ln(10)

1.23: 1.5h, 200’ MTCC +ppp
1.24: 1.5h, 1600’ 3x Ida +ppp
1.25: 1.5h, 200’ MTCC w/pack
1.26: 1h, 750’ 2x Ida +ppp
1.27: 1h, 750’ 2x Ida +ppp
1.28: 6.5h, 6000+’ Grand Loop recon +ppp
1.29: 1.2h, 2000’ Woods Mtn. +ppp
∑=14.2h, 11,500’

Training through an achy knee and stuffy head cold is a sure sign of stubbornness. Although the jury is still out on whether or not this was a wise decision, I’m feeling pretty good about it at the moment. Maybe this is merely a result of looking at the week’s superfluous numbers, but I’d like to think that I’ve grown smarter after a decade of trial and error. I thank Brandon for helping motivate me to hit up the gorge this weekend.

Ever since I learned about the existence of a 40-mile route (100% trail), which circumnavigates the Linville Gorge Wilderness, I’ve been eager to explore this so-called “Grand Loop.” Brandon, Uwharrie and I put in at 8AM on a chilly but beautiful Saturday morning from Linville Falls TH with intentions of exploring the northern half of the Grand Loop in a counterclockwise direction.

Equipped with maps, compass and GPS, we launched headfirst into a labyrinth of uncharted trails in the NE sector. We connected with the familiar Jonas Ridge Trail three hours in. Up to this point, we had only made a few small navigational errors, which had cost us less than ten or fifteen minutes. We moved quickly over Standing Bear and on to the summit of Hawksbill.

We were on a tight schedule: I had to be back for our Chinese New Years celebration in Marion by 3PM and now we were bushwhacking all over the precipitous peak of Hawksbill looking for the obscure ledge trail descent to Spence Ridge. Brandon made the call: we didn’t have enough time, so we abandoned the search and retreated to the FS road and ran down to Spence Ridge TH. Soon we were across the river and trudging at a steady clip along the technical Linville Gorge Trail.

In the interest of saving time, we made another shortcut to access Kistler from the Cabin Trail. We were back to the car after 6.5 hours, approximately 23 miles and over 6000 feet of climb. I’m happy that we got a chance to explore about 75% of what we had hoped to of this northern section. I’m also excited to get back out there in the near future to finish up recon in preparation for an attempt at the entire 40-mile circuit.

The vegetarian dumplings were fantastic along with all the other dishes that our friends helped us to prepare Saturday evening at our Chinese New Year celebration. I thank Lily for gathering us all together for the feast. What a great idea! Sunday brought another beautiful spring-like day. Lily, Uwharrie and I made our way to Tom’s Creek and up the MST. Although I honestly wasn’t paying close attention to the time, I’m pretty sure I nearly tied my PR up and down Woods.

30 in 52

http://run30hundreds.blogspot.com/

ln(11)

1.16: 1.5h, 1600’ 3x Ida +ppp
1.17: 1h, 500’ Ida +ppp
1.18: 1.5h, 200’ MTCC w/pack +ppp
1.19: 1h, 1000’ 2x Ida +ppp
1.20: 1h, 750’ Ida w/pack +ppp
1.21: 6h, 6200’ Sultan 50K
1.22: 1h, 750’ Ida +ppp
∑=13h, 11,000’

 

On the tail end of MLK weekend, vowing to surpass 10K’ (a reasonable benchmark living in the shadow of the Blue Ridge), I started up Ida for the first of many reps this week. Turns out I was able to comfortably hit the benchmark as well as make up the difference from ln(12) thanks to the 4th annual running of the Sultan B-day 50K.

It may have been a rainy day for this fun run, but spirits were not dampened in the slightest. I have to give Mohammed and family mad props for keeping this crown-clad tradition not just alive, but thriving! Yet another memorable and surprisingly scenic traverse of the South Mountains was made by many a kindred soul. Thanks to all who helped out as well as those who came out to run! I certainly enjoyed spending some trail miles with my dad on the return. Happy Chinese New Year!

the new old school

The first real workshop offering of 2012 is basically just a new twist on an old Roy Robinson poncho tarp-tent. Roy is the father of Brian Robinson, record-holder of the Barkley Marathons. I remember following Brian's AT shelter entries back in 2001 from his unprecedented 2001 Calendar Triple-Crown hike, a catalyst to my own interest in ultras, fast packing, etc. Good stuff.

