6 miles
2,500 vertical
Sierra and I got out for a nice walk today up Green via the 1st shortcut. It was cloudy and the temperature got really cold near the summit. The distant rumble of thunder had me debating turning around, but I pressed on to the top and turned tail quickly, as it was coming in quick from the West and North. Soon the wind really picked up dramatically and it began to rain and hail. I wanted to move quick, but with slick road shoes, wet rocks/ground and waiting for the dog, it was not too fast. Dressed in just shorts and a tee, I was freezing on the upper half, and although wet, was comfortable on the lower half (only if I kept moving).
Up in 57
RT in 1:31
Sierra
Sierra
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Wednesday, 10/01/08 Green Mountain
~9.5 miles
~4,000 vertical
Got out for a run up my now usual route up Green. I was running tight on time, but did not feel like pushing. I just figured I would go up until my watch said 4:15pm, as I was to meet Dave at 4:45 at Chautauqua to run up to the 3rd to watch a few friends do some scrambling. I got to the summit at 4:18 and did an immidiate U turn (42:26 up), and then backtracked my ascent route and went a decent pace on the descent (as well as possible on loose dirt, rock and pine cones with slick shoes) and was back down in 23:?? for a 66 minute RT. I had just enough time to grab my camera, eat a Powerbar and glug half a liter of water before I joined up with Dave to run up to the 3rd. We went at a pretty easy conversational pace, I think it took us 18 or 19 minutes. Dave scrambled up, while I waited at the base to take pictures. I think there were 8 scramblers tonight, all moving fast and I got some cool photos and video. Great evening in Boulder.
Photos and Video:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/2008%203rd%20Flatiron/
~4,000 vertical
Got out for a run up my now usual route up Green. I was running tight on time, but did not feel like pushing. I just figured I would go up until my watch said 4:15pm, as I was to meet Dave at 4:45 at Chautauqua to run up to the 3rd to watch a few friends do some scrambling. I got to the summit at 4:18 and did an immidiate U turn (42:26 up), and then backtracked my ascent route and went a decent pace on the descent (as well as possible on loose dirt, rock and pine cones with slick shoes) and was back down in 23:?? for a 66 minute RT. I had just enough time to grab my camera, eat a Powerbar and glug half a liter of water before I joined up with Dave to run up to the 3rd. We went at a pretty easy conversational pace, I think it took us 18 or 19 minutes. Dave scrambled up, while I waited at the base to take pictures. I think there were 8 scramblers tonight, all moving fast and I got some cool photos and video. Great evening in Boulder.
Photos and Video:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/2008%203rd%20Flatiron/
Olympic Highlight
I really got a kick out of this race and especially the post race interviews.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0821_hd_atb_hl_l1148&channelcode=sportat
I know nothing about these guys, nor anything about track, but Jeremy Wariner really came across as big time cocky and it was fun to see him get trounced by LaShawn Merritt. Love the comment 2 minutes into the video by LaShawn, good stuff! The dude diving for Bronze was great too.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0821_hd_atb_hl_l1148&channelcode=sportat
I know nothing about these guys, nor anything about track, but Jeremy Wariner really came across as big time cocky and it was fun to see him get trounced by LaShawn Merritt. Love the comment 2 minutes into the video by LaShawn, good stuff! The dude diving for Bronze was great too.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, 9/30/08 Sanitas
~4 miles
~1,700 vertical
Allison and I got out for a nice hike/run around Sanitas, going up the East side, down the S. Ridge, then back up the valley trail before descending back to the car. The weather has been just so perfect lately and it is impossible to resist the lure of the trails.
Summed up my stats for September:
220.4 miles (PR)
84,170 vertical feet (PR)
45 Peaks
~1,700 vertical
Allison and I got out for a nice hike/run around Sanitas, going up the East side, down the S. Ridge, then back up the valley trail before descending back to the car. The weather has been just so perfect lately and it is impossible to resist the lure of the trails.
