The New SVBR Website

www.backcountryrunners.com

Sun Valley Backcountry Runners has been liberated from Blogger. Please visit the new (yet eerily familiar) site at www.backcountryrunners.com.

Vorberg in Play

Looking to reach beyond the old Carbo up/back? Well, you're in luck. The Vorberg gulch loop recently opened up, and it's running really well and getting a lot of visitors. Although there is a bit of snow on some ridge sections, the large majority is bare and dry and feels like heaven in these rapidly warming days of spring. Multiple laps were nabbed this weekend by some SVBR runners, who would shout "hurrah, hurrah" if they weren't so darn tired.

Local Trails Update

I ventured onto the Toe of the Hill Trail yesterday followed by the Quigley single track and ending with a climb up Deadmans Gulch Ridge. The Toe Trail is in great shape with very little snow left only on some north facing/shaded sections. I was also informed from Becki Keefer that the Toe extension on the south end is in the process of being restaked and construction will begin very soon (also good news for those that need volunteer trail hours). The Quigley single track is in fine shape as well with some snow on the far end but not enough to deter the trail runner in search of dirt. The Deadmand Gulch Ridge, a name we have given this feature due to lack of a formal name for the peak, is clear all the way to the top. This ridge was recommended by local backcountry guru Mike Stevens as a good 2500' climb to practice some much needed power hiking legs. I'm here to say, its off trail, steep, rocky, and will take a solid hour to climb. The descent can prove to be just as difficult and almost take as long due to the rocky steep grade especially near the top. If you venture to this ridge be aware that Deadmans Gulch is private property. The ridge climb is split by the boundary fence most of the way up so one can easily stay on public lands. Now get out and enjoy!

Sun Peak Climb

Climbed Sun Peak today. The ridge trail is in pretty good shape. Snow will be encountered on the upper portion but if you go in the morning it will be hard enough that you shouldn't post hole. I continued over the first peak down to the saddle. At this point the snow was starting to loosen up and the post holing was driving me nuts, so I turned. If you are looking for some climbing it is definitely worth it up to the first peak. Stats: From the trail head to the saddle - just over a mile climb w/1600' of vertical.

First Dirt: Carbo Report

Tempted by its bare south slopes every time I make my way out to Rotarun, I  made my first assault on Carbonate of 2009 today. The bare hills were a bit of a Siren song, luring me toward the Scylla of extended deep snow in the draws and the Charybdis of some slick compact snow on the descents, but, I made it to the top via the switchbacks and even got to enjoy some decent sections of bare trail.  

I started by hiking up to the foundation, then began the switchbacks where there was as much walking as running because of a lot of long snowy sections.  The Jones-Wilkins cornice is still in place but not as aggressive as last year and once over that, it was pretty easy up the Jeep trail to the top -- again, some walking, some running.  At the top, short on time and patience, I just came down the spine, rather than return on the switchbacks.   

Unless desperation takes hold, I think I'll give it a bit more time before doing it again.  Yet, it still felt really nice to be climbing on bare earth in February.

Happy trails.

Top Ten Signs You May be AJW

Running this morning with AJW on the very clear Elkhorn/Trail Creek paths (thanks, Brad), he said I should visit Craig Thornley's choc-full, Western States 100-obsessed blog, Conduct the Juices. And it's well worth the visit, if just to see today's lead photo of the 1989 Western Sates start: short shorts and very few water bottles in sight.

Explore a bit further and you'll come across the well-commented post, Top Ten Signs You May be AJW. Number 9: "You have an automatic email filter that rejects anything that doesn’t contain 'AJW.'"

Check it -- and the comments -- out for some good natured ribbing of our palmares-laden training partner.

Run Report: River Run, Warm Springs, Baldy Loop

This weekend, I finally got to test out a winter training route I'd been thinking about in the abstract for a while: A loop beginning at the River Run parking lot, with a road run to Warm Springs, then a climb up to the top with crampons, and then a run in crampons down to the River Run side (see route map below, click it for detail).

For those familiar with the trails, I went all the way up Warm Springs, then down Ridge to Blue Grouse, over to Roundhouse then down the Olympic cat track to Lower Olympic then finished off with Lower River Run.

