Mount Aire, Utah

Date: October 19, 2019.

Objective: Mount Aire 8,621'.

Partners: Deez and Landen.

Stats: 4 miles with 2,000' ascent in 3:37 round trip.

Links: Strava.  Trail info.  Trailhead info.

We were in SLC for a concert and managed to sneak up a quick peak just before a storm front came in.  It was quite busy but what else would you expect on a Saturday at a popular trailhead?  The trail was pretty muddy in a few spots but aside from a few slips and slides, it was a straight forward hike with great views from the top.

Blackmon Peak

Date: September 27, 2019.

Objective: Blackmon Peak 10,300'.

Stats: 3.5 miles with 1,500 feet of ascent in 3:46 round trip.

Difficulty: Class 2.  Moderate, short hike but high altitude.

Links: Lists of John.  Strava.  Idaho: A Climbing Guide.  Summit Post.

The Back Story

Back in 2016, Deez and I hiked into Fourth of July Lake to tag a few 10ers before I left for Mt. Rainier.  Blackmon Peak was on the list for that trip, but I ended up passing on it due to a thunderstorm coming in.  After that trip, we decided that Blackmon would make an excellent first 10k peak for Landen (or anyone really).  We eyed a couple of dates in 2017 but all were canceled; once due to lingering snow in the summer and once due to bad smoke from a wildfire in the late summer/fall.  We set out for it in 2018 only to turn down Fourth of July Creek Road to find the area closed due to the Bible Back fire.  The first attempt of 2019 ended just east of Garden Valley with a disabled vehicle and a few tears.  The next window we had required us to thread the needle due to a forecast weekend storm bringing cold temps and snow.  We excused the youngster from school to bring him along on an already scheduled trip to Sun Valley where Deez had a mid-week work conference.  The original plans for that week had also been scraped to accommodate having the kiddo along, plus needing to get in and out of the mountains quickly due to the approaching cold front.

Trip Report 

With a full day in Sun Valley, I wanted to get up a peak but didn't want to commit to anything too tough because we would be hiking Blackmon the next day.  I selected Dollar Mountain for a warm-up hike.  It left "us" with "lots of energy left" which was good.  Due to the schedule, we had a not early, but not late departure from Sun Valley.  We crossed our fingers, said a prayer to the Car Gods and headed over Galena Summit.  We arrived at the trailhead but had to sort though three bags of gear to condense into one pack.

Side note: we were still prepared to spend a night in the backcountry if the weather improved.  Since we were now doing the peak as a day hike, at least we no longer needed 90% of it.

12:45PM and we were actually putting our boots on the mountain!  I knew we had a bit of time to spare for the short hike, but I also knew the weather was going to be cold and windy up high.

Blackmon from the trailhead.

Actually at the trailhead.

Initial section of the route.

It was nice and warm down low.  The initial section of the route was a bit ambiguous.  I just kept an eye on the map and tried to follow the road-turned-trail that leads to Strawberry Basin and the saddle just west of the peak.  We payed a quick visit to one of the mines and eventually I found the trail; a great trail in fact.  Easy ground!  We came across a group of hunters who were ready to discharge their bows and politely let me know that "there were deer here just a minute ago".  Wink-wink.

Looking west toward the Sawtooths.

Low on the southwest ridge.

Weaving though the trees on the ridge.

From the trail, I picked a prominent gully and hiked up the side to gain the southwest ridge and then stopped for a rest.  The route is short and straight forward but the anticipation was high.  It wasn't long before we set off for the summit.  Probably not going to throttle back at this point.

Deez crushing it up the ridge.

Landen close to the summit and eager to top out.

Fourth of July Peak.

We had to make one more quick stop to don a layer in the cool breeze.  The summit sits just above treeline and the views were amazing.  D.O. Lee Peak sits just to the north and was impressive but the view to the east and Castle Peak was out of this world.  The combination of a skiff of fresh snow and low angle light with the crisp fall air was just fantastic.

Landen waiting for us on the summit.

Castle Peak in the background.

USGS marker.

D.O. Lee Peak.

Landens first 10k summit!

It would all be for naught without plenty of time on the summit, so we layered up with what we had and got our gawk on.  There had been a few twists and turns to get this summit and I was sure to thank the Mountain Gods for allowing us to set foot here.

Mount Frank and Lonesome Peak over Ants Basin.

That summit selfie.

High-fives.

Eventually it was time to head down and it wasn't long until we had to doff our layers.  We took the same route down, which wasn't the most exciting, but it was easy to follow.

Looking down the southwest ridge.

Hiking down.

It didn't happen the way we planned but Landed got his first 10k summit.  We made good time on the descent and soon found ourselves back at the mines.  Watch your step around there!  We gave one more round of thanks to the mountain and made sure to pay respect to the Car Gods as well.  The rest of our quest was smiled upon and soon we were in Stanley for dinner.  The ensuing cold front left a few inches of snow in the high mountains so it will be interesting to see how the rest of the rest of autumn shapes up.

Dollar Mountain

Date: September 26, 2019.

Objective: Dollar Mountain 6,638'.

