Preparations

The Nepal trip is fast approaching, and I am now in preparations mode.  I've wanted to trek the Annapurna Circuit for roughly 13 years now, ever since my last trip to Nepal, when the second half of my travel plans got waylaid due to the loss or theft of my moneybelt and passport in Lukla. There's nothing quite like being half a world away from home--without any identification, credit cards or cash--in a country where you don't know the language. My parents love telling this story about me.

I'm headed over with a couple good friends, also ultrarunning trail fools. Our plan is to go fast and light, making tracks as best we can, and basically fastpack the loop through the Himalayas in about half the standard trekking time. The Circuit is set to see some changes, as a road is being built into a remote section. When I learned this, I realized I'd always regret not pushing to get over there now.

My research on this trip is weak. There are so many details I'm not sure about, and haven't had the time or inclination to really figure out. I do know the Circuit is very well traveled, with tea houses all along the way, and so the trek will not at all be like going deep into the North Cascades. I've seen a few different numbers as to the distance, but I think 130 miles is in the ballpark. These are a different type of miles, of course, with a few days at the higher altitudes.

Nights will be spent in guesthouses, with dinner of rice and lentils, aka "dal baat", at a price of probably $5 to $15 per night. I'm probably on the high side with that cost estimate. The greatest expense is getting there, and finding the time to get away from day-to-day life here in the States.

Altitude will be one of the big challenges, with a high point approaching 18,000 feet. A different culture and language to contend with, and admire, as the case may be. I'm not sure where things are politically in Nepal right now--a Communist movement was starting the last time I was there, and I think they took power. I'm really looking forward to the trail, which will include deep gorges with waterfalls, long bridges, terraced agriculture, and the highest mountain range in the world. Also, there's this one place in K-du which makes really good tandoori. I'm hoping it is still there.

Visas are acquired, both for Nepal and India. Had to send the passports to the U.S. consulates; took some time, cost some money. We'll be lucky to get some naan in India, with only a 12 hour layover there, but who knows when I'll be back in that neighborhood again, so it's worth having that door open.

I joined the American Alpine Club, as they have an arrangement with the Mountain Fund for members to stay at the Kathmandu Club House, and support their worthy cause. AAC also offers a bit of rescue insurance if things go too wrong.  Both organizations seem really great.

I've talked to my doctor about vaccines. Fortunately, last time around I took care of Hepatitis A for life, and so the only one I needed to update was Typhoid. Water quality is pretty bad in many parts of Asia, including Nepal. The last time I was there I shaved my head so as to avoid getting sticky hair from washing in brown water. This time I have a little less hair, and so I'm a bit reluctant to get rid of what I have. I also have some altitude sickness pills, which I don't know what to think of.

Electronics. Last time, in the late '90s, this wasn't even a consideration. How the world changes. I'm not sure how cell phones work, either in the city or on the Circuit. I bought an extra battery for my camera, and an extra film card, but I don't know about charging them. I will probably buy a disposable camera, just in case. This blog may be offline for a little while. Or maybe I'll email a post or two. However it goes, so it goes.

This weekend my mind has turned towards the backpack. We want to go light, and I will, but "How light is right?" is the question of the hour.  I know people obsess about such things, but I won't have a chance to do that. I picked up two different packs at REI's Labor Day Sale, seen in the picture above, and have loaded them up. It looks like I'll be going with REI's Flash 65, described as an ultralight pack, but with twice the volume capacity of the one by Deuter, and at close to the same weight. I've also picked up a few other things, such as some Black Diamond hiking poles (an essential, I think), a puffy, and a water filter. If I had a little more confidence, I might go without certain things, but a middle ground seems right.

So much to think about, so much to do.

Cascade DNS

Beautiful August weekend in the Pacific Northwest. I was supposed to be running Cascade Crest today, but I chose not to start.  My left hamstring and the tendons behind that knee do not seem up to it. I left the decision a bit open until the end, but it's kind of the obvious smart move. For the last four years I've spent this weekend over in Easton, either volunteering or running, and so it is a bit odd to stay home.

Lots of friends are up at Cascade today. My best to all of you, running or volunteering.

This morning I went up Chuckanut, hiking, just to kind of stretch things out. A big owl swooped me, and then perched in a tree, checking me out. The picture above is not so good--bad lighting--but if you look closely you can see the flash caught the eye of the owl, so that it has red eye.

Sahale Arm

Finally, I got out again, on a perfect blue Saturday. I went up to Sahale Arm in the North Cascades National Park, one of the great day hikes in the U.S. I didn't really want to run, but I did a little bit, and carried a small pack, as a bit of practice for Nepal.

