2013 Crested Butte Ski-Mountaineering Race By: Brian Smith

The COSMIC event at Crested Butte Mountain Resort has had many changes over the past few seasons.  Last year the event included a very technical ropes section called the "Guides Ridge".  In addition the event was doubled as a COSMIC event and was also the North American Championships.  We had another very low snow year as we did last season and couldn't use the extreme areas for descents.  In addition the Guides Ridge was pulled from the course as well.  Race director Bryan Wickenhauser and CBMR managed to make a longer and quite technical course using Snodgrass Mountain and skinning up the extreme runs on the mountain.  The final course covered 17 miles and 6800 vertical feet of elevation gain.

Race day was not a typical one at the resort.  There were low clouds and temperatures in the mid 20's.  Many racers chose to use high-fluoro wax on their skins for better glide in the wet/warm conditions.  The race started at 8 am at the base area.  We gained warming house hill and then ascended columbine hill to the top of the Gold Link lift.  The low cloud cover made for very poor visibility with flat light.  Scott Simmons and I pushed the pace up the first climb and I was first to descend to the maintenance building off of Gothic Road.  When I started to take my skis off to re-skin for Snodgrass, the toe piece on one ski was jammed.  I initially thought it was snow/ice under the binding until my body weight would not release the spring.  After forcefully hammering on the binding it eventually released.  I found a piece of plastic under the binding that came free with my pole tip after working on it for a while.  When I went to to re-tension the toe piece the lever flopped back to the ski.  The toe lever had gone past the tension plate under the binding when setting the tension at the start of the race.  When I went to release the binding it caught the plate and bound-up under the binding.  I set out to make up lost time, about 2-3 minutes.  After about 5 minutes I had caught Max Tamm and pursued the top 3.  By the top of Snodgrass, I had made contact with Marshall, Scott and John Gaston.  On the descent, Scott took a big digger on the way down but recovered quickly.  After transition John took off with Marshall and myself close behind.  I overtook Marshall and eventually John on the ascent back to the top of Gold Link.  After descending to the base area the top 4 were all back together.    I didn't expect any positions to change as we had a big gap on Snodgrass.  By the time we topped out on the  Upper Peel, Max Tamm was back with the group and charging.  I had dropped behind Marshall and John and then Maxx at transition.  On the climb up Headwall, that included a boot pack, Max moved past John and Scott overtook me as I was running out of steam.  The top three were out of transition heading up Teocalli Bowl as Scott and I arrived.  On the ascent, Scott started to fade and I made a pass about halfway.  I charged the descent full throttle and was the first to skate to the finish.  I finished over two minutes up on Scott and less than 3 minutes from the winner.  Max Tamm took the victory, beating the national champion and undefeated John Gaston.
The winning time was 2:54, with some of the full course racers taking 4-5 hours.  It was a great mix of backcountry skinning, steep technical skinning and 2 bootpacks.  It was the best possible course the mountain had to offer given our lack of snow.  I really look forward to tackling the Guide Ridge next year and hopefully we can have descents on the Headwall and Northface.  If we can pull off the whole planned course it will be a world class ski-mountaineering event.
Next stop for Team Crested Butte is the Teva Winter Games with a long backcountry ski-mountaineering event on Saturday February 9th.  Jari and I will be competing in the Ultimate Mountain Challenge.  The event consists of a 10K skate race on Friday, the ski mountaineering event on Saturday and the Vail Uphill on Sunday.  I won the overall last year so I am really excited to defend my title next weekend.  Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more podium finishes from Team Crested Butte.

Jari Kirkland Checks In On Her First Four Races....

So it’s not been 3 weeks since I did my first SkiMo race and I finally have something to talk about.  Which means that even though I was 2nd at SkiMo Nationals in Jackson I didn’t really have much to say.  At that point I had only been on my skis a few times. 

