With the weather still unseasonably warm, and the trails dry even as high as 12,000 ft, I can't help but try to squeeze in a couple more summits before the imminent winter winter weather takes hold.
I set my alarm for a painfully early 3:55 AM, and when it went off, I felt as if I had just got into bed. After about 30 seconds lying there, listening to that horrendous beeping, I decided it that it was time. Out of bed, on with the running gear, race vest full of Vi Fuel, water, my camera, and my headlamp. After downing a glass of water and half a bagel I was ready to go. The clock said 4:30 AM when I walked out the door, and it was a relatively "warm" 16 degrees.
To my pleasant surprise, my legs felt reasonably good, which was great since yesterday I felt drained and took the day "off" (no running - biked 9 miles & did a 90 min ski conditioning class). I ran down Elk and out the dirt road surrounded by nothing more than the stillness of a starry sky. As I made the turn onto Tony's trail, my headlamp lighting the way, everything suddenly had a shimmer to it. The frost that had gathered on the grass and rocks glistened and sparkled as I climbed.
Just two miles in, and now climbing up out of the valley the temperature increased dramatically. It is strange to think about the cold air sitting down on the valley flood like an invisible fog. Without a thermometer it is hard to gauge, but I would guess that it is about a 10 degree difference.
I set my alarm for a painfully early 3:55 AM, and when it went off, I felt as if I had just got into bed. After about 30 seconds lying there, listening to that horrendous beeping, I decided it that it was time. Out of bed, on with the running gear, race vest full of Vi Fuel, water, my camera, and my headlamp. After downing a glass of water and half a bagel I was ready to go. The clock said 4:30 AM when I walked out the door, and it was a relatively "warm" 16 degrees.
To my pleasant surprise, my legs felt reasonably good, which was great since yesterday I felt drained and took the day "off" (no running - biked 9 miles & did a 90 min ski conditioning class). I ran down Elk and out the dirt road surrounded by nothing more than the stillness of a starry sky. As I made the turn onto Tony's trail, my headlamp lighting the way, everything suddenly had a shimmer to it. The frost that had gathered on the grass and rocks glistened and sparkled as I climbed.
Just two miles in, and now climbing up out of the valley the temperature increased dramatically. It is strange to think about the cold air sitting down on the valley flood like an invisible fog. Without a thermometer it is hard to gauge, but I would guess that it is about a 10 degree difference.
After continuing to climb for another hour, I had made it to the end of the single track and was now cruising up the service road towards the ski patrol shack. Now 90 minutes in, I downed another Vi Fuel Gel and was ready to make the push to the summit. As I was nearing the ridge, the ski was beginning to iluminate in the pre-dawn light. The silhouettes of pines and ski lifts made a nice back drop for this early morning excursion. Before long, I was standing on the peak. Exactly 2 hours from my apartment to the summit, and 10.5 miles.
After taking a few photos from the top I was on my way back down. This time when I got to the single track, I took a right and looped around the northeast side of the resort. The trails over there are extremely buff and make for a great fast descent. Coupled with the rising sun, the views during the descent were spectacular. As much as I wanted to just stand there and take it all in, I knew I was already running late for work. I snapped a few photos and continued on my way, making it home around 8:20 AM. The run was just over 22 miles, and with stopping for photos and to watch the sunrise, took about 3 hrs 50 min. It was also my 5th time summiting Mt Crested Butte this season, and my 35th summit of the year. You can see my full list of peaks from 2012 right here.
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