Sahale Arm is an 11.4 mile round trip from the parking lot, climbing up to 7800 feet. I believe Harvey Manning or Ira Spring considered it their favorite hike in the northwest. It was crowded, with an army of Subarus in the parking lot. Besides being a great day hike, the trail to Cascade Pass is the launching point for all sorts of mountaineering trips, with numerous jagged peaks within relatively short hiking distance.

I first saw snow near Cascade Pass, and then up on Sahale Arm there were a few snow crossings, but no problems really. Doubtful Lake still had significant snow in the lake, reaching out to the island. As I mentioned, lots of people out on this beautiful day.

Climbing to Sahale Arm Glacier camp was a bit of work. Nothing too bad, but I was working the hiking pole. I seemed to move faster than most, even though just hiking, which was a good sign, considerng my recent leg troubles. The weather couldn't have been more amazing, 80+ degrees, not a cloud in the sky, but the sun actually got to me after a while. The views were always good, but particularly exceptional from Sahale Camp, where the  waves of mountains give visible definition to the name "Cascades." I like where I live.

I managed to blister my heal, breaking in new shoes, probably with the wrong socks. Duh, ouch. Sandals today. No bears, but I saw a mountain goat near the camp--picture below, such as it is.

More pics here.

Wedding in Virginia

This weekend took me back to Virginia for my sister’s wedding, and a brief hot August visit with the family.  I am thrilled for my younger sister and her new husband, a very nice gentleman.  The wedding was a sterling affair in a nice country club in Haymarket, which just happens to be near Bull Run, where I ran a 50 miler earlier this year. 

The trip was a whirlwind for me, a test of endurance really, coming off strep throat.  I took a redeye flight on Jet Blue Friday evening, and then returned to northwest on Monday.  The flight path was abominable, though the best price, connecting through Long Beach, California.  It took something like 14 hours, door to door.  I liked Jet Blue, as they had real-time Direct TV in every seat.  I watched NFL football traveling each way, and managed to knock out a book too.

August is really not the best time of year to visit Virginia.  Weather was hot, humid, with occasional thunder and lightning storms.  The evenings are wonderful though, with the sounds of crickets and frogs outside, lightning bugs too, and the air just seems to relax a bit, after a tough day. The day of the wedding, the possibility of more storms was forecast, but fortunately never materialized.  The wedding itself was beautiful.  Great to see the family, even for such a brief time. 

Regarding running, I am reminded of when the great Kenny Rogers sang, "I need to drop in to see what condition my condition is in.”  I haven't ran in two weeks, due to a hamstring injury, strep throat, and travel.  It's been a tough time.  Somehow or another, I’ve managed to do 10+ events this year, and I know I need a break. Moreover, my hamstring is bugging me bad.  Even now, sitting here, I can feel tightness behind my knee. 

As for the fast-approaching Cascade Crest, I’d say I'm doubtful, but I'm still chewing on it a bit. I'm more inclined to focus on getting healthy for Annapurna in September. Still, the race is paid for, gorgeous and amazing, and so I'll leave it on the stove for now.

And, is summer gone already? What happened??  I’ll probably do something interesting this weekend, perhaps Sahale Arm, just to try to find the high country.

Strep Throat

At this moment, I am watching Rambo: First Blood 2.  John Rambo: "To survive war, you have to become war."  I've been watching a lot of television this past week.  I had never heard of this show, Matchmaker Millionaire, but I've seen my share of episodes now. Also, it seems like America's Got Talent is on every single night. That's some high quality programming. I like those dance people who glow in the dark like a Lite-Brite Board. Professor Splash is a nut.

I have strep throat, as might be discerned by the title above. Came down with it maybe on Tuesday or Wednesday after White River.  First it was just a swelling of the gland. A perturbance. But then on Wednesday afternoon it got so I couldn't focus, and I probably had a fever. It felt like I had broken glass in my throat. Couldn't eat a thing; drinking water hurt. I went to the doctor the next day; diagnosis made; antibiotics prescribed.

I got better, but the antibiotics didn't work as well as expected. After a tough weekend, I went in to the doctor again on Monday.  Finally, I got the right medicine, and now seem somewhat whole. I've lost about 9 pounds this week. Probably wouldn't hurt my running to stay sick another week, at that rate.

What a weekend of great weather and outdoor doings to miss though. Rich and Mike doing a ring-around Mt. St. Helens on the Loowit Trail, always a dream of mine.  Scott K. summiting Rainier. Terry and company putting on God's Country 50k out in Anacortes. I saw Joe and Shawna made it up Thornton Lake.

