Training Log Archive: RJM

Big Bend on the towpath. Weather forecast was for a cold front after 12. 25F, Snow ok, went south to memorial, returned, then thought 50 minutes wasn't enough so continued north. At the bridge before schumacher got a phone call (someone had accidentally deadbolted the field station door) and looked up to see a wall of dark clouds ahead. Continued skiing, and in moments was in a near whiteout with howling winds and swirling snow. Stubbornly continued all the way to the merriman crossing, and on return even tracks from a few minutes ago were filled with drifting snow. Couldn't see because glasses were covered with snow, and beard and even eyebrows clogged up. Not overwhelmingly cold (teens), but it was nice to get back to the car. By then most of the snow had stopped (see photo). Car was covered in new snow, and..... so was the steep road leading out of the valley to Merriman and to my house. The road out of big bend was untracked and had half an inch of fresh on it. Wheels spun some, but slow and steady got me to the intersection with Merriman. To my surprise Merriman (which is a major traffic artery as well as being steep) was just as bad (they usually defend it early and often). There was traffic both ways- very slow and unsteady, several had their hazards on. I let them clear out and pulled out to go uphill, spinning wheels most of the while, until i could see the base of the steepest 400m of the hill. And on that slope was a tangle of cars - those going down were either creeping along with poor control, or even pulling off. Those going up were stopped... no, they were spinning wheels and only inching uphill, weaving side to side to prevent sliding into the ditch. I had little choice but to continue, so i went very slowly to give me as much manuvering room as i could, but still came to a stop behind the climbers. And then i really had no traction, just waiting. After a few moments the front cars somehow gained purchase, and pulled forward, and the movement rippled back through the line of 4 or 5 cars to me. Somehow i got traction too, and after 5 minutes of white-knuckle got to the top. On top finally saw a snowplow coming the other way, presumably to clear out the problem. For that whole time I seriously thought I would spend a few hours stuck on the road waiting for help. Lucky me!

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too busy with hosting manager candidates. Probably best to rest anyhow

gym

gym-indoor track. 2 on 1 off. felt ok

BNP - some walking on crusty snow, and then some vigorous snowshoeing.

gym

eEd nature walk at BNP - tamarack bog info. 40F, lots of melting