Jenna's Escapades

Dear Tracy

2012-02-12T20:22:00.002-05:00

You were so talented. I barely knew you, but you elicited a beauty of my soul that I never knew I had. I could literally feel the emotion in each one of your photos. You were so young and seemed so in love. You saw the brilliance in life and captured it permanently in phenomenal images that will forever be etched into our memories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk2-ZvWaobQ&feature=related

The Great Salt Lake

2012-02-05T10:18:00.003-05:00

Thad and I are not renowned for taking decadent trips. Granted, we generally venture on two big trips annually to awesome locations. These adventures typically involve a decent of thrift, planning, and strategy.

Winter 2012's trip: Skiing in Utah

Day 1: Fly from AVL to SLC
Day 2-4: Ski at Solitude and Brighton; stay at Solitude (Note: Bert found us an offer of $468 for 3 full days of skiing at Sol/Bright and two nights at the ski-in, ski-out Inn at Solitude. Three SolBright lift passes for the two of us added up to exactly $468, so basically we stayed at a $265/night hotel for free!)
Day 5: Ski at Sundance; stay with Bri and Jeff in Heber
Day 6: Ski at Deer Valley; stay with Bri and Jeff in Heber
Day 7: Fly from SLC back home

Gondola at Deer Valley, UT

Rocking the ungroomed terrain

Brighton, UT, with Mt. Millicent in the background

Walker run, of course

This trip offered the first chance for me to really attempt telemark turns. Essentially lunging down the mountain all day is exhausting. Trying to do these turns, falling, and getting back up might even be more tiring! I started to get some solid tele turns by the end of the trip and could make pretty decent turns on green runs.

We really do have the best adventures. Thad and I always have so much fun together, even when we are annoyed with each other!

State of the Soul

2012-01-24T21:11:00.004-05:00

It is well.

Some of the high points:
- long MTB rides with friends and solo
- discovering insole foot warmers
- dancing like a fool
- attempting telemark turns for the first time last weekend during a very rainy but fun Tele Fest
- procuring a foam roller, which has rocked my world with its miracles for the IT band
- enjoying this rest week after doing four 14-hour training weeks
- exploring a new waterfall and icy cave with lovely ladies and their progeny
- last Sunday's CX ride with Rebecca
- hearing the word "draconian" less often on morning NPR and hoping that whatever negative is still happening in the world is happening with less severity

Let's get it on

2012-01-08T15:40:00.002-05:00

Riding, that is. Winter has gone by the wayside. Two weekends of riding bikes in short-sleeves and shorts later, I shamble a bit looking at my tele setup sitting idly next to the stairs. Let's just bask in the greatness of this Appalachian assault system for a precious moment:

Black Diamond Velvet telemark skis (175cm) - $99 brand new

22 Designs Axl telemark bindings - Christmas present from the fam

Black Diamond Seeker telemark boots - $260 at STP, the best online store ever

ye olde Black Diamond Approach trekking poles - circa 2001 with $6 BD Powder Baskets added to morph them into ski poles

Total telemark setup cost: just $365!

You might be noticing the lack of climbing skins. Alas, due to a piqued interest in races and finance conservation, these skis will be going only downhill this winter. No matter - it's not like we have any snow on the ground at all. Good thing we are headed to Utah!

I ended 2011 on high, literally, with a mountain bike ride to the highest [legally] rideable points in Pisgah. From the shop: 276->FS 475-> Davidson River-> Old Indian Creek-> FS 140A -> FS 140-> NC 215->Parkway->Black Balsam Road-> Flat Laurel Creek-> NC 215->Shoal Creek Road->FS 475->Davidson River-> 276. 57 miles according to le Garmin. This ride was actually supposed to be longer, but I ran out of daylight. Hauling around a 21-lb pack added an interesting twist to the scene, making the slog up 215 and Black Balsam very slow on fat tires. The grandeur of the Blue Ridge delivered, however, and I was rewarded with fantastic mountain views on a traffic-free Parkway. Flat Laurel was perfect. Icy, rocky, sunny, a little wet, and very fast. A great finale to 2011!

2011 in photos

2011-12-22T18:08:00.008-05:00

Ice climbing & Ouray Ice Festival

Backcountry skiing in the San Juans

Building Snow Fort Lewis igloo with BD

Skiing at Purg

Climbing local rock

Epic days riding in winter, spring, and fall!

Thad's Sliding Rock fixation began...

Swimming hole seeking -WNC

Rep'ing T-County (again)!

Searching for all that is sweet and succulent in the woods, be it trails, vistas, and/or raspberries

A nice June foray to Oregon

Summer fun with friends

Turning 30

Fantastic winter and summer roads rides

River girls!

Ecuador with spouse!

River adventures in kayak (and even canoe)

Gorgeous fall foliage that lasted an eternity

More river girls!

Lots of great get-togethers and socializing this year

2012, part one

2011-12-19T18:16:00.002-05:00

Partially unfurled - the January to May lineup of races, trips, and notable events for which I cannot wait.

1/1-1/2: winter bikepacking overnight
1/14-1/16: local ice climbing (should the weather cooperate)
1/21: High Country Tele Festival
1/25-1/31:Utah skiing
Sometime in winter: Pisgah 100 [miles]
3/11: 6 Hours of Angler's Ridge
4/28: Big Frog 65
5/5: Pisgah MTB Adventure Race
5/19: Pisgah 100K

Other winter obsessions:
- learning how to drop knees gracefully on tele turns
- ice climbing at nearby Stone Mountain
- exploring western Pisgah/eastern Nantahala NF on two wheels
- skinning up Dupont Road and/or our driveway
- holding a baby for more than 3 minutes without it crying
- tele-slogging on the Parkway

Dupont Love

2011-12-17T21:51:00.003-05:00

I hit up the backyard last week. Three crossings of Corn Mill Shoals later...

Saturday 12/10: 6 hrs MTB - DSF Classic with some obscure additions (Grassy Meadow, Popular Hill Loop, & The Nooks)
Tuesday 12/13: 1 hr night run - Hickory Mountain Loop
Wednesday 12/14: 5 hrs MTB - modified encore of the DSF classic
Saturday 12/ 17: 4ish hrs MTB - group cruise

Riding from and back to the house rocks my world, yet again!

Tighten up

2011-11-29T20:01:00.005-05:00

Rain. These days make me miss Knoxville.

Gobs of class III, III-IV, & IV options abound within an hour's drive: the Little, Tremont, Lower Big Creek, Clear Creek, Tellico. Here in WNC, metro T-County features significant class IV-V, V, & V+ gnar. The Horsepasture, Toxaway, Upper Courthouse, Looking Glass Creek, & Green Narrows are all at a stone's throw, never mind the nice 1-mile section of class III-IV Little in Dupont that is only 5 minutes from the house. What WNC lacks besides intermediate whitewater is paddling buddies. Knoxville fulfilled that need. I had a houseful of female housemates who paddled plus friends and students who made kayaking a high priority. I miss this.

Things change. People change. I have changed. A yearning for adventure remains.

My life will change significantly in the next 6-8 months. I wonder what will be next, but I have hope. I want to make the most of each day, to do more for others and focus less on myself, to be someone of more value to society. I still want to change the world one person at a time.

Recreation not procreation

2011-11-11T09:08:00.003-05:00

Is it just me, or is EVERYONE having a baby?

This process of spawning would be fine, absolutely okay with me, except for the comments. A short list:

1) I am not "next". There is no line. If there was, I would certainly not be waiting in it.
2) Your kid's crying is not really "birth control." I've already made up my mind. The crying is slightly agitating (not just for me, for everyone), but one paltry kid meltdown does not influence such a major life decision.
3) "Don't you want one?" This is why I avoid holding babies. The act of holding a baby can be fun but not when other people ruin the moment with lame lines.
4) Anything from relatives talking about wanting grandkids. If someone like my brother talks about how they deserve them, this is unacceptable.
5) "When are you/y'all/you guys having kids?" or the incredibly-brave "Why don't you have kids?" is not cool at all. First, it's none of your business. Second, how terrible would you feel if I told you that I/we can't have kids? Third, perhaps we have tried already and are having problems conceiving. Millions of women seek in-vitro fertilization every year.
6) It is "selfish" to not have kids. Get over yourself. Over 7 billion people exist on this planet.
7) "Who will look after you when you're old?" Be real, people. We are all going to nursing homes, anyway. IF we live to be that old.
8) "Are you sure you don't want kids?" See #5.

I really enjoy being around my friends' children. People in WNC seem to all have pretty awesome kids and unbelievably cute kids. I like being around them.

Just please let me be myself, with children or without.

[stepping off the soapbox]

Mojo Rising

2011-10-25T19:27:00.003-04:00

What a year 2011 has been. Two weeks from now wraps up most of the outdoor program season, and I must say that I am looking quite forward to having work-free weekends for the next 3 months.

Since my last post (in August, really?), an unshakable funk somewhat overcame me. Things are getting back to business now that the idiot Floridian drivers are returning to their homeland, the uncertainty at work has become tolerably stable, the leaves are falling, and the air is filled with the crispness of autumn.

Ecuador was great, of course.

Inclement weather deterred us from climbing much, so the trip evolved into more of a cultural journey with excellent acclimatization. On Cotopaxi, sustained winds of 50-60mph with gusts up to 90 mph literally blew us away. Note below the lenticular cloud forming over Cotopaxi.

Onto beautiful Banos we then proceeded.

I started running again a few weeks ago. The Art Loeb and North Slope, nonetheless, have been so, so glorious, as was mid-week Shining Rock in peak leaf season. Thad managed to come off the [running] couch on Sunday to whoop me on a modified Hickory Mountain loop. I set a very solid pace on Buck Forest and Jim Branch, but he turned on the heat on Ridgeline. He is a freaking machine, even untrained. One final -and unbelievable- running note: I won a 5K. My finish time ended up being 2 minutes slower than my usual 5K pace (although I did stop and run off the road and into the woods for a bathroom break). A win is a win, though!

The Dirty 30

2011-08-06T20:31:00.004-04:00

Defying all expectations, I have survived 30 years.

I will live to defy more.

What's New

2011-07-09T11:36:00.003-04:00

The overall theme of the past month could probably be stated in one word: retooling.

Retool [definition]: 1. to reorganize something to make it more efficient or poweful. 2. to refit equipment.

Obviously, refitting equipment hasn't been the major focus (although switching bike saddles and adjusting seat height have kind of changed my life). Rather, I have been working on reorganizing myself, in attempts to determine how I can become better, more efficient, stronger. Work has also involved some serious retooling, after the spring Apocalypse. Somewhere along the line I lost my mojo. Maybe it was burnout. Oppressive summer heat factored in, as well did wasting my life away stuck in tourist traffic during commutes. Traveling to Oregon 2 weeks ago set me back on track and actually helped me realize that which I desired and needed in life. Portland was not a good fit for me (or for Thad), as I think we would have been miserable immersed in an urban setting that remains overcast/rainy for 7-10 months of the year. But, I started to see that which I really value. Friends. Family. Mountains. Rivers. A meaningful job in which to direct passion and energy. Challenge. Working hard. A healthy, active lifestyle. New and diverse experiences. Simple living.

And snow. Ahh.

But, oh how I love me some Pisgah.

Marvelous May

2011-05-22T15:00:00.006-04:00

Check out my boring race reports when you get a chance, along with a Big Frog action shot.

Finalizing our route - PMBAR

Driving the pain train up Yellow Gap Road - PMBAR

In pursuit - Greenville STXC

Thad crossing Alum Cave Creek - Mt. LeConte backpacking

A Decade of Whitewater Excellence

2011-04-23T19:20:00.005-04:00

Surfing it up at Hollywood Hole during guide training- April 2001

Trainee graduation - May 2001

Taking the G-2 girls rafting - 2001

Kayak racing carnage at the Superhero party - July 2001

Put-in at the Upper Gauley, WV - Sept. 2002

OAR-Sunburst amalgam at the Gauley take-out - Sept. 2002

Guiding the UT crew on the Pigeon, TN - Aug. 2004

Rowing my first oar rig on Lodore Canyon of the Green River, CO - May 2005

Leading a Brevard College orientation rafting trip on the French Broad, NC - Aug. 2006

Kayak instruction with the Illahee girls on the Pigeon, TN - June 2008

Some of the best ladies a girl can find on -or off- the river!

An overall theme of the past ten years - exploration of moving water in all seasons, in many states, several different countries, and -best of all- my own backyard.

Whitewater paddling has changed my life throughout these years, bringing me to some of the most breathtaking places imaginable, creating lifelong friendships, and developing me into a confident woman. The best has yet to come!

I'm on the right track, baby - I was born this way

2011-03-26T17:50:00.002-04:00

It's that time of the year again.

Three weeks into the 11 weekends straight of one or both of us working, I am enjoying a few quiet moments on a Saturday afternoon with no sounds except for the gentle rain. It's nice to have a chill day after the recent craziness at work (in many ways but mostly in the busy category) as well as general springtime overcommitment on the philanthropic, social, and racing levels.