Now that I have 4 races under my belt (the 4th was Saturday at Crested Butte Mountain Resort), I am feeling strong and comfortable again on my skis.  My excuse (keep in mind I don’t really believe in excuses); a late start due to the lack of snow.  I know that I should want to write about feeling blah in a race just as easily as feeling good because its real, but I don’t.  So even though I was 2nd in the race this weekend.... the same as 2nd at Jackson Hole, WY, I felt strong and had a good race.  So here are a few pics from the last few weeks.

And on a parting note, it’s only going to get better from here!!!!

Janelle Smiley - 1st and Jari - 2nd at the CB Skimo race last week

Jari booting up Corbet's Coliour at US Nationals in Jackson Hole, WY

Jari telling US Nationals Race Director, Forrest ...its coooooold!

Jari trying to warm up in -13F at Jackson Hole, WY

Mezzalama Training

Team Reside got out today for some formal "technical training" all roped up together, on our home training grounds via the Guide Ridge.  The Guide Ridge is an exposed ridge of about 900ft leading up to the peak of Mt. Crested Butte, just off of the traditional ski runs at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR)

Team Reside consists of Eric "Sully" Sullivan, Bryan "Wick" Wickenhauser and Mike Haney.  We are gearing up for our big focus this year as we travel to Italy for the Trofeo Mezzalama which is a three person, one day race across Northwestern Italy on April 28th, 2013.  It's part of the La Grande Course Series that encompasses the "classic" teams races across Europe.  The Mezzalama is known for pushing the technical abilities of a ski mountaineering team...putting "mountaineering" back in ski mountaineering, you might say.

To hone our team's technical skills we enlisted Jason Simons Jones, owner of Crested Butte Mountain Guides to take us up through the Guide Ridge on Mt. Crested Butte (CBMR).

Approaching the base of the Guide Ridge...Red Lady Bowl off to the right of the photo.

Mike Haney dancing across rock

Quick group huddle mid-Guide Ridge

A little 5.8 on slippery rock by Mike

"Hugging" large flakes of rock, on our way up the Ridge

Looking for foot holds on flakes of rock

Sully with Mt CB and base area of CBMR in background

Stoked Sully in his element

Alpinism defined, as Sully grabs for snow holds

Mike, with Sully "on tow"...and our Guide Jason

Just near the top of the peak on Mt CB

Clearly, this is a jump start to the rest of our training. Its a long season with several races under out belts already, and we clearly anticipate more We will be competing in the remainder of the COSMIC Series races that go through April 20th, along with the GORE-TEX Grand Traverse on March 29th, 2013 (a 40 mile ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen).  When not competing we are training in the local backcountry surrounding gorgeous Crested Butte, CO.  Pray for snow!

2013 Crested Butte Ski Mountaineering Results

 It was our "Plan B course" as we never got the new snow in order to open the access to the Guide Ridge, but I think everyone walked away with a new appreciation for the kick turn!  Thanks for the great turn out, and no one got lost..or frost bitten!  What a success!

Men's & Women's Recreation Class Results

Men's & Women's Recreation Class Results and our awesome sponsors!

CAMP Demo gear being fondled

Kate's Tram Bars & CAMP gear

Athletes getting ready at the Start with about 2 minutes to go

John Gaston leading the top five Men up the Peel

John Gaston

Brain Smith

Scott Simmons (R) and J. Marshall Thompson (L)

Max Taam (L) and J. Marshall Thompson (R)

Sarah Stubbe

Sarah Stubbe

Top Five Men L-R John Gaston -2nd, J. Marshall Thompson-3rd, Max Taam -1st, Brian Smith -4th, Scott Simmons -5th

Crested Butte News Article on the race

A few Facebook photos here....


Thanks for coming to Crested Butte.  Next year this venue will be the US National Championships.  The goal to always use the Guide Ridge (weather dependent of course), so we may look to move the date of this CB race. 

