[pct-l] Lodge-to-Lodge

[chelin at teleport.com (Sharon & Chuck Chelin)]

Thanks, Wayne, you brought back an interesting memory,

In July of '99 I was PCT-SoBo and had just crossed Barlow Pass when I ran
into a bunch of these people, or more accurately, they nearly ran into me.
First, I saw a runner approach from the south.  Based upon the facts that:
1) he was not being chased by a bear or a swarm of bees, and, 2) he had a
number attached to his shirt, I determined there was a race on.  Eventually
I met others, and when I got south of the "fun run" turnaround there were
more still.  It was kind of good being on the trail that day because the
race people at the crossroads water points shared with me as well.  Before I
got to Timothy the same runner I met at the pass overtook me.  The only
problem was that I wished I had had a rear-view mirror that day.

Being somewhat caught-up in the event, I detoured over to the old Ranger
Station to see what was going on.  That first guy that I met had won, as I
recall, in slightly over 7 hours.  I don't know if that is a good time, but
I was impressed by anyone who could average 7 mph for 7 hours on the trail.
On the other hand, maybe he was impressed that while he was done, I
continued on to the Cal/Or border.

I talked with the winner for a while.  He was an active-duty soldier who had
been visiting Ft. Lewis to do some kind of physical condition testing of
members to the 75th Ranger Regiment stationed there.  He took a couple of
days leave to participate in the race.  I remember he said he was somewhat
disappointed in the physical condition of the Rangers.  Coming from him I
will accept that observation because I really would not expect the whole
regiment to be made up of ultra-marathoners.

I have met runners on the Timberline trail but I never know their plans.  I
do Timberline in 1.5-2 days which is about all my poor, old body will take.
I do not think a 1-day trip is in my future unless I get in better shape and
do it in 18-20 hours.  I've concluded that for me, trails are for hiking and
roads are for driving.

Enjoy,

Steel-Eye

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wayne Kraft" <waynekraft@verizon.net>
To: "Sharon & Chuck Chelin" <chelin@teleport.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 6:12 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Lodge-to-Lodge


> Steel-Eye,
> I would be quite surprised if they don't cancel this function or move it
> down to lower elevation trails in the gorge.  Even if the snow melts again
> by Nov. 5 there would be lots and lots of water.  They are crazy, but not
> stupid.  I've only participated in one NW ultra-running event, a 50 mile
> race from Clackamas Ranger Station near Timothy Lake to Timberline Lodge
and
> back mostly on the PCT.  I participated in the shorter 50k "fun run" with
a
> turnaround near Twin Lakes instead of the lodge.  These folks consider the
> PCT 50-miler an easy, early season tune-up race. They routinely run the
> Timberline Trail around Mt. Hood in one day as a training run and there's
a
> couple of runners who are trying to complete the Wonderland around Mr.
> Rainier in 24 hours and have come very close. On the other hand they would
> all be awe-struck by someone like Scott Williamson doing 30-40 miles every
> day for months. Although I find the ultra runner's list interesting, I've
> sort of concluded that for me, trails are for hiking and roads are for
> running.
>
> Wayne Kraft
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Sharon & Chuck Chelin" <chelin@teleport.com>
> To: "Wayne Kraft" <waynekraft@verizon.net>;
<pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 6:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Lodge-to-Lodge
>
>
> > Good evening, Wayne,
> >
> > Timberline Lodge is reporting 4 inches of new snow today, and it is
still
> > snowing hard.  The forecast is for regular snow at those elevations for
> the
> > foreseeable future.  The ski operators are licking their chops in
> > anticipation of a good early season.  By 5 Nov. those Trail Nerds could
> well
> > be running in snow up to their vaccination.  Even snowshoes do not work
> well
> > in deep, fluffy early-season snow.  On the bright side, it is mostly
down
> > hill.  Imagine running at full-tilt in the snow down the ridge and
> > switchbacks heading from Paradise Pak to the Sandy River crossing.  It
> sure
> > would be exciting ... to watch, that is.
> >
> > Steel-Eye
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Wayne Kraft" <waynekraft@verizon.net>
> > To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> > Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 5:05 AM
> > Subject: [pct-l] Lodge-to-Lodge
> >
> >
> > I thought the readers of this list might me interested in this
announcment
> > from another email list I monitor.  These guys do loony stuff like this
> all
> > the time.  This is from the NW ultra runners list.  (For you non-metric
> > types like me, 100km=61miles)  Wayne Kraft
> >
> > Good afternoon esteemed trail colleagues,
> >
> > Trail Nerds International LLTRC announces its second annual
> Mt.Hood-Columbia
> > River adventure run. This year's version (hopefully minus the mountain
> lion)
> > is the Lodge-To-Lodge 100k. If you wish to join us, we will be starting
at
> > Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and finishing at Multnomah Falls Lodge by
the
> > Columbia River on Saturday, November 6th.
> > The run will be self-supported, though we will be making a water drop at
> > Lolo Pass Road (Mile 16). Last year, we had a kindly support crew that
> came
> > up from Whatum Lake. It remains to be seen whether or not that is the
case
> > this year.
> > Either way, this is a very committed run. There are no easy drop points
on
> > this course. There is no road access at all for the last 35 miles. A
> > headlamp will be necessary. The run can be expected to take at least 14
> > hours, and probably longer.
> > Owing to the early start, we are planning on camping near Timberline
Lodge
> > on Friday evening (November 5th). We will be met by kindly volunteers at
> > Multnomah Falls Lodge Saturday night who will drive us back to Portland.
> > Vehicles at Timberline Lodge will be retrieved on Sunday (November 7th).
> > There will very likely be some snow at higher elevations, though my
> > experience after many autumn runs in the area suggest that it would not
be
> > impassable and/or unnavigable accumulation. The recent warm spell will
> most
> > likely improve conditions somewhat, though I would not necessarily count
> on
> > it.
> > _______________________________________________
> > pct-l mailing list
> > pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> > unsubscribe or change options:
> > http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >
> >
>
>