We kicked off the Pisgah Area Cycling/Sycamore ladies' rides 2 weeks ago with a spin on North Slope and last Wednesday with a great ride in Dupont. The turnout has been encouraging, and I am excited to see so many women out on the trails!

The kayak and I bonded again after a 5-month separation. I fired up runs on the high[er]-water Tyger as well as the elusive Citico Creek 2 weeks ago. Citico Creek, a tributary of the Little Tennessee, lies just east of Tellico Plains, TN, a few miles off of the Cherohala Skyway.

I have been itching to run Citico since grad school and only made it to its larger sister, the classic Tellico River for runs on the Ledges (class 3-4 creeking) and Lower (excellent class 3). When I finally got to Citico, the water level was low but still quite runnable. Pigs in Space, the largest class 4 rapid, looked a bit manky for my taste at this level, so I skipped it. Everything else was good to go. What a beautiful stream!

Thad and I snuck in a day of climbing at Cedar Rock. We headed out to Stone Depot for some exploration. No one really divulges much information about Stone Depot...NCOBS uses it frequently, as do several local summer camps, but the beta is minimal. We found maybe 10-12 routes, some bolted and most wet, then led up and did laps on a 5.6ish route that I think might have been called North by Northwest. It was fun to cruise and not stress about climbing hard.

Other great day adventures:
- Lake Logan loop (80 miles) in full-on winter conditions with snow & ice on 215 and 276 north of the Parkway
- XC racing at Hobby Park as an old woman
- many great mountain bike rides like this fun, mid-length ride from the Black Mountain trailhead: Black Mt->Buckhorn Gap->South Mills River-> Squirrel Gap-> Horse Cove Gap-> Horse Cove FS road-> FS476-> FS 1206-> 276-> FS 477-> Bennett Gap -> 276
- scouting assorted streams including the Little (at flood stage), Snowbird Creek, and the Upper Nantahala

Mediocre Attempt at Race Reports

2011-03-07T18:12:00.000-05:00

Two races in 2011 thus far--and two ridiculous mechanicals.

Part 1: le Icycle.

massive circus wheels for the Mountain Domination Squad's DSF chapter

Lap 1: 37ish mins
Lap 2: 37ish mins
Lap 3: En route to a 38:00 final lap, I was reasonably psyched. (Let's be honest - we all know that I neither am fast nor will ever be fast...and that I find disdain with riding my mountain bike in circles.) After frittering away 4-5 minutes to a near-emergency incident likely associated with Bojangles biscuit consumption at 10AM, mass chain chaos ensued near the end of the lap. My chain fell off the cassette, lodging itself securely between the cassette and the spokes near the hub. Seriously. How many hours have I rode this mighty steed and this happens NOW? Really? Ten minutes of fumbling later (interspersed with 5 minutes of running with the bike), the Epic and I were back on a roll. Money, drink, dinner from the Bergmarks (thanks, guys!), and great music by J Miles and the Enemy Lovers awaited.

Part 2: Greenville Spring Series

What could be more fun than racing road bikes around a 7-mile flat-to-modestly-rolling course with a 15+mph wind? Why, racing with the pro/1/2/3 women, of course! The first lap around the Donaldson Center started off calmly for the first few miles and ramped up about halfway through the lap on the backside. With exactly 1 road ride in 5 months (and 1 group ride about year ago), pacelining at 31mph with 6-inch distance between me and both the women to my front and rear wheels pretty much scared the living hell out of me and concurrently thrilled me.

Around the sixth mile, I was holding my own and not dying in the peleton when my left pedal suddenly fell off. Counterbalancing and pedaling with one foot, I recovered to the side of the road and quickly threaded the pedal back into the crank with my multitool. The group was gone. Like tumbleweed-blowing-through-the-deserted-town gone. In road racing, if you are dropped from the peleton and riding solo, you're finished. Abhoring the vision of my named recorded with a DNF, pride eschewed, strongly desiring more rays of sunshine for my cycling tan, I sprinted into a faster pace and then maintained a fairly steady 19-21 mph pace--for 4 more laps. On the third lap, the wind really escalated and I couldn't stop wondering, "Where are those damned Cat 5 men?!" I had been hoping to jump on the back of their paceline. They never appeared.

I could have given up, but surrendering just is not an option in 2011. I just kept rolling through the finish area by myself. I never caught back up to the women, but none of the women ever caught me.

What is the overall theme here? Failure? No, friends, this post is about making lemonade out of the lemons life hands you, seeing the beauty and glory in the moment, having balls, and first and foremost, properly maintaining your bike(s).

The Dirty 3-0

2011-01-22T16:16:00.004-05:00

January 1, 2011: my official racing age is 30.

To be honest, I can't really believe that I have made it to 30. Evading death for so long has taken some effort over the years. Now if I can only make it to the end of July...

Twenty-one-one has been quite busy. We flew to Colorado for yet another foray into Durango, the glorious place where the Rockies meet the canyonlands. Donning skis and crampons in lieu of sandals and bike shoes, we traveled along the Million Dollar Highway first up to Ouray, CO, for climbing and Ice Festival entertainment and then back to the Big D for resort and backcountry skiing as well as first-ever experiences with snow science and telemark skiing. Thad and I re-learned how to alpine ski, which was a blast. Forget snowboarding!

Fun things done in 2011 thus far:
1) Ice climb at Ouray. 1/8/11
2) Alpine ski at Purgatory and feel confident on intermediate terrain. 1/10-1/14/11
3) Backcountry ski in the San Juans. 1/12/11
4) Build an igloo. 1/14/11
5) Take an avalanche course. 1/15/11
6) Print photos for staircase hallway. 1/20/11 (Framing and mounting them will be another goal. Let's put it this way- we have printed only one of our wedding photos. Archiving is obviously not a personal specialty.)
7) Ice climb in Pisgah. 1/21/11

On the horizon:
- a brief stint as a roadie for a few Greenville races
- 5 or 6 other races in the winter/spring season
- more rock and ice climbing as the weather permits
- development of a Team Walker "house drink"
- Trans-Hendo 'Cross Grand Fondo
- cleaning the bathtubs
- AT/Smokies ladies backpacking weekend
- getting a priest to bless our vehicles so that they can make it through more than one winter
- Art Loeb (the hard way)
- the elusive SCAR
- descent of Hooker Falls in the Boy Scout canoe

2010 thus far

2010-11-13T16:12:00.005-05:00

service: roughly 60+ hours of trail maintenance/volunteering at events and races
miles commuted: 25,000 by December 31
weekends worked: 19 out of 52
races: 3 (as opposed to last year's 14--lame)
medical expenses: a record high
hours logged on new mountain bike since September: 71 (most of which were in Pisgah)

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Hell, turning 30 may be much easier than I had anticipated!

Rocky Mountain Highs

2010-06-15T21:36:00.001-04:00

828 in the 970! Colorado Trail just outside of Durango, San Juan NF, CO.

Our host with the most, the esteemed and world-famous Brett Davis, indulged us with a river trip on the Durango town run of the Animas. Shown in the center here is not our raft, but rather a Walmart variety of a Sevlor inflatable hitting the bottom drop of Corner Pocket. The Durango Whitewater Park section become class 4 at this level (4000 cfs).

Tourist shot at Molas Pass along the Million Dollar Highway, San Juan NF

Thad rode 5 days out of 5. I was told I only rode 4...apparently my fifth ride that entailed biking along the greenway into town and getting pizza and beer didn't count.

Mesa Verde National Park was incredible!

What would vacation be without a stop at a brewery?

Thad at Phil's World, with Mesa Verde NP in the background.

Hello, summer

2010-05-24T14:14:00.004-04:00

The 2010 racing season has been nonexistent. Nonetheless, I've managed to get in many fantastic mountain and road rides, interminable forest runs, time with good friends, and even numerous days on the river. In the general theme of spring, I have been working my rear off on the job with pretty decent results.

Dirty Girls of Brevard finally exist --and with a respectable following.

The bike race drew the biggest crowd EVER (even larger than when it was a MTB National Calendar event in 2008).

Kayaking found its place back in my heart. God it feels good to be on the river again.

Rafting, on the contrary, holds less appeal. If I never guide another commercial rafting trip again, that would be fine. The older I get, the more I value my time and the less I want to spend it with complete strangers I have to entertain in a raft.

I LOVE my river girls. And Brevard women. And all of my friends near and far. xxoo

Running 10 miles off the couch (i.e. no running for 4+ weeks) was surprisingly easy.

Everyone needs a road trip once and a while. We're headed to Durango next week for a brief but highly exciting excursion.

Back in business

2010-04-18T20:43:00.003-04:00

After 6 weeks with a tweaked knee, healing has occured! Not one to take it easy for long, I set out on a little mountain bike ride last week...
From the shop: 276->FS477->276->Pink Beds->FS476->Yellow Gap Rd->unmarked Pilot connector->Slate Rock Creek/Pilot Cove->Yellow Gap Rd->FS5015->lounging in green splendor of Bradley Creek field->Laurel Creek->Squirrel->Mullinax->South Mills River to Cantrell Creek and then backtrack to Wagon Rd-> HIKE up Wagon Rd trail->Turkey Pen Gap trail->Black Mt->and back.

Phenomenal weather, great riding. Turkey Pen is in absolutely terrible shape, especially from just before Horse Knob to the Black Mountain terminus. Simply walking on the trail has been rendered nearly impossible in many places due to the prolific number of downed trees. This may be my post el stumpo jumpo trail project.

Reciprocity

2010-03-16T20:44:00.003-04:00

It's official: 2010 trail work hours > 2010 mountain biking (in NC) hours
- 3 hours on the Art Loeb
-2 hours on Black from the shelter to Rich Mt
- 1 hour on Cat Gap
-2 hours in Dupont on Ridgeline
-4 hours on Black Mountain last Sunday

Luckily, the road bike has seen immense amounts of action both on the tarmac and on the trainer. Base mileage came easily over the past 2 months, with great 40-80+mile rides like Lake Logan, the Womanizer, and variations of the Dupont loop.

Winter has been tough. In the worst moments of latter times, I found myself becoming a bitch. Excuses failed to justify this behavior. The bottom line is that each one of us is responsible for our attitude and outlook on life. Until we actively seek to improve the way we think and act, we simply are going with the flow. You have to want to be the change you wish to see in the world. Even in times of defeat, an indefatigable spirit must remain.

Allright already

2010-02-07T10:26:00.000-05:00

Highlights of the winter:
- nearly everything related to Mexico and our trip
- spending lunch breaks beating up on old/young men at the pool
- going to the pool if only so that I can a [hot] shower
- abundant friends and family time
- observing the phenomenon of people getting excited about our outdoor rec programming
- developing willpower to ride tempo intervals on the trainer after a 12-hour workday
- enhancing my winter driving prowess to include full competence on snow/ice/freezing rain - - - - learning how to quasi-successfully cook such gastronomical delights as tomato bisque
- reliving the glory days as a vagrant hostelling traveler in Latin America
- also reliving the glory days as a homeless nomad during power/water outages
- ice climbing with the spouse

Not so high points of the winter:
- a 50-mile commute that took over 8 hours to complete in the midst of a so-called blizzard
- Mexican liquids that incited violent illness for Team Walker
- persistent eye issues that make me feel like I am going blind when I am not (yet)
- having cracked/frozen pipes at the house that left us without water for 2 weeks
- being forsaken repeatedly by Duke Energy for continuous days
- a large icy tree crashing onto hood and windshield of the car yesterday

Vamos, chicos!

2009-12-12T09:42:00.002-05:00

Mexico Volcanoes Itinerary

Dec. 22: Fly from Charlotte, NC, to Mexico City, Mexico; stay in Mexico City (2200m)

Dec. 23: Bus to Amecameca; stay at the base of Iztaccihuatl in the sleepy town of Amecameca to acclimatize (2300m)

Dec. 24: Collectivo (public transport in a tiny, crowded microbus--super cheap and always a memorable experience) to Paso de Cortes; spend the night between Paso de Cortes and La Joya (3600m)

Dec. 25: Hike to La Joya; stay at Izta base camp hut (4000m) or head up to high camp (4300m)

Dec. 26: Summit Iztaccihuatl - 5230 metres! Find our way back to Amecameca and take a bus to Puebla.

Dec. 27: Bus from Puebla to Tlachichuca. Hit up the markets for mountain food, and spend the night in Tlachichuca.

Dec. 28: 4x4 drive up to the base of Pico de Orizaba. Spend the night at Piedra Grande (4300m).

Dec. 29: Rest, recon, and crevasse rescue practice. Hike up to high camp (4900m) or opt to stay at Piedra Grande again.

Dec. 30: Summit Pico de Orizaba - 5636 metres! Roll back to Tlachichuca for the evening.

Dec. 31: Bus to Mexico City. Party up the city for the ano nuevo celebration.

Jan. 1: Check out cool historical/touristy stuff around Mexico City.

Jan. 2: Jaunt just outside Mexico City to Teochitlan, the ancient Aztec pyramid ruins.

Jan. 3: Fly to Charlotte, NC, EEUU.

