Training Log Archive: Ari-o

Took it easy up the Ammy today. Still working off the Traverse, apparently.

Hut Traverse! Elapsed time (what counts) of 19:49, apparently I spent about 1:40 in huts, which isn't too bad.

(What is the hut traverse? Take a presidential traverse and double it, except instead of presidential peaks you run from hut to hut in the White Mountains. Just about 50 miles, and just about 5000m of climb. Oh, but the trails are harder than the presi traverse.)

Hiked in to Cata on Wednesday and slept a couple hours in the ratproof, which was warm, dark and wicked cozy. Left at midnight for a couple of reasons:

1. Full moon!
2. Ridge at night or early morning. No sun dehydration.
3. No sunset on Garfield and North Lafayette in the dark.

Weather was perfect. Ran some 9 minute miles down 19 mile brook and the Aqueduct and road. Then had a long, slow climb up the very dark Mad Gulf. Total climb to Thunderstorm Junction is 4100 feet, but there is a respite by Star Lake and down to the Madhaus. Glad to be hiking with Cameron along here. Stopped for a few minutes at the Haüs to refill water and eat some baked goods.

Made decent time across the ridge to Lakes. Sunrise began around Sphinx Col and we turned off headlamps around the Westside. The moonset behind Lakes was spectacular. Spent about 20 minutes at the Flagship, stripping down to a t-shirt and refilling water (Tang; out of gatorade). Made a rule to Mizpah to drink water at every trail junction; I drank a liter by the Pah.

Refilled with a lot of gatorade and honey and ran to High Pants to get some more water, making the halfway distance point at 9:08. Not bad, and felt much better than 2010. Better hydration, and better chafe management (Body Glide). Up the A-Z was pretty okay, I ran some until I ran in to a porcupine which slowly loped up the trail. Good to take a rest, I guess. I crested Tom/Field and then ran down the A-Z singing "I love the A-Z" and deluding myself in to liking it. Some trail work has made it better.

In to Zool for Annies in under 11:00. Didn't quite drink enough and had a digestion slog up Zeacliff but then a good run across to South Twin with a minor bonk which was cured by means of Snickers. Made it to Ghoul by 2:00, on pace with 2010 but feeling much, much better.

Out of Ghoul for the bump, lump and hump, which weren't too bad. Then bonked hard on Garfield, as is often the case (40 miles in to a 1000 foot, 25˚ climb). Ate two snickers in succession and felt a little better. By the time I stumbled over the trail to Skookumchuck/ North Lafayette, I was feeling good, and ran across the top and then down to Flea.

Stayed a little longer than anticipated at Flea due to the presence of RIBS (yum) and took longer down the OBP than I'd planned due to, you know, my legs not really working. Took a couple pictures and got to the base by means of fading daylight and the croo cut at 7:20; needed to run to Lone* in 30 flat to beat my 2010 time by an hour. Which I did, with a borrowed flashlight and passing some very confused goofers.

Got in and ate food. Kept Strava running the whole way to boot, which was great, and gave me splits and elevations. Just about right on the elevation. Just shy of 5000m. Or, more than halfway up Everest. Hiked out the LLT to complete the 50, then slept in my car for five hours.

The next day, I walked slowly (but walked! no chafing!) and ate a lot of food.

Run down from Lone*. Total of, oh, 50 miles on the day.

Run up to meet truck. About 40 on the board of trash. Good pack day weather (a bit chilly) but I got up in time to throw some supplies with the Obs before truck.

Packing down with about 60. Last pack day!

Going down the Ammy slowly before the traverse.

Hike/run in to Cata. Tried to go slow and not sweat too much.

Ran to meet Ben, then ran down to the hut.

Did a deck. Can't remember some others, though.

Deck