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It’s never a dull moment when trying to pull off a 40-mile-long backcountry ski race for more than 300 participants.
Even though the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse, a backcountry ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen, is now in its 15th year, Mother Nature looms overhead ready at any moment to throw race organizers a curve ball.
This year is no different.
With low snow and soaring temperatures, the start of the racecourse at the Crested Butte Community School is nearly melted out and could be completely melted out by the start of the race at 11 p.m. on Friday, March 30.
As a result, organizers are moving the start to the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Skiers will still climb up Painter Boy, ski down Gold Link and across the East River Valley floor. Once they reach the other side, they will climb up about 200 vertical feet and then turn right to contour along the hill side returning to Brush Creek Road before heading up-valley bound for the Friends Hut and beyond.
As of press time, the East River was still frozen over enough to ski across, but if that changes, race organizers are ready.
“If the East River does open up we will have a temporary bridge,” says race co-director Bryan Wickenhauser.
As for the multitude of snowless patches that exist on the lower sections of the course as well as up on Star Pass and the Taylor Pass areas, there’s nothing to be done about that.
“There are always different variables every year for the athletes to contend with,” says Wickenhauser.
“I’ve seen it all,” says race veteran Allen Hadley who is gearing up for his 15th race in a row. “I’ve seen running on refrozen mud and dirt up to Block and Tackle. I’ve seen snowstorms right from the start at the school and many times I never even saw Star Pass. There’s been refrozen snowmobile track and beautiful, blissful, blue wax powder.”
Hadley believes that while running in ski boots has been a part of past Grand Traverse races, there will be something different about running sections this year.
“What differentiates this year from past years is where we will be running is not a trail,” says Hadley. “Who knows what’s out there.”
To keep the athletes and fans in the loop, there is a steady stream of information via the Internet all week leading up to the race. Both the Barnard Hut and the Friends Hut have Internet capabilities, as well as satellite phones for snow safety teams to remain in constant contact with race organizers.
Race volunteers, race staff and snow safety teams headed out to the Friends Hut and Barnard Hut on Monday, March 26, including a helicopter flyover of the course. Crested Butte photographer Kevin Krill took pictures of the entire course from the helicopter; they are on the Grand Traverse website, elkmountainstraverse.com, as well as the Grand Traverse Facebook page. Furthermore, Krill will have a running blog with photos updated every day, also available on the race website and its Facebook page.
“We’ve really ramped up the effort the week before the race to get info out to the racers,” explains Wickenhauser. “People already have enough stress before the race—we’re trying to help alleviate some of that.”
The only aspect of the race that may change now is the start time. While race organizers moved the start time from midnight to 11 p.m. to buy some more time for athletes on the longer course, that may now change. Since the section from town to the base area has been eliminated, there’s talk of moving the start back to midnight.
“We’d like to give the snow pack another hour to set up. You don’t want to be punching through at the start,” explains Wickenhauser. “We’re going to wait and see what snow safety says, what the forecast is looking like and how quickly the snow pack will lock up. I think they’ll have a pretty accurate forecast by Thursday.”
Given the current course conditions and the current weather forecast, Wickenhauser, who is also a Grand Traverse race veteran with a title to his name, has a prediction for this year’s race.
“It’ll be firm and fast and because of the fast pace, I think the race will come down to nutrition and hydration,” says Wickenhauser.
“My strategy is to get through the sage and put that behind me as gracefully as possible. Put the skis on and let the race begin,” adds Hadley. “I’m just really glad I ran all winter.”