Stats: 2 miles with 700 feet of ascent in 1:13 round trip.

Difficulty: Class 1.  Easy, short hike.

Links: Lists of John.  Strava.

We had to move some plans around after a vehicle failure last week while enroute to the White Clouds that foiled yet anther stab at actually getting our boots on, not to mention trying to get Landen up Blackmon Peak.  Long story made moderately short, we took him with us up to Sun Valley where Deez had a work conference going on.  There were other plans made for this week, but due to the weather closing in, those got tossed to the side.

So there we were with a full day in Sun Valley with nothing to do.  Other than snag a warm-up peak of course!  I chose Dollar Mountain due to the fact that it is actually in town, looked to be very easy and could offer up some good views despite not being very tall.

Dollar Mountain from the parking lot.

We started from the ski lodge at the base and followed a gravel trail along a ski lift.

Start of the trail.

Sun Valley.

The trail we followed was steep in a couple places but really quite easy.

The southern edge of the Boulder Mountains.

Highpoint.

It didn't take long to make our way to the highpoint and soon we were enjoying the views of Bald Mountain, the southern Boulder Mountains, and Johnstone Peak.

Bald Mountain.

Johnstone Peak.

Looking south down the Wood River Valley.

Summit!

After a snack and a little time on top, we followed the same route back to the car.  Moving on to bigger things!

Soldier Mountains Traverse

Date: August 17, 2019.

Objectives: "North Smoky Dome", Smoky Dome, Peak 9666 aka "3rd Peak".

Stats: 13.8 miles with 4,800 feet of ascent.

Links: Strava.  Idaho: A Climbing Guide.  Summit Post.

A tough day for such short mileage but was actually easier/shorter than expected.  While I did take this on as a run, the terrain was very un-run-able other than the trail used for the approach and escape.  This route was mostly off trail though some thick forest with downfall and underbrush, as well as talus up to class 3 and a good chunk of bushwhacking.  If you're looking for an "easy" three peak day, this is not it.

Eagle Cap

Objective: Eagle Cap 9,572'.

Date: August 5-7, 2019.

Partners: Deez, dozens of other people and thousands of mosquitoes.

Links: Strava.  Summit Post.  Terminal Gravity Brewing in Enterprise, Oregon.


You climb a bunch of mountains and nobody really cares, but you make one wrong turn and you'll never live it down.  We still got the peak and still had a great trip despite my ineptitude adding about 4 miles and 1,000 feet of vert.

The original plan was an out-and-back route that had us staying at Mirror Lake for two nights and summiting Eagle Cap on day 2.  The improvised plan called for a loop with one night at Minam Lake and one night at Mirror Lake.  Minam Lake was awesome but busy and the bugs weren't bad.  Mirror Lake was C-R-A-Z-Y busy, people everywhere and the bugs were awful (kind of expected).  Camp sites were not great and offered little shade.  Terminal Gravity Brewing was awesome for post hike nourishment .

Slogging Around The Sawtooth's

Date: July 27, 2019.

Objective: Peak 9150.

Links: Strava.

Fun scale rating: Borderline type III.

I was planning for a long run in the Sawtooth's and decided to make an attempt on this peak after I noticed it was unclaimed on Lists of John.  Yes, I understand that unclaimed does not necessarily mean unclimbed.  The most efficient approach would be from the Redfish lake side via Alpine Lake. The whole point of mountain running is to go have an adventure and this day didn't disappoint.

Alpine Peak

Date: July 13, 2019.

Objective: Alpine Peak - 9,861'.

Partners: Solo.

Notes: Iron Creek Trailhead is one of the busiest in the Sawtooth Range. Choosing a weekend will not offer solitude, but don't let that stop you from visiting.

Links: Strava.

Video

Moose Perch

Date: July 5-7.

Partners: Deez and the dog.

Objective: Moose Perch 10.354ft.

Links: Strava.

Notes: Mostly shot with a single GoPro.

Video

River of No Return Endurance Runs 108k

Date: June 15, 2019.

Objective: Finish the course before the cutoff - 22hrs (3am).

Stats: 69.7 miles and 14,500ft in 20:42:38.

Links: Strava.  Ramshorn Mountain.  Runchallis.com.

Video

This maybe my finest performance in an ultra yet.  Make no mistake, I'm a back of the packer and am in no way holding any illusions of being an elite ultra runner.  Other than staying safe and taking care of myself, my first, second, third, forth and fifth priorities were only to finish the course before the cutoff.  6 months of training apparently paid off and I was able to finish strong at the RONR Endurance Run 108k.  I'll get a video report up soon to detail the event, but here are the highlights.

Training: Ran a lot.  Rocked several back-to-back long runs ranging from the 18-10's up to and including 24-12.  Focused on logging a lot of vert and time on feet.  Made a point to not do anything big (other than training runs) before the race.  Err'd on the side of tapering too much, rather than not enough.

Nutrition: Mostly on point, never really got behind on calories.  Ate real food in aid stations and used performance food (Gu, ect) only to supplement between.  Drank lots of coke!  Aid stations were very well stocked.  Miso soup was a win, especially at Buster Lake (late, cold, dark, ect).