An obsession for the shoulder season

2009-12-06T21:20:00.002-05:00

Black Mountain trailhead to the summit of Black Mountain (via - you guessed it- the Black Mountain trail) in under 48 minutes.

2500'ish elevation gain in 4.3 miles.

I did a variation of this run 2 weeks ago, going all the way up to the top of Black, back down to Maxwell, and then along Avery Creek road and 276/Exercise Trail back to the BM trailhead. In 1:56!

Black Mountain, you are mine.

Ahhhhhh

2009-11-13T22:04:00.002-05:00

It can be done. It will be done better next year.
All-you-can-eat-Pisgah weekend
Day #1: Shut-in Trail Race - 5500'+ of ascent with 2000'+ of descent and probably the coolest running race I have ever done. In what other race does the 4-time winner adorn tubes socks and rock a blond mullet? One can also find a high degree of novelty in the idea of running from Asheville to Mount Pisgah. Thank you to Thad for the phenomenal support, Bill for his dry humor, and Natalie for being awesome.
Day #2: Swank 65 - 5600'+ of ascent. Why should I race the trails that I could ride anytime in any way that I so choose?...Why not? The fabulous: clear blue skies, my beloved Pisgah in all its glory, surprisingly good strength in legs, watching a drunk Geoff haul ass and hydroplane a Prius through Cove Creek. The not so good: leg cramps for the first time ever followed by severe dehydration and then moderate hyponatremia. (I drank 178 oz of fluids on Sunday and still managed to lose 1.5 lbs of water weight. Insane!) The saving grace: people! I am much obliged to Denise for being incredibly great, enthusiastic, and encouraging. More thanks go out to Thad, Wes, the Gloucester and Daniel Ridge crews, Todd & Heather, and all of the cool, badass women - Jess, Shanna, Alison- who represented the 828 con fuerza. Let's go ride!

What is next?
Random acts of play (ongoing)
Assorted CX races (November)
Volcanoes of Mexico (December)
....?....

Report o' Ventures

2009-11-02T21:04:00.002-05:00

Rivers
For the last 2 months, part of my job entailed reconnoitering rivers around Spartanburg County. We discovered a surprising amount of whitewater, most of it in the class I+ to class II+/III- range. A group of folks and I paddled section 3 of the Chattooga at 2.6 ft -- what a blast! I also managed to get in a very minute amount of paddling on Translyvania streams including the Upper Upper Davidson, East Fork of the French Broad, and a short section of Looking Glass Creek (the latter being frighteningly wood-choked). Next on the list: North Fork of the French Broad. If only one could time torrential rains with days off work...

Trails
Running: Numerous 1.25-2.5 hours runs were had, mostly with a combination of North Slope and the glorious Exercise Trail. I tried running laps on the Art Loeb-North Slope loop but found nirvana after eschewing the North Slope connector. The trail delivers fabulous terrain from the NS connector to Cat Gap. It makes me really want to run the whole Art Loeb again. Running for hours through breathtaking scenery and complete solitude clears the mind and tests the soul.
Bike: Running has taken over my life! I did head out on a cool 30-mile ride with some Asheville folks a few weeks ago. Starting at North Mills: 1206->Laurel-> unmarked Sassafras connector-> Big Creek-> neverending road-> FS 5000-> Spencer Ridge-> Trace Ridge->back out to FS5000 and to cars. Other than double-flatting for the second time ever, the ride was great. Otherwise, I have been enjoying the simple things of life that are often taken for granted...like Daniel Ridge, Caney Bottom (only ride up), and Sycamore Cove.

Grass
There is only one time of the year I can tolerate riding on turf and that is....CYCLOCROSS SEASON! The CX season opened in the first weekend of October. I blew up and crashed hard during the first race, thus leading to a 6th place finish (which should have been a 4th). With a throbbing shoulder, I raced much smarter the second day only to finish in the exact same place. The field, however, was much stronger the second day with Carla and Beth finishing a predictable 1-2. The 45-minute Pro/1/2/3 race is definitely tougher than the 30-minute CX4 event! Whew! Cyclocross is so freaking awesome.

Blah

2009-10-28T19:55:00.003-04:00

I'm pretty sure that God has no interest in me whining via this blog.

My laptop died a month ago. Then, Thad hijacked the laptop for a weeklong trip to Cali.
The Verizon aircard ceased to function last week. Now, Thad's blackberry is on the fritz.

Fine.

We are going to Mexico for winter vacation. Sweet! A multi-peak venture next summer to the Washington Cascades could come into focus, too. I have been dying to go to Nepal for roughly 11 years now, and plane tickets are cheaper than ever. A slight problem: I really like my job (minus the commute and other issues not discussed in the public forum). Local government does NOT do sabbatical leave. Heck, I was told last week that sick leave is a "priv-il-edge". The Himalayan obsession, therefore, continues from afar.

Sometimes it rains...

2009-09-20T20:59:00.002-04:00

and sometimes it pours.

>>Flood warning for Transylvania County until 8:00PM Monday.
* PROLONGED MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH STREAMS AND SMALLER RIVERS OUT OF THEIR BANKS IN THE FLOOD WATCH AREA. SOME MAIN STEM RIVERS WILL ALSO EXPERIENCE FLOODING. WHILE FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE WIDESPREAD... HEAVIER SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS COULD STILL RESULT IN A FEW AREAS OF RAPID ONSET FLOODING.

Bring it.

I will never give up again. Ever.

2009-09-05T18:25:00.004-04:00

Saturday: Sprint triathlon - 500m lake swim (awesome!), 17 mile road bike (very rolling, very fun ride through the beautiful valley below Rumbling Bald), 5k run (hilly=ouch. I blew up, gave up, and dropped from 7th overall to 17th. Lack of perseverance led to anger and a rather painful decision that shall be discussed at a later time.)
Sunday: Run 1 hour. North Slope + Art Loeb flats along the Davidson.
Monday: Road 1 hour. Mellow.
Tuesday: Run 5k @23:34. Not my best by any means but much, much better than Sunday's tri fiasco.
Wednesday: Swim 2100 yards. Pumped out a 750 yd swim at 11:32 and beat up on the old man who always tries desperately -yet, admirably, with great persistance- to keep up with me. Sorry, dude. "Ain't no one gon' stop me now."
Thursday: Run 3:57. As in almost 4 hours. This [extremely off-the-couch] initial foray on the shut-in ridge progressed incredibly well until the final 1.25-1.5 miles where Little Pisgah Mountain promptly destroyed my soul. Actually, it wasn't that bad. Well, it was but my soul remains intact.
Friday: Mountain bike 2.25 hours. UP Cove Creek-> 225-> DR Connector-> Daniel Ridge-> 475-> 471-> 471D-> Butter Gap-> Long Branch-> back up 475 to Gloucester and back down to Cove Creek. My legs felt up to the challenge of Farlow and the final Caney Bottom loop. Farlow Gap is just such a stupid trail, though, and it's much more interesting to ride it when conditions are leafy, wet, and heinous.
Saturday: Road 3 hrs with Thad. Jell-o thighs here. As in not jiggly but having zero strength and being uncontrollable with movement. Thad tolerated me, though. He is wonderful.
Sunday: Mountain bike 1 hour, with about 20 minutes of looking up mushrooms in my mycology book. Daniel Ridge spawns great fungi!
Monday: Mountain bike 3.75 hours. Shop-> 276-> 475-> 229-> no name-> Farlow Gap-> Daniel Ridge-> 475-> Cove Creek Rd-> Daniel Ridge Connector-> Joe Jackson Falls-> back out to 475-> Davidson River-> 475-> 276. Maybe 36-38 miles? Many thanks go out to whomever has been working on Farlow--it was in phenomenal shape (minus the very top section which is extremely eroded--this seems to be the case in other area trails like Butter Gap). AMAZING ride!

FINALLY

2009-09-02T21:25:00.002-04:00

I can move on with life.

Lake Lure Triathlon, August 29, 2009.

1999-2009 goals completed with 2 days to go!

These are a few of my favorite things

2009-08-15T21:49:00.005-04:00

It's about that time of year.

Thank God.

The college kids return, the weather cools, and the tourists begin their exodus to their sunnier and/or sprawling suburban Mecca.

I love it.

About this time of the year, I return to a non-crotchety state. [You try driving 10 hours a week with tons of old people and out-of-state drivers overtaking the road in their oversized SUVs, haplessly failing to negotiate mountainous roads without the overuse of brakes.] Needless to say, I am quite content at the moment. So, I will share some treasured (and likely not-so-secret) information for you newbies to the area.

Must-do adventures in and around Transylvania County
1) Take adventage of over 180 miles of phenomenal trails and endless scenic roads.
mtb: Laurel-Squirrel loop, Big M, all of Black Mountain
road: Lake Logan circuit, Rosman Loop plus Frozen Creek, Assault on the Carolinas ride
cross: any Dupont ride that includes Ridgeline, Airstrip, and waterfalls
run: North Slope, Twin Falls, Art Loeb
hike: everything in Shining Rock, Cat Gap-John Rock, Daniel Ridge
2) Climb one of the classic multi-pitch friction routes - the Nose (5.8).
3) Visit one of the ennumerable swimming spots.
for sliding: Turtleback Falls, Sliding Rock in the off season
for jumping: Courthouse Falls, Dan's Cascade Lake Road rope swing
for skinny-dipping: Otter Hole, secret spot off of Farlow Gap trail, pretty much anywhere at
least 2 miles from a paved road
4) Fly-fish on world-class trout streams.
5) Ice-climb wherever and whenever possible.
6) Sample delectable bread product from the Bracken Mountain Bakery.
7) Tube on the Davidson River. (Note: only do so after significant rainfall. Your butt will thank you.)
8) Refuel with a wrap and some regional beer while enjoying live music at Jordan Street. If you are really lucky, the Pisgah Pickers might drop in to play a few songs.
9) Paddle one of the incredible streams, from mellow to hair runs--
flatwater: French Broad around Rosman, Cascade Lake
class I-II: lower Davidson River
class III-IV: upper Davidson River, Little River below Triple Falls
class IV: North Fork and West Fork of the French Broad, Courthouse Creek
class V-V+: Horsepasture River, Toxaway River, Looking Glass Creek
10) Don't eat ice cream at Dolly's. It's not "the best ice cream in the world." Plus, they have mis-represented Chosatonga Cyclone for the past 2 years. (THERE ARE NO OREOS!! A dire travesty.) If you must indulge, might I suggest the Liz Walker favorite of Wayfarer Explosion.

Latin American volcano climbing, part 2

2009-08-12T23:07:00.004-04:00

Team Walker returns to high-altitude alpinism December 22, 2009-January 3, 2010!

Ixtaccihuatl 5, 230m (17, 159')

Pico de Orizaba 5,636m (18,490')

Moving on, up, and ahead

2009-08-09T22:14:00.002-04:00

Jenna's Goals: 2009-2019

1) Climb in the Nepalese Himalaya.
Ama Dablam, Pumori, Kala Pataar for a warm-up
2) Cultivate a successful herb, vegetable, and fruit garden.
crucial=broccoli, tomatoes, basil, parsley, blueberries
3) a. Transition into a longer-term, more sustainable position in the outdoor industry (preferably in higher ed).
b. Live no further than a 20-minute drive or <1 hour bike commute from where I work.
4) Embark on a high-altitude mountaineering expedition to a >7600m peak in the Pakistani Karakoram.
Broad Peak or Gasherbrum II
5) Be able to consistently lead trad routes up to 5.10a/b.
...excluding slab.
6) Get a dog.
Sorry, Moms and Dads. I just can't seem to muster the interest to add "bear the fruit of a child from my loins" to the list. Really just no interest has ever appeared. Call us selfish, but we can leave a dog tied up at the crag or take it for a 2-hour mountain bike ride without having the Department of Family Services called. What else are you supposed to do when your biological clock has been broken since birth?
7) Ski and ice-climb with Thad.
ideal: San Juans, Ouray, Durango
8) Kayak class IV-V.
Raft-guiding class IV-V and V-V+ doesn't seem to count now. Go figure.
9) Return to glorious Latin America.
Cordillera Blanca of Peru, high peaks of the Ecuadorian Andes, the Mexican volcanoes of Ixtaccihuatl and Pico de Orizaba
10) Become conversationally competent in German, and travel in the Swiss Alps.
preferably via bike; side excursions to the Tour de France, Matterhorn, Eiger, and/or Chamonix optional. Those Germans travel everywhere! Knowing German can definitely open doors. If anything, you can find out where to get a beer or find out beta for climbing routes.

Life crisis aversion

2009-08-06T20:20:00.003-04:00

Literally, one day you will wake up and realize SUDDENLY:
I'm old.

Then, quickly, a mollifying thought:
I'm not that old.

And, an even quicker rebuttal:
I'm not that young.

Followed by:
Oh, hell.

What spurred such a epiphany and spawned a quasi-doomsday catharsis? My pride and joy, my beautiful breasts, are not as perky as they were 10 years ago. And I just realized it three weeks ago.

