap-8_nrxRl5WAq0WRFvahQBiw6W3ik96pPsehilwNI1jGzeBY31Ro3ItcTj86gfhIN-rjFmT283vjmVG7mhqaQT1SRGN7fDmBBVF3V7-eC0H-t3az2CDNfLVO9yzgsu9Z8/s400/P1040935.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other side of Snowslide pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Qie4VOOtA9JodJ4xQd9BP-ngJa1zlXw3q9qv-U7kiEvf59hefel0F4vUi1zO2KfoU-Cd6I8ngP1q6CF_sjmISAVAbIRy_j7nFrO6z0rKevuWz-1T3Hw0KtutkCH3zLo8fUdE53RDgBA/s1600/P1040939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Qie4VOOtA9JodJ4xQd9BP-ngJa1zlXw3q9qv-U7kiEvf59hefel0F4vUi1zO2KfoU-Cd6I8ngP1q6CF_sjmISAVAbIRy_j7nFrO6z0rKevuWz-1T3Hw0KtutkCH3zLo8fUdE53RDgBA/s400/P1040939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of the Maki Lake "trail". Notice the pink flag in the tree. Yes, this is the trail.</td></tr>
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Prior to the race I had downloaded the IMTUF course map tiles to my Gaia GPS app on my phone just in case I thought I might need the extra navigation support. I decided it wasn't necessary as the course marking was pretty much immaculate. I did remember reviewing the trails and recognizing the trail up to Maki lake and over to snowslide, but on race day this "trail" seemed much more like a bushwhack and some sadistic race directors idea of creating a lollipop loop where no such loop actually existed. Oh well, it's these kind of trails that spice up the events. I actually enjoy a little bushwhack when no poison oak or thorns are present.<br />
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It got dark during the climb up to Maki so I flipped on my headlamp. Pretty soon I was solely navigating by the reflective tape on the course flags tied to the trees. It was all good though - some really steep climbing, but eventually I got myself back to snowslide pass and buckled up for what was sure to be a downhill slip-n-slide to remember...<br />
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Going down snowslide in the dark was an exhilarating(?) experience. Much of the time I was just trying not to fall forward and impale myself on the copious rocks. I was also trying to be careful not to kick rocks down the hill for fear of taking out other runners. It was a slow process, but I eventually got myself back to the snowslide aid station where I made sure to thank Jeremy for his wonderful work on the creation of a truly entertaining race course.<br />
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The next miles were pretty boring in comparison, just a hike up a dirt road. But it was a welcome reprieve from the fear of destruction that I had been dealing with for the previous 3.5 hours. After the Duck lake aid station there is a nice cruiser of a trail all the way to Upper Payette Aid #2 at mile 67. Well, it would be cruiser if not for all of the roots and rocks and brush. But at least it wasn't steep. I remember kicking a lot of stuff through this section, but generally making pretty good forward progress.<br />
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When I got to the aid station I was shocked to see my buddy Joel waiting for me. At 2 a.m.! He had hatched a plan to surprise me with some goodies. It was a nice boost to have him help me out at the aid station: he changed the batteries in my headlamp, got me set up with a bottle of coke to get me through the night, catered to my needs, helped me figure out where to go when I was ready to leave the aid stations - it was great -thanks Joel!<br />
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The next climb back up to Diamond Ridge was probably the toughest part of the race for me. Yes, I know I talked about some difficult trails already, but this climb just hit me at my weakest time and it was such a bruiser of a climb. Not really technical or super steep, but it was just a relentless, exposed hill climb in the middle of the night and my energy reserves were gone. I eventually plodded my way up and over the pass and then kicked more stuff all the way down to the special goat aid station. This super friendly couple pack in a bunch of supplies on goats to this remote spot in the middle of the mountains just to offer some key support to the IMTUF racers. I sat down in a chair next to their fire and got some hot soup and resupplied for the journey ahead. The nice lady wouldn't let me leave without getting a picture of me with one of her goats though. I reluctantly agreed - not being a huge fan of intimate poses in the middle of the night with large animals with horns - but I couldn't let her down! The picture is floating around facebook somewhere - you can tell I am not entirely comfortable with the situation...<br />
