Up a Mountain / Down a Beer

I swiped this off of the big mo and thought it was UpaDowna worthy!!

And yes it looks like a wild ride…someday…

Based in Leadville, Colorado and described as “an ultra-marathon consisting of a big loop on, above, and around Turquoise Lake. Over 2700′ of climbing with a high point of 11,380′. The trails are usually semi-packed, and the views are great. This event is not for the meek or inexperienced. It can be one of the most difficult winter events known.”

Holy Mackerel!! That is about all I can say about this weekends race. As some of you know I have been looking forward to this race for a for a few months now and it was really an amazing experience.

This was the 20th annual Leadville 20 Mile Snowshoe Race on and around Turquoise Lake (LAT:39.2702713817 LONG: -106.393318176).

The course was set by Tom Sobal who is arguably the most accomplished snowshoe racer in History having won nearly every major snowshoe race including the 100 mile race in Alaska, Iditasport 100. Tom has a has a nack for picking grueling courses and usually finishes near the front of the pack. Tom also has been doing these races for years and is showing no sign of slowing down even giving his 50ish age!!

The course started at the Sugar Loafin campground and headed west through the woods until it dumped you out on Turquoise Lake at which time you headed north into the brutal wind and blowing snow far across the lake forcing you to cross a surface mixed with barren ice and 10 inch deep slurries of ice and melt water. Which was pretty disconcerting considering you crossed these melted slush pits when you were in the middle of the lake! The lake crossing was 1.75 miles and we earned every inch of it! I am also pretty stoked I chose to wear my Seal Skinz water proof socks, I really don’t know how some of the folks did with out waterproof socks.

I heard a report that one woman fell through the ice up to her hips but I cannot confirm if that was simply a rumor or not.

After the lake crossing we headed west up the back to the snow covered Turquoise Lake road. A few miles of trudging through the snow we eventually headed north-west up a trail to Uncle Bud’s Hut which is part of the 10th Mountain Divisions Hut Association. This was also the high point of the race topping out at 11,380′. I really wish I had the time to hang out a bit up top but well I had to make cut off, after all I only had 7 hours!

Once reaching the hut we backtracked to the road and began a series of long, long hills around the perimeter of the lake until we eventually crossed the lake again in front of the Sugarloaf dam and then back up the route through the woods to our start point at the camp ground.

All in all the weather was great. We started out in a bit of snow and wind, which of course dissipated once I was off of the first lake crossing!! After that we had sporadic cloud cover and the occasional snow flake. No real accumulation of snow and even periods of beautiful warm sunshine.

In retrospect if I were to do this race again I think I should train (at least a little), drink more water and wear shoes that fit properly (I got super gnarly blisters and will soon be both large toenails lighter!!

I am very thankful to all of the great volunteers on the course, they did an outstanding job of keeping an eye on every one and keeping us gel’ed or gu’ed up. I think at the end of the race I had pounded 7 gels!! Unfortunately I ran out of water at about mile 13 and that made it difficult for the last 7 miles. I know I should have stopped to refill but I was pushing to make the cut off.

I think I made it in 6 hours 15 minutes, which means I made it before they could tell me to give it up. The winners were around 3 hours 30 minutes!! Which is impressive and should make them feel good to know I am not a threat to their titles…until next year!

Sawatch Backcountry Leadville, Colorado’s own ultimate gear shop! I am here in Leadville getting ready for the Leadville 20 mile snowshoe race and Mtn Mama and I happened upon Sawatch Backcountry by accident…or maybe it was fate!

We were ambling toward Provin’ Grounds coffee shop for a few cups of coffee when we passed Sawatch and were blown away by the beauty of the numerous fat Tele-skis beaming at us from the window, so naturally we couldn’t resist and headed in.

Walking into this place felt like home, warm, inviting and absolutely packed wall to wall and floor to ceiling with bright colors and epic quality gear.

