Alaska Mountain WIlderness Classic

[Roman Dial]

Andrew Skurka came to AK this summer. He teamed up with two PJs and won the Wilderness Classic race.

Meanwhile others out there made this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjpg2L-HbPA

Takes lightweight to another end. Pack weight for the guys in the video minus food was 10 pounds including packraft and paddle for 175 mile mostly off trail route.

[Jonathan Ryan]

very awesome, thanks for the update Roman. So how long does it take for your feet to recover after something like that?

Also what kind of pack was Forrest using. Looks like a lighened version of the Artic Dry pack?

[John S.]

Roman's feet looked pretty trashed..lol. Good video!

[Roman Dial]

Actually, the prune feet were tender but not crippling. I had two blisters, one on the second toe tip and another between my pinky and adjacent toe, but other than that I was pretty good. I'm ready to go now, less than a week afterword.

Unsure about Forrest who hurt his ankle….

My blog page has another racer's foot that looks pretty nasty…http://packrafting.blogspot.com/

But glad you all enjoyed the vid. It was fun to make. Made it on Saturday/Sunday. We finished on Thursday.

The pack Forrest has was something he picked up at the OR Show in SLC, made by OR, I think. He'd be the best one to comment on it, but it has real promise.

My own pack was an old Cascade Designs pack, similar to the Arctic 1000, but a little lighter/smaller.

My gear list is also at http://packrafting.blogspot.com/

Would love your investigation, comments, critiques of that list.

[Jonathan Ryan]

The gear list looks pretty solid Roman. Some small places to save weight but would prob only make the sum on the excel sheet look better rather than enhancing performance. Overall considering your performance in the race I would say what you used work pretty darn well!

Only suggestion would be to contact Vibram and see if they could do a surgical implant of some 5Fingers soles on your feet ;)

[John S.]

I'd agree with Jonathan, the gearlist looks good.

[Roman Dial]

Thanks for looking. I'll check in w/vibram re:feet-to-treads…

I'm in the market for a new anorak/pullover to replace the ole' Patagonia Specter. I got a GoLite jacket, but don't like the clammy white coated fabric — also like a chest pocket on pullover. And pullovers save zipper weight. I need a hood too.

Any ideas?

[Jonathan Ryan]

I still have but barely use my Specter ever since I moved over my Integral Designs eVent rain jacket. It is not an anorak, but far more breathable and I think the fit is better. But if you are set on a pullover check out the BPL OR dispatch on the new Rab eVent pullover.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/orsm09_tuesday_dispatch.html

[Roman Dial]

Thanks Jon for the suggestions.

[Inaki Diaz de Etura]

If it's still in the catalogue, the TNF Triumph (the available pocket is below chest level though).

Just slightly heavier but probably a bit less unbreathable, the Haglofs Oz pullover

[Sam Haraldson]

Andy is currently writing up a race overview that will appear on BPL next week.

[Roman Dial]

Jonathan,

Here's what Forrest said about his pack: "The pack held up well and I liked not having to fuss with a dry bag liner. It is made by Outdoor Research and is called the Dry Comp Vertex Sack."

[Jonathan Ryan]

Nice, thanks Roman, I will have to look into that. I am not a packrafter but we get some pretty wet and nasty weather here in New England. Looks like a solid sized weekend pack…..

[CW]

Dry Comp Vertex

Light but small.

[Roman Dial]

You guys are so good on this forum: helpful, quick, detailed and accurate.

[Jonathan Ryan]

this is the curse of having a wandering mind at a big city desk job I fear Roman…… Thinking there are many of us on here that could tell the same story.

[Roman Dial]

Jonathan,

Understood. My normal desk enchainment comes November or so, when water's too shallow to boat, snow's too patchy to ski, daylight too short to hike and it's time to get some papers written.

However, the Wilderness Classic is such a satiating experience for me that I indulge in a bit of internet even at the height of the outdoor season — but now I'm off to Denali National Park: work-time!

[Brad Groves]

Chuckle… Yup, work's slow. Guess who's ready at the computer?

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