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I stumbled down the mountain some more, running through a couple of streams and started to get thoroughly cold. The sun was supposed to start coming up at any moment now, but man I was really hoping to get a mental boost from some extra light! The problem was that while daylight did come, I never did get to see the sun for quite a while because of being holed up in the valley. So while I knew the sun was there I was still practically freezing. I got to the next aid station and spent way more time that I should have trying to de-thaw by the fire. At this point I was picking comfort over performance - but I figured it was all part of the journey. Just get through the tough 100 miles and pick your style - and at this point I was completely fine with getting fully recharged at the aid stations. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8o4GR-5p1vPo_QQeLgw6p7Sb7ex3dmmaJciK4sEVvwN7rZhZewQhFjZaDfQYijjGIcpBvaeWyYSoXUbNX8ww4jShz6otoaM7WNAO0kH5NXBKfWMb6zXA8xrCZimAiCqOhFcciYXuvj8/s1600/P1040942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8o4GR-5p1vPo_QQeLgw6p7Sb7ex3dmmaJciK4sEVvwN7rZhZewQhFjZaDfQYijjGIcpBvaeWyYSoXUbNX8ww4jShz6otoaM7WNAO0kH5NXBKfWMb6zXA8xrCZimAiCqOhFcciYXuvj8/s400/P1040942.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh46sdoZz1VFnNkqxNnKUjDf9DSjDlpIsxHswZE5WGuyWyaCE7yuhaXewx5CEQ-Bg5ZbstIiii5YU0wmRmOHPJJ0TExovNQ_mOjqyQ5pibx9gwpvnO6r262Z7oyxhjRyfrC6rkCbIzNg/s1600/P1040943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh46sdoZz1VFnNkqxNnKUjDf9DSjDlpIsxHswZE5WGuyWyaCE7yuhaXewx5CEQ-Bg5ZbstIiii5YU0wmRmOHPJJ0TExovNQ_mOjqyQ5pibx9gwpvnO6r262Z7oyxhjRyfrC6rkCbIzNg/s640/P1040943.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loon Lake.</td></tr>
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The final 20 miles were a grind. The terrain was pretty easy to travel on with some really nice views, but I could care less by this point - I had the "get-it-done" mentality. My running legs were pretty much kaput as well, so I was moving pretty slow. Also, I was done with gels and other sugary aid station food, I just didn't want to stuff any more down my throat and knew I could finish without doing it. I was just fantasizing about a steak and a nap. <br />
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Fortunately those miles finally did pass and I rolled down the dirt road to Burgdorf when about a quarter mile from the finish line my family popped out of the forest to pace me in! Then as Ada and I rounded the corner for the final straight-away - the Valencias were there to cheer me on and catch some video of me:<br />
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Finish Video by Joel:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aUI0kGVyjcU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aUI0kGVyjcU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwerghxyL2zJo0RSFurybDexW9P5FcHyR8tv403OYha_wyoRdldwzoALv3Q8PDkaXGklQbIfuPYoltMKi46gBZjXw_yFZLGCtAyhpO5aLuAN0NbYsVx0XMqKiQvUN5butOIbOWQh4BMC8/s1600/IMG_8169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwerghxyL2zJo0RSFurybDexW9P5FcHyR8tv403OYha_wyoRdldwzoALv3Q8PDkaXGklQbIfuPYoltMKi46gBZjXw_yFZLGCtAyhpO5aLuAN0NbYsVx0XMqKiQvUN5butOIbOWQh4BMC8/s400/IMG_8169.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Done. And I have the belt to prove it.</td></tr>
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My final time was 31 hours and 36 minutes. I think I covered like 101 miles with 17000 ft of climbing. It was everything I could have hoped for - exactly what I signed up for. I am thankful for my family and the Valencias designing their vacation time around my race and supporting me to the end! I would also like to thank Jeremy and Brandi for putting on such an incredible event in their home mountains for no other reason than to share their passion for their land with other ultra-runners. And finally - a shout-out to the army of volunteers (and their goats) who take away from their free-time to make such a silly endeavor possible for us runners. There is no money in this - just a venue for expressing ourselves...whether through pouring out our guts on the big race day culminating from months of preparation, or through self-less giving to enable the runners to fulfill their dreams.</div>
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Video Compilation:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ptcbvCnVpoc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ptcbvCnVpoc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-21250882577541405742015-09-14T17:12:00.000-07:002015-09-14T17:12:37.433-07:00Backpacking the Evolution Lake Loop<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><div style="text-align: left;">
The Evolution Lake Loop isn't actually a loop. It's more like a horseshoe starting at North Lake, traveling over Piute Pass, then descending to a junction with the JMT, then ascending to the Evolution Valley and Lakes, crossing Muir Pass, descending to Big Pete Meadow, then climbing up and over Bishop Pass and ending at South Lake. The whole route is at high altitude ranging between 8000 and 12000 ft with three high passes of Piute(11423 ft), Muir Pass(11955 ft) and Bishop Pass(11972 ft). There are long 3000+ ft climbs and descents that showcases some of the best of the high Sierra. </div>
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Sachin and I set off from North Lake at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Toshi devised his own loop, starting from Lake Sabrina and traversing cross-country over the Echo Col and bagging an assortment of peaks near Muir Pass where he was going to rejoin us Sunday afternoon to finish the loop up and over Bishop Pass.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXa-zFjBUIZaU_BNd5oZCHxk3Qw0B_3f7-svXQ-BPI3mh77IsmfF55q9F97VSO5QDtjGMztu0k72gsuagJQZjC86oexUTvCOI5z10bdS66BZqKjdoTA1ahaXjQnn2bBUqr3To2xyuLSA/s1600/Evo_Loop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXa-zFjBUIZaU_BNd5oZCHxk3Qw0B_3f7-svXQ-BPI3mh77IsmfF55q9F97VSO5QDtjGMztu0k72gsuagJQZjC86oexUTvCOI5z10bdS66BZqKjdoTA1ahaXjQnn2bBUqr3To2xyuLSA/s640/Evo_Loop.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Evolution Lake Loop. We added in a trip to Muir Ranch and Blaney Hot Springs. Yello and Blue was day one. Pink and Green was day 2. Purple was the last day. This was from Sachin's GPS data. Thanks Sachin!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start Pic: North Lake.</td></tr>