Okay, this is not a normal post for me. Sorry for no riding log. (I just had a fabulous Caney Bottom-Daniel Ridge cruise on the singlespeed, new Crossmarks and pushing a tougher 32x17. There.)

Such a revelation spiraled me downward into a major funk... Twenty-eight is not young. Sorry. It's true. I have exactly 10 years of physical prime to exploit. So, now what?

Bear children? Purchase a home? (i.e. one that does not fold, roll, or otherwise move) Acquire a dog? An alpaca? Unicycle across China? Bungee-jump naked in Arctic?

Go ride this!

2009-07-21T19:19:00.003-04:00

On Sunday, I set out on a semi-motivated mission to ride the Molester (see older posts for description), but amassing a strange tinge of passionate patriotism while adorning the old stars-and-stripes, my ride ventured forth in search of more [climbing] bang for the [mileage] buck.
The route:
Our house-> Dupont Rd-> Cascade Lake Rd-> Hwy 276-> SC 8 (Pumpkintown)-> SC 288-> Hwy 178-> Van Clayton Hwy (supposedly the steepest paved road in South Carolina--but who actually keeps statistics on these things, anyway?)-> East Fork Rd-> Hwy 276-> back on Cascade & Dupont and up our gravel driveway
The outcome? 62 miles with 5890' ascent...and a happy Jenna.

Jenna's Abbreviated 10-Year To-Do List

2009-06-25T20:18:00.000-04:00

(July 1999)

1. Earn a graduate degree.
2. Travel internationally.

3. Climb at least one high-altitude peak over 6000 metres.

4. Marry the love of my life.

5. Run a marathon.

6. Paddle class IV-V whitewater.

7. Instruct professionally in the outdoor industry.

8. Compete in a triathlon.

9. Become fluent in Spanish.

10. Reach a point at which I am finally satisfied with my life and who I am.

Check times 9. Now: time to knock out that blasted triathlon...

May to June in pictures

2009-06-16T23:04:00.003-04:00

Bridge over South Mills River, PNF epic ride.

1st place women's team, 12 Hours of Tsali 2009

Road riding with Natasha from Asheville to Mt. Mitchell and back. Brilliant!

Biking the steep gravel roads of the Linville Gorge Loop, with Table Rock looming in the background.

Finishing out the dawn-til-dusk outdoor triathlon of trail running 6 miles, mountain biking 26 miles, and hiking 11 miles of the steepest trail found in WNC. Lots of fun!

Rhododendron catawbiense in bloom.

Camp Muir, 10100', Mt Rainier, WA.

Team Walker in Rainier's summit crater, 14410'. Yay for the belated honeymoon.

Copperheads have been enjoying the post-rain sun lately. We saw two in a span of less than 5 minutes!

Thad and I climbed with Phil and Jessica last weekend at Cedar Rock. I cannot avoid slab any longer - 3 years was long enough. Friction climbing=scary but intriguing!

Strawberry fields forever

2009-05-25T22:12:00.004-04:00

Just when life could not get any better, a u-pick strawberry farm opened less than 3 miles from my house.

I've had my share of bikes, bike races, and everything cycling-related for a while. Respite comes in the form of a Cascadian mountaineering foray next week. Mount Rainier, here we come. Thaddeus even hiked in double-plastic boots with me today, so you know that we are legit.

Oh.My.Gosh. I LOVE Jackass. It's on now. Must stop blogging.

Hello, I'm Jenna Walker, and welcome to my blog.

Venga, venga!

2009-05-17T12:57:00.001-04:00

Jen's 2009 Race List: Revised from original post

Jan. 31: Icycle XC (mtb-singlespeed)
Feb. 21: Greenville Spring Series RR (road) 7th
Mar. 1: Greenville Spring Series RR (road) canceled
Mar. 7: Greenville Spring Series RR (road) 12th
Mar. 8: Greenville Spring Series Crit (road) scored 7th, actually finished 5th...boo to the official
Mar. 22: Hobby Park XC (mtb) 1st
Mar. 29: Uwharrie XC (mtb) 1st. First expert/Cat 1 race!
Apr. 19: Maxxis RTTR XC (mtb) 5th. Absolutely terrible race for me.
May 9: Stump Jump XC (mtb) Race-directed.
May 23: 12 Hours of Tsali (mtb-team)
July 17-18: French Broad Cycling Classic (road)...suppose I should do something while everyone plays in Colorado.
July 19: Sizzler (mtb). For all of the folks who came out to rep the central NC last weekend, THANK YOU! I will show you some love in Greensboro just for that.
Aug. 2: SERC/Fontana (mtb)
Aug. 8: Night Train (mtb) Solo for 12 hours? We shall see.
Aug. 23: Dark Mountain XC (mtb)
Sept. 6: Tsali Challenge (tri)
October 15-18: Pisgah Mountain Bike Stage Race (mtb). Working or riding? Hmm...you never know.
October & November: assorted cyclocross
Nov. 8: Swank 65 (mtb) or cop-out with a cross race
November 14: Palmetto Cross...my new event for Upstate SC. More shall come!
Nov. 21-22: NC Cyclocross Grand Prix races

Last week by the numbers

2009-05-12T11:12:00.004-04:00

1 very long week
1.24" rain one day before the race -> slick, slick trail
2 South Carolina State Championship medals earned by the Dirty Girls of Brevard
3 pounds lost in 2 days
5 awesome folks representing Sycamore at the Stump Jump
6 hours of sleep in 3 days
7.5 miles=course length
14 little kids racing around on bikes--by far the scariest part of the day
90 degrees F at 1:00pm on race day
145 racers
$4500 in sponsorship prizes acquired in 2 months

The Mountains Win Again

2009-04-04T23:33:00.004-04:00

Long before I wanted to climb mountains, I wanted to race bikes.

[Insert photo of 8-year old Jenna riding sweet pink and blue Huffy around while donning a rad helmet and some killer 80s neon spandex shorts.]

In an interesting twist of events, I am now racing bikes yet yearn to climb mountains.

Now, Team Walker shall makes its first official venture into the North Cascades in June!

Mt. Baker, WA

the omnipresent Mt. Rainier, WA

Anyone up for a winter trip to the volcanoes of Mexico?

Pico de Orizaba, Mexico (5611 metres/18340')

The best of the best

2009-04-02T23:06:00.003-04:00

"Because she needs something more aerobic than running and hardcore sex."
-McShan Walker

ROAD

1. LA CLASSICA- 120 miles
September is the perfect time for this long ride.
Start & finish @shop...Hwy 276->Hwy 215->Hwy 178->SC 11 (or go through Pumpkintown)->SC 8->Hwy 276->Wilson Road->Ecusta Road.
2. ROSMAN LOOP, lolipop version- 20 miles?
Ride it in a clockwise fashion for most enjoyable results.
Start & finish @Liz's Gallimore Girls house...Gallimore Rd->L on Country Club->L on Island Ford->R on Walnut Hollow->R on East Fork->R on 178->R on Old Rosman Hwy->R on Calvert->R on Hannah Ford->L on Walnut Hollow->L on Island Ford->Country Club back on home
3. LAKE LOGAN- 80 miles
Start & finish @shop...Hwy 276->Hwy 215->Hwy 178->back on the flat Hannah Ford half of the Rosman loop
4. DUPONT LOOP- 50 miles?
The hardest part is our driveway if you start from the house. No, really.
Start & finish @Walker house...Sky Valley Rd->Dupont/Staton Rd->Cascade Lake Rd->Hwy 276->East Fork->Hwy 178-> Old Rosman Hwy->Island Ford->Hwy 276->Wilson Rd->Old Hendo Hwy->Everett->Crab Creek->back up the hill on Dupont/Staton Rd.
5. ETOWAH TUESDAY NIGHT WORLDS ROUTE- 40 miles
Want to go fast? Get out on Tuesday nights and jump on the train!

MOUNTAIN

1. BLACK MOUNTAIN
2. BUTTER GAP/CAT GAP
3. LAUREL/PILOT
4. PIN-IT MOUNTAIN
5. LAUREL/SQUIRREL

CROSS

1. JENNA AND THAD's FIRST DATE CROSS LOOP.
Follow with a dinner date at Sora and perhaps some Family Guy.
Start & finish @White Pines...FS477->Hwy 276->FS475->FS475B->Hwy 276->FS477.
2. REDNECK CROSS LOOP
Beware of guys in trucks on Cathey's Creek. Trust me.
Start & fininsh in downtown Brevard...Hwy 64->Cathey's Creek Road (FS471)->FS475->FS475B->Hwy 276->FS477->Hwy 276->bike path back to town.
3. EVERYTHING IN DUPONT
Highlights include Jim Branch, Ridgeline, Mine Mountain, and Airstrip. Take a swimsuit (or not...) for a summer dip in the waterfall pools.

Go ride. Now.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2009-03-07T17:23:00.001-05:00

Current LT heart rate: 184
Current weight: 141
Last placing at race: 12 (out of 25 finishers, 30 starters)

I have never placed outside the top 10 in any race, the exeption being distance running races over 13 miles.
About 3-4 pounds of pure winter gluttony, courtesy of ice cream and bakery indulgences, remain on the frame.
And, I am going to be about 42.3% stronger this summer than I was last year.

Life is good.

Update:::3/23/09

Current LT heart rate: 185
Current weight: 138.4
Last placing at race: 1st

We are movin' on up, son!

Mission 1: failed

2009-03-01T21:04:00.003-05:00

Per earlier post and a pertinent yet undisclosed conversation with the female Cowie, our mission is to find [road] races in which we will dominate if only for the sole fact that no one is racing against us. I thought that by enlisting myself in the Greenville road racing army today would provide: a) an excuse to get off the trainer in exile to South Cack and b) better race results. Come on. What other fool would race in "miserable" weather? Apparently not even a Hincapie- the race was canceled. I swear, I can't even sandbag myself into good position. Ahh, well...many things have came easily to me in life. Like kicking ass, taking names, and being dead sexy.

2009-02-28T19:21:00.002-05:00

I signed up to race tomorrow morning at 9:06 a.m. without checking the weather first.

Idiot.

>>Mar 1 Tomorrow
Windy...showers and thundershowers in the morning will give way to a steadier rain in the afternoon. Cold. High 41F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Rainfall around a half an inch.

2009-02-24T20:31:00.007-05:00

I like changing the world, but sometimes...

I just want to go climb mountains,

forego the grind,

venture and explore the ends of the world,

and smash cake in the husband's face.

Road Domination Squad

2009-02-22T20:28:00.003-05:00

That's right. I've heard enough about "TDS"; it is time for the ladies of Sycamore to present the RDS (not LDS, just to clarify our non-Mormon affiliation). Beware. We pack heat.

And, we are not bitches.

Speaking of road riding and uncool women, allow me to brief you on yesterday's race. In short, I was with the pack until dropping a chain (yes, really) and consequently getting dropped from the group. After hauling myself around for about 1.5 laps solo, I finally slowed down and joined the main women's 4 peloton. Sprint at the end, seventh place, yada yada. Eight YEARS passed since my two road racing experiences at Florida, and now I remember why mountain bike racing appealed so much more! Women roadies just aren't as friendly during races. Alas, a good time was had. Props to Jami for rocking her first road race!

Husband crashed--or, more fairly, was crashed by Cat 3 sketchballs. Five stitches and seven hours later, he returned to the County of Transylvania to meet me and his Hetero Life Mate at Liz's mountain house for dinner fun with the host herself, Cason, Gallagher, Kris, Soup, and Brian.

This is a brand new day

2009-02-02T20:28:00.003-05:00

It has been requested that I update said blog.

But, I am sooo tired.

New job. Icycle. Real training schedule. Waking up at 6 a.m. each day. Dupont waffle rides from the house. Dabbling in German. (Jah! Das bier est alt! Achtung!) Carolina geology study. 53-minute commute. NPR, NPR, NPR. Lifting weights. Long muscle tension workouts on the trainer. Hot mulled wine. Political messes amidst county government.

Worst, 24 returned to dominate yet another hour of my time.

Props to P. Ennis for letting me borrow the 17 for my singlespeed steed. She likes it, Dan. She likes it.

Hello, 2009!

2009-01-02T09:13:00.003-05:00

New rides in several new places! An itinerary from the past 2 weeks follows...

Lake Lurleen State Park, AL: Eh, we don't have much to say about this place. But, Thad and I managed to a good time riding together here. Keep working on it, Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa, AL: Twenty-three miles of The Flattest Road Ride Ever...and also of 20-25mph winds. Awesome.

Oak Mountain State Park, AL: Home of the annual Bump and Grind race! The singletrack is smokin' fast, and -of course- someone had to toss in a few miles of gravel roads to keep things real. I cannot wait to return!

Raccoon Mountain, TN: Thad and I rolled into the 'coon at 4:00 p.m. and thought we might be able to snag 45-60 minutes of trail time. Once we got on the bike, though, we found ourselves unable to stop! Raccoon Mountain's 16.5 miles of trails flank the banks and sidehills of a large TVA reservior high above the city of Chattanooga. Chattanooga SORBA should be commended for their work - they built incredible singletrack that flows beautifully and are planning to expand the system to create a total of 40 miles of trails. Give me more, Chatt, give me more!

