March
Bit behind with updating these write-ups. It is currently May 3rd. Things have taken quite a turn since the beginning of the year. It seems now that the brain has shifted to the more day-to-day objectives versus tying my mind up with lofty summer goals. Don’t get me wrong…I am still dreaming.
I won’t dive into COVID-19 right now. There is just so much out there about it and honestly, it hasn’t changed my life dramatically. It feels weird to even say or think that, but I’m an introvert. I have been sort of social distancing since I can remember. Almost all my races that I have committed to this summer have been cancelled (minus the Rut in September). I’m cool with that. I sorta go back and forth with racing. My heart really belongs out rambling in the mountains all summer long.
I put the skis and climbing rack up for now. Just trying to do my small part in the whole equation. Definitely not saying others should or shouldn’t be doing those kinds of activities…everyone has to draw their own line. I imagine as things loosen up…those activities will enter back into the fold. Hard to say when that will happen. Pretty anxious to hit the vertical realm. Spring is the time that I really get back on rock and ready for alpine running season.
For now, I’m content with running and riding my bike close to home. Trying to interact with as few people as possible. Kinda what I normally do….
Thinking of everyone around the world. Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.
Below are two memorable days from March.
Always a pleasure to get up high in Winter. Longs is never a gimme, but this was sort of my last opportunity to get up in March given the forecast. Oh, and RMNP closed a couple days later. Which nullifies this years attempt at the Longs Peak Project. It is all good. I don’t need some arbitrary goal of going up and down the peak every month to appreciate this mountain. As of now (May 3rd), the park is still closed. Who knows when it will open. Definitely the smart choice to close the park and reduce traffic to Estes Park which is a pretty small venerable population with what I imagine is very limited resources and hospital space.
On this trip up the peak, I revisited the NW gully. A fun little low 5th class route the sneaks you up onto the Keyhole Ridge. On this day, the mountain was particularly snowy, with lots of rime ice on the upper reaches of the gully. Experiencing the mountain in these conditions is always a treat. Those final few meters to the top of are stunning. The views in all directions remind you why its worth it.
I remember the rest of the outing being fairly straightforward. If you click on the title, I’m sure I gave a more in depth write-up on Strava.
Getting those running legs back! PR’d on this classic hill climb. There is something special about grinding up a hill on two feet. Where it can feel impossible to keep charging, but the body seems to just move. Kept things very much up-tempo on the ascent and nice and mellow for the descent. Bopped back over Poorman to reduce the pounding while going down Four Mile canyon. Next step; Sub 70mins on the 9mile 3,000ft climb.