Updated Course At Crested Butte

Unfortunately a lack of recent snow has forced the change of the course, and important to note that the Guide Ridge will not be included, so NO TECHNICAL ROPE GEAR.  Below are some Google Earth photos of the Race Division course.  Please read the captions below for details on what portion of the course you are looking at.  I do guarantee that this will be another beautiful and challenging course that you come to expect from Crested Butte, CO.

Last half of the race on this photo.  Lookers right Red line is the 3rd climb starting near the base area and climbing up to mid terminal on the High Lift (T-Bar lift) (TA #7). The first boot pack will be at the very bottom of this red line at the choke for about 350 vertical feet and then continue up on skins.  Rip skins at the top(TA #7) and head down Green line, splitting skier's right and back to TA #8 where you will put skins on, and skin up to your second boot pack (Red Line) on Headwall (~350ft vert). to TA #9.  Put skis on feet, rip skins and descend Green line to bottom of Teo Bowl.  TA #10 you will put on skins climb up Red Line back to near TA #7 and continue to top of High Lift (TA #11), rip skins and descend Green line that drops out of sight on this photo.  (Recreation class will be doing the skin/ski out to top of Snodgrass and back to base area, retracing their steps back....~3200ft of climbing).

Great overview of the course.  The pink line represents and out and back for Recreation Division.  Race class will continue out Pink line for first climb & descent out to Climb up Snodgrass and descent back to Pink line taking racers back NEAR the Base of Ski Area. Then Race division will climb Red line and do upper portion of Mtn (see above photo).  Recreation Class will headed to Start/Finish line for Finish.

A great view of upper Red line climb to TA #7, rip skins and descend down dark green line thatcomes back to TA #8,  athletes will put on skins and skin to a boot pack up red line to Headwall Ridge (TA #9).  Race class will ski down green line into dark timber to bottom of Teo Bowl (TA #10).  Put skins on climb up Red line to TA #11, rip skins and descend green/lime green line going L to R on photo.

Big overview with Snodgrass Mtn on Left and Mt. CB on right.  Pink color is the out and back.  Green up, Red down, blue lines are chairlifts.  Snodgrass will be on skin tracks to the top and descent will be a mix of jeep road and off-piste descents.

Another view of Snowdgrass on left and Mt. CB on Right.  Town of CB down bottom Right of photo. Recreations Class will go out to top of Snodgrass and back to base area for Finish.

Another view of course.  Both divisions will start up pink to TA #1 rip skins down and out to Snodgrass Loop

Start at base area will climb up Pink for both classes, rip skins and TA #1. Both Divisions will return back to TA #5 and descend back to TA #6 coming into it via the green line.  TA #6 Race Division will put on skins and climb up Red line where athletes will encounter their first boot pack  (half way up, where red line gets into dark timber/shadows).   Lime green line also gives you a general idea of where the final descent is for Race class from TA #11 to Finish line.

Additional Comments:

•  This is not GPS on the ground but Google Earth stats are - 16.08 miles - 6511' climbing.  (Snodgrass Loop  (TA #2 - TA #4) Vert. 1500ft, Peel (TA #6-TA #7) 2450ft climb (with a boot pack).
• Recreation Class will do an out and back to top of Snodgrass and back to base area.  Approximately 7 miles and 3,200' of climb/descend

Most climbs will have backcountry feel.  TA #4 to TA #5 is the only 100% groomer climb.

Most climbs were put in on Sunday 1/20/13 and the forecast for the week is cold nights, seasonal day time temps, and sunny.  Skin & boot tracks should firm up.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is hosting a "Full Moon Rendezvous".  Skin to mid mountain restaurant, 10 Peaks (TA #1 & TA #5) for bonfire, food & beer).  https://www.facebook.com/events/418695248208077/  

Registration page - http://www.zapevent.com/listactivities.aspx?eventid=3274

No Day of Registration, no skills check Friday night either now that the Guide Ridge is cancelled

Montanya's Rum, UpSlope beer (to those 21 yrs old or older) and pizza will be included at awards party.