Variations on Dupont: 4 hours of singlespeed action, additions of Twin Oaks-Briery Creek and Big Rock-Cedar Rock-Burnt Mt, lots of smiles.

Brand spankin' new Pisgah epic: Since when did 17 miles qualify as an epic ride? Since yesterday. Black Mountain-> Buckwheat Knob-> Bennett Gap-> FS 477, plus out-and-back on 276. Long forgotten were my days of tough Pisgah slogs, with seemingly-more time out of the saddle pushing than in the saddle biking. I missed it. Badly.

View from Clawhammer Mountain

(old photo from the summer--new photos to return following the resurrection of my camera)

Victory is sweet even deep in the cheap seats

2008-12-21T21:30:00.003-05:00

Neglected are the several phenomenal rides of the past month or so.

THREE OR MORE WEEKS AGO

Pisgah 'cross jaunt: 2 hours. Fish Hatchery->475-> 475B-> US 276-> 1206-> 476-> Pink Beds-> US 276-> 477-> US 276-> 475-> meet the boys back at the hatchery. A big crowd showed up for Wes' birthday ride, and we headed up 475B. I parted ways with the guys at the juncture of 225 and continued onward with my cross obsession on gravel and plus some chill singletrack of the Pink Beds variety.

Caney Bottom singlespeed action: 1 hour. Fish Hatchery-> 475-> 475B-> 225-> Cove Creek-> Davidson River-> back to hatchery. Normally, my snobby self would not consider such a short and frankly cliche ride to be noteworthy. Adding a singlespeed into the mix, however, propelled it into another level. Caney Bottom has always been a pretty easy trail for me, but I realized how lazy I had become on a full-suspension mountain bike!

TWO WEEKS AGO

Caesar's Head road ride: 60 miles. Downtown Brevard->US 64-> Country Club->Island Ford-> Walnut Hollow-> East Fork-> Middle Fork-> US 178->Pumpkintown Hwy->SC 8->US 276-> back into town. I verged on [what would become] a 10-day sickness, entailing initially interminable flows of mucus and hacking throughout the ride. A long stop at Bald Rock allowed a break from coughing up a lung and also afforded a clear view of Greenville and upstate SC from the smooth outcropping of granite. Thanks go out to T. Cowie for riding back to the BRE with me.

LAST WEEK

Bent Creek on the singlespeed: 2 hours. Everywhere. Rain. Mud. Wet. I love it.

YESTERDAY

New route from Asheville to Brevard: 36 miles. West Asheville-> NC 112-> US 19/23->NC 151-> Blue Ridge Parkway-> US 276-> bike shop. Mad love to my parents who offered to repairs for Kitty as a Christmas present. My brother's mechanic friend Jon will be wrenching on the old girl over Christmas, so I decided to bike back home instead of wasting fuel. The route rolls on 151 for 8ish miles and then climbs about 2400' from Hominy Valley to Mount Pisgah in roughly 5 miles. Lovely, lovely day.

Kitty and I go wayyyy back...

the best of December

2008-12-11T20:43:00.002-05:00

seeing friends in near and far places
flying
This American Life
scouting creeks and hearing that glorious roar of whitewater
suffering on long rides
cool folks who think I am "an outstanding candidate"
fresh cinnamon-raisin bread from Bracken Mountain Bakery
lonnng nights with a husband who is looking damned hot right now
Garden of the Gods
Bald Rock
all of the mountaineering and skiing in the phenomenal San Juan range
scrambling up steep, wet slopes of briars and mossy rocks on a bushwhack
large, happy dogs
Durango
Gator football (Yeah that's right, Bama boys.)

Don't quit your day job

2008-11-22T19:49:00.004-05:00

Oh, wait...

There is no day job to quit.

Dammit.

So, racing went well until the NC Grand Prix CX races at Hendersonville last weekend. A multitude of tangles at "the Wall" and slow, lethargic legs entailed Saturday's race. Sunday's race felt immensely better for me. I sat in 7th/8th until -blast it, again!- the last lap where I literally ran over Kim, who had fallen while trying to ride up the steep grade. Five or six women rushed passed me as I untangled our bikes. Oh well. What do you expect from a 30-minute anaerobic race?! Anything can -and does- happen, no matter how good or how strong you are. Alas, I digress. Julia showed us how it was done with 1st and 2nd place finishes in the women's CX3/4 races, while I lamented my new upgrade to cat 3.

On the upside, I visited Panthertown Valley on Thursday 11/20 for the first time ever while joining the a few of the Friends of Panthertown crew for a day of trail maintenance. Nina Elliott run the FoP organization, and I was happy to meet another super-cool chick who is making a difference (and partakes in outdoor pursuits, as a bonus). Go visit Panthertown if you have never done so. In fact, go now. It's a tremendously beautiful area that increasingly faces encroachment from zealous development.

Trail crew at Panthertown Valley

Carlton's Falls in Panthertown

Speaking of day jobs, I shall be bouncing around the country this next week for several interviews. Pictures from Tennessee, Colorado, and New Mexico soon to follow!

Mid-season report

2008-11-15T17:22:00.004-05:00

2nd Mud, Sweat, & Gears #1

2nd MSG #2

4th Hawksnest/NC CX #3

7th Lenoir/NC CX #4

3rd NC State Championships/NC CX #5

2nd MSG #4

Me, loving radical sand pits at the second MSG race!

Time to cat up? Yesss...though I'm waiting until the last race in December in order to stockpile more schwag from the Cat 4 bonanza.

Next weekend, Hendersonville hosts 2 UCI cyclocross races that also happen to be part of the NC Cyclocross Series. Cat 3 and 4 women race together (which makes more sense than Cat 3 women racing with Cat 1/2 chicks, except for the pathetic showing of Cat 1/2 women). Hopefully, this course will be stupidly technical with steeps and some off-camber to throw off the roadies. Oooh, technical.

Cross fever

2008-11-12T19:32:00.002-05:00

Thad is intent on a yoga session. (He is tossing out yoga mats and eyeing me suspiciously, as if I am going to loiter online instead of maintain said Squirrel-Time date.) So: a quick post.

Great rides lately. The fall colors persist still, leaving me scrambling to identify trees and gawk at foliage before the four-month colorless hiatus in the forest. Tasha and I have been carousing about the woods and road and found ourselves distracted by anything from sassafras trees to ridiculously steep driveways.

Alas, I began running two weeks ago. Might you be currently be running? Do not stop. With approximately one run in 8 weeks under my belt (sports bra?), I embarked on three hard runs in a five-day period. Then, Thad and I went to Lenoir for a cross race in that same week. Fatigued legs combined with a super-flat, nontechnical course and a scary crash (not me-an App State chick) that made me stop led to a disappointing 7th place finish. Oh well. Thad raced as well, and it was awesome to see him out in action again! Yay for Team Walker.

Last weekend offered a better cross performance, as I hitched a ride with Julia, St. Marie, and Baker Bill to the NC Cyclocross State Championships in Dobson, NC. Seeing a new part of the state excited me, and the company did not cease to entertain. Anyway, to the race...I started very well, settling into a group of 3-4 other racers. I chilled out for the middle two laps, really, and kept my heart rate way down. One of Julia's former teammates kept attacking me, which was annoying because she would always do so right before -my specialty and her weakness- the technical sections. She wanted it, though; you had to give her credit! My friend Nicole raced strong, but I overcame and decimated her (after she beat me in every other race!). Overall, I am quite pleased with myself because I: a) was the only woman to ride what everyone else was running up, b) accomplished my goal in finishing in the top 3 with the ol' bronze medal, and c) had a fun time! If you're not having fun, why bother racing?!

America, heck yeah

2008-11-05T14:10:00.003-05:00

"No person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place." -Nelson Mandela

I have never been so proud of our nation and of our generation.

One questions still stands: Where is Ross Perot?

Do work, son

2008-10-27T16:17:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to the Brevard College cycling team for their amazing performances at last weekend's Collegiate Mountain Biking National Championships! BC amassed FOUR national championship titles (Tristan in short-track and XC, Joh in dual-slalom and Indiv. Ominium), and the team came two points away from ousting rival Warren Wilson College from their third place spot on the team podium. Julia rocked the women's podium twice, with a strong performance in short-track and an awesome overall result in the individual omnium. Dan P. Ennis showed up to the dual slalom and threw down for a third-place finish. In the words of Gattis, "Awwwesome!"

On Sunday, I escaped from stage-mom-ing for a few hours to rejoice in painful racing, beer-sipping, heckling, and action-packed spectating at the nearby Hawksnest Resort for the third race in the NC Cyclocross Series. Three days of slothing around in cold, wet weather [off the bike] + inadequate warm-up = 4th place finish. Not bad. But, as the theme for October goes...

I can do better.

Thank you also to Wes for reminding me that I was being a slack-ass.

Now, for something uncomfortable

2008-10-20T10:25:00.003-04:00

Someone once told me, "You know yourself very well if you can state your weaknesses faster than you can list your strengths." Whether true or false, the statement is meritorious in that striving to self-actualize improves our well-being. Here are my Achilles' heels and my subsequent action plans for improvement:

1) fear of failure -----daring to be wrong
2) fear of rejection-----daring to be rejected from potential employers
3) acceptance of above-average performance, rather than superiority-----pushing myself hard, especially on the academic and athletic fronts
4) climbing rock-----getting back on the rock
5) climbing hills-----seeking out all of the toughest hill climbs.
6) elitism-----accepting the fact that I am not "too good" for a job
7) fast-twitch speed-----finding the limits of human performance

October, albeit a tough period in terms of unemployment, has evolved into a month of literal and figurative change. Time is obviously on my side, and I am making the most of it by becoming a more competent outdoor professional, a more competitive athlete, and a better person.

La Classica!

2008-10-17T10:42:00.002-04:00

120 miles
9207' ascent
3 long, tough ascents
4 long, fast descents
1 very scary moment while passing a car (!) on a double-solid during the 215 descent
just over 8 hours in the saddle
ennumerable mountain views and fall foliage

Go ride it today. Start at the shop->276 N->215 S->178 S->11 E->8 N->276 N->Wilson Rd. Even if you are a Cowie, you will not be able to get lost. :)

I'll see if I can post the elevation profile from the Garmin onto the blog...

Racing!

2008-10-13T08:39:00.004-04:00

I, in need of some action, traveled last weekend to Johnson City/Bristol for a cyclocross racing satiation. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing. A race consists of several laps on a circuit that can -and often does- feature any or all of the following: grass, mud, steep hills, obstacles, roots, pavement, and sand. Riders usually must dismount at least once, if not more often, for natural and man-made obstacles such as wooden barriers. Races vary in length from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on rider category.

Both Saturday and Sunday races went well. My prior cyclocross racing experience limits itself to one UCI race in Hendersonville, NC, in which I attempted to compete after running 11 miles earlier in the morning. So, on Saturday, I sat back and figured out how to survive. I chilled in second for most of the time until the girl took off on the last lap. I should have won. On Sunday, I took off at the start! Everyone who knows me as an endurance rider (i.e. NOT a sprinter) would have been proud! I went hard, the other girl ended up going harder. Plus, I crashed right before the barriers, which was actually hilarious but killed my potential win. Anyway, two second-place finishes for my 2nd and 3rd cross race ever = not too bad. One must upgrade to a higher category after two first-place finishes in 12 months, and I don't want 15 more minutes of pain amongst Pro/Cat 2/Cat 3 women. Yet.

Great fun with some of the Knoxville crew was had, too. Thanks go out to the Chandlers for awesome hospitality!

Road warrior

2008-10-08T18:27:00.000-04:00

Here is a recap of some of my favorite rides from the past two weeks...

Two Sundays ago: time for a longer road ride! I initially wanted to do the Molester (a ride that drops down Caesars Head and meanders westward across South Carolina before cutting up a very steeply-graded road back into NC) but decided to explore instead East Fork. Plus, my memories of going down Van Clayton Highway reminded me of how painful it would be to actually climb it. Hence, I rode a combination of the Dupont Loop and the Rosman Loop, adding in some cruising through the Pisgah, for a nice 61 miles. It feels great to be back on the road!

Last Wednesday: 44 miles on the road. Start at house->shop->276 to the parkway->Parkway to Pisgah Inn->back to shop. Pretty mellow. Some of the leaves are already reverting to fall mode, infusing the green forest with a refreshing blend of bright hues, and the crisp breezes coupled with perfectly-clear weather for a beautiful view from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Thursday: cross date! Thad has a new cyclocross bike, so we took our cross bikes for a spin around our region of Dupont. Start at house->Sky Valley->Rifle->Hickory Mt->Ridgeline->Jim Branch->Buck Forest->Thomas Cemetary->Tarkiln->Kids Loop->Sky Valley and back up the singletrack to our front yard. Singletrack + cross bikes = lots of fun. I ate it -believe it or not- on our front yard trail. On a second attempt to master a tough switchback, I lost balance, and, while trying to muscle it out and refusing to unclip, rolled down the side of the hill...still clipped in, bike over body! Very classy.