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The climb and descent from the 11423 ft Piute pass was actually pretty mellow. This was a nice reprieve from the day before and allowed us to get into cruise mode and effortlessly tick away the miles as we made our way to the goal for day 1: taking a nice long dip in some natural mountain hot springs before camping for the night. At first Sachin was apprehensive about taking the six mile (roundtrip) detour from the classic lake loop just to perhaps find some hot springs to partake in. Sachin is very goal driven, and when he sets his mind on a certain goal - anything that doesn't get him closer is just more of a hindrance. I tried to make it clear that the out and back was part of MY goal so he grudgingly incorporated it into his goal as well ;-) Another reason for the out and back was to check out Muir Trail Ranch. I always wanted to check the place out as it will be my resupply when I some day tackle the JMT thru-hike. And it just so happened to be a few miles off of the loop that we were planning on...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valley: looking down at where we started.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking East from Piute Pass. Credit: Sachin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking West from Piute Pass.</td></tr>
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At Piute Pass we talked with a couple of hiker/fisherman and they were warning us about the smoke from the Rough fire that was hazing the place over. They pointed down into the valley in the picture above and said it was just starting to move in. Their contention was that the mornings were usually pretty clear and then the smoke would drift in during the afternoon only to clear up in the evenings again. Our experience seemed to be mixed. The smoke did seem to ebb and flow, probably most directly influenced by the prevailing winds, but there was never a strong odor - it mostly just affected the views. Which was too bad because we missed out on some awesome pictures. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once we got down into the trees - this is what it looked like.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful flowing Piute Creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muir Trail Ranch. This is the strategically placed stop-over halfway on the JMT where hikers mail 5 gallon buckets with their re-supply for the thru-hike.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the bear proof shelter where the food resides.</td></tr>
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We made it to the junction with the JMT at about 16.5 miles and then traveled north and then followed the cutoff for Muir Trail Ranch which was another 3.5 miles and then another .5 miles to the hot springs. So it actually turned into an 8 mile roundtrip detour. But since we found the hot springs, it made it well worth the trip. The hot springs was not easy to find. There is the popular Blaney Meadows campground, but then you have to cross the river and follow a secret path to find the springs. The pool was about 3 or 4 ft deep which meant that you could relax pretty well in a crouched position. It is a muddy bottom except for where the spring water actually comes out of the ground. There there was a sandy divot where you could feel the hot water with your feet. The pool wasn't too hot, but right where the water came out was cookin'. Sachin and I shared the pool with the three guys in the picture below and had a very relaxing soak while the sun started to go down with views of the valley walls all around. I think Sachin would agree that it was worth it...<br />
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After the springs we decided to do a little night hike to regain most of the out-n-back to get closer to the classic loop for the next days journey. During this night hike we managed to cook and eat our dinner as well so by the time we picked our camping spot we were ready to just roll out our stuff and pass out.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blaney Meadows Hot Springs. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next morning following the San Joaquin River upstream towards Evolution Valley.</td></tr>
