7 miles
3,500 vertical
It was a touch cold today and I was tempted to stay home. Feeling a bit of guilt after indulging ourselves at Gateaux Bakery in Denver (11th and Speer, I HIGHLY recommend it), I felt the need to burn a few calories more than anything. We started from the Cragmoor TH, Allison and Sierra were going a good pace and the trail conditions are perfect right now, well packed snow and very little ice. Minutes into Fern Canyon, we bumped into Kevin, Nico and their friend, so we stopped and chatted with them for a bit. I was fearing wind on the upper ridge, but fortunately it never materialized and the trail conditions to the summit remained perfect. I think we made the summit in 1:05 including stops. We continued to S. Boulder without pause and soon bumped into Dave and Travis, so we spent some time chatting with them. It was surprisingly pleasant on S. Boulder with a warming sun and calm air, so we relaxed for a bit. As soon as we started down, it seemed really cold again, but fortunately we were well prepared. Spent more time on Bear, then chatted with several people we crossed paths with, I think everybody is getting into the holiday spirit. Back at the car after 2:54.
Sierra
Sierra
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Saturday, 12/20/08 Flagstaff
4 miles
1,700 vertical
Went up Flag with Allison and Sierra and was cold, tired and not that into it. Allison was going pretty fast and I kept having to surge to catch up, then fall behind. We tried to descend Gregory, but there was police tape and wildlife closure signs, which required some extra to get back to the car.
1,700 vertical
Went up Flag with Allison and Sierra and was cold, tired and not that into it. Allison was going pretty fast and I kept having to surge to catch up, then fall behind. We tried to descend Gregory, but there was police tape and wildlife closure signs, which required some extra to get back to the car.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday, 12/19/08 4 laps on Sanitas
10 miles
4,200 vertical
Twas a warm and sunny Friday, trail conditions were slushy in spots, dry in others, yet ice and snow packed also, a bit of everything. Made a new pair of screw shoes this morning with only 11 strategically placed studs per shoe to keep me on track, yet not be scraping on the rock as much as with my usual screw shoes that have 23+ screws per shoe. Went super easy, 23:05 up the first ascent, down the East side to the sign, but did not bother following the canyon down to Hawthorne as it is very mucked up now, the type of mud that piles up inches thick on the bottom of your shoes. I backtracked to the car, had a snack and drink, then did it all over again, 22:06 up, then 1:05 for the RT (4 minutes faster than the pokey first lap).
4,200 vertical
Twas a warm and sunny Friday, trail conditions were slushy in spots, dry in others, yet ice and snow packed also, a bit of everything. Made a new pair of screw shoes this morning with only 11 strategically placed studs per shoe to keep me on track, yet not be scraping on the rock as much as with my usual screw shoes that have 23+ screws per shoe. Went super easy, 23:05 up the first ascent, down the East side to the sign, but did not bother following the canyon down to Hawthorne as it is very mucked up now, the type of mud that piles up inches thick on the bottom of your shoes. I backtracked to the car, had a snack and drink, then did it all over again, 22:06 up, then 1:05 for the RT (4 minutes faster than the pokey first lap).
Baaaaad Squirrels!!!
Sierra loves to look out the back door and keep tabs on the deck and back yard. Occasionally she just goes ape sh!t and nearly goes through the glass as a particular squirrel will sit on the deck or railing and just flick it's tail, seemingly just to taunt the dog.
Here is a somewhat mellow example of this comical interaction.
Here is a somewhat mellow example of this comical interaction.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday, 12/18/08 Green, Flag and 2 laps on Sanitas
14 miles
5,300 vertical
Met George for a great run up Green from Chautauqua and went up in 51 yapping the whole way. It was great to have company and go a mellow pace. On the way down we bumped into Brandon, his wife Kim and a friend of theirs. Nice to finally meet Brandon, as we have "known" each other through the Blog world for some time. We added Flag on the way down for kicks. 1:40ish RT not stopping the timer at all.