All in all, it was about 9 miles car-to-car, with about 3300 feet vertical. Great winter quad seasoning. (For details on my times, check out my Attackpoint entry for January 9). It was also a great stress test of the Kahtoola KTS crampons, which are made specifically for strapping on to running shoes and attacking steep, groomed trails. (For more, check out my Run Junkie review).

With the high elevation gain Coyote Two Moon 100k looming for me in March, this (or a variation) will likely be a somewhat regularly January/February workout. Anyone interested in the next assault, let me know, and we'll try to coordinate.

Brad Mitchell Named "2008 Athlete of the Year"

SVBR runner, Brad Mitchell, was named 2008 Athlete of the Year by the Idaho Mountain Express (story). It's great to see broad recognition for what we've always appreciated: his talent, determination, and great character. Congratulations, Brad.

(Photo © Glenn Tachiyama)

In Case the Hardrock 100 Just Isn't Hard Enough

Two new ballistic ultras launch this spring and fall in the Santa Barbara area. The DRTE 100 miler in early October 2009 has 35,000 feet of vertical. The Blue Canyon Trail Race 100k set for early June 2009 has 18,000 feet of climbing. Check out Hank's Run Junkie post for details and links.

Winter Training for 2009 Season Set to Start

As the snow and ice finally seem set to hit the Wood River Valley, SVBR runners will begin to coalesce in Sun Valley for weekend runs on the relatively clear Elkhorn paths. With some big early season tests on folks' race calendars, it's setting up to be a big year for winter running. So be sure to stay tuned and check the site for details on upcoming group runs.

Let the Off Season Begin: A nice constitutional through Adams Gulch

Saturday's conversation-pace group run out Adams Gulch was a great way to usher in the off-season.  After diligently adhering to training plans and nutrition plans and physical therapy plans, it was nice to leave that behind with the '08 season and just run for running's sake.  The group (Brad, Hank, and Jeff, with family duties calling AJW away at the last minute) ran Sunnyside, eventually hooking up with the Adams Gulch loop and then Harpers and back to the AG trailhead on a trail whose name is still under dispute.  All in all, about eight miles with some good, easy climbing and even better conversation.  

Be sure not to miss the next one.  Check the calendar for details.  

'Coyote Two Moon 100' Opens

Applications to run the challenging and off-kilter Coyote Two Moon 100 in Ojai, CA just opened. With 25,000 feet of climbing in the 100 miler, and 19,000 in the 100k, it's a true early-season tester for us mountain dwelling runners. If you can get in, it seems like it's not to be missed.

More info on C2M:
Run Junkie post
AJW's post
Karl Meltzer's post
Justin Angle's post

Results: AJW Second at Wasatch Front 100, Stevens Top Twenty

A strong showing by Wood River Valley runners Andy Jones-Wilkins (AJW) and Mike Stevens at this weekend's Wasatch Front 100. AJW battled hard to a quick second place finish (21:31), staying close to eventual winner Geoff Roes through mile 75, who went on to win in 20:01. Meanwhile, Mike Stevens posted a very strong 20th place finish in 26:28. We're proud of you guys!

Too see how things developed, see the Run Junkie reports for mile 53; mile 70; and the finish.

For a firsthand account, read AJW's blog post.

Hank, the Teton 50, and a DNF

First off, let me start with the positive things that happened at this weekend's Grand Teton 50. I got to test, and was happy with, a new approach to drop bags that saved me a number of minutes during the race. I learned that I could in fact do some serious running in some pretty hot conditions and that at some smaller ultras I could actually play at competing for places. I had an uplifting, and experienced, crew for the latter part of the race (my wife and an unfortunately injured, Brad Mitchell). And, finally, I learned a hell of a lot.

You could also say I got schooled, which is what it most felt like right after I dropped at mile 45.

It all came down to calories, as it often does with me. My stomach fought me both in the lead up to the race (keeping me from loading like I need to) and during the race (keeping me from replacing the calories like I need to), which was too bad, because I felt like I had a shot at a decent time for a course like Teton.