Me meanwhile, I know Matchmaker Millionaire. Also saw Up and The Eagle, fwiw. Up is cute.  The Eagle--not so good.

It is interesting though, to sit in a doctor's office.  You fill out the paperwork, show them the benefits card, make the co-pay.  You sit in the lobby, with all the other sick people.  Then they call you to a room, and shut the door. All this sterile stuff everywhere. Blood pressure, ear temperature taking machine. Eventually the doctor.

My point is, going to the doctor's office is sort of a stop and look around thing for me. Getting sick doesn't have to be a negative. It helps remind me of how good it is to be healthy.  I hope I can stay healthy and continue to do those things I like to do, and adjust in a graceful manner as I age.

White River 50

The weather for the White River 50 was amazing. Summer visited the northwest for a day, and I was there. Clear skies, with movie star views of Mount Rainier from Suntop (Mile 37) and around Corral Pass (Mile 16 or so). In the morning, the sun bouncing off the mountain forced me to squint. In the afternoon, the mountain looked as if it were something not of this world—just spectacular. These were the best views I’ve ever seen of Mount Rainier when doing this race. Climbing the mountain is increasingly a priority for me.

The bad news is I had a horrible run. For the first 10 or so miles, I had something going on with the digestive system. But the trouble really hit when my left hamstring started locking up. It’s been giving me problems for the last couple months, and I’ve sort of ignored it, figuring I’d blow through it. It was really frustrating. The hips would not engage, and one leg was working harder than the other, and so it goes. I was resigned to a shuffle/walk for long sections of the race, even though I had more aerobically. I’m going to have to give my body a rest, maybe some professional attention.

No regrets though—terrific trail, a finish, a good day with friends. 4th White River finish. Each has its own special story. This just becomes the injury year, with the amazing views.

I love Skookum Flats. Wait. No I don’t! Why does THIS part of the course capture the White River experience for me? For the uninitiated, Skookum Flats is the last 6.5 miles of trail, along the spooky White River. It is beautiful, rooty, and never seems to end. The White River course, from start to finish, is a classic. But with all the elevation gain and loss (8000+), it is ironic that the Skookum Flats section lurks longest in my memory about this event.

One of the benefits of finishing near the back in this race is the big cheer from all your friends when you finally do cross. That was amazing, to see all the smiling faces of my friends, in that 100 yard stretch. What a lift! And so many friends came up to me afterwards, getting my food, chattering. I love the after-race vibe of White River. Thank you ALL! (:

Congrats to all finishers. It never stops being amazing. Seriously. Running a 50 miler is a big deal. So, in particular, I was really happy for my friends Chris, Craig and Justin, who had never ran this distance, and who all knocked this one out large. They were thrilled, and Craig raised a bunch of cash for the Washington Trails Association in the process. And a special congrats too to Shawna, woman’s winner, another Skagit Runner and friend!

Volunteers—wonderful! THANK YOU! Especially you Rich, Jeff, and Laura. And Glenn is amazing too with his photos—really looking forward to seeing those this year, with the mountain looking as it did!

I got to drive down with Dan. Very glad he was there for me, to drive us home. It’s a good 2.5 hour drive from Mount Vernon. And also of note, I got in some terrific trail time with Scott K going up to Corral Pass. Too bad I couldn’t have stuck around for his tailgate party afterwards.

Neil's 50th

 

My cousin Neil hit his 50th birthday this past week, and celebrated in fine fashion, as noted above, exiting from the Bouncy Castle. Huge barbq with lots of family and long time friends at his homestead. An absolutely wonderful time, on a beautiful Saturday.

I first met Neil in the early '70s, on a family trip to the Northwest to visit. He taught me how to catch frogs, jump off houses, and take the training wheels off a bike. He is the older brother I never had, and I eventually lived in his house when I moved out here. We backpacked and camped as teens, as a family and in youth group. Tonga Ridge, Teeanaway, Potholes, Whidbey Island, Crescent Bar, Moran State Park-- lots of marvelous outdoor places, where I sometimes now find myself returning via trail running. 

Although I see Neil and others in the family on holidays and other occasions, it's never enough. "Don't forget your family!," my aunt clearly reminded me on Saturday.

I've been climbing Chinscraper a bunch in the past week or two. I think it's going to be an all hills diet for me for the next couple months, with some really big hills lined up for September. My ankle isn't 100%, but I decided to sign up for White River, because....well, everybody plays the fool. I'm sure it'll be ok--10 miles at a time, and a fine barbq at the finish.