I then drove over to Sanitas for 2 laps. It got colder as the day went on and I was absolutely freezing, especially since I was damp from the first run. 1:26 for this segment.
5,300 vertical
Met George for a great run up Green from Chautauqua and went up in 51 yapping the whole way. It was great to have company and go a mellow pace. On the way down we bumped into Brandon, his wife Kim and a friend of theirs. Nice to finally meet Brandon, as we have "known" each other through the Blog world for some time. We added Flag on the way down for kicks. 1:40ish RT not stopping the timer at all.
I then drove over to Sanitas for 2 laps. It got colder as the day went on and I was absolutely freezing, especially since I was damp from the first run. 1:26 for this segment.
Wednesday, 12/17/08 Sanitas X 2
6 miles
2,500 vertical
See yesterday. Although today I had Allison and Sierra for company and it was nice and warm.
1:35 total
2,500 vertical
See yesterday. Although today I had Allison and Sierra for company and it was nice and warm.
1:35 total
Tuesday, 12/16/08 Sanitas X 2
6 miles
2,500 vertical
Ho hum, another trip up the S. Ridge, down the East side and then back the way I came. Cold to start, but warmed up nicely.
1:20 total
2,500 vertical
Ho hum, another trip up the S. Ridge, down the East side and then back the way I came. Cold to start, but warmed up nicely.
1:20 total
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday, 12/15/08 Sanitas X 2
6 miles
2,600 vertical
Headed out the door at 8am and the thermometer read -13 (after dipping to -18, a new record for this date). I totally spaced it when I got up and did not notice the negative sign in front of the number and thought it was warmer than it was, but after walking the dog, I knew something was not right since my nose was about to fall off. Despite having studded snow tires and AWD, S. Boulder road was a parking lot, so I gave up and went home. I sat it out for an hour hoping all the 9-5ers had made it in to work and gave it another go, but it still took me an extra 20 minutes to get to the TH.
The trail had seen a good bit of traffic and was nicely packed if a bit icy, but perfect for a sharp pair of studded shoes. I went quickish, but did not want to suck in too much cold air or break a sweat so I never really pushed too hard. There was a major inversion today and the upper half of the mountain was actually quite warm (relatively). On the second lap I was even carrying my mittens, as my hands were just too warm.
Lap 1:
Up in 23:37
RT in 37:47
Lap 2:
Up in 23:32
RT in 37:37
2,600 vertical
Headed out the door at 8am and the thermometer read -13 (after dipping to -18, a new record for this date). I totally spaced it when I got up and did not notice the negative sign in front of the number and thought it was warmer than it was, but after walking the dog, I knew something was not right since my nose was about to fall off. Despite having studded snow tires and AWD, S. Boulder road was a parking lot, so I gave up and went home. I sat it out for an hour hoping all the 9-5ers had made it in to work and gave it another go, but it still took me an extra 20 minutes to get to the TH.
The trail had seen a good bit of traffic and was nicely packed if a bit icy, but perfect for a sharp pair of studded shoes. I went quickish, but did not want to suck in too much cold air or break a sweat so I never really pushed too hard. There was a major inversion today and the upper half of the mountain was actually quite warm (relatively). On the second lap I was even carrying my mittens, as my hands were just too warm.
Lap 1:
Up in 23:37
RT in 37:47
Lap 2:
Up in 23:32
RT in 37:37
Saturday, 12/13/08 Bear/S. Boulder/Bear
9.5 miles
3,600 vertical
Allison and Sierra joined me for a stroll from the S. Mesa TH. Went pretty easy for most of the way, until I got clearance to cruise ahead once we were half way up. Allison was just going to do S. Boulder, but at the last minute decided to add Bear, so I ended up chasing her for another lap on Bear. Great day to be out. 2:38 RT.