Summed up my stats for September:
220.4 miles (PR)
84,170 vertical feet (PR)
45 Peaks
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday, 9/29/08 Green, Bear, S. Boulder, Bear, Green
~15 miles
~5,700 vertical
Got out for a run up Green today up past the 1st (again). At the back of the First, I was on PR pace, then a minute or two later I breathed in a bug which caused major coughing fits and cost me 3 minutes by the time I got to the NE ridge. I recovered and made up a minute and got to the summit in 38:28, scrambled up the rocks and back, then decided the morning was too nice, so I continued on to Bear. Got to the base of W. Ridge in 47:58, top of Bear at 1:13, then figured since S. Boulder was so close, why not? Got there at 1:23, back to true summit of Bear at 1:33, Green at 2:11 (yeah, I was starting to dog it), then took NE ridge route down back to Chautauqua, arriving there at 2:39:22. I felt great until I started the trip from Bear to Green. As I became increasingly tired, my coordination suffered a bit, and I started to cramp, as I brought no food or water. Still was a great run for a Monday.
~5,700 vertical
Got out for a run up Green today up past the 1st (again). At the back of the First, I was on PR pace, then a minute or two later I breathed in a bug which caused major coughing fits and cost me 3 minutes by the time I got to the NE ridge. I recovered and made up a minute and got to the summit in 38:28, scrambled up the rocks and back, then decided the morning was too nice, so I continued on to Bear. Got to the base of W. Ridge in 47:58, top of Bear at 1:13, then figured since S. Boulder was so close, why not? Got there at 1:23, back to true summit of Bear at 1:33, Green at 2:11 (yeah, I was starting to dog it), then took NE ridge route down back to Chautauqua, arriving there at 2:39:22. I felt great until I started the trip from Bear to Green. As I became increasingly tired, my coordination suffered a bit, and I started to cramp, as I brought no food or water. Still was a great run for a Monday.
Saturday, 9/27/08 LCW Peak Dash
~18 miles
~7,000 vertical
"Peak Y" (12274')
"Zephyr Peak" (12067')
"Peak Z" (12244')
Payne Benchmark (11780')
"No Payne" (11789')
Shawnee Peak (11927')
"X Prime" (12100')
"Peak X" (12429')
Participants: Jeff & Allison Valliere & Sierra, Dave Hale & Shep, John Kirk, Dwight Sunwall, Keith Bershader, Patrick Lilly, Jill Salva, Bob Dawson, Ryan Kowalski, Greg Hakes, Jeremy Hakes, Derrill Rodgers, and Kevin Baker
Got out with a great group of friends on Saturday for a jaunt in the Lost Creek Wilderness, starting from the Long Gulch TH, about 10 miles South of Jefferson near Kenosha Pass. Aside from hunkering down near treeline prior to our last two peaks due to a bit of lightning and graupel, we had great weather. Most of this was a bushwhack/tundra walk, but we did get a few miles of trail at the beginning and end which was nice. This was a very cohesive group in many ways and we really had a great time.
Pictures:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/LCW%20Dash/?start=0
~7,000 vertical
"Peak Y" (12274')
"Zephyr Peak" (12067')
"Peak Z" (12244')
Payne Benchmark (11780')
"No Payne" (11789')
Shawnee Peak (11927')
"X Prime" (12100')
"Peak X" (12429')
Participants: Jeff & Allison Valliere & Sierra, Dave Hale & Shep, John Kirk, Dwight Sunwall, Keith Bershader, Patrick Lilly, Jill Salva, Bob Dawson, Ryan Kowalski, Greg Hakes, Jeremy Hakes, Derrill Rodgers, and Kevin Baker
Got out with a great group of friends on Saturday for a jaunt in the Lost Creek Wilderness, starting from the Long Gulch TH, about 10 miles South of Jefferson near Kenosha Pass. Aside from hunkering down near treeline prior to our last two peaks due to a bit of lightning and graupel, we had great weather. Most of this was a bushwhack/tundra walk, but we did get a few miles of trail at the beginning and end which was nice. This was a very cohesive group in many ways and we really had a great time.