Saturday: La Molestoradora time. Start at house->Dupont Rd->Cascade Lake Rd->276->SC8->SC11->178->Van Clayton->East Fork-> 178->Old Rosman Hwy->Hannah Ford->Island Ford->276->Wilson->(quick stop at the bike shop)->back home on Old Hendo Hwy/Everett/Crab Creek. 78 miles, with 5300' elevation gain.
"Molestar" translated from Spanish to English means "to bother, to irritate." (Jeff Parker has another meaning for why he might call this ride the Molester!) I found this ride to be fabulous for the most part --until Van Clayton Highway. Here, I become bothered quickly as the grade thrice spikes in steepness. Let me tell you, this is one of the steepest roads I have climbed. So steep is it that some people walk the toughest sections. I had scoffed at Thad for putting a 11-28 cassette on my bike. Oh, but now, NOW, I needed that 28! The remaining 28 miles of the ride flew by, as I cruised the pastoral hills of Rosman and Brevard on the warm fall day.

Yesterday: the Waynesville loop. Start at the shop->276->215->Rosman loop (via Country Club) all the way back. 81 miles, with 6100' elevation gain.
With overcast skies, cool breezes, and temperatures in the 50s, climbing up both 276 and the backside of 215 felt absolutely fabulous. I made great time descending, lost of bit of time lolly-gagging on the 215 climb, and viewed incredible fall colors especially near Shining Rock, as the skies opened up during the afternoon. I feel really good during distance rides. Hopefully, it will be time for the 120-mile Classica next week!

Mycology, not your cology!

2008-09-23T18:32:00.002-04:00

Injury be damned, mountain biking must ensue!!

I rode for an hour each on Tuesday and Wednesday, cruising the gorgeous byways of pastoral Little River/Penrose and Pisgah National Forest, respectively.

Not much beats Black Mountain trail in the fall. Thursday demanded Pin-it Mountain (from the shop: 276->477->Clawhammer->Maxwell Cove->Black Mountain->276 back to the shop).

Sunday entailed an invigorating afternoon of Jenna and Thad action on Laurel Mountain-Pilot Cove and subsequently at Barley's for an excellent post-ride slice and pint.

Today I embarked on a dual-purpose mission: to ride some great Pisgah singletrack and to geek out in the natural resources spectrum, specifically on the mycological front.

Seven different types of fungi, all found in our backyard!

Audobon's Field Guide to Mushrooms in tow, I rode FS 475 to Gloucester Gap then 471->471D->Butter Gap->Long Branch->475 back to the start. Butter Gap is, hands-down, one of the best mountain biking trails in Pisgah. The approach to the trail is completely nontechnical albeit minorly aerobic, and the descent down Butter offers fast, flowy sections with several cool moderately technical bits interspersed. Today it hooked up and delivered perfect conditions! Mushrooms abounded alongside the Long Branch trail; I happily stopped to identify variable russula (Russula variata) and tawny almond waxy cap (Hygrophorus bakerensis). Good times!

It's been a while

2008-09-18T13:30:00.002-04:00

Sorry.

Quick and dirty: I'm back in the States, almost fully healed, not moving to Alabama (to the relief of Team Walker), on my fourth day of complete unemployment, actually sleeping next to my husband, witnessing the US economy teetering on the brink of collapse, and exiting the outdoor recreation industry.

You know, just a normal week.

Now, I have been scouting for employment opportunities (anything from commercial money management to serving as a park ranger), building trail, helping run the BC cycling race (a great success--114 collegiate riders came to race at the new Brevard course!), putting in some time in the saddle on the new cross bike, whining about the price of pineapples and mangoes but indulging opulently in ice-cream shakes, practicing yoga, and seeking patches of blueberries in Shining Rock. Life is still good.

More to follow.

Difficult decisions

2008-09-06T20:57:00.002-04:00

short-term=
Do I stay in Huaraz/Peru in a vain attempt both to fulfill climbing aspirations and to escape reality, despite bad climbing weather, minor Achilles tendonitis, and a possible knee injury?

long-term=
Do I/we stay in Brevard for our beloved trails/forest and great WNC family of friends or move elsewhere to seek new employment and life opportunties?

I KNOW for a fact that minimally 3 and possibly even 16 people read this blog! Your thoughts, please.

Santa Cruz trek, part 1

2008-09-06T15:22:00.004-04:00

Monday, Sept. 1 - "In awe"
Day 1, Vaquería a Quebrada Paría

An early start at 6:00 a.m. proved lucky - Gaby, Asaf, and I managed to snag a ride with a guided group traveling directly to Vaquería. How nice! We tossed our packs on the roofrack and crammed into the collectivo. It never ceases to amaze us tourists how many people can jam into these tiny Toyota vans. The collectivos literally "collect" people as you travel - at one time, I counted 24 people in our van! Our clown car found its way west to Yungay, then to the Quebrada Llanganuco where we winded our way higher, cruising past the gorgeous waters of the two lagunas Llanganuco and switch-backing up to a pass at about 4800m. The vistas afforded to us cannot be described in words - all of the mountains, MY mountains, here, summits within sight, and seemingly within grasp. They captivated me, and until we descended over the pass to the less scenic quebrada from which we would depart, I could not keep my eyes off of their beautiful slopes.

At Vaquería, our trek commenced. The was quite mellow. We hiked through villages and pastoral lands, past flocks of sheep and traditionally-clothed women toting niños on their backs. The omnious yet impressive east face of the icy, twin-peaked Chacraraju (6112m) lingered in the distance and reminded me of the challenges posed to many climbers on these high peaks. Surrounded by mountains, walking next to the gently-tumbling waters of the Rio Huaripampa, all on a sunny, cloudless day, I felt completely in awe of my environment. Sometimes, we take things for granted and are oblivious to see simple beauty or appreciate the majesty of a place we live in every day. I've come to realize that no matter where you live, you can see beauty in the greatest and least degrees. Except in Texas.

But, that's another story.

Tuesday, Sept. 2: "The mountains win again"

Day 2, Quebrada Paría a Taullipampa

From our campsite at the Quebrada Paría, we ascended from 3800m to 4750m at Punta Union. Easy, right? About 3k of the 6k was flat-to-rolling, and the remaining 3k was HARD. I reached what could be called "The Wall"- about 1200 ft of elevation gain in less than 0.5 miles up to a final elevation of roughly 15,600 feet. A wall of rock stood in front of me, with a crude path constructed on steep slickrock and some switchbacks on scree and small talus.

Huffing and puffing up to Punta Union yet making good time for a lowlander, I gasped upon arrival at the pass.

Wow.

I stood at the head of the cirque and marveled at the sharp, glaciated peaks in this huge natural amplitheatre. Artensonraju, Taullipampa, Yanapaccha. High alpine lakes spotted the valley floor in the distance. The bluest sky imaginable prevailed.

Absolutely phenomenal.

I waited for, well, a long time on my two friends to ascend the grade. Two hours and a siesta later, they joined me, and we trudged down rocky switchbacks for a few miles to our campsite along the Rio Taullipampa. Asaf, Gaby, and I set up camp, created a tasty Peruvian version of dal bhat (rice and lentils), and quickly dozed off after a brief effort at card games.

2008-09-05T15:23:00.003-04:00

Thursday, Aug. 28: "I can ride a bike with no handlebars"
After watching the Democratic National Convention and heckling politicians from abroad with the French, I fell into a 12-hour coma. Waking up at 11:00 a.m. felt slovenly yet pleasantly decadent after such sleep deprivation. A standard traveler's desayuno of pan, mermalada fresa, y mate de manzanilla digested quickly, so I went in search of something with more vegetables and/or fiber. The Hare Krishna chain restaurant of Govinda fit the bill with a USD $2 menú. A menú is a set 3-course lunch (sopa, entrada, postre) with a drink. You never really know what you are eating in South America; somehow, this is okay with me, so long as the fare is pescaterian. You end up eating some very odd -and at times foreign- food with this technique. It's awesome. The only downfall is when eggs are thrown into the mix. Ugh, eggs.
In the afternoon, I re-explored Miraflores for several hours and then talked with a fellow hostel guest, a quirky yet hilarious Aussie, for a long time before eating dinner and watching movies with several other new acquaintances.

Friday, Aug. 29: "The Andes or bust"
Ahh, the 8-hour bus ride. A long trip seems inevitable during an extended stay in South America. Eight hours is a cakewalk compared to previous 16- to 42-hour bus epics, though. Especially on a swanky bus. On less-traveled routes, only local buses transport you to a destination. The cultural experience, and possibly adrenaline rush from the erratic driving propensities of conductores, heightens--with a cost. You are typically jammed onto a crowded bus with gregarious, boastful men and indigenous women whose multilayered skirt ensemble reeks vaguely of rotting meat, sour milk, and an odd, female-specific odor. Vendors hawking helados, empanadas, choclo con queso, and magical healing creams jump onto the bus randomly and then exit following sales. Add into the scene noisy yet cute children and loud folklórica music blaring out of the speakers and - voilá!- your standard (non-turista) in Peru or Bolivia.
The upscale Cruz del Sur bus I was taking featured none of the aforementioned amenities. I desparetely missed the choclo con queso but settled instead for cushy, reclining seats and B-list American movies like "The Honeymooners." Another trend in Latin America: more is better. More sound appears to be better, so both movies and music blast everywhere at deafening volume. If I return without hearing, you will know why.
The bus ride began at first exiting Lima and winding along the gray sand dunes of the coast, then meandered along the bottom of a rocky canyon before winding up, up, up and eventually to Huaraz.
In Huaraz, my new friends Gaby and Asaf and I found sweet accomodation at Albergue Churup. Gaby, a fun Dutch guy named Gerard, and I ate dinner at La Brasa Roja, a highly tasty place that made even me hungry for chicken.

Saturday, Aug. 30: "Welcome to paradise"
You know you are having a great day when you wake up with no headache on your first day at high altitude.
I took it very easy today - a long stroll through the huge street market with new friends from the hostel, lunch among the locals (a USD $1.40 menú - great although it arrived as an entire fish, battered and fried, missing only its eyes), talking with companies about trekking and climbing beta, dining with some cool folks, and hanging out.
One of the most fascinating people I met today is a Canadian climber named Jean-Pierre. Other than guiding an annual expedition in the Cordillera Blanca, Jean-Pierre paraglides and is planning an attempt of K2 (the world's second highest mountain) not only from the rarely-climbed Chinese side but with a hang-gliding descent, as well. In the history of K2, only 189 people have summited, a mere 7 being female. Now, 6 out of 7 women have perished. The statistics do not lie - K2 is a killer. It is considered by many climbers to be the ultimate high-altitude mountain, much more so than Everest, its fallen comrade in 8000m fame who now remains much the peak-bagging expedition for rich tourists.

Sunday, Aug. 31: "Getting high[er]"
Today, a large group of us gringos -me, Gerard, Asaf, Gaby, and Nicholai- chose to explore Laguna Churup, a beautiful alpine lake nestled high in the mountains.
Getting there was half the adventure. We flagged down a taxi who agreed to take us to Pitec and back for 50 soles. (One Peruvian sol equals roughly USD$2.90. Gas, at about USD$4.50 is more expensive here than in the States. Bottom line: taxis and transportation are dirt cheap.) The five of us crowded into an old Toyota Corolla wagon that had seen better days or even years. On an iconoclastic feeling, I hopped in the far back. Soon we bounded, bounced, and swerved up into the cordillera, leaving Huaraz literally in the dust. Do not try to sit in the rear cargo if you are tall, just as a recommendation; otherwise, you may arrive with a bit of a headache from being thrown up, down, and around on winding mountain roads. Of course, I loved it. You can't get these kind of adventures at Six Flags!
We ascended in the taxi from 3091m in Huaraz to about 3800m in Pitec. From there, we began a brief but grueling 2+ kilometre hike to Laguna Churup at 4450m. So much for running and biking. This means nothing when you have not adjusted your bodily properly to higher altitudes (i.e. anything over about 8000 feet). A humbling 2 kilometres later brought our unacclimatized selves panting from lack of oxygen but enthralled with the scenery. We clambered up a super-steep ascent that actually involved 4th class and some lower 5th class bouldering - very fun! Reaching the lake afforded us crisp views of the turquoise waters of laguna Churup, overshadowed by the imposing Nevado Churup with its summit one thousand metres higher at 5450 metres. The descent proved more exciting than the ascent when I took a bold route and down-climbed some 5.6-5.7 or so rock with sketchy consequences for a free-solo fall. Ha! Life is daring adventure or nothing at all, right Helen Keller? Anyway, we finally returned to Huaraz and relaxed before heading out on a dining escapade with three new pals, 2 cool Aussie chicks and a British Columbian ski bum who had enough of summer in Whistler. Tough life, huh?

Rollin' with the Tide to Florida

2008-08-27T11:48:00.004-04:00

Sunday: last-minute packing and preparation entailed the morning, while a 6-hour drive to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and dinner in T-town completed the remainder.