LODGING DISCOUNT -
Please book online at http://www.skicb.com/cbmr/info/groups/group-booking.aspx and enter the code below to receive discounts. 
Lodging Ski Mountaineering Race Code: USSMA2013

Ski Trab skis, bindings, skins and SCARPA Alien boots are available for rent for the race or Full Moon Rendezvous at the SCARPA/SkiTrab Demo Center call Elevation Hotel front desk - (970) 251-3000

Race Registration is at the Elevation Hotel in Lower Level
 

Further questions: wick@teamcrestedbutte.com

3 US Ski Team Qualifiers in Eight Days

Coming in to the Tetons Thursday night

 In order to make this year's US Ski Mountaineering Team, three qualifying races were laid out over eight days to find the best team to take over to France for the World Champs (Feb 9th-16th, 2013).
US Nationals in Jackson took the top three men 1) John Gaston, 2) Jason Dorias, 3) Luke Nelson.  It was a cold start with about -15F , but with the inversion it was 12F, 2,500' above.  After 7,900' of vertical folks were destroyed, but it was time to rest, recover and reload for day two over at Grand Targhee.  The men's field was the most stacked I had ever scene in my eight years of skimo racing!

Michael Hagen, Ram, JB, Wick previewing the Jackson course on Friday

Wick trying to warm up at the start of Jackson

Jari warming up at Jackson

Ready...Go!  JB with the "nose Buff"..three minutes later we saw a MOOSE run across the ski trail in front of us! No lie

Your top Men's & Women's results from US Nationals 2013

I had to bring the family!  Me, Gianna (2.5yrs old) and Jennifer

No pics from Grand Targhee, but the racing was hot and heavy with two men being chosen at the finish line based upon results Eliminating those who already qualified at Jackson Hole the previous day)....those top two men who qualified were 1) Tom Goth and 2) Marshall Thompson...two newer guys to the scene but clearly very skilled and fast.  Marshall is a CB guy who has been cranking it up on the mountain running scene and this is carrying over well to skimo.  Tom is from the Wasatch and an Iron Man competitor in the Summer season.

Now it was an epic 11 hour drive home rest, recover and get back into life and some how try and get psyched up for one last battle at Sunlight, where they would take three more men's spots....with a deep men's field, surely some fast guys would unfortunately miss out.

Meredith June Edwards (Jackson)-3rd, Janelle Smiely (CB) - 1st, Jari (CB) -2nd!

Luke Nelson (Idaho) - 3rd, John Gaston (Aspen) - 1st, Jason Dorias (SLC) -2nd

Cheese balls ;)

  The CB crew of myself and Marshall leaving at 3am on race day....it wasn't perfect, but we got to Sunlight with an hour to spare.  With it being -16F at the start there wasn't too much of a need for a warm up because there was no way you could "warm up"!  I nearly dropped out in the first 15 minutes because I couldn't get my hands to warm up, but luckily with some persistence they did as we got into some sun!  The battle for the last three slots (of those who had not previously qualified) came down to Smithy, Taam, Ruckman, Simmons, Andy Dorias, and myself.  Smithy missed the start by 30 seconds (kind of standard for this kid...thanks Brian!) but he passed everyone and made it to the top of the first climb in about 3rd place.

The first descent was tricky off-piste crusty, tree lined skiing with terrible terrain traps that put a premium on DH skiing in funky conditions.  I saw some ugly crashes and divot holes from other racers and played it conservative to the transition.  Smithy was already losing skins on the course but didn't look back.  The second descent saw all the competitors battling on a long tricky mixed descent with one final climb.

On the final climb, Max Taam had pulled away on the previous descent and Smithy blew a skin or two ...so it left Ruckman, me and Simmons battling for the last two spots....with Andy Dorias "hugging a tree" on that previous descent a little too long to remain in contention.  Ruckman with his gifted uphilling abilities pulled away from Simmons and me.  Near the top Simmons and I knew we could make some good time on Ruckman, but who wanted that potential last slot?!?!  I threw in a hard dig with 10 seconds to the top and put a tiny gap on Scott and held it on the finish, passing Jason Dorias on the way down but not catching Ruckman (3 seconds at the line! ugh!!!).