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As we got moving the next morning we knew that we had to be on our game to reach Muir Hut to reconnect with Toshi. We had 18.7 miles with almost 5000 ft of climbing to get done by mid-afternoon. I had told Toshi we were shooting for 2 p.m.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mQogBfN4tKyHuKjYpz3P0tuYBgk-pZEZMHoGV995h7NhWHNIVO3hPGDO-A3ka-GTjDZvjJSTG5d6RLjcBc-FgFK0oVJLT6UGIQY59ApiyoSuGE01piJIS-0bIPSEOkGzwHgR5MRJ6Ew/s1600/P1040642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mQogBfN4tKyHuKjYpz3P0tuYBgk-pZEZMHoGV995h7NhWHNIVO3hPGDO-A3ka-GTjDZvjJSTG5d6RLjcBc-FgFK0oVJLT6UGIQY59ApiyoSuGE01piJIS-0bIPSEOkGzwHgR5MRJ6Ew/s320/P1040642.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing beside the beautiful rapids of the Evolution Creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Crossing a low Evolution Creek. Had managed to keep the shoes dry to this point and the feet were thanking me. Credit: Sachin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evolution Meadow.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLgNAplym6GWR64JHNX-zzKpOg-fXMzZRHOg0LukOlO5gQyWY3KA6x9ywGLak_JGZ06HQcZ7urOnmaKytjSq7g8zOFK_0E6M8izfvpz3N8tNAV-xTaEqXqxbSFRLeooJdtRcvPPnBA4E/s1600/P1040659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLgNAplym6GWR64JHNX-zzKpOg-fXMzZRHOg0LukOlO5gQyWY3KA6x9ywGLak_JGZ06HQcZ7urOnmaKytjSq7g8zOFK_0E6M8izfvpz3N8tNAV-xTaEqXqxbSFRLeooJdtRcvPPnBA4E/s320/P1040659.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First views of Evolution Lake.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSpFdTdrSYKwTs-cZaw_8izgN8us6acgxH-91oSA3xpw9Eeuvi9JQskElR4WzKJBN_mYj_9hIcx1uLFyAtQ0WmmE9qzq5nRterTnVyTComriwWMKih8-fxI62eiUQpFYyKl6orxXa0Sw/s1600/P1040671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSpFdTdrSYKwTs-cZaw_8izgN8us6acgxH-91oSA3xpw9Eeuvi9JQskElR4WzKJBN_mYj_9hIcx1uLFyAtQ0WmmE9qzq5nRterTnVyTComriwWMKih8-fxI62eiUQpFYyKl6orxXa0Sw/s320/P1040671.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZVfvgRjg9-Efa8DLghi2XOZJe6DkF-DJgb2arn-NN8N_XHWECA7JxKqOq-FWl7GKliz27Kfw4ej87a3DNg6-lEVhrEvHChhijRvUqjAFTYo76umzrexZmSzyvvtdPKPSwIyh1_TDbyg/s1600/crossingrocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZVfvgRjg9-Efa8DLghi2XOZJe6DkF-DJgb2arn-NN8N_XHWECA7JxKqOq-FWl7GKliz27Kfw4ej87a3DNg6-lEVhrEvHChhijRvUqjAFTYo76umzrexZmSzyvvtdPKPSwIyh1_TDbyg/s320/crossingrocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A convenient way to cross the creek. Credit: Sachin.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhCb_gb3P2FgZaQRg06X_Y4O0_4vNQ7ZTKzfTtOy6VabwcPTfzeSec2Q3XyzQZT-BUUU2YxEOthgDIiBUSa9JymIzXqA-zsA3NtAbd1F9MQN2UtMU4mMazyR5zj8d3fYIPmxQB-SIzNM/s1600/P1040674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhCb_gb3P2FgZaQRg06X_Y4O0_4vNQ7ZTKzfTtOy6VabwcPTfzeSec2Q3XyzQZT-BUUU2YxEOthgDIiBUSa9JymIzXqA-zsA3NtAbd1F9MQN2UtMU4mMazyR5zj8d3fYIPmxQB-SIzNM/s320/P1040674.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Wanda. Almost to Muir Hut. Credit: Sachin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost to the hut. Credit: Sachin.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmv3TCAe5__4jM7Gu0v5Dcf9Vqk2OisHOcv4hEV0L1PL9LwftMtbumsWsc985X2uZbDJE3U5SMrnREnjn8ArurqqvncXt3Onv-2H8UI1YXbRd9BUCkARQ2NL4IhyphenhyphentM-EiszKLEvSTcYM/s1600/P1040696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmv3TCAe5__4jM7Gu0v5Dcf9Vqk2OisHOcv4hEV0L1PL9LwftMtbumsWsc985X2uZbDJE3U5SMrnREnjn8ArurqqvncXt3Onv-2H8UI1YXbRd9BUCkARQ2NL4IhyphenhyphentM-EiszKLEvSTcYM/s320/P1040696.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note that Toshi left at Muir Hut. It took him a little longer than planned. Credit: Sachin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing Toshi from the hut. He just got done climbing Mt Warlow(pictured in the background)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang - back together. Credit: Sachin.</td></tr>
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We ended up reaching the hut at about 2:30 and then Toshi got back from climbing Warlow just before 3. So, not bad, all things considered. This was also where a kind hiker woman was attempting to get the perfect photo of the hut. She asked me to move out of her picture frame to obtain said picture. I cooperated, but then she indicated that she didn't want my backpack in the picture either - the backpack that I had leaned up against the hut. Now I was just miffed and let all parties concerned know it - then instantly regretted it. It was such a peaceful beautiful place and then I let that woman get to me. Whatever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now descending along with the headwaters of the Kings River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If this valley reminds you of my last trip to the Sierra, that is because this valley connects directly with the giant valley that Sachin and I travelled down to finish off the Rae Lakes Loop. The smoke from the Rough fire was really screwing up the views.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNJwm_nayWwZkAv-CxcPV8zop1GDRLVNyDmlULuevVZn_sFG79ty-zJOPKgtjYQAq-UlmdzTivs3D_4n1f_2Ykc1xX-PrhDC7HnxY0ewTbX6QCzv-wN2wQXf0poDJzIPEBPBLjnwkeEQ/s1600/P1040729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNJwm_nayWwZkAv-CxcPV8zop1GDRLVNyDmlULuevVZn_sFG79ty-zJOPKgtjYQAq-UlmdzTivs3D_4n1f_2Ykc1xX-PrhDC7HnxY0ewTbX6QCzv-wN2wQXf0poDJzIPEBPBLjnwkeEQ/s320/P1040729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9X3Rt4nNdqNQ6EJwBFkAzXNc9iBGNinaEl1emjOOYdKA67sxDD6LgnUPdxKiEAqgzRQg6gkIAYW1805wZof55KkW3p7dWOWyUHkh746HrIbXt4rdMoIMvN17a4tV6XNEYRul_aDpOgTk/s1600/P1040730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9X3Rt4nNdqNQ6EJwBFkAzXNc9iBGNinaEl1emjOOYdKA67sxDD6LgnUPdxKiEAqgzRQg6gkIAYW1805wZof55KkW3p7dWOWyUHkh746HrIbXt4rdMoIMvN17a4tV6XNEYRul_aDpOgTk/s320/P1040730.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice Teeth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warning about the trouble Bear.</td></tr>