Pictures:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/LCW%20Dash/?start=0
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday, 9/26/08 Green Mountain
6 miles
2,500
Again, the First Flatiron route to the summit. Took Sierra along, so things were quite slow. An hour up, and 35 or 40 down, did not even look. Great morning though, nice to slow down and soak it all in.
2,500
Again, the First Flatiron route to the summit. Took Sierra along, so things were quite slow. An hour up, and 35 or 40 down, did not even look. Great morning though, nice to slow down and soak it all in.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday, 9/25/08 Green Mountain
6 miles
2,500
Went up past the First Flatiron again to the top of Green. Went pretty easy, going up in 42, down in 29. Awesome fall day, the colors are getting to be really nice on the mountain, but it was a little warm, felt good though.
2,500
Went up past the First Flatiron again to the top of Green. Went pretty easy, going up in 42, down in 29. Awesome fall day, the colors are getting to be really nice on the mountain, but it was a little warm, felt good though.
Wednesday, 9/24/08 South Twin Cone Peak, LCW
~12 miles
2,420 vertical
Jeff, Allison and Sierra Valliere
Allison and I met her parents at the Fort and carpooled up to Kenosha Pass. We were hoping to do one of our favorite fall hikes on the Colorado Trail heading East through the HUGE stands of towering aspen. However, when we arrived at the pass, we noticed that our favorite stands were still green, yet the trees on the approach to N/S Twin Cone looked to be changing nicely.
We walked the extra mile from the pass along the smooth dirt road, to the 2wd TH described in Roach’s book, then past the gate and along the public right of way through the 1.5 miles of private property. The trees and willows through this stretch were stunning and I was snapping pictures like mad. The road switchbacks up the hillside through some great aspen that are now at their peak and we found an amazing rock outcrop over looking the valley to have lunch.
I did not intend on going up S. Twin Cone, but with it right there staring us in the face and the fact that we (I) intended to climb it 2 years ago when we were up on N. Twin Cone in the winter, I had to go. Allison and Sierra joined me, as her parents hung out and took a nap. We were tight on time, so we went pretty fast, doing some high speed bushwhacking through the trees on the way up, then some serious (but luckily not too long) willow bashing on the way down to regain the dirt road. It was a quick cruise out on the road and we eventually caught up to the rest of the group.
Pictures:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/South%20Twin%20Con/
2,420 vertical
Jeff, Allison and Sierra Valliere
Allison and I met her parents at the Fort and carpooled up to Kenosha Pass. We were hoping to do one of our favorite fall hikes on the Colorado Trail heading East through the HUGE stands of towering aspen. However, when we arrived at the pass, we noticed that our favorite stands were still green, yet the trees on the approach to N/S Twin Cone looked to be changing nicely.
We walked the extra mile from the pass along the smooth dirt road, to the 2wd TH described in Roach’s book, then past the gate and along the public right of way through the 1.5 miles of private property. The trees and willows through this stretch were stunning and I was snapping pictures like mad. The road switchbacks up the hillside through some great aspen that are now at their peak and we found an amazing rock outcrop over looking the valley to have lunch.
I did not intend on going up S. Twin Cone, but with it right there staring us in the face and the fact that we (I) intended to climb it 2 years ago when we were up on N. Twin Cone in the winter, I had to go. Allison and Sierra joined me, as her parents hung out and took a nap. We were tight on time, so we went pretty fast, doing some high speed bushwhacking through the trees on the way up, then some serious (but luckily not too long) willow bashing on the way down to regain the dirt road. It was a quick cruise out on the road and we eventually caught up to the rest of the group.
Pictures:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/South%20Twin%20Con/
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tuesday, 9/23/08 Green Mountain
6 miles
2,500 vertical
36:46 up (from Chautauqua)
23:38 down
60:24 RT
Wow! What a difference a day makes! Yesterday I busted my b@lls trying to get a PR on SBP and missed by 2 minutes. I felt like I had two left feet on the descent and was trashed all day, culminating with a splitting headache that made me sweat that evening, I could hardly hold my head up.
