The first transition: that’s me in the green Rab “Vapour Rise” jacket–the perfect top for high-output activities. It did not, however, make me any stronger on the climbs.
Despite Mother Nature’s generally uncooperative nature these days, there’s still fun skiing to be had up at the Basin. Credit the skilled pisteurs, those hard-working men and women tasked with prepping the snow surface for us ski-obsessed funbums. Colorado’s first rando race of the year had plush corduroy on which to slide, a warm lodge in which to register and prep, and a great crew to put on the event. And oh yeah–34 dedicated athletes to heavy-breathe their way up and down the Basin!
A 7 a.m. start meant first-light conditions and cold temps. My lungs immediately went into boy-in-the-bubble spasms after the gun went off. Pete Swenson, former pro mountain biker and the genius behind the COSMIC series, along with Greg Ruckman, put the hammer down and the hurtin’ on…leading the field up “High Noon.” A relatively quick climb (10-12 minutes?) strung out the field up to the Black Mountain Lodge, midway up the mountain. We transitioned there, bombed back down to the start, for the long climb to the top of the hill, 2200 feet later.
This edition of the “Rise and Shine Rando Uphill” race was unusual in that it ended with a climb–we hauled carcass to the top, then ditched skis and ran about 75m to the overlook above Montezuma Bowl. Kinda cool. I battled mightily with a couple dudes and the eventual women’s winner–she was slaying on the first half of the climb, but I think my skins were a touch faster, because as soon as we hit some flatter, “glidy” terrain I got away by a few seconds. Ouch–yes, it hurt.
My buddy King busted his toepiece in the first minutes of the race–damn! I was doubly stoked to see another friend, Cooper, in his first rando race, three days after trying tele gear for the first time–he was only seven minutes behind me–CRUSHER! Fabrizio Zangrilli, the high-altitude guide, CAMP–Marmot–SCARPA athlete, and bullgoose ice climber, was right up there, too–finishing in an hour on relatively heavy gear. He’s stoked for another event and we talked about teaming up for the Power of Four event, March 2.
There are three more events in the A-Basin “Rise and Shine Rando Uphill” series–December 18, January 8 and 22. Events are $20 each and you can register online HERE. Top-three finishers (yeah, right!) get some sort of prize from the generous folks over at Wilderness Sports (thanks, guys!). I’m headed to LA for 4.5 days this Sunday–just enough time to grow a little muffin top and lose some altitude…the next race will HURT.
If we’re not skiing powder, we may as well get in some groomers and enjoy the on-piste skiing at the Basin–they’re doing a great job making do with the little we’ve gotten this year, so come support the Basin and your fellow uphill-obsessed rando freaks. It’s a great scene, relaxed, and a super workout. Come give it a try: you’ll be at your desk and working before the boss even notices!