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The tale about the horse eating bear:<br />
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As we neared in on our Bishop Pass exit we kept getting rumors of a bear that had eaten a dead mule on the climb to the pass. It was explained that this represented a bad situation for hikers, maybe because the bear had gotten a taste of meat or something - didn't quite understand why. We read the above warning and wondered what we were in for. As we climbed the switchbacks we came across yet another note that read something to the effect of: "Mule eating bear encounter imminent on next switchback - cut straight up the mountain - laconte ranger".<br />
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I looked at Sachin and he gave me this "yeah, whatever" look like he thought that was the silliest thing he ever heard of. Why would a bear just "hang out" at a switchback - even long enough for a written note from a ranger to guide any backpackers... I then looked at Toshi who said: "great, this will be faster - let's go straight up!" He doesn't like switchbacks... I was more inclined to Sachin's point of view and decided to follow him up the trail. We neared in on the switchback and all of the sudden Sachin turns a 180 with a terrified look in his face streaming a whole string of expletives as he sprints full speed at me. He almost ran me over when I was somehow able to stop him and calm him down trying to explain that what he was doing might be the worst thing to do if you do encounter a bear (as if he didn't already know this) (also, this was after I confirmed that there was no bear following him - in which case I was going to make sure to sprint faster than Sachin...) He described to me how a big black bear was just sitting there at the switchback. We decided to backtrack to the cut-up where the ranger not was and pushed up the mountain. After a while we got a ways up and as we looked down Sachin pointed to the bear who was indeed just sitting there. Theories as to why the bear seemed to be immobilized included: maybe he was tranquilized?, big stomach ache from all the meat it wasn't used to?, maybe just trying to recover after the biggest meal it had ever had?<br />
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Anyways - the next day we got a story about how the dead mule came to be. A man on a horse and a boy following on another horse passed us as we descended from Bishop Pass. The man told us that a guy from his company had gotten drunk and decided to ride the mule over the pass at night. The mule tripped and fell on the man. The mule ended up dying and the man got a punctured lung and got fired. And then the bear found the mule. The guys were climbing the mountain to clean up the mess. The end. Of one duzy of a hiking story...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_QlI5xs_aTol8Hd2C7M12jQt2oQRn4dqGExSC77Km5jEafwRxLFhahPpANMuhDfVVofXkChQdSwUU3yJLPpTtVsf8oyiCT82Msk9CEmFSzz7XeDH5HFufSjmrYF2wzhxX8q8W6KwdKM/s1600/P1040734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_QlI5xs_aTol8Hd2C7M12jQt2oQRn4dqGExSC77Km5jEafwRxLFhahPpANMuhDfVVofXkChQdSwUU3yJLPpTtVsf8oyiCT82Msk9CEmFSzz7XeDH5HFufSjmrYF2wzhxX8q8W6KwdKM/s320/P1040734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing the switchbacks to Dusy Basin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFCXfxrrn0w0znS6p_1wvqo8CQoQeeqD4-3Hne5kmuiV1rDEFulAu-NJMB5sDUGALzlDuTDVlF4JkrSb0gzD1EHWFcERnPMOBVfA0GzwgF4GDIBU6w-xvjYMhDg-ejaYqbGXQWxUZK38/s1600/P1040740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFCXfxrrn0w0znS6p_1wvqo8CQoQeeqD4-3Hne5kmuiV1rDEFulAu-NJMB5sDUGALzlDuTDVlF4JkrSb0gzD1EHWFcERnPMOBVfA0GzwgF4GDIBU6w-xvjYMhDg-ejaYqbGXQWxUZK38/s320/P1040740.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views as the sun was going down.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmyxZzPNpTL90zJgbpENkK-obT7cihYZFAtOsP4OqeKV9hRyi19JP-EIWcNjDpOGmaFNrQxlt5cPJ0dErM-_XC39nIJ5nGlEB7IEy-sOT7NBYPXSRL86aZdmETce_FKI86Xr3Rx_b0sg/s1600/atcamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmyxZzPNpTL90zJgbpENkK-obT7cihYZFAtOsP4OqeKV9hRyi19JP-EIWcNjDpOGmaFNrQxlt5cPJ0dErM-_XC39nIJ5nGlEB7IEy-sOT7NBYPXSRL86aZdmETce_FKI86Xr3Rx_b0sg/s640/atcamp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Sachin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji10240CuuWhh3renLHUsEoBLzpGIu5Hdnt7CDPJ7afQHIshHo-rpYiGXX6yCGP06XqbJOI9tURoNdkbBbVapMkhxzDFAD-AlPIK0mlXtyGPfU6xBY9oi5S6-dq63G4CTqdv9RY8xfmM/s1600/settingcamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji10240CuuWhh3renLHUsEoBLzpGIu5Hdnt7CDPJ7afQHIshHo-rpYiGXX6yCGP06XqbJOI9tURoNdkbBbVapMkhxzDFAD-AlPIK0mlXtyGPfU6xBY9oi5S6-dq63G4CTqdv9RY8xfmM/s320/settingcamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing packing - getting ready to finish off the hike! Credit: Sachin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Sensor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toshi made sure I captured this moment of him "running" down the trail. This trip was 99% hiking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Sachin.</td></tr>