9.5 hours of sleep later, I felt great and busted my hump at work all day doing very physical work. All afternoon, I thought I would get done at a decent hour and have plenty of time to go run at a leisurely pace, but I kept getting set back, culminating with an error which cost me an extra 45 minutes, so I was running way behind. I got to Chautauqua and figured I would see how things went and started up my new favorite route up Green, going up past the 1st Flatiron and then bushwhacking to the NE ridge, then up Greenman. Fueled by the adreneline of not having much time, and an espresso (I don't really ever drink coffee), I was jacked and feeling good.
I made it to the Mesa trail in 5, bottom of the 1st in 10:37, top of the 1st in 20, NE ridge in 25:?? then the summit of Green in 36:46, my fastest EVER from Chautauqua by a lot (don't feel like investigating previous PR now), but by at least a few minutes. So much for my confession yesterday that I need to take things easy. Today I just felt absolutely on top of things and would have done another lap if I had time, I felt that good. Legs were unbelievably strong, lungs and breathing were hardly labored, my focus was absolutely intense and I was even listening to my MP3 player (Competitor Radio interview with John Howard).
I ripped the downhill (for me), sticking to the Greenman, Saddle, Amphi trails. 20:10 to the Gregory lot jct, then another 3:28 to the car. I was hoping to have done the RT in under an hour, but missed it by 24 seconds...... Dang. Oh well, maybe next time. It is runs like today that produce such a high, it constantly keeps me seeking that next fix to match it and cancel out bad days like yesterday that make you wonder how it is you can derail so bad.
2,500 vertical
36:46 up (from Chautauqua)
23:38 down
60:24 RT
Wow! What a difference a day makes! Yesterday I busted my b@lls trying to get a PR on SBP and missed by 2 minutes. I felt like I had two left feet on the descent and was trashed all day, culminating with a splitting headache that made me sweat that evening, I could hardly hold my head up.
9.5 hours of sleep later, I felt great and busted my hump at work all day doing very physical work. All afternoon, I thought I would get done at a decent hour and have plenty of time to go run at a leisurely pace, but I kept getting set back, culminating with an error which cost me an extra 45 minutes, so I was running way behind. I got to Chautauqua and figured I would see how things went and started up my new favorite route up Green, going up past the 1st Flatiron and then bushwhacking to the NE ridge, then up Greenman. Fueled by the adreneline of not having much time, and an espresso (I don't really ever drink coffee), I was jacked and feeling good.
I made it to the Mesa trail in 5, bottom of the 1st in 10:37, top of the 1st in 20, NE ridge in 25:?? then the summit of Green in 36:46, my fastest EVER from Chautauqua by a lot (don't feel like investigating previous PR now), but by at least a few minutes. So much for my confession yesterday that I need to take things easy. Today I just felt absolutely on top of things and would have done another lap if I had time, I felt that good. Legs were unbelievably strong, lungs and breathing were hardly labored, my focus was absolutely intense and I was even listening to my MP3 player (Competitor Radio interview with John Howard).
I ripped the downhill (for me), sticking to the Greenman, Saddle, Amphi trails. 20:10 to the Gregory lot jct, then another 3:28 to the car. I was hoping to have done the RT in under an hour, but missed it by 24 seconds...... Dang. Oh well, maybe next time. It is runs like today that produce such a high, it constantly keeps me seeking that next fix to match it and cancel out bad days like yesterday that make you wonder how it is you can derail so bad.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, 9/22/08 S. Boulder Peak
8 miles
3,000 vertical
47:58up/1:24 RT
Intended to go fast today, but was unsure about where I was at. I faked it for a bit and got to the first few time checks at or slightly ahead of PR pace, my time was 18:30 at mouth of Shadow, but I knew deep down I would pay for it soon and was on borrowed time. Sure enough as it got steep, I started to hurt bad and knew I was off pace. I kept at it though, despite knowing that I was falling off pace with every step.
