Where did you hike this week end

[FIGHT ON]

Thanks FIGHT ON! I think I saw 2100 feet of elevation gain on a website somewhere, but when I look on my topo program it looks more line 1900. It's kind of a toss-up as to whether running or walking is faster, much like the Run to the Top on Baldy. Maybe try it out next year?

z

Wow I thought it was gonna be steeper than that. 567 feet per mile seems less steep than a lot of other mountain trails. A consistent surface like that would be fun to do.
I was wondering if the start and finish lines are there all the time. Or are they in chalk. Did you see people using hiking sticks? I would wanna be in fashion. Don't wanna stand out ya know. I think if I was not running I would use them.
Hey you ride your bike on that all the time right? Ever timed yourself on your bike going up it? Wouldn't it be funny if you could run faster than you could ride your bike?

[zippetydude]

Interesting point!

I've only ridden my bike up it a couple of times. It took me almost the same amount of time. I was kind of surprised at the time, but if you think about it, a bike is far more efficient on level ground than running, a million times better on downhill, but going uphill, it really amounts to very little advantage, and that advantage is somewhat canceled by the fact that you're transporting 20 extra pounds (the bike) up the hill. When they used to do a bike version of the TRC, I think the running and biking records were pretty similar.

z

[Cy Kaicener]

There is one thing that surprised me on Saturday. There was no water anywhere on the road for the slower racers. It was all used up by the faster runners. This is the first time that I have seen this. I did not need any, but some of the people just behind me were really upset. They just did not supply enough water. I think that there were a lot more competitors than they expected. The slow ones were the ones that really needed it.

[Perry]

Where was Perry on Saturday? Not at the Tram Road Challenge. Perry?

Sleeping. I worked 12 hours on Friday setting up an art show, and I'm still recovering from a cold that has lasted a week.

I don't even know the results yet because there's nothing on the web site or in the newspaper.

[FIGHT ON]

The slow ones were the ones that really needed it.

That's right! They run as hard as they can too but have to do it longer!
Let's see how those guys that finish in half the time that we do feel running it all over again!

[Cy Kaicener]

Here are the results of the race
http://www.kleinclarksports.com/tramroa ... er2008.htm

[zippetydude]

Out of water! That's rough for the runners, and probably frustrating for the volunteers who can't even drive back down to replenish their supply. After all, volunteers are the wonderful people who charge nothing and give of themselves to help us (the runners) have a safe and successful run.

I think the shortage may have come from an unexpected increase in enrollment. Last year's results listed 327 total, this year's results show 451. If you've planned to have a little more than you need, say 350 people worth of water, the last 100 are going to be a bit dry. Fortunately the weather was good and the race is short enough where running with no water would not constitute a health risk.

Well, something to learn from. Easy enough to have a new contingency plan in place from now on - pack a couple of cases extra, and have permission to drive back down to the main gate, or even to Stater Brothers if you need to if you can get there and back quickly with supplies that fulfill the need.

Hope you dry people weren't affected too much. Hope also that those kind hearted volunteers didn't catch the blame for the shortage. We're all friends here, learning how to work together better as a team. I'll probably crew the run one of these years. Too much fun. This is a great season to meet great people, have fun times together, and establish friendships that last a good long time. See my next post for an adventure that I'd like to invite some folks to go on with me.

Talk to you all soon!

z

[KathyW]

It has been a weekend of Fire Lookouts for me.

I didn't get up early enough on Friday to do both Black and Indian Mountains, but I did get up Black. I took the trail that starts on 243 and hiked up to the Fire Lookout. It was a nice hike even with the pack filled with water bottles on my back. I took a few pics:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/gallery/6422247_CQHR9#406773905_wmRbX

Yesterday, I hiked up to Tahquitz Peak via the South Ridge Trail with the Coachella Valley Hiking Club. I left my water bottles at home for this hike. It was a beautiful day out there - that trail can be very hot, but it wasn't yesterday. I just took a couple of pics:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/gallery/6431857_qgLqt/1/407506015_nPhFF#407505447_G6aoG

[Cy Kaicener]

Doreen, Jack, Maria and I left the museum at 6.00 am to hike half way up Skyline. Maria and I turned around at 4000 feet, but Doreen and Jack set a blistering pace to get close to Flat Rock. We met Dave and his girl friend going up to Flat Rock. This was the guy who helped the hikers in trouble last week. On the way Down we ran into Mark who got a late start.
After 10..00 am it started getting really hot passing the picnic tables.

[bdeike]

Hi Cy, I am Bettie. You met me and Dave today on the trail. I think there might have been a miscommunication bec. you seem to think we are the "trail angels" who helped the 2 hikers from the previous weekend. We actually met the three guys (Joe's group) on the way up and supplied them with first aid for blisters. They are the "angels" referred to in the article, not us. I just didn't want you or anyone else thinking we were someone we aren't. It was nice to meet you and Maria today. We also met lots of nice other folks on the way up, such as Pat, Doreen, and Mark. Hope to see you all again soon!