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At the base of chocolate peak we decided to have a coffee break. This was a nice luxury to enjoy on our last morning of hiking as we knew we were on schedule and would be able to make it back to the bay area before Toshi's self-imposed 10 p.m. home time to get ready for his business trip the next morning. We also shared the rest of our chocolate.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very low South Lake with a nice panorama. Credit: Sachin.</td></tr>
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Toshi was able to procure a ride back to lake Sabrina to pick up his car from some generous hikers and we were on our way back to the bay area. First we had to make a little side trip to get in a nice post-hike hot springs soak. Toshi had researched several public/free hotsprings in the valley and we settled on a place called "hilltop" since it was supposed to have nice views. I think if there wasn't any smoke from the Rough fire, the views would have indeed been quite spectacular. But instead it was a rather cramped pool with a grand walkway in the middle of a farm field. It was actually really nice. It was cool to get the story of this years Burning Man from a couple who had split a day early. Burning Man has always intrigued me in a "never would I go there" kind of way. But the stories are good. Sachin and I ended our trip once again with grand plans of feasting on some Indian lunch buffet, but are now 0/2 on selecting an establishment that was actually open for business at the crucial time. Oh well - there is room for improvement on our backpacking trip logistics...</div>
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All in all I have to say that the Evolutions Lakes loop was really good. I have felt incredibly blessed to be able to enjoy two of the most iconic high Sierra trail loops around this summer and consider this year to be a complete success with respect to my backpacking ambitions. Four fantastic weekends in four incredible places, all with friends to share the trail with. And Sachin always says yes. I have to give thanks to my family for being supportive when I disappear for weekends at a time! My next backpacking blog installment should be a post dedicated to reviewing the gear that I have come to trust and love for these adventures. I know I find other's gear recommendations fascinating and helpful so I think that might actually be something that is helpful to some of this blog's readers. </div>
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Video Compilation:</div>
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<br />Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-23373586389373588682015-09-10T21:06:00.000-07:002015-09-10T21:06:58.120-07:00Bagging Mt. LangleyThe guys and I planned a pretty nice labor day weekend in the mountains. We split early from the Bay Area so that we would have a shot at bagging Mt. Langley at 14,042 ft on Friday. We started our hike at 12:30 from the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead. It would be about a 20 mile round trip climbing from 10000 ft to 14000 ft and then coming back down again. We hoped to be done before nightfall so that we could get a good meal down in Lone Pine and get a full nights rest in some real beds before we set off for our three day backpacking adventure on Saturday.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM2EwF-ZYTycsFRtviyTpPJYN5CEtX527hH5fDeMrQyC0GwQhLzsIuWcUTR60MmdoyCXabHExb3Q8REXsv9OAAKqIinjkTiVc33pfeQncLhF4x24RKZzEfN8JPc9NQEEjVCRAs0F1kao/s1600/P1040449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM2EwF-ZYTycsFRtviyTpPJYN5CEtX527hH5fDeMrQyC0GwQhLzsIuWcUTR60MmdoyCXabHExb3Q8REXsv9OAAKqIinjkTiVc33pfeQncLhF4x24RKZzEfN8JPc9NQEEjVCRAs0F1kao/s400/P1040449.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we were still smiling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghml_3LNM2Rbd9vrAgJ6TKTu5Y1_s30OgzFWf9asPUcxWK8rMH9LnP_qqWJSAmFeRIKEfNn_PoSBK6ijI7xSxID0jqw52ypf2D9l9UcSGDDtWaUf4_PvAqo0P8Z9aNzpYYVGhsThU-l2I/s1600/langleylakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghml_3LNM2Rbd9vrAgJ6TKTu5Y1_s30OgzFWf9asPUcxWK8rMH9LnP_qqWJSAmFeRIKEfNn_PoSBK6ijI7xSxID0jqw52ypf2D9l9UcSGDDtWaUf4_PvAqo0P8Z9aNzpYYVGhsThU-l2I/s320/langleylakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lakes on the way up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiTDN-h7uwEgOfm5XsXlnKhyphenhyphenKcMJIGBqQLIxuxK5kMsPNYyPLBJ6C-FO7PgGSdZaSYScJr6Zj0RFXc4iAD8yG-7bsO8Jol7_RWBeKP49V2iGgJGZ1nlrWAjiy17lrH4KOGv9_6Ef1gyo/s1600/P1040467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiTDN-h7uwEgOfm5XsXlnKhyphenhyphenKcMJIGBqQLIxuxK5kMsPNYyPLBJ6C-FO7PgGSdZaSYScJr6Zj0RFXc4iAD8yG-7bsO8Jol7_RWBeKP49V2iGgJGZ1nlrWAjiy17lrH4KOGv9_6Ef1gyo/s320/P1040467.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still Smiling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Army Pass zigzags up that hillside. Black Soldiers in 1890(something) built the trail. Why? I don't know. But it is unmaintained and still a really good trail. At least while there is no snow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing Old Army.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost done.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa40oBUag0NWM3zGSg6KUF2wUZxVlEg9veFyXy_fwxfjVkhRPu7l9c4UR7aD7L1adRCrClXuqIjkkJMOiNQ1bm1GwCgY-dtFzKrTjp4_6_dxWCB6tQYaoF0HnzsJHq-XWA0b-nm_tQY4/s1600/P1040499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa40oBUag0NWM3zGSg6KUF2wUZxVlEg9veFyXy_fwxfjVkhRPu7l9c4UR7aD7L1adRCrClXuqIjkkJMOiNQ1bm1GwCgY-dtFzKrTjp4_6_dxWCB6tQYaoF0HnzsJHq-XWA0b-nm_tQY4/s320/P1040499.