Zion Nat’l Park Traverse 2012, aka “The Trans-Zion”, BPL Group Run-Round #2

Brain and Art- thanks for the feedback :)

I didn't know MH made pack/vests- the Fluid 6 looks like a very viable option, @ 9.9 oz it's feathery light! How does it carry vs the Nathan? the larger front pockets of the Nathan do look handy- salt tabs, shot blocks, camera, sunscreen, etc but more capacity in the main pack would probably trump that for an unsupported run like Zion

The Omega looks like a dandy for Zion, very similar to the Surge, but more volume- kind of pricey, but the reviews are certainly good

Mike

The Fluid 6 does have pockets on the front…..just not nearly as big as the Nathan. I typically put a camera in one and 3-4 bars/gus in the other.

It carries fairly similar to the Nathan I would say…..nothing really jumps out at me as different.

BB

danke :) that is a good deal @ O2

best price I’ve seen for the Omega is online at Runningwarehouse,$124 and free shipping.
I’m right on the edge of getting one myself.

Omega at Runningwarehouse

Art- try runblog10 in the coupon section, should give you 10% off :)

Still working out some fit issues, otherwise this may be the perfect pack.

I've got a couple of places you can try that pack out to see how successful it works as a grizzly deterrent when you curl up and lay on the ground :)

I ended up pulling the pin on the MH Fluid 6, had to add a Cap 1 shirt (1/2 price) to get free shipping (over $49)- the shipping was $13 w/o!!!!

I think Eugene's pack would be great for mountain lion country.
is there a wrap around neck piece that comes with it ?

you guys may have already seen this, but I almost spit my morning coffee out watching it :)

$hit ultra runners say

I had a great run this morning :) the area that I normally run I've got to learn rather intimately-I know the mileage, my normal splits, how to shorten or lengthen a loop to my needs, hazards, etc

This morning I was about 3 miles into my run with a very definite route in mind, when I looked over at some ridges that were trailless and thus have never been on. I said screw the route and decided I'd go exploring. I'd hit an occasional game trail, but for the most part it was all off trail. Up one ridge, down another- get to a small cliff, turn around and look for another way around, more ridges to run, more ways to find a way down or up- felt like a kid just running for no particular goal, just to run!

Wasn't my longest, toughest or fastest run, but will go down as one my most exhilarating runs :)

If you can't keep it fresh, it can certainly be hard to keep it going.

One thing I've been having fun with lately is a new altimeter watch (High Gear Axio Max my mom bought me). Don't know if I'll use it all the time, but it's certainly cool to get a real altitude gain figure on a lot of runs I've been guessing on for years.

Over the last week surfing has been taking precedence over running (though I've still been averaging 35-40MPW for the last 3 weeks), but I have some good plans in store for the coming weeks…will start picking it up until Zion starting Monday…Just sort of been taking it easy until now. Planning on doing a linkup of 7 or 8 local peaks that I'm not sure has been done before…Should be cool if I can do it, I'll post up a TR.

Here's a little story about a recent run:
http://sweepingthegarden.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/the-race-unspoken/

Have a good one.

Craig- that's good- so much for the easy run :)

Don't know how all of you are doing in preparation for this, but training is spotty for sure on my end right now. I'm trying desperately to get psyched up to go get my miles in but life and other things are slightly conspiring against that right now.

My work schedule changed without notice this school year. I now teach my first class an hour later in the day and get off an hour later as well. Yet due to traffic and commuting issues, I still have to leave very early in order to not sit in the car for an hour and a half…

Work is a few miles from the beach. To make the best of the scenario, I've started surfing again, getting out nearly every day now. In the water before sunrise, cold outdoor shower, still getting to work with time to spare.

If the waves are small, I swim and dive instead. A buddy of mine is a serious ocean man; he's showing me the ropes freediving and spearfishing. I'm now running around obsessively holding my breath and looking at a stopwatch. My wife thinks I've lost it…

I'm absolutely loving it. I'm already thinking about places to backpack where I can pack in a wetsuit, simple freedive kit (my weight belt is going to screw up my baseweight pretty good!), and a spear.

I'm pretty blown away by this whole other dark and silent world out there.

But after a morning session, full day's teaching with 175 teenagers, and commute home, running is the last thing on my mind. I'm still squeezing out around 30 miles per week, but I'm having trouble getting the long runs. All my miles are 5s to 10s spread throughout the week. Not very confidence inspiring "ultra" training….

I'm not wanting to call it on Zion, but my strategy going into this is certainly changing. I'm leaning more towards ditching the running expectations and focusing on getting in one solid 20-40 mile hike/run with tons of gain every weekend until then.
Confident that I'll then be comfortable enough to just go out and hike the 50 miles and take whatever time I can get.

How's everyone else feeling about this thing?

Craig – so will you be carrying your surf board on the hike now ? searching for the perfect wave ?

my base is considerably better than out R2R2R run, but I'm not getting the quality (or length) on my long runs of late

I'm also hitting the 30-ish mile/week pretty regular w/ runs from 6-12 miles, I'm hoping to bump it up a little, but it is getting close

I was hoping to have a couple of runs near 30 miles, but that seems unlikely at this point, hopefully a couple around the 20 mile mark

Before things go too much further, I have to say I'm going to drop out of this one. I really can't foresee turning my training around right now, and honestly, I don't think I'm much in the mood to try. I've been having a lot of fun in the ocean and "serious" running feels too forced at the moment.

I think I need the mountains for relaxation, family, and beauty right now, not as a proving ground.

doesn't seem to be as much interest in this run as our previous run :(, maybe we should shoot for another spring or early summer run??????- Zion would certainly be a good choice, I also want to do Rae Lakes at some point- realizing that would have to come more in summer vs spring

I'd also offer up the Devil's Backbone race in the Gallatin range as a possibility- it's a 50 mile race in some of the most beautiful country Montana has to offer- only one aid station at the 25 mile turnaround, the majority of the route is at 9000'+- almost assuredly some snow crossing

the race is in July and can be run as a 50 mile or a 25 mile "relay" w/ a partner (each starts at the opposite end)

more details here: http://www.math.montana.edu/~thayes/Runs/Devil/DB50Info.html

Fractured my heel bone this weekend…So now all lingering doubts about dropping out are gone; likely won't even be running short distances for a few weeks.

Hope you guys can still pull something together.
If not, Spring and cooler training temps until then sound good to me.

ouch- sorry to hear that Craig, here's to a speedy recovery!

Mike

Looks like I stumbled upon this late in the game, but if anyone is interested, I was considering doing a fastpack through Zion in late September or early October. I was actually thinking of going by myself, forgoing the shuttle, and going from Kolob all the way east and back to my car at Kolob.

If anyone would be interested, let me know!

I'm thinking #3 should be across North Cascades National Park from Hannagen Pass to Ross Dam. 3 passes, 50 miles, Zero people. And I'll be done with school so I can actually attend :)

that sounds like a dandy, at the rate we're currently going it could be #2

what time of year is it doable?

Well, it's snow free from mid/late august thru mid october, which is why I figured next year. We hiked through last month, great trail. I've talked to a couple folks who have run it in a day. It has an early bail option at mile 43, but up til then it's a one-way shot. I'd be available to help with logistics whenever it happens, it's in my backyard.

sounds like a good fall option; if Zion falls though this fall- we might be able to pull it off next spring

good deal, I'll stay tuned into this thread in case it happens. Come run in the second-least-visited National Park! :-P