A week up High

Last Friday while we were in keystone I ran - then hiked - then stared in disbelief - then ran again. Headed up under the chairlift on the mountain bike trails, followed what seemed like a nice one into the trees only to realize that this little "trail" turned into a corkscrew boardwalk 13' above the ground. On my way back down I then had to backtrack as the "trail" simply ended about 15' in the air. I was scared walking this dam thing...people ride bikes down it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBI-v1f0VMo

Sunday, I spent about 2 hours above treeline hiking and doing sprints above Loveland Pass. Great views, nice hike, and no people once you get passed the first little summit (the tourist all stop there).

Tuesday we went for a nice 19.4 mile bike round from Keystone into Dillon and back. In addition to the ride, I did mine pulling two kids in a trailer. we were also on the bikes daily so that surely countered the beer i drank doesn't it?

Thursday did my first Pikes Peak summit of the season. I stepped in snow 100 times, almost all of it during the last half mile. I also got to play with my new Garmin. According to the calories tracker, i burned 2100 calories during my 5:37 hike. I think I simply need to do this hike daily. I was pleased with my time. As is my custom I take the first ascent very easy, walk the whole thing, never push the pace. I was planning on a 6:00 ascent so this was nice. I'll try to shave off 15 min. during next week's trip up.

All said and done, I spent seven of the past nine days above 9000' and got in some good climbs. We'll see if it pays off.

BTW where are you NM?

My Littl Recap

June 18: Hydro to No Name Creek - 3 hard miles up (and of course three more down) - 1:03 up

June 20: Race start to Barr Camp - 7 miles up (and unfortunately I have to get back down so that means 7 miles down) - 2:36 up/ 1:39 down

June 22: Incline with the kid - :59 up

June 23: Ruxton to top of the W's, about 3 miles up and 3 more down - 49:55 up

June 27: Elks Park - 12 mile round trip with a start at 12,000 feet (timberline) and a low of 10,200 (Barr Camp) and back - 3:30 rt - see pic, whci is from the start
Great trip and not having 6 miles of down hill saved me from the beat up. A low point of 10k didn't help much, but I need the altitude.

What's that Smell?

Check out the link by clicking on the title.