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down from Old Army.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wastelands on the way to bag Langley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sand that we were hiking just sucks all of your energy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fortunately there were giant Cairns to guide the way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views were getting quite spectacular.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sachin was feeling the cold.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay, made it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit Box.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toshi made it up 5 minutes after us.</td></tr>
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Toshi, wanting to add some off-trail travel to his ascent decided to go cross country up to another lake before climbing to the high plateau. We split up at about 5 miles in and wondered whether we would actually meet at the top or not. About five to ten minutes after Sachin and I reached the summit, there comes Toshi. I thought it was remarkable that we were so close to each-other. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way down.</td></tr>
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<br />We screwed up our navigation on the way back. Even though we were just following the trails back to the parking lot, we started to second guess ourselves when our GPS maps were showing that we had missed the trail back to the car. It turned out that all of our maps were out of date and the trail that we needed was not on our GPS, so instead we took a trail down to the road and still had a mile or two to walk on the road to get back to the car. We were not happy. We had been on track to reach the car by 7:30, but then ended up about 8:30. Sachin was in agony from the the effort and altitude and Toshi hadn't been eating anything because his stomach wasn't cooperating. I was mentally and physically drained, and we all got back to the car wondering what we had got ourselves into. Toshi had thought that this would be our "warmup" for what was to come, but we were already pretty toasted! <div>
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I was the only one to pack away the food at dinner that night in Lone Pine, but it was fantastic: a great steak and potatoes dinner to fortify me for the coming days. Toshi had the sound judgement to ask for a room upgrade at the hotel so that we could have a couple of beds (originally he had booked a one bed room - don't know what was up with that). </div>
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The next morning Toshi and I let Sachin get some extra rest while we got some breakfast and then hit up the permit office to (hopefully) secure our wilderness permits for the Evolution Lakes Loop. To be continued...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Video Compilation:</div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047168881691302077.post-56646962833937695822015-08-09T19:37:00.001-07:002015-08-09T19:37:58.128-07:00Skyline 50k 2015 Race ReportThe Skyline 50k is one of my favorite races. It's got about everything that I want: Mix of running surfaces, moderate elevation gain/loss, almost guaranteed relatively cool weather, Pacific Association series points, big club participation, and great finish line BBQ. I had so much fun this year and this is how it went:<br />
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After the guy said go we were off on the rolling bike path that contours the west side of Lake Chabot. I was running with a group of speedsters before we started thinning out, jockeying for position. I ran with Jean for a little while, recognized Devon Yanko who I figured would be contending for the woman's win, and chatted with Jason Reed. On one of the first decent downhills Jason let me go and I found myself cruising alone all the way up to Redwood park. I bombed the downhill down to Redwood road, got filled up at the aid station and then hit one of my favorite sections of trail, the golden spike trail - which is a nice winding single track through a rainforest like setting with plenty of rocks to hop on. At the bottom of the trail I caught up with a train of runners that included Devon and a couple of guys. I tagged along just behind them for the entire climb up to skyline. On the steep stuff it seemed we all were hiking and they wouldn't put any ground on me, but they would always create a gap on the moderate ups, and I might make up a little bit of ground on any small downhills through this stretch.<br />
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The train of runners did end up getting out of my sight just before we hit the big aid station at skyline, so I was again cruising by myself enjoying the wonderful marine layer and beautiful views. I had kind of expected that they would move faster on the climbs, but had anticipated running the downhill on the French trail pretty hard to try and catch up with them. The skyline station is at about 14 miles, or almost halfway through the race. It is always a little bit of a psychological boost for me to know that the race is mostly downhill from there. Plus, the French trail is another one of those gems of a trail through some deep coastal redwoods and some fun, sometimes technical type running. To my surprise I didn't catch anyone through this section. I moved pretty well and enjoyed myself, but those other runners were moving just as well.<br />