I was elated as I got the very last spot on the 2013 team....probably the fastest team we have ever sent over to Euro land!

Sunlight Results for Men

Sunlight Women's Results- Jari not such a hot day for her.

Mike Preston, Jason Dorias, Wick, Marshall Thompson, Scott Simmons, Smithy....and UpSlope!

Rest, reload, recover...its CB Town Series, Outdoor Retailer and then the Crest Butte race on 1/26/13!

First COSMIC Races of the Season Durango/Wolf Creek

If you've been following our blog and/or have been getting out for ski touring in Colorado, you know its been a struggle to get super psyched for Winter.  We even had to reschedule the Irwin/LaSportiva Skimo race on Dec 8th to April 13, 2013.

Well someone finally turned the faucet on, and no one is apparently ready to turn it off!

With forecasts of up to 2' at Wolf Creek this past Friday (12/15/12), the Crested Butte Skimo Mafia loaded the truck and headed to Durango, CO to the first ever Friday Night Lights sprint race at Chapman Hill.

The course consisted of a mass start climb up 200', rip skins and point 'em down a "GS Course".  Transition at the bottom, put skins back on and climb up a different skin track of 200', with a boot pack near the top and descend back down the same "GS Course".  Repeat this twice more for the first climb, and once more for the second climb, for a total of five climbs/descents.

Chapman Hill is owned by the Durango Parks & Recreation Dept., if you grew up in the Upper Midwest or lower East Coast, skiing under the lights at night...you'll get the picture.  (2-5 ski runs, one rope tow, lights...and occasionally it snows).

Needless to say it was dumping all day in the San Juans and conditions were powder that night.  The course had several uphill tracks for passing so everything looked and felt professional.

The (incomplete) results from the Sprint were:

Scott Simmons - 1st                         Janelle Smiley -1st in the female category
Marshall Thompson - 2nd
Jon Brown - 3rd
Bryan Wickenhauser - 4th
Pete Swenson -5th

5 laps and just over 1000' in under 29 minutes...16m/min...lung burner, time to rest and recover for tomorrow.


With the lure of 20-24" of new snow at Wolf Creek the next day we fueled up and headed over to Pagosa Springs for the night's sleep.

The Wolf Creek venue was new to COSMIC and had everyone jazzed up.  Their ski patrol was doing an amazing job of mitigating avalanche hazard for the course, so the start was delayed till 9AM.  That allowed us to showcase the sport to the general public. 

Off the start it was the usual suspects.... Marshall & Scott up front with JB & myself (Wick) in tow.  Due to all the new snow there were some course modifications, so they had us going up the lookers right side of the resort on a ski run.  The first descent was down an uncharted backcountry ski run...luckily there were a few skiers who had done some cutting up of the powder, so we could maintain some speed on the flats.  Visibility was nil and terrain changes were hard to see at speed so it made for some hair ball descending!

Crested Butte Skimo Mafia (JB, Wick, Marshall, Janelle)

The race quickly became a three person race at the front with Marshall, Scott and myself pulling away (JB became lost on course for a bit....).  The first of two big laps took us just over an 1:15 in real back country snow/conditions.  Lots of locals skiing down on top of you, hooting and hollaring at the unbelievable amount of powder.

The second lap stayed the same with no real decisiveness in the group until about fifteen minutes left when Marshall made a move and neither Scott nor I could stay with.  In the end I was able to hold off Scott for 2nd place as it appeared Scott just ran out of energy.  Ben Kadlec pulled in for 4th and Jon Brown in for 5th.  Janelle Simley once again dominated the women's field ...watch out Europe, she is on a mission!

12.5 miles, 2hours and 27 minutes and 4738' of climbing 12m/min.

Now time to embrace the upcoming Winter Storm Watch!