Got to the saddle in 41:45 with a slow split through the canyon of 23:15. Ouch. Dug deep for the remainder of the distance to the summit and got there in 47:58. I knew it was not my day even before I left the house and it was getting pretty hot even at my 9:40am start. Excuses, excuses. Took it pretty easy on the down, just jogging it out. Fall began at 9:44am today, so this was my last run of the summer/first run of the Fall season. I felt pretty crappy and I think I need to take things easy for a bit, as today may have been a sign that I have already passed my peak for the season and need to tone it back a bit. I might get in some longer runs and keep the intensity down relatively, in hopes of putting in a good run at the Grand Canyon in November.
3,000 vertical
47:58up/1:24 RT
Intended to go fast today, but was unsure about where I was at. I faked it for a bit and got to the first few time checks at or slightly ahead of PR pace, my time was 18:30 at mouth of Shadow, but I knew deep down I would pay for it soon and was on borrowed time. Sure enough as it got steep, I started to hurt bad and knew I was off pace. I kept at it though, despite knowing that I was falling off pace with every step.
Got to the saddle in 41:45 with a slow split through the canyon of 23:15. Ouch. Dug deep for the remainder of the distance to the summit and got there in 47:58. I knew it was not my day even before I left the house and it was getting pretty hot even at my 9:40am start. Excuses, excuses. Took it pretty easy on the down, just jogging it out. Fall began at 9:44am today, so this was my last run of the summer/first run of the Fall season. I felt pretty crappy and I think I need to take things easy for a bit, as today may have been a sign that I have already passed my peak for the season and need to tone it back a bit. I might get in some longer runs and keep the intensity down relatively, in hopes of putting in a good run at the Grand Canyon in November.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday, 9/21/08 Mt. Helen
Mt. Helen (13,164)
9/21/08
5 miles
2,800 vertical
1:45 up/3:15 RT
Allison, Sierra and I spent the weekend at the cabin where we were married 4 years ago near Hoosier Pass to celebrate our anniversary. We spent the day Saturday hiking to Wheeler Lake, but not getting up anything due to a late start, fickle weather and other fun activities. Sunday morning, the weather was still less than inspiring with intermittent rain/snow showers, so we slept in and relaxed at the cabin with no agenda other than to delay as long as we could stand and see if the weather improved.
We ultimately got cabin fever and decided to give Mt. Helen a shot on the way home, as the weather seemed to be improving, albeit marginally. We parked at the Spruce Creek TH and began walking up the road to the Wheeler trail and then took a right. We soon came to a locked gate, walked around and then immediately headed West up the steep hillside following the path of least resistance. After a few hundred vertical feet, the terrain became a bit more manageable, although still steep. We found a nice shallow, grassy gulley that led us directly up the fall line to the open and grassy East facing slopes. High up, there were occasional patches of snow, nothing to slow us down, but just enough for Sierra to have a blast in. I can say with confidence that she is eagerly awaiting winter.
It was lightly raining at the start, but the sun came out and warmed things nicely. For the entire hike, there were dark clouds threatening all around, but none were electrical and we enjoyed a perfect little weather window. On the descent, we deliberately went out of our way to trek through a few small aspen groves that were at their peak and went picture crazy. This was an awesome consolation hike after pining away for a summit all weekend. We took our time and really enjoyed the day.
Pictures:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/Helen/
9/21/08
5 miles
2,800 vertical
1:45 up/3:15 RT
Allison, Sierra and I spent the weekend at the cabin where we were married 4 years ago near Hoosier Pass to celebrate our anniversary. We spent the day Saturday hiking to Wheeler Lake, but not getting up anything due to a late start, fickle weather and other fun activities. Sunday morning, the weather was still less than inspiring with intermittent rain/snow showers, so we slept in and relaxed at the cabin with no agenda other than to delay as long as we could stand and see if the weather improved.
We ultimately got cabin fever and decided to give Mt. Helen a shot on the way home, as the weather seemed to be improving, albeit marginally. We parked at the Spruce Creek TH and began walking up the road to the Wheeler trail and then took a right. We soon came to a locked gate, walked around and then immediately headed West up the steep hillside following the path of least resistance. After a few hundred vertical feet, the terrain became a bit more manageable, although still steep. We found a nice shallow, grassy gulley that led us directly up the fall line to the open and grassy East facing slopes. High up, there were occasional patches of snow, nothing to slow us down, but just enough for Sierra to have a blast in. I can say with confidence that she is eagerly awaiting winter.