3,600 vertical
Allison and Sierra joined me for a stroll from the S. Mesa TH. Went pretty easy for most of the way, until I got clearance to cruise ahead once we were half way up. Allison was just going to do S. Boulder, but at the last minute decided to add Bear, so I ended up chasing her for another lap on Bear. Great day to be out. 2:38 RT.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday, 12/12/08 Sanitas X 3
9 miles
3,900 vertical
Hiked/ran the first lap with Allison and Sierra, 26 up/20 down as we met a friend who we walked with. I did the final 2 laps on my own, listening to great archives of the Competitors on my Mp3 player, very good stuff for multiple laps on Sanitas. Conditions were mostly dry and it was sunny and reasonable. I really wanted to do another lap or two, but had to get home.
Lap 1:
26 up
20 down
Lap 2:
19 up
14 down
Lap 3:
22 up
14 down
3,900 vertical
Hiked/ran the first lap with Allison and Sierra, 26 up/20 down as we met a friend who we walked with. I did the final 2 laps on my own, listening to great archives of the Competitors on my Mp3 player, very good stuff for multiple laps on Sanitas. Conditions were mostly dry and it was sunny and reasonable. I really wanted to do another lap or two, but had to get home.
Lap 1:
26 up
20 down
Lap 2:
19 up
14 down
Lap 3:
22 up
14 down
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday, 12/11/08 Bear/S. Boulder
7 miles
3,500 vertical
Allison and Sierra joined me for my almost daily trip. The trail up Fern is well packed all the way to the summit now. Had a near fatal mishap with falling ice (missed us by inches) that got our adreneline up. Very windy above the saddle, pretty cold too, I guess it really is December. The trip to S. Boulder was the usual slog, all evidence of my trip yesterday was mostly wiped out. The trip down was a blast on the packed snow.
1:10 up Bear
1:33 S. Bo
2:58 Total
3,500 vertical
Allison and Sierra joined me for my almost daily trip. The trail up Fern is well packed all the way to the summit now. Had a near fatal mishap with falling ice (missed us by inches) that got our adreneline up. Very windy above the saddle, pretty cold too, I guess it really is December. The trip to S. Boulder was the usual slog, all evidence of my trip yesterday was mostly wiped out. The trip down was a blast on the packed snow.
1:10 up Bear
1:33 S. Bo
2:58 Total
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday, 12/10/08 Bear, S. Boulder, Sanitas
10 miles
4,800 vertical
The trip up to Bear saddle was an easy cruise on packed trail. Above that, it was a complete wallow fest even though the trail had seen a few recent visitors as the wind was creating some impressive drifts. The trip to S. Boulder was tricky and laborious taking 20 minutes to get there and a little less to get back. I had originally planned on doing this twice, but the snow conditions above the saddle eliminated that possibility, so I moved on to the warmer and sunnier climate of Sanitas for one lap.
Splits:
Bear: 1:05
S. Boulder 1:25
Finish 2:20
Sanitas:
23up/17 down
4,800 vertical
The trip up to Bear saddle was an easy cruise on packed trail. Above that, it was a complete wallow fest even though the trail had seen a few recent visitors as the wind was creating some impressive drifts. The trip to S. Boulder was tricky and laborious taking 20 minutes to get there and a little less to get back. I had originally planned on doing this twice, but the snow conditions above the saddle eliminated that possibility, so I moved on to the warmer and sunnier climate of Sanitas for one lap.
Splits:
Bear: 1:05
S. Boulder 1:25
Finish 2:20
Sanitas:
23up/17 down
Tuesday, 12/09/08 Sanitas X 2
6 miles
2,600 vertical
Started at 7am, lots of slipping and sliding in the fresh snow despite a set or two of footprints to chase. Even though I put in an effort on the high side of moderate both times, I was only able to muster a 26 minute ascent each time. The first descent was 23 minutes and then I cut 5 minutes off the next time down. Fun day.
2,600 vertical
Started at 7am, lots of slipping and sliding in the fresh snow despite a set or two of footprints to chase. Even though I put in an effort on the high side of moderate both times, I was only able to muster a 26 minute ascent each time. The first descent was 23 minutes and then I cut 5 minutes off the next time down. Fun day.
Monday, December 8, 2008
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