Sari Anderson and Brian Smith win The Heathen Challenge

The Heathen Challenge 2012 Racers enjoyed a sunny day of racing on a technical course with three boot packs and multiple transtions. Brian Smith and Marshall Thompson were together at the the final transition. Brian took the lead on the final descent with Jon Brown taking third. On the women's side, Sari Anderson was followed in by Stevie Kremer and Jari Kirkland. Results are attached.

Next up in the COSMIC series is the North American Championships at Crested Butte on January 28th/29th followed by a Monday afternoon race at Winter Park on the 30th.

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Heathen Challenge at Sunlight is a GO

Jan. 9th update:

Sunlight Mt. has snow. We're a go on Saturday the 14th, likely course map attached. There will be at least two, possibly three boot pack climbs and lots of switchbacks on the final climb. Practice those kickturns and transions. See you soon.

COURSE MAP ATTACHED

Race date for the 2012 Heathen Challenge is Saturday, January 14th. More backcountry this year; we'll be skinning more outside of the "ski area" in the permit area and using the ski area runs for descents.

 

- Friday pm registration is at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs from 5-7pm.

- 8 AM START, late registration, number pick-up in Sunlight Mt. base lodge from 6:30 am.

 

The RECREATION course will be approximately 2,500 ft., the RACE COURSE 4,000+.

 

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CS Irwin Race starts the season

On Saturday December 8th, CS Irwin Lodge outside of Crested Butte Colorado hosted the first race of the season in fine style. Stevie Kremer took the women's race ahead of Sari Anderson and Janelle Smiley. Marshall Thomson won the men's race with Brian Smith and Brian Wickenhauser on the podium.

Event pictures from Kevin Krill are here: http://tinyurl.com/7h8zgjr

See results on the Races tab.

USSMA COSMIC

2012 COSMIC Schedule

The 2012 COSMIC schedule is here and includes ten events. More specific event details will be added throughout the Fall.

Of special note for 2012 is a new event at Vail: the Teva Winter Games presented by Eddie Bauer. Ski mountaineering and the COSMIC series is excited to be a part of this world-class celebration of sport. The Elite category prizelist of $5,000 makes this North America's richest skimo race. The Feb. 11th race includes courses for three different categories/distances; there's something for everyone.

 

San Juans Molas Pass Race Report

It's everyone's favorite course but the weather gods didn't co-operate and the event was stopped just over half distance due to low visibility and wet snow. Beer and burritos still tasted good and everyone was a winner at the raffle. We'll be back next year and a big thanks to the Silverton Avi School and Pine Needle Mountaineering for making it all go.

 

Pictures are here: http://bit.ly/gYVyRE

San Juans Rando course pictures

The 2011 San Juans Rando Race course photos are here:

http://sanjuanrando2011.blogspot.com/2011/04/race-course.html

 

This is North America's ONLY 100% backcountry skimo race.

2011 The Five Peaks results and photos

2011 Results are attached. Crested Butte Photography photos are HERE.

 

"Short" course are teams that were moved ahead on the course, "solo" were teams that finished with one team member.

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San Juans Rando race registration is open

The San Juans race is unique in North America - 100% backcountry. All skin tracks, couloirs and big mt. descents. If you've been over Molas Pass you know the area, we're next to the Sultan on the peaks on the west side of the pass. This race ran in 2009 and it was incredible, after a year it's back thanks to the help of Pine Needle Mountaineering in Durango and the Silverton Avalanche School in Silverton.

 

Registration is here:  http://sanjuanrando2011.eventbrite.com/

 

Yes, it's getting late in the season but plan a day after of mountain biking in Durango or a backcountry ski off Red Mt. Pass. This is a true backcountry ski mountaineering race - well worth making a weekend trip out of it.