The guy working the front of the shop, Geoff, was super friendly and excited to share his knowledge of the outdoor adventure scene surrounding Leadville. Mtn Mama snapped a few pics while Geoff showed me the topo maps I would need for the race.

During the short time I was in this shop every face was smiling and eager to help. All the way back to the guy cutting skins for skis. At no time did I get the impression I was being blown off or that Geoff was holding back on his local trail knowledge. There was absolutely no feeling of elitism or secrecy about these guy’s local playground. They were eager and well kick-ass!! Which is refreshing given the fact that last time we were in Leadville for the Teva Mountain Games we were told by another gear shop that there were no mountain biking trails nor much of anything else in and around Leadville, which we knew was false but didn’t have the time to scout it out for our selves.

So if you are out and about looking for a great gear shop that is locally owned and has the knowledge to back up their passion as well as yours check out Sawatch Backcountry located at 460 Harrison Ave. Leadville, CO 80461 719-486-2271, you will not be disappointed.

Oh and they also gave great advice on the local bar scene!!! So how could this place not be in the UpaDowna Hall of Fame?!?!

A picture of Ultra-runner/Ultra-drunk Brownie is up for Pic of the Year in our local newspaper. After looking through the pics I have to say I was drawn to the fuzzy fox babies at first, but then I figured we have to keep true to our friends. I voted for this shot, as should you!! Hell after we make him famous maybe he will buy us all a round at the pub!!

To vote check here. Although all of the pics are good, if you know Brownie you know the only things he really cares about are booze and the outdoors!!! So vote for his pic!

Background on the picture: This picture was taken during Brownies Hardrock 100 2008 race. The race covers 100 miles and connects or passes near the old mining towns of Silverton, Lake City, Ouray, Telluride and Ophir. With a total elevation gain of approximately 33,000′ and an average elevation at near tree line of 11,186′, the Hardrock 100 peaks out at over 14,000’ on Handles Peak, one of Colorado’s 14’ers.

This year has already seen over a dozen deaths linked to the slopes. Between the numerous avalanches both in bounds and out, the skiers slamming into trees and the few lost in the snow, this years season has really caught my eye as to the deadly nature of the outdoor game.

While risks are taken when ever we venture out doors, we know and understand that nature is all powerful and regardless of the amount of training or gear, accidents do happen and people die. It is a simple truth.

However the story concerning murder at Eldora Mountain Resort (the Eldora site is down, however it is located just west of Nederland, CO) really threw me for a loop.

I guess it was only a matter of time, I guess working a shift on the slopes is no different than a stressful shift at the local quicky mart. However the years I worked on the slopes I never was pissed off, hell we got a free season pass!! For some reason I felt exempt from the nonsense while on the slopes. I know we have all run into that bone head that has had a few too many $8 beers or the kamikaze out of control skier. But murder, come on this is supposed to be an escape from the bullshit!

A quick breakdown on the story: Derick A. Bonestroo, 24, of Nederland, CO was a seasonal employee at Eldora Ski area. Upon arriving at work on 30 Dec 2008, he walked into a meeting and begain randomly asking the other employees what their religious beliefs were, then he began shooting. Unfortunately his aim rang true and ended the life of longtime employee and current general Manager Brian Mahon.

After the initail shooting spree Derick attempted to flee in his car and was pursued by local Boulder County Sherriff’s deputy John Seifert. Bonestroo stopped on the side of the road and opened fire on the deputy to which the deputy returned fire ultimately killing Bonestroo.

Here is a more detailed report.

Our hearts go out to Brian Mahon may he rest in peace.

I stole this from Brownie without permission as I am certain he stole it form someone else without permission! This was stolen from his post on his upcoming Triple Century Attempt!!! For those missing out a Triple Century is running 100 miles while drinking 100 beers in under 100 hours!! To follow his progress check his blog linked above and to see his route check here.

Update: I just received word he is pre-lubing his liver this morning (24 Dec 2008) to fully prepare himself for this evenings start which is approximately 4:00PM MST.