The 13th Annual Elk Mountain Grand Traverse (www.elkmountaintraverse.org)
backcountry ski from Crested Butte to Aspen starts this Friday night at Midnight. Even though the calendar says it’s the last weekend of March and spring is right around the corner, Mother Nature says otherwise.
The forecast for Friday night into Saturday calls for increasing snow, cold & windy conditions. With the course being about 40% above tree line, you are out there and exposed to all the elements….even in good conditions. This year my partner (teams of two for this back country race) Brian Smith and I will be fighting the elements, while traveling fast and light and relying on some great products from CAMP.
Alp 95 Harnesses – For towing purposes if one of us is “feeling low” during the race.
X3 600 Packs – 30 liter packs that weigh just over a pound to carry all the mandatory gear. It’s the best combination of comfort & weight. When fitted with CAMP’s hot bottle holder on the shoulder strap, it’s perfect for winter racing!
Carbon Avalanche Probe – At 123gr, it’s the lightest weight probe in the world.
100% Mohair Skins – Mohair gets the best glide, and over a 30+ mile course with over 6500ft of climbing, every extra inch of glide adds up!
One Piece Race Suits – With built in skin pockets, avalanche beacon pocket, 2 food pockets and an integrated hood for when its nuking out up high; this suit is a must for traveling fast & light! It’s got all the features for keeping those important items right next to your body so they stay warm and accessible.
G Comp Wind Gloves – These are the best. The fastest, most efficient way to keep the fingers functioning on the fly. When the wind starts ripping up high, pull the overmit out of the wrist pouch and over the glove for extra protection. I can’t tell you how many times these gloves have saved my digits!
Watch for Brian and I at the finish line in Aspen this Saturday morning. Hopefully we are there before the lifts are even running! Have some espresso at the finish line for us, we will need it….its shaping up to be a cold, fast & furious night of ski racing!
Ciao for now,
Bryan Wickenhauser & Brian Smith