I had good trips up Fred's Mountain both times and despite a general malaise for most of the first lap, finished the first 25 miles in around 4:25 (sadly, right after seeing an ailing Brad Mitchell at the tail end of Rick's Basin). It was then that I had a brief window where my stomach felt pretty settled, and I was hopeful I'd be able to pound the calories and come home pretty strong on the second lap.

Wishful thinking it turned out. My stomach began protesting again around mile 30 and just kept getting worse until around mile 42 where it totally shut down and wouldn't come back on line no matter what I tried (water, Ultra, S-caps). Meanwhile my blood sugar level dropped to subterranean levels, and it was all I could do to make it to the base aid station at mile 45, drop from the race, and shuffle back to the hotel room with tingling hands and labored breathing (as my wide-eyed crew will attest).

After an hour of blowing ketones and letting gluconeogenesis run its course, I was feeling much better and left wondering what I could have done differently - a question that will no doubt haunt a large portion of my off season.

That said, I have to take a step back and trust that the problem was largely just bad timing with a mild stomach virus. Forty-five miles at Teton is no mean feat, and I'll take that mental and physical training with me into '09. --Hank

Photos - before the fall
(click to enlarge)

Results: Mitchell 7th at Where's Waldo 100k Championships

Hailey's Brad Mitchell, continuing to show great form in the latter part of the season, took a strong 7th at yesterday's Where's Waldo 100k in 10:43:54.

For more on the race, see the recent Run Junkie post.

If It's August, It's Time for Big Miles

The second half of the summer ultra season is here, and you don't need to look at the calendar to tell - the lean frames and fat training logs of the local runners are dead give-aways. With the Wasatch 100 and Bear 100 coming up in September and some high-test 100k and 50 mile races in August, folks are getting in some long and hard miles as the daylight hours slowly wane.

Check out Brad and AJW's recent blog posts to see their take on the final build up before the late summer/fall races:

• Brad: Littlewood River Training Ground
• AJW: Recharging

Results: Mitchell, Dart Run White River 50

Locals, Brad Mitchell and Hank Dart, toed the line in the shadow of Mt. Rainier for Saturday's challenging White River 50 Mile Endurance Run (race site). In his first ultra since a serious spring injury, Brad took on a stacked field and finished a strong 14th overall in 7:43:58, just three minutes off his top 10 pace from last year. Hank, in his first ultra ever, finished strong in 9:11:46, good enough for 48th overall. For more, check out Brad's blog post (post), the detailed USATF story on the race (story), and the select photos below, courtesy of Glenn Tachiyama.

Start (Photo © Glenn Tachiyama)

Brad blazing into Corral Pass (mile 16) (Photo © Glenn Tachiyama)

Hank coming into Sun Top (mile 37) (Photo © Glenn Tachiyama)

Beck at Corral Pass (mile 16) (Photo © Glenn Tachiyama)

Wardian into Sun Top (mile 37) (Photo © Glenn Tachiyama)

Fast and Furious 2008 Elephants Perch Backcountry Run

The annual single track speed fest that is the Elephants Perch Backcountry Run stayed true to form for 2008 (race site). Blazing fast times took both the 10 mile and 16.5 mile races. Though final results are still pending, US Nordic Team member, Morgan Arritola, won the women's ten miler in a dash over an hour, and standout Sun Valley Ski Education Nordic skiers, Mike Sinnot and Taylor Sundali took one, two in the 16.5 miler, with accomplished ultra runner Brad Mitchell showing good post-injury return to form with a solid third. To feel like you were there, check out Brad's Addicted2Running post (post).

Postscript: (7-23-08) Full results now posted (results).

AJW Takes Vermont 100

Andy Jones-Wilkins wins Vermont 100 for second year in a row. Check out his blog www.ajwsblog.blogspot.com

Congrats Andy

Top 3 finishers and other observations posted on Hank's Run Junkie blog (post).

Skaggs Wins Hardrock 100 in Under 24 Hours

An amazing performance this weekend by Kyle Skaggs at the Hardrock 100. See my Run Junkie post for details and a YouTube video of his finish. --Hank