In 2008 John Pekar, my adventure partner since high school, convinced me to compete in the Winter Classic. I had just returned to Alaska from graduate school and had plenty of free time, but no money. I scored a sweet sponsorship from the MPF (Ma and Pa Fund) by convincing my mom that soon I'd have a real job, wouldn't be as fit, and wouldn't have time for adventure races. Maybe my poor short-term memory is hereditary, because I used the same argument in 2009 and was MPF-sponsored again.
I learned most of my adventure skills from and with John, so we have an ideal dynamic in terms of attitude, pace, and endurance. We've teamed up for all the races. Each year we have planned to travel with a second pair of racers as 'independent nations.' 'Independent nations' is the brainchild of Chunk, our partner in 2009. The idea is that both groups (nations) want to travel together but are functionally independent in case one pair needs to scratch or travels at a different speed. At the last minute one guy from the other nation has had to cancel, so we have traveled as three. Our third partner was Tyler Johnson in 2008, Chunk in 2009, and Brad Marden in 2010. Each partner has brought a different style and influence that is reflected in the information that follows.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Partnerships and 'Independent Nations'
- Basic Strategy and Pack Weight
- Staying Warm
- Food
- Water
- Stove and Fuel
- Sleeping
- Ski Equipment
- Blisters
- Adventure!
# WORDS: 3640
# PHOTOS: 8
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to:
Fast and Light Winter Travel
Beautiful photos and video, wish I could do that.
Re the sleeping bag – I think you could lose at least 100 grams and be warmer by switching to a WM bag or something of similar quality – their 10F bags are actually lighter than the REI bag.
Wonderful photos. Now I'll guess I will go back and read your text!
…fantastic report! There is nothing like racing to focus on kit and technique and this one is classic! Very interesting reading for a warm weather endurance racer – that level of cold is so alien and so intriguing!
Regarding boots and VB socks…
I think we move too fast, produce too much sweat, for VB socks to work. We wore VB socks in leather boots the first year and all got horrible blisters and minor trenchfoot. None of us has touched VB socks since. I like being able to wring out water and dry my socks a bit sleeping with them at night.
I peeled the fabric off of one thermofit liner to compare water absorption. After a long day trip with no gaiter, the bare liner was 80 g lighter, ~50 g due to the removed fabric, and ~30 g due to water weight. I really like the idea of not carrying that water!
Intuition makes a bare mtneering liner, but can't make a bare ski liner. I'm not ready to take scissors to my new liners, but as soon as they lose that 'new shoe' smell, I'll strip them down.
-Luc
Luc, I'll be interested to hear if removing the lining fabric results in more friction, and possible problems. Might be able to deal with that (if it happens) with two thin socks.
Friction hasn't been a problem for me, wearing a single pair of ski socks. I peeled the fabric layer off the top of my insoles and that has been fine too. I just want to get as much moisture out of the boot as possible.
Incredible trip; well written, enticing photos.
Congratulations.
Looks interesting, but the link is broken. I guess an updated one would be:
http://bedrockandparadox.com/2010/10/31/ski-gear-for-backcountry-traverses/
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