Although I run on Barr trail more often than any other trail in the Pikes Peak region, I still feel each trip up the peak is a unique experience. And I enjoy sharing those experiences, trail conditions, and photos.
Today's Incline trip was a 36:20. I'll take that, even though my legs felt like lead by the bailout. Speaking of which, it was nice to see Tim at the bailout. I waved to him and forced my tired quads to climb on.
The Incline itself was free of snow or ice. But, as I expected, the ice and snow began at No Name Creek and continued, virtually unbroken, all the way up the trail from there. Today's Barr trail conditions were quite a bit more packed than the powdery snow of last week. The parts of the trail that had melted out and refrozen were very icy in areas. I'd say the trail was half crunchy packed snow and half ice. Good conditions for my nano spikes but definitely dangerous without traction.
The skies were clear and gorgeous blue as I rounded the corner on Lightning Point.
I pressed on for Barr Camp, landing a 2:19 today. Which was far better than last weekend's 2:42! The snow being more packed made for easier travel than the soft powder. Nonetheless, I'll have to aim for under 2 hours as summer comes around. Clear trails will go a ways to help my times, but speedwork will also be necessary.
As I came up on camp, I wanted to go just another switchback or so up the trail. Well, I came around the next switchback and figured it couldn't hurt to go to the 6.5 miles sign (the next significant landmark). But being a crazy trail runner, I reached the 6.5 sign and the sun was shining and I kept on going. Never trust a trail ultra runner to stop at their first destination! As I worked towards the Bottomless Pit junction, the snow underneath the packed trail got deeper and deeper. I knew I was walking on over 3 feet of packed powder with only a small (maybe one foot wide) area where it was packed hard enough to not fall through.
Which is exactly what happened when I misstepped once. I fell in to my thigh. Oh well, it happens!
I made the Bottomless Pit junction and called it a day. Truthfully, I was pretty tired by the top of the Incline, so who knows what motivation I gathered to push as far as I did.
By the time I turned around, the clouds had moved rapidly overhead. The clear blue day was now completely overcast. I took comfort in the fact that I had only one mile of downhill before I could warm up inside the cozy cabin at Barr Camp.
Almost back at camp, a guy passed me going uphill - shirtless! Turns out he was headed for the summit - shirtless! He said that he was practicing a technique that someone had used to ascend Everest - shirtless. I wished him luck, but snow clouds were closing in on the summit.
At camp, I got a chance to catch up with Zach and Regan. Craig was also there, and he told me he was planning on running over 50 miles on Wednesday! I'll tell ya, that guy is so inspiring.
When I left camp, lightly falling snow was all around me, making me feel thankful to be able to exist, and simply enjoy, the peaceful winter woods.
At Lightning Point, it was evident how quickly the weather had changed.
What a reminder that in the woods, we're just visitors. The mountains will change their mood at a moment's notice.
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