Monday: a day full of the typical university interview gauntlet. I left Tuscaloosa and the UA campus rather surprised. Until this point, my past interviews had been somewhat patronizing of a desire to at least LOOK like I am attempting to find a new career. The position for which I interviewed caught my attention initially, but I didn't think it would be something I would consider seriously. Things have changed. We both love western NC and our Brevard family. Yet, in two, three months who knows where we will be living? An enthralling journey shall follow in any case.

Tuesday: family time--sort of. I rolled in to Punta Gorda, Florida, at 5:58 a.m. Imbibing 4 Red Bulls over the course of 12 hours rendered me disconcertingly jittery and extremely awake. Quality time with the family was had. Dad even took me out for a beer, which was fun.

Wednesday, Day 1: a continuación! My wonderful mother drove me to the Miami airport for a 7:30 a.m. flight. Good conversation with interesting folks was had on the flights to Colombia and to Peru. I even gave advice to a couple from Washington, D.C., who was traveling to Cusco and spoke basically zero Spanish. How can you go to a country and not know even the very basics of a language?! Anyway, the taxi ride from the airport to Miraflores (the upscale, touristy district of Lima) was the most eventful time of the day. I had forgotten that any friendliness given to latinos can often be conveyed as flirting or interest. The taxi driver was politely friendly at first but then started hitting on me in a typical peruano fashion ("Tú eres hermosa/linda/bonita" blah blah blah). He kept insisting that we must go dancing or drink a beer together. Even more intolerant than before for men other than Thad, I finally got annoyed with the persistence--and it became a very quiet ride to Miraflores!
So, I am currently staying at a nice yet cheap hostel called Friend's House and have met some cool French and Germans. The pollution in Lima, even in yuppie Miraflores, is horrible. Thus, leaving for Huaraz a day early might be in the cards. With 3 hours of sleep in 60 hours, plus 3 brief naps on the plane and in the Bogotá airport, I am completely spent now. (To compare, a few years ago, I drove solo 23 hours straight from Moab, Utah, to Knoxville, TN, and still managed to not be as tired as I currently am.) I miss my husband already but am excited to be here and back in traveling and Spanish-speaking mode.

I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier

2008-08-22T21:58:00.000-04:00

Tenative, Ambitious Itinerary--

August 27: fly from Miami, FL, to Lima, Peru
August 28: logistics in Lima
August 29: travel to Huaraz, Peru
August 30-31: acclimatize, prep for climbing in Huaraz
September 1-6: acclimatize near Yungay; teach English to aspiring local mountain guides; hike to Laguna Llanganuco, Ice of Huandoy, Hueytapayana; attempt a first descent of the Rio Llanganuco in some sort of whitewater craft; possibly mountain bike
Sept. 7-10: climb Yanapacha (5460m or 17913ft) and/or Pisco (5752m or 18972ft)
Sept. 11: rest and explore
Sept. 12-14: climb Chopicalqui (6384m or 20848ft)
Sept. 15: rest and explore
Sept. 16-20: climb Huascaran (6768m or 22391ft)
Sept. 21: return to Huaraz
Sept. 22: return to Lima
Sept. 23: lounge
Sept. 24: fly back to Miami

Huascaran Sur, the highest point in all of Peru, has thwarted many early- and late-season climbers' attempts in recent years, so I'm keeping all options open. Really, any high-altitude climbing that I can do will be fabulous. If poor weather dominates the month, no worries will be had. I just want to be high in the mountains, pushing physical and psychological limits and refreshing myself for what the next chapter of life brings.

September in the Southern Hemisphere!

2008-08-10T09:32:00.002-04:00

I'm going to Peru!!!

More details to follow.

In the meantime, please excuse me while I strap on a 95-lb pack and hike up the steepest available hills while breathing through a straw.
(This, of course, simulates exactly how you feel while climbing at 19,000 ft.)

Ama Dablam or bust

2008-08-03T21:55:00.003-04:00

I've always wanted to be a Himalayan mountaineer.

Not just another crackhead-Jenna idea, this aspiration began at a tender age of about 8. My dad and I watched "K2", a "Vertical Limit"-esque film with an equally corny plot. I was nonetheless fascinated with the concept of scaling the highest peaks on the planet. A childhood spent in Florida diminished the idea for a while until college. My initial encounter with alpinism -a college graduation present of a glacier mountaineering course in Washington's North Cascades- merely stoked a fire that began to burn as I paged through countless pieces of nonfiction depicting travesties of climbing history and guidebooks from grand mountains near and far. Somehow, I allowed myself to become extremely distracted by higher education and especially by men, though several Andean nevados found their way into my life on the South America jaunt. Today, more than ever, I yearn to fulfill this dream.

Jenna's Ultimate Mountain List (2 down...)
Ama Dablam, Nepal
Cho-Oyu, Nepal
Lhotse, Nepal
Kangchenjunga, India
Broad Peak, Pakistan
Gasherbrum II, Pakistan
Noshaq, Afghanistan
Denali, Alaska-US
Rainier, Washington-US
Pico de Orizaba, Mexico
Huascaran Sur, Peru
Chopicalqui, Peru
Aconcagua, Argentina
Cotopaxi, Ecuador*
Chimborazo, Ecuador
Huayna Potosi, Bolivia*
Illampu, Bolivia
Eiger, Switzerland
Blanc, France
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Cook, New Zealand

Stairway to [Singlespeed] Heaven

2008-08-02T16:35:00.002-04:00

On yesterday's menu - a fun 2.5 hour Bent Creek sojourn! From the Hardtimes trailhead: Homestead->Small Creek->Deerfield->Pine Tree->Explorer->Sleepy Gap->FS ->unmarked trail->FS 479->Lower Sidehill->back to rest of Deerfield and Pine Tree loops->Hardtimes Connector->Wolf Branch->FS 480?->Ingles Field Gap up and down->back to the parking lot. Bent Creek is deemed an experimental forest, and, at the whim of foresters, several singletrack trails have disappeared in the name of progress and transformed into forest service roads. People -as they always do- complained, which is somewhat ignorant. It's an experimental forest, after all, in which forestry practices are tested and the results carefully observed. Deal with it. (And, read the interesting interpretive signs to education yourselves!) Anyway, I thoroughly reveled in my ride and finally feel like I am building a decent foundation of riding fitness. Too bad a women's singlespeed does not exist in regional mountain bike races.

Let's get sweaty and swanky

2008-07-29T14:48:00.003-04:00

As enjoyable as kayaking is, I could not wait to take a hiatus from paddling whitewater almost every day. Here are the rivers on which we instructed this summer:
French Broad (Section 1 and Section 9)
Green (Upper and Lower)
Pigeon (Gorge and Lower)
Nolichucky (Gorge and from Cowbell down)
Tuckaseegee (Gorge)
Nantahala (Falls/slalom area)

Sunday: escape to Pilot Mountain. Kind of. In a successful effort to escape the masses, I headed to Gloucester Gap and sated my [not-so-thirsting] hunger for hot, overgrown, briery gravel roads and trails. FS 229->Kiesee Creek->140A->140->Sumney Cove->Hwy 215->140->140A->Indian Creek.

Today: a 3-hour singlespeed cruise around Dupont. Absolutely fabulous.

The addition of attrition

2008-07-18T19:50:00.004-04:00

The computer has been absconded to Vermont so no insightful, extensive posts for now.

First, I have no idea what I will be doing in August. Such a quandry induced a major catharsis over the past week especially. You know, the stressed-out, grinding-your-teeth kind of slightly-angry turbulence. Present time seems like I have constantly been riding in at least somewhat of a headwind, no matter which direction I go. (Figuratively and literally, too. Every time I ride to work or home, a wind of varying significance is attempting to slow forward progress.) How about a break?! This should have been MY time for career, for being a better athlete, for traveling internationally. I should have worked my way up to a [decent] professional position. Frustration abounds undeniably, and -despite a persistent zeal for life- I've been a bit mad at the world in recent days. Is this horrible or what? I suppose that this is yet another test of perseverance and exercise in improving tenacity in pursuit, a gamut of intrinsic challenge concurrently adding extrinsic obstacles, a time for character development.

Meanwhile, I could just suck it up and shut up.

Raspberry fields forever

2008-07-13T21:29:00.003-04:00

Highlight of the week: a post-interview meandering hike inadvertantly led me to patches of wild, ripe raspberries. I wandered from the Art Loeb (above the Job Corps center) to Joel Branch Road and foraged into a fibrous, vitamin-laden oblivion. Bliss!

I've been quite busy this month. Hence the lackluster posts. More to come soon, as the cathartic state continues.

To the extreme, yo

2008-06-27T20:53:00.004-04:00

Sunday: Thad, Wes, Chris, Ray, and I hit up Trace Ridge for a short mtb ride. Hendo Reservoir Rd-> FS5000-> Spencer Gap-> Spencer Branch. A fabulously treacherous storm rolled into the North Mills River watershed rapidly. No sooner had we began riding on Middle Fork than several rumbles of thunder catalyzed nearly instantaneously into an all-out rain squall. Lightning crashed, and in greater proximity as we neared the finish on the gravel climb to the Trace Ridge trailhead. This was the closest to me that lightning has ever struck - outdoors or even inside shelter. A bolt of lightning hit so close to Thad that he stated he felt a tingle in his leg from the ground current; he obviously felt less than enthused about the electricity around us. I, however, loved every second of it. This is probably why I feel so comfortable living under a piece of coated nylon for weeks.

Thursday: morning commute= 16.3 miles. Afternoon commute= 50.6 miles. One wrong turn led to a descent into South Carolina. Too tired to elaborate now.

Take me back to Banos

2008-06-21T20:58:00.002-04:00

Now.

Please.

At very least, abscond me to a place where I can type an "n" with a tilde.

Keepin' the rubber on the road

2008-06-16T20:37:00.004-04:00

Lately - indulging in an 8-day road cycling binge. Sounds painful?

Not to the masochists.

Who rides up and down Walnut Hollow 3 times just for kicks, anyway?

Sicko.

Other than agitating roadies when I pass them adorning a gargantuan backpack (you snobs), kayaking acts as the primary activity of summer 2008. We have been driving hundreds of miles to and from rivers the past week. I am ecstatic to return to kayaking. Our beginners paddle up to class II-III while the more advanced girls boat up to solid class III-III+. Today, we took the latter group to the Upper Green, a creeky class II-III river with two stout class III+ rapids tossed into the scene. The pristine stretch lends itself well to introductory creek boating in addition to advancement of technical maneuvering skills.

[photo borrowed from boatingbeta.com] Bayless' Boof (class III+), Upper Green River, NC

Witnessing skill progression is rewarding, and I am really enjoying being a lower woman on the totem pole (although the lack of responsibility bothers me) in order to be back in the field. Hopefully, this fall will involve more instructional opportunities coupled with some sort of structured administrative role.

If not, back being a trophy wife.

The heat is on

2008-06-07T22:15:00.007-04:00

Chinese buffet reading: 95 degrees at 11:58a.m. Time for Turkey Pen.

From Turkey Pen trailhead: 101 jumps-> South Mills-> Mullinax-> Squirrel Gap-> Laurel Creek-> Bradley Creek->back up Squirrel Gap-> Cantrell Creek-> South Mills River

I found a super-cool spot for skinny-dipping in the South Mills River about 500 metres downstream of the Bradley Creek river crossing and -of course- was caught by a group of young Boy Scouts seeking a swimming hole. Not such a secret place apparently. In the interest of escaping people, I then ventured towards Squirrel Gap - a place that no idiot other than me would have much interest in riding during the middle of a scorching heat wave. Solitude attained, I found myself in the midst of a thunderstorm/rain squall for about an hour and amended my Black Mt/Turkey Pen trail ambitions for a shortcut back to the trailhead at Cantrell Creek. The latter option usually equals a log-jumping, creek-crossing slog, and today it delivered, with double the number of downed trees on the trail due to last month's high winds. Nonetheless, a great day on the bike was had.

let's get squirrely - junction of Squirrel Gap and Mullinax trails, PNF

Start a revolution!

2008-06-06T18:32:00.005-04:00

Today, the price of oil jumped by $10.75, the greatest single-day increase in history. The Dow plummeted 394.64 points in a matter of hours. Recent reports state the unemployment rate to be around 5.5%.

Quit whining about filling up your SUV and get on a bike.

Allow me to trumpet the top 8 joys of bike-commuting.

8. Starting and ending your day well.
Just pay no attention to the roadies teasing you about your large 11-lb pack while you pass them at Tuesday Night Worlds.
7. Feeling the cool breeze (and sometimes strong headwind) through the vents of your helmet.
Zen.
6. Experiencing the coolest mountain and valley views that one can possibly imagine.
Nothing beats the panorama from Everett Road or a glimpse of Castle Rock from Barclay Road. My new favorite view of the week can be found at the pastoral hills of Cascade Lake Road.
5. Improving aerobic fitness and muscular endurance.
You need to exercise anyway. Burn fat, not gasoline.
4. Earning a better fuel economy than the cooler-than-cool Prius that will pass you on the road.
Gas costs me about $4 for 20 miles. A banana and a bar runs less than $2 for 30-40 miles. You do the math.
3. Becoming more socially responsible by reducing vehicular traffic.
The Floridians and CAVs (camp assault vehicles) already crowd Transylvania County's asphalt roadways in the summer. Imagine the possibilities of hundreds of people leaving their cars at home and switching to biking.
2. Reducing your ecological footprint.
Less CO2->better hope for the future of humankind.
1. Saving money!
Fuel costs average $7 per day for a round-trip route to and from work. Think about what you might be able to do with an additional $7 per day...