Gear: Used my handheld water bottle for the first 25k and refueled in the 2 aid stations along the way, rather than starting with my vest and blowing through them.  Poles were helpful on the creek crossings, mud and snow but not needed otherwise.  Switched back to the handheld at the last aid station for the last few miles.

High points: Topping out on Ramshorn mountain.  Seeing crew at Bayhorse Townsite and especially Bayhorse Lake.  Crossing the finish line and coming in under my projected finish.

Low points: Not drying my feet and changing socks at Bayhorse Lake.  After climbing through/out of Juliette Creek (several creek crossings) the long downhill into Squaw Creek left me with blisters when I could have significantly prevented/reduced them.  Snow and mud coming into Buster Lake, in the dark, over 50 miles into the course on tired legs.

Big thanks to Deez and Landen for crewing.  Big thanks to each and every volunteer.

Pictures:

Course overview.

Just before the start.

If you know your numerology, this was a good sign.

Waiting for the horn to blow.

Lost River Mountains saying good morning.

Ramshorn Mountain behind me.  Approx mile 7.

Views of a nearby peak on the way up to Ramshorn.

Ramshorn Mountain.

View from Ramshorn.

Summit view.

Summit view.

On the summit.

On the summit.

Descent to Juliette Creek.

White Cloud Peaks from the ridge above Juliette Creek.  Aprrox mile 35.

Ridge above Juliette Creek.  Approx mile 35.

"The Meadow"on the climb to Buster Lake.  Approx mile 51.

Packing my jacket into the pocket of my handheld. Approx mile 65.

Finish.  Approx mile 69.

Finish.  Approx mile 69, almost 2am.

Kelly Mountain

Date: June 8, 2019.

Objective: Kelly Mountain in the Soldier Mountains.  Elev 8,826'.

Partners: Deez, Landen, Ketchum.

Links: Strava. Lists of John.

Notes: Good dirt road to Kelly Canyon, then a bit more rough but passable with a Forester to where we parked.  Beyond that, HCV would be needed to drive further up and shorten the hike.  A few good camp sites nearby.

Video

Hawley Mountain

Objective: Hawley Mountain 7,301ft.

Date: June 1, 2019.

Partners: Mark.

Links:  Strava.

A Turtle on the Weiser River Trail 50k

Date: Saturday April 27, 2019.

Objective: Run 50k.

Partners: Deez and Landen crewed.

Links: Strava.

Vid

Thank you to the RD's, my crew and the volunteers!

I wasn't going to write a report for this, but I figured I might as well.  I used this race as a long training run and of course to see a new area.  This was pretty much a "check the box" type event for me but the RD's did put on a well organized event.  This is a point to point course that changes direction every year.  I ran it on a year that the course profile is basically downhill.  Even on the uphill course, there is only about 500 feet of gain.

Race morning was a bit brisk but I knew the day would rapidly warm up so I started in a short sleeve shirt.  I ran into Erik at the start line.  He filed to the front and I stood in the back like I usually do and waited for the green light.  The initial out and back section was unremarkable other than high-fiving Erik as he ran past me before I got to the turn around.  The first few miles all for a warm up anyways.

I was only aiming to average an 11 min/ mile pace for a finish time of sub 6 hours.  Yes, I know I'm slow but that's my pace.  The pace of a chill tortoise.

After plodding along for about an hour, I hit the first aid station which was just a walk though.  I had no reason to stop other than to hit the porta-potty.

My conservative paced start had me nice and warmed up and feeling good and I had already passed several people by this point.  From then on, I found my groove and went into cruise control.  I'd see a runner ahead of me and surge until I was on their six, then I'd chat with them for a minute, then surge and separate.  The scenery along the river was interesting with a lot of birds and the occasional glimpse of the nearby mountains.  There were also relay teams running the course and every so often I'd get passed by one of those quick hares.  I kept my pace and kept passing other solo runners all the way to the end.  Nothing personal, nothing competitive, just a turtle in his groove. 

I didn't see Deez and Landen until the third aid station in Cambridge at mile 22ish.  They were quick to run up and remind me to apply sunscreen.  Deez filled by bottles with Tailwind while I grabbed some real food and then I was out.  Only 9 miles to go!

By now there was a stiff head wind that lasted the rest of the race.  The crew was waiting for me at the last aid station and by this time I was staring to cramp.  Here I chugged a small amount of Coke, grabbed some M&M's and a pickle to go.  Not the best combo.  I had a nice little bout of near vomiting but the quick sugar had me feeling a little better.  4.1 miles were all that remained between me and the finish line.

In my limited ultra running experience, I've learned to just focus on running my own race.  I've also learned that time goals are okay, but it's really all about the finish for me.  The last few miles were a bit warm so the breeze was nice, but still annoying.  Landen was waiting for me about a hundred feet from the finish line to run in with me.  The chase was on to pass one more runner!  I let him take it by a nose.  Crossing the finish line of an ultra has never not been an emotional experience and I was quite happy with my finish time of 5:43.

Photos: