Monday, June 21, 2010

A WS100 Scouting Report

So we pulled into town Saturday afternoon in time for a short run and a bit of a scout of the higher reaches in and around Squaw Valley. I jogged out to the Five Lakes trailhead, and then climbed about 1,000 feet up to the snow line. The running was 100% clear up to about 7,200' after which the trail disappeared under a heavy blanket of snow, which was still a good two feet deep in places.

The creeks were running pretty good, so this stuff is definitely on the way out, but there is no doubt in my mind that there will be significant stretches of snow to negotiate if the course is not re-routed. Basically, the north-facing slopes and heavily forested areas above 7,000' are still covered, which means that much of the early going next weekend will still be covered in places and definitely wet. No biggie really. I'm just hoping the course is not re-routed, as I'd really like to experience the route as it has traditionally been run.

Today was a completely different experience. Dana, Alistair, Ian Torrence and I drove down to Foresthill and checked out the driveable parts of the course and the aid areas, and then Ian and I ran the crucial 15-mile section from Foresthill down to the river. The weather was no hotter than 80 degrees, and it was pretty comfortable the whole way as far as heat was concerned. Current forecast for race day is not much hotter, so I think we might be dodging a bullet on that front. River looked good, so I'm betting that we'll be fording rather than sitting in boats, so that's good news too.

Anyway, I'll let the following video (which is long and unedited) do the rest of the talking:



14 comments:

  1. Good luck, Nick!
    I'll be following and cheering on your progress online. Kick some butt out there in Cali!

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  2. Nick. You're fit. You're fast. Throw it down this weekend. Good luck.

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  3. Good luck Nick, we'll be up all night followin' ya!

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  4. I'll add my voice to the chorus of "good lucks!" This is gonna be epic!

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  5. Good luck, Nick! Not sure you saw this, but you got a shout-out from AJW: http://www.irunfar.com/2010/06/andy-jones-wilkins-pre-2010-western-states-100-interview.html

    Have fun out there.

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  6. Nick...I am tracking you right now at WS100 and you just moved past Hal into fifth place...AMAZING!...you are lighting it up bro...not just at WS but in general!...see you on the trails and at the races...I met some of your buddies at Bighorn :o) Talk soon and rest up! Yassine

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  7. Nick you're in fourth right now at no hands bridge, only 3 minutes back from third. Hunt him down! Good work man you're a beast.

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  8. Congrats Nick! That was truly amazing!!! What a thrill to track you all day long. You kicked ass!!!
    (I found this little vide of you at Forrest Hill aid station http://www.twitvid.com/ATIRD )

    Well done, Nick!

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  9. Bravo Nick. Tres fiers. A bientot. RC

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  10. Great job Nick! Here's a nice pic of you on the course: http://auburnjournal.com/uploads/inline_2/1277616783_dc97.jpg

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  11. It was a pleasure and a priviledge to have met you and cheer you on on the course. What a race, Mister Underdog!

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  12. Hellova race Nick; nicely done!
    Keep up the good work!
    Steven in Austin

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