Ame su vida y su familia!

2008-05-29T19:36:00.009-04:00

The fam visited for Memorial Day weekend. We spent Saturday and Sunday chilling out and exploring a bit.

Sunday afternoon brought the return of the annual Squirrel Box Derby, a soapbox derby race down Jailhouse Hill in downtown Brevard.

The Ocho awaits his heat in the grasshopper.

Thad and I dragged Mom, Dad, and Matt on a 3-mile hike down to -and back up from- The Coolest Place Ever. This spot features a 45-foot waterfall with twin cascades and can be observed after a short walk down the ridge from the backyard of our house. Fabulous! I really want to have a downhill time-trial on it, shuttle back up to the house, and party.

Mom and I at the falls (boaters: not runnable)

On Monday, antsiness precipitated an early exodus from the homeland. 2 hours of Tsali. I dropped several minutes off my fastest lap time from the last race for a 56 and then a 57 minute lap around 11-mile Right Loop. Decent redemption.

Zen on smooth singletrack

Finally, I made it to the river. Christa and Tasha met me at the put-in, and we even acquired some old schoolers like Johnny J, Brad, Tera, Gavin, and Katie to create a great paddling group. Home sweet home Ocoee. It is, in an odd paradox, both comforting that some things never change and at the same time almost disconcertingly weird how much everything has changed. I mean, Johnny is driving around with a car seat for his new baby-on-the-way. Once you reach the point of planning to conceive instead of anxiously figure how not to become pregnant at all costs, you have officially arrived in your new residence of Predictable Adulthood in the Real World neighborhood. Please enter your minivan or enormous SUV immediately for transport. Seriously, though, I am truly happy for those who achieve satisfaction in their lives, and if adding a child to the exponentially-enlarging population (6.6+ billion live bodies) of this world will increase your overall pleasure with life, then go for it. Nearly all of my friends who have children say that doing so was one of the best decisions of their lives. You get your kicks one way; I'll find mine on a mountain, trail, or river.

Just please stop asking me when I am going to procreate.

Anyway, after spending the night in Chattanooga with Christa and hanging out with Bert the next morning, I then galavanted onward to Knoxville. Rode newly-cut trail at Hasty Park in Knoxville with Brett, Joey, and Brad and managed to get myself recirculated at Brett's house, courtesy of good company (and also some Old Forester).

Recap of Saturday through Thursday

2008-05-23T18:41:00.000-04:00

12 Hours of Tsali!

Next year, the bubbly is ours.

Barley's and beer!

happy husband

Unabashed sloth mitigated with decent recovery rides!

Team Walker doesn't cope well with staying up until 4 a.m.

[second embarassing picture of Thad- yeah, he'll love this.]

Laurel, Pilot, Black, Sycamore, and Ridgeline - oh my!

mini tech section on Laurel Mt

Spring in them thar' hills!

honeysuckle

Shining Rock!

View of Shining Creek Valley (and, in the distance, Brevard and South Carolina) from Dog Loser Knob, Shining Rock Wilderness

One downer: subluxed left shoulder while busting ass on a slick, rooty turn at Tsali during the first of three laps. I hit the ground with arm outstretched and then noticed my left humeral head was not in the correct place. Panicked momentarily about a summer potentially void of kayaking, pulled the arm into traction, popped it back in place, continued with the lap. WFR skills, what what!? Fortunately, the injury manifested into nothing more than a bruised rotator cuff.

"Is your name Jenna?!"

2008-05-12T15:13:00.003-04:00

Back to work.

So, I'm earning a good per diem at the moment. Part of the pay, however, requires duties in the kitchen, notably, washing dishes. One of the 13-year old boys asked me where I went to school. I proceeded to tell him my half-Gator, half-Vol quasi-pedigree. He then informed me, "Well, you don't need a graduate degree to wash dishes." Thank you for that insight.

Don't ever think you are too good to wash dishes.
You're not.

Nonetheless, working at High Rocks has been enjoyable. My group of eighth graders had a good time in all of our climbing, canoeing, hiking, and ropes course activities. I led a mountain biking day trip to Dupont, showing them how to jump whoops and try riding the seesaw, the log bridge, and other stuff on the Kids' Loop. That night, I commuted home on the singlespeed in an exhilarating rain squall. Love it! But, the 32x18 gearing suits Pisgah or steeper Dupont much better than asphalt/gravel riding, so the cross bike will see commuting action next week.

Also, Thad revealed to me The Coolest Place in the World [of the Week]. Conveniently, it is located at the bottom of a 1.5-mile trail that switches from the backyard of our house to this spot. Picture to follow.

Eight days 'til kayaking! Anyone in the southeast is welcome to join. Class 3-4 fun will be had in NC and TN. Memorial Day shall be girls' paddling day on the Ocoee. .Holla!

Black Mountain bliss

2008-05-04T18:26:00.004-04:00

Today: FS477-> Buckhorn Gap-> Clawhammer-> Black Mountain-> 276-> FS 477. I adore this ride! 13.5 miles in 2:11 with 2126 feet of elevation gain - yahoo!

View from Clawhammer Mountain summit, Black Mountain trail - Pisgah NF, NC

Yes, another cheesy self-portrait

Twin Falls on a different day - this time with my awesome husband

Doing the two things I do best: adventuring and running [away]. Kidding on the latter.

(Come on, we all know that I have learned to come home now. Even the feral cats will return to the hand that feeds them. Right, Bert?)

Fat-bottom girls, you make the rockin' world go 'round

2008-04-24T22:11:00.005-04:00

Thursday: a road ride! Brevard-> 276-> Parkway-> [back down]-> house -- about 44 miles. Most difficult definitely proved to be the 0.5-mile ascent of our road/driveway. Our neighbors have added loose gravel over the past few months, which matters little with cross or mtb tires but makes climbing on slick road tires a bit trying.

Saturday: Mtb 17 miles of Dupont State Forest's finest. Living 1 mile from Dupont trails is so convenient! Ridgeline has packed down nicely since its rerouting earlier this year and is fast!Thad took the cycling team to the Greenbrier race in Maryland, so, alone at the house, I rode the trainer for an hour in the evening due to extreme boredom and lingering thunderstorms.

Sunday: run 3 miles in rainy mist.

Monday: run 3 miles then practice yoga for 1 hour.

Tuesday: mtb 1 lap of the double V's (the big M, riding first up Grassy Road to Upper Sycamore, then riding up Black Mt and down Thrift). DO NOT take three weeks off from the bike! In addition to feeling fat and out of shape, my calf is still bothering me, which is completely lame. I think I initially hurt it on a 7-mile, 55:00 run on our rest day at Farr Gap, straining a tight left calf during the first fast 2 miles at 6:30ish/mile. It has hurt on runs and now during rides but less so as this week has progressed. Alas, I digress...

Wednesday: mtb 38 miles. Hardtimes trailhead-> Bent Creek Rd.-> Lower Sidehill-> Bent Creek Rd-> Wash Creek Rd-> Spencer Gap->Spencer Branch-> Fletcher Creek-> Hendo Reservoir Rd-> FS 5000-> Yellow Creek Rd-> FS 476-> South Mills River-> Buckhorn Gap-> Clawhammer-> FS477-> 276-> the shop. Tons o' gravel road. The ride started out later than I had initially planned; plus, my leg began to hurt early on in the ride. So, taking it easy and amending the route to exclude grand traverses on the Squirrel Gap and Black Mountain trails, I cruised and enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous day with spectacular views, especially near the Trace Ridge area. Wildflowers are beginning to bloom here, as well, with violets, spring beauty, and dandelions looking vibrant.

The journey continues

2008-04-23T09:42:00.007-04:00

Wednesday, April 16

Appalachia Powerhouse -> site along the Hiwassee River
Canoe 1 mile

Thursday, April 17

Random campsite -> Gee Creek State Park
Canoe 11 miles
Finally, whitewater! Sort of... Because of the drought and lack of recreational releases until summer, we essentially canoed without any sort of water release from the powerhouse. Translation: we canoed on a somewhat of a dry riverbed. With about 200 cfs running through the river channel, we scraped down and managed to have lots of fun finding creeky, technical lines through narrow slots and mini-drops. At Devil's Shoals, action transpired when Lucy and Elizabeth's boat hit the 2-3 foot drop at an angle, turned sideways, and flipped, swamping the canoe and causing the first -and only- unintentional swims of the trip. All parties were fine albeit cold.

Friday, April 18

Rest day
Run 30 minutes

Saturday, April 19

Gee Creek -> Charleston City Park
Canoe 21 miles

Sunday, April 20

Charleston -> questionable TVA land
Canoe 20 miles

Monday, April 21

TVA land -> Skull Island Recreation Area
Canoe 15 miles

Tuesday, April 22

Skull Island -> Chickamauga Dam
Canoe 15 miles

~I will add pictures and update further trip details soon.~

Wednesday, April 23

Mountain biking = ecstacy. Dupont ride this afternoon - 22-ish miles, highlighting the usual classics including Cedar Rock, Triple Falls, Jim Branch, Airstrip, Mine Mountain, and -everyone's favorite- the Kids' Loop. Props to Woody and the crew for their work on a great start or finish to a Dupont ride!

It feels nice to be home.

Devil's Shoals rapid (class II) - Hiwassee River, TN

Come sail away with me! Chickamauga Lake, TN

The simple life of leisure, as exhibited by Rob Hurst. Chickamauga Lake, TN.

Carrot cake batter tastes better off the ground.

A misty (read: smoggy) morning on Chickamauga Lake, TN.

Let us begin

2008-04-14T11:26:00.011-04:00

Tuesday, April 1

Fish Hatchery->475B->Caney Bottom->475->Long Branch->Cat Gap. I rode singlespeed while Thad cruised on the Epic. I felt surprisingly strong overall (finally) and danced uphill on the pedals as if weighing a feather. Not exactly the norm for me. Long Branch and Cove Creek abounded with sloppy sections and mud, but a great time in the setting sun was had by Team Walker.

Wednesday, April 2

Today heralded the commencement of the Immersion 21-day wilderness expedition which I am co-instructing. We shall begin our journey just north of Franklin, NC, and venture forth on the waters of the Little Tennessee River and Fontana Lake before traversing the Unicoi Mountains and meandering southernly down the spire of the North Carolina/Tennessee border. We return to our canoes on the Hiwassee River for another quick romp on whitewater before following its calm waters to the Tennessee River and, eventually, to Chattanooga, TN.

Our itinerary for the day:
Needmore Road put-in, Little Tennessee River -> Swain County Park, Fontana Lake
Canoe 7 miles

Thursday, April 3

Swain Co. Park, Fontana Lake -> Turkey Island, Fontana Lake
Canoe 13 miles

We paddled past Tsali. I glared, wishing to be racing and redeeming myself for last year's chain episode rather than paddling on Sunday. Onward we paddle.

Friday, April 4

Turkey Island, Fontana Lake -> Drew Beck Island, Fontana Lake
Canoe 6 miles
Run 30ish minutes

Saturday, April 5

Drew Beck Island, Fontana Lake -> Fontana Hilton
Canoe 3 miles (plus 4 miles on an Eagle Creek side trip)
Backpack 1 mile from Fontana Marina to the shelter

Sunday, April 6

Fontana Hilton -> Puncheon Camp Branch area, Yellow Creek Mt. Trail
Backpack 8 miles
A restful night of slumber brought an odd wake-up call in the morning: the noxious fumes of cigarette smoke wafting up into the bunk. Rolling over brought the view of two thru-hikers sitting on the shelter's steps, each holding a can of Heineken in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Time check: 7:12 a.m.
We hiked on the Appalachian Trail (AT) for 3.7 miles, winding our way into the Cheoah Mountains.

Monday, April 7

Puncheon Camp Branch -> Calderwood Boat Ramp
Backpack 6 miles

Tuesday, April 8

Calderwood -> Farr Gap
Backpack 7 miles

Wednesday, April 9

Rest day
Run 7 miles

Thursday, April 10

Farr Gap -> Glenn Gap
Backpack 8 miles

Amazing wildflowers bloomed along the trail. Welcome to spring!

Friday, April 11

Glenn Gap -> Whigg Meadows
Backpack 10 miles

Saturday, April 12

Whigg Meadows -> Sycamore Creek
Backpack 7 miles

Sunday, April 13

Sycamore Creek -> Tellico River Road
Backpack 1 mile
Run 1 mile of sprints to prevent freezing of body

2008-04-14T11:03:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my chronicle of adventures!