Poncho on Colorado Trail in 2002

Trapezoidal rig on CT in 2002

The first couple versions built in 2002 and 2003 were from sil-nylon, as recommended. In 2009, I tried out a lighter weight cuben fiber. This fancy fabric is expensive and corners were cut. Consequently the dimensions of this poncho tarp-tent were a bit too slim to provide adequate protection from the elements.

Within the last couple weeks, I purchased a slightly burlier cuben fiber (CT2K.08) and went ahead and built a newer version, increasing the dimensions to approximately 70" by 104", which requires 4 and 1/3 yards of fabric (still rather pricey, even on sale). So far I'm happy with the finished 5 oz. product, which seems to allow enough space to be set up in the protective trapezoidal shelter configuration that I fondly remember. The Roy Robinson poncho tarp-tent is a good beginner's sewing project that I would highly recommend.

 

ln(12)

1.9: 1.5h, 200’ MTCC w/pack +ppp
1.10: 1h, 500’ Ida w/pack +ppp
1.11: 1.5h, 200’ MTCC w/pack +pp
1.12: 0.5h, 100’ Peavine +ppp
1.13: 1h, 1000’ Jerdon w/pack +p
1.14: 7h, 6000’ Blacks w/pack +pp
1.15: 6h, 1000’ (& back) w/pack +ppp
∑=18.5h, 9,000’

Although the run commute twice a week to and from MTCC for night class is mostly off pavement, this 7-mile roundtrip (on an old RR bed) boasts little elevation gain. I didn’t get up Ida much to supplement the climbing, but there was still a good bit of time spent on the feet this week thanks to the weekend’s backpacking adventure.

Lily, Uwharrie and I had a difficult choice: a trip to the Gorge, or up to the Crest. Having gawked at the snow-capped Blacks all week, we chose the latter. On Friday after work, we stuffed our packs and drove a dozen or so miles from town to lower Curtis Creek. We night hiked in to bivy on the Jerdon Mtn. lookout tower. A nearly full moon illuminated the surrounding mountains including the distant ice-encrusted crest. We began questioning the efficacy of our equipment.

We ascended Heartbreak Ridge the next day and entered into a new world. At 5750’ along the MST below Potato Knob’s precipitous face, we found a sheltered campsite and went to work preparing for a night of bitter cold. Lily gathered an impressive stack of firewood; nearby I hacked away at bulletproof ice with a rock to access a rivulet of water while Uwharrie curled up on the sleeping bags. The fire warmed us inside and out and we celebrated our (what is nowadays all too rare) night on the trail.

We awoke to over four inches of fresh snow on the ground. We started a morning fire, had breakfast and packed up. This winter wonderland had us laughing out loud and rejoicing our decision to visit the Crest. As we lost elevation and looped back (in a similar fashion to the Mt. Gibbes 50K route), we left the snow behind and began to thaw out. I’m thankful to have such adventurous companions as well as such a beautiful backyard!

ln(13)

1.1: 1h, 750’ Ida w/pack +ppp
1.2: 1h, 750’ Ida w/pack +ppp
1.3: sick
1.4: 1h, 750’ Ida w/pack +ppp
1.5: 1h, 750’ Ida w/pack +ppp
1.6: 1h, Peavine w/pack +pp
1.7: 7.5h, 8300’ Tanawha 50K
1.8: .5h, errands +ppp
∑=13h, 11,300’

Resolutions were on a roll until a sickness manifested itself on Tuesday. I fell into an achy fever and slept for fifteen hours. Beyond regretting an unexpected leave from work post-Taiwan, I worried about missing a weekend chock-full of wnctrailrunner fun. I am thankful to have a wonderful wife. Lily nursed me back to health so that I could run on Saturday, but I was feeling a bit too vulnerable for the VerticALE.

Brandon does a great job of putting on the Tanawha 50K. It certainly helps to have unseasonably warm weather. I hope to harvest many more hours on my feet with this exceptionally mild winter.

Yo se que

#11

New Years Eve brought the eleventh annual single-day winter traverse of the Art Loeb Trail. With it being the last day of the year, there was no option for a rain/snow check had the conditions warranted (which has been the case in years past). As it turns out, the 31st tied with '06 for providing the most hospitable weather for ALTAR.

This year's post-run party celebrated my dad's 61st birthday. Both mom and dad have enjoyed being a part of the ALTAR craziness over the years. It certainly is a special tradition. Many thanks to all who came out. Here's to a happy 2012!