Finally It’s Winter
March 9, 2010
Snowboarding Ski Bowl, Unalaska - Dan
I remember when I came out to the islands to work. It was a January and the island was covered with snow and the skies were that dark stormy gray you see across large bodies of water just before a big storm sets in. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen good snow like this. I don’t know the exact accumulation but it’s plenty enough to get out and really get in to some winter activities. I like skiing and snowshoeing and have recently decided to try snowboarding. (thanks to the X Games). On my last vacation I spent some time in Bend Oregon and a few days trying my hand up at Hoodoo snowboarding. Besides the rain and the continuous shoulder and leg pain from wrecking I had a great time, enough of a great time to keep the board and bring it all the way back out here.
Snowboarding Ski Bowl, Unalaska - Reid
Until the past week and a half we have not really had enough snow to get out and do many winter sports, so the board sat in my loft under the bed until last Saturday when during a break in the storm I got Reid to go up Ski Bowl for a few runs. It’s been snowing since then and today at lunch we made another run.
With any luck (and probably much to the aggravation of those not as welcoming with snow and winter as I) – I hope it stays for a while, a few weeks of good accumulation would really be nice. The few of us winter sport and snow folks could really have a great time if the snow stays like this. Right now the snow is perfect, it’s light and fluffy, not a lot of base but enough to keep going down the mountains, and I’m happy with it.
So… now all I have to do is learn to ride.
The Regiment Begins
February 1, 2010
I’m certainly not one for keeping a routine with regard to exercise. Wait, now that I think about it I’m not one for any kind of routine in
An Effort To Get In Shape
anything. Maybe I should work on that some other time.
All that aside I realized after looking down at the scale this weekend that I’ve really been putting on the pounds. I need to get back on track with my health and fitness. So in preparation for the upcoming treks and adventures (and to lean up some), I’ve come up with a plan that I think will take me back to my target weight class and improve my cardio endurance by mid March.
The idea isn’t to subject myself to a hardcore daily ass kicking regiment – rather a consistent daily exercise effort to burn some calories and improve cardio. I’ll wait until I’m on the trail to work myself to death.
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
Power hiking up Bunker Hill with a combined pack and body weight of at least 260 lbs.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Cardio through bike or treadmill
Sundays & whenever I can...
Church of Scuba
Everyday
Watching the calories… eeergh
White Mountains 100
January 28, 2010
White Mountains 100
Excellent news! The 2010 race is on! The BLM permit request has been approved.
A handful of you know that I’ve volunteered for several outpost and trail volunteer positions with the Iditarod and The White Mountains 100 races. I’ve been contacted by the organizers of both with the go ahead. (now I just need to pitch it to my boss). If it works out I plan to run the White Mountains course before the race – just to get some winter and cold weather trekking and camping in this year. Winter in the islands has been really mild with little snow.
I can’t tell you how jazzed I am to be a part of this event! Thanks Ed!
Below is a little about the race as taken from the official White Mountains 100 website.
Are you ready for an adventure in the remote beauty of interior Alaska? Come north to Fairbanks, Alaska for the inaugural White Mountains 100-mile ultra race. The race course cuts through the heart of the jagged limestone peaks that define the White Mountains National Recreation Area. This rugged wilderness will challenge racers with a variety of terrain and trail conditions, satisfying even the most experienced
White Mountains 100 Route
winter athlete. Steep climbs, bowel-clenching descents, sharp turns, areas of active overflow, glare ice, tree stumps, roots, and bare tussocks are all part of the White Mountains trail network. Sub-zero temperatures, strong winds, along with blowing and drifting snow may add to the excitement. Traverse this diverse landscape on skis, bike, or just your feet.
Click the map image to the right for a larger version of the race course. Visit the White Mountains 100 official website for more information.
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