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After I bombed the downhill back to the Redwood road aid station I was surprised to see Stanley Peng hanging out. He ran hard from the start, going for a PR and was now paying the price for a tough early effort. I quickly grabbed some water and gu and moved on. I stayed steady on the hike back up on the Macdonald trail, getting back up to the ridge in no time. Again I was just cruising by myself, trying to stay motivated to move efficiently while starting to get tired. This is about at mile 20. I ran the downhill assertively till I hit the valley floor. This is usually the low point of the race for me because between mile 22 and 25 there is some pretty lonely flat running with few views. Then you hit what I term the "insult hill" of skyline 50k - one more 300 ft climb that sort of hits you right when you don't need it. Then one last downhill before you have to run 3 flat miles around the east side of Lake Chabot to finish. Basically mile 22 to the finish is a "gut it out" kind of thing. But this is also when the most interesting racing comes in.<br />
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In the flat section, maybe mile 24 to 25 I got to see my first action. Some Excelsior guy (guy on rival running team) caught up to me and passed hard. I didn't have the legs to do much about it and kind of figured it wasn't going to matter much because of the climb coming up that I was sure was going to kick my butt anyways. I hiked as fast as I could up the insult hill, and then a couple of more guys were starting to catch up to me. Finally, before the top of the climb, a tough looking Japanese dude slowly trotted by, taking advantage of another of my weak hiking breaks. I knew this was going to be a battle. This guy had definitely saved some legs for the end of this race and I didn't know if I could match him. I followed him down the hill into the final aid station. He blew right through it. I kind of saw that coming: of course the this guy was going to skip the aid to put the nail in my coffin. I cruised in with my empty water bottle and empty stomach and glanced fleetingly at the wonderful buffet table before me. The aid station volunteer, understanding my conundrum, offered to be super quick. But I declined and chased after my target. As I attempted to close the gap on the downhill, something that would have happened rather quickly in any other situation, the legs started folding on me. Every time I tried to extend my stride they would just sort of buckle and I had to just sort of hobble down the trail. The cramping in my calves was destroying my downhilling ability. Nonetheless, I was still able to pull even with him at the bottom of the hill. I turned to him and exclaimed: "Time to bring the pain, right?" I don't know how he took it, but I was trying to communicate that being neck and neck with 3 flat miles to go at the end of a 31 mile race, it was going to be a painful fight. He sort of waived me by, expecting to chase me for a while and I imagine break my will and finish me at the end. I moved as fast as my legs would allow me to with the cramping I was dealing with - working through my head if I could even keep this up or whether the cramping would just get worse, or I might even bonk and be toast. He stayed right on my tail. We hit the bouncy wooden bridge over the marsh with one mile to go. I never looked back - I didn't want to give him the satisfaction that I was worried about him. But I wanted to back off and jog it in so bad! Halfway across the bridge I heard and felt his stride on the bridge and thought to myself: this is going to suck. I just kept hammering, seemingly finding some extra muscle fibers that I didn't know I had and was so grateful to see the finish line! I crossed in 4 hours 30 minutes in 13th place. Japanese guy showed up about half a minute later and we shook hands. I then proceeded over to a bench in the shade and buried my head between my knees for half an hour while dealing with the nasty after-affects of the hard effort at the end of the race.<br />
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After coming to my senses, I started taking in some calories and feeling better. I congratulated Jean on another amazing sub 4 hour performance, hung out with Bjorn who was the third scorer from our Quicksilver team, coming in a few minutes after me. He is going to be running the Ultra-tour-du-mont-blanc in France in three weeks - and that is such an epic undertaking, it was fun to hear him share about his prep. As the other quicksilver runners and running buddies rolled in, we shared an awesome BBQ and war stories in the sunshine of a beautiful afternoon by the lake. The memories of the grueling effort of the race already subsiding into that strange gap in an ultrarunners brain where all the pain seems to be forgotten.Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04805422108857448207noreply@blogger.com1