Training Log Archive: vlin

Mountain biking in Jackson - Cache creek area and over to Snow King.
None of the hills are easy at 6500 feet elevation. Too bad it was so hot, and I ran out of water trying to make it back in exactly three hours. It was annoying and tiring climbing without clipless pedals.

A very nice lunch at Snake River Brewing, adjacent to Fitzgerald bikes - Unbelievable rate of $10 for a 2 hour rental, then $5 each additional hour.
Ok dinner at Pica's. A huge burrito and a giant cup of lemonade (I was baked in the afternoon heat), then a torta for later back at the ranch.

Hike from Lupine meadows trailhead to Lower Saddle of the Grand Teton, and the return trip

Climbing the Grand Teton via the classic route, upper Exum Ridge, with guide.

Dinner at Quiznos after a long search. They had unlimited drinks, and I was hot and thirsty after the long climb.

Rest day to prepare for a 2 AM start to climb the Grand. Just drove around the north side of the park, stopping at the lodges, campgrounds, marinas, checking out the facilities and restaurants. Drove up Signal Mountain for a nice valley view of the snake river and the Tetons. A very nice lunch at the Colter Bay cafeteria.

One day climbing instruction in preparation for the Grand.
2 multipitch climbs, a nice rappel, practiced walking up and down some steep slabs.

Jenny Lake to hidden falls / inspiration point and back (without taking the ferry). This was supposed to be an easy day.

Lunch - Pizza hut buffet - I was still hungry from yesterday
Dinner - I discover microwave burritos at Dornans - 50 cents for 350 calories! I get two for dinner every day plus chocolate milk

Planned to go up Paintbrush canyon, over the divide, and down Cascade Canyon. Pushed hard to get to the top of Paintbrush Canyon, and followed the trail across some sketchy snowfields, including one very steep and exposed slope (but the snow was soft and was postholed). I thought I was already over the divide, and was confused that the trail kept on going up a switchback on steep scree. After hiking halfway up the scree and losing the trail, I got scared and thought I was actually on a mountaineering route up some peak, and decided not to continue due to the perceived danger/exposure. Sat down and studied the horrible topo map and was still convinced I was over the divide and was off on some climber's trail. Retraced my steps to the saddle, traversing the snow slope lower down so that there were be less distance to slide if I fell (This was a stupid decision becase I had to make my own steps in the snow, actually increasing my risk). Spent a long time trying to find a non-existent trail that I thought woud descend from the saddle. Traversed and descended as far as I could (thinking I was over the divide), aiming for a lake that I thought was Lake Solitude, but was actually Grizzly Lake. Almost made it all the way down, but ran into some cliffs while following a stream down, and almost tried to downclimb near a cascade, but decided the slope was too loose, and I couldn't see the angle and height of the cliff below. Thank god I didn't go further, because I would have ended up at the wrong lake with no trail, and would have had to climb all the way back up to get out. Back at the saddle, I saw hikers roped up and descending the scree switchback, which further convinced me it wasn't the trail I was looking for. After spending over an hour being confused by the trail and attempting to travel crosscountry with no luck, I decided to bag it and turn around, making for a long enough day hike. In the end, after talking with my cabin mate, I was finally convinced that I hadn't made it over the divide. The switchback up the scree goes over Paintbrush divide. I was mad that the ranger gave me bad information that the trail was hikeable, or that I misunderstood him that I could hike it with no ice axe (which I saw some hikers doing). This was a tough introduction to the mountains that tested by judgement in outdoor situations and pushed me to my limits of risk-taking.

Dinner: Chinese buffet - I was super hungry and super tired.

Driving to Jackson, finally. A supersonic burrito and a lemon-berry slush in Idaho falls for dinner while driving into town. Luckily, the climbers ranch had vacancy.

treadmill while watching golf. This was tough to do at altitude in Wyoming

stationary bike in Wyoming

More UntamedVA race,
I'll break down by discipline later

UNTAMED VA 24-hr ADVENTURE RACE.
This race is going to be awesome. We are planning to race fast.

UntamedVA adventure race.
I'll break it down later, but this will do for now

W and OD trail run, with a break in the middle to stop by Potomac River Running in Reston Town Center to buy some nuun. I think I'll use it this weekend to supplement my camelback, especially for the hot weather.
Super nice weather, tons of bikers on the trail, lots of people dining outdoors.

Recovered well from the many mistakes I had, except for the one BIG mistake of skipping the last control. I was running the last loop as hard as I could (which I am not used to doing) trying to catch up to guys who were passing me. Looking at the map, I didn't see the last control, all I was thinking of was sprinting to the finish as fast as possible. I didn't think the easy loop would have a control off trail, but I should have still checked the map to see where I was going. Lessons learned: Relied too much on following and got distracted, always doublecheck the GO control. I have a habit of skipping the GO control when it is close to the finish or I am pushing hard.

A spin around Wakefield, as it was getting dark.