Bubbling mud pools and steam holes.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Views at Olympic Valley California
Looking down at Squaw Valley (you can see the haze from the smoke); Monument at Emigrant Pass;vista from the hike up to Emigrant Pass; the bottom picture shows where the race would have continued from Emigrant Pass.
Cancellation! ... Dismay ... Reorganization
For the first time in 35 years, the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run was cancelled. We heard about it from Robert's pacer when we were halfway to our destination. The lightning strikes from a couple of days before had developed into fires, two of which were near the trail. The air quality was extremely poor and after much deliberation with the Forest Service and Air Quality, it was decided the race should not go on. After the initial dismay, Robert was already looking up other 100 mile races to run instead. As soon as we got home, he registered for the Lean Horse Hundred in South Dakota on August 23rd (Tanya's birthday). We'll get to see Mt. Rushmore while we're there.
Since it was too late to cancel our reservations for the next night, we continued to Olympic Valley. Forrest and Francie decided to come anyway and we had a nice stay there. Not much sleep though - the room did not have air conditioning and since we needed to have the window open, voices carried and it seemed people were out partying most of the night. The Western States organization went ahead with the talks they had planned and provided a dinner on Friday night as well as a breakfast on Saturday (in lieu of the brunch provided after the race). The entrants for 2008 are requalified for 2009 if they wish, instead of having to enter the lottery again. We ran (Robert and Forrest) and hiked (Tanya and Francie) the first four miles of the race, up to Emigrant Pass. Steep! Emigrant Pass is at 8900 feet. It's a beautiful area. Forrest and Francie went on to San Francisco and then up to a friend's wedding in Oregon. Robert and Tanya cancelled most of their other reservations except for the one at Crater Lake. We went up through Lassen National Park (steam holes and bubbling mud pools). Crater Lake wasn't as blue as usual, due to the smoky air, but still gorgeous. Most of the trails were closed because of snow, so we didn't get to do a lot of hiking. All in all, a nice trip, although not the one we were expecting!
Since it was too late to cancel our reservations for the next night, we continued to Olympic Valley. Forrest and Francie decided to come anyway and we had a nice stay there. Not much sleep though - the room did not have air conditioning and since we needed to have the window open, voices carried and it seemed people were out partying most of the night. The Western States organization went ahead with the talks they had planned and provided a dinner on Friday night as well as a breakfast on Saturday (in lieu of the brunch provided after the race). The entrants for 2008 are requalified for 2009 if they wish, instead of having to enter the lottery again. We ran (Robert and Forrest) and hiked (Tanya and Francie) the first four miles of the race, up to Emigrant Pass. Steep! Emigrant Pass is at 8900 feet. It's a beautiful area. Forrest and Francie went on to San Francisco and then up to a friend's wedding in Oregon. Robert and Tanya cancelled most of their other reservations except for the one at Crater Lake. We went up through Lassen National Park (steam holes and bubbling mud pools). Crater Lake wasn't as blue as usual, due to the smoky air, but still gorgeous. Most of the trails were closed because of snow, so we didn't get to do a lot of hiking. All in all, a nice trip, although not the one we were expecting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)