It was lightly raining at the start, but the sun came out and warmed things nicely. For the entire hike, there were dark clouds threatening all around, but none were electrical and we enjoyed a perfect little weather window. On the descent, we deliberately went out of our way to trek through a few small aspen groves that were at their peak and went picture crazy. This was an awesome consolation hike after pining away for a summit all weekend. We took our time and really enjoyed the day.
Pictures:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/Helen/
Saturday, 9/20/08 Wheeler Lake
7 miles
1,500 vertical
Allison, Sierra and I spent the weekend at the cabin near Hoosier Pass where we were married 4 years ago on Sept. 18th. We arrived at the cabin a bit later in the morning than I would have liked and settled in, had breakfast and discussed options (nearby 13ers that we have not done). We decided that we would try for Wheeler Peak, a nearby bicentennial. We did not get going until 10:15am and were slowed by wet conditions and a parade of SLOW moving jeeps. The skies soon clouded over and became threatening. We took a long break at Wheeler Lake and decided that Wheeler Peak was not to be. Allison was feeling sick (a bug she caught at work), plus the weather was deteriorating quickly, so we gladly called it a day. Of course, just as we decided to head down, so did the brigade of Jeeps which we played leap frog with, sucking in exhaust and filthy cigarette smoke. I eventually cruised past the redneck brigade, but Allison was lagging behind. I was feeling bad, but I was a bit peeved and stayed ahead hoping she would catch up. Soon, another parade of ascending Jeeps approached, creating a massive traffic jam, allowing Allison to pass and we never saw them again. Awesome day out despite the crowds of 4x4s and the not so great weather. The colors were amazing, contrasting vividly with the snowcapped peaks.
We arrived back at the cabin around 1:45pm and hung out reading, napping and relaxing, then headed out for a nice dinner in Breck.
Pictures:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/Wheeler%20Lake/
1,500 vertical
Allison, Sierra and I spent the weekend at the cabin near Hoosier Pass where we were married 4 years ago on Sept. 18th. We arrived at the cabin a bit later in the morning than I would have liked and settled in, had breakfast and discussed options (nearby 13ers that we have not done). We decided that we would try for Wheeler Peak, a nearby bicentennial. We did not get going until 10:15am and were slowed by wet conditions and a parade of SLOW moving jeeps. The skies soon clouded over and became threatening. We took a long break at Wheeler Lake and decided that Wheeler Peak was not to be. Allison was feeling sick (a bug she caught at work), plus the weather was deteriorating quickly, so we gladly called it a day. Of course, just as we decided to head down, so did the brigade of Jeeps which we played leap frog with, sucking in exhaust and filthy cigarette smoke. I eventually cruised past the redneck brigade, but Allison was lagging behind. I was feeling bad, but I was a bit peeved and stayed ahead hoping she would catch up. Soon, another parade of ascending Jeeps approached, creating a massive traffic jam, allowing Allison to pass and we never saw them again. Awesome day out despite the crowds of 4x4s and the not so great weather. The colors were amazing, contrasting vividly with the snowcapped peaks.
We arrived back at the cabin around 1:45pm and hung out reading, napping and relaxing, then headed out for a nice dinner in Breck.
Pictures:
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/jeffvalliere/Wheeler%20Lake/
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday, 9/19/08 Green Mountain
6.5 miles
2,500 vertical
Got out with George today for a run up Green, same way I went yesterday and came down Ranger/Gregory. Up in 49, down in 32 (from Chautauqua). Went pretty easy, jibber jabbering the whole way. Crazy amounts of lady bugs on the summit.
2,500 vertical
Got out with George today for a run up Green, same way I went yesterday and came down Ranger/Gregory. Up in 49, down in 32 (from Chautauqua). Went pretty easy, jibber jabbering the whole way. Crazy amounts of lady bugs on the summit.
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