The mountains are calling and I must go. ~John Muir (1838-1914),
Sierra Club founder
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Alpine Glow on the Eiger North Face, Photo by Mary Hickok (Mom) |
Team Oski is ready to race! Today we checked in at race headquarters in Oberstdorf and enjoyed a lovely lunch with my mom and aunt. We took a quick look at the course maps for each day, very interesting to learn what percentage of each day is on what type of terrain. Can you believe they fit 1708 meters of ascent into only 10 kilometers? That will be our first climb on Day 3.
We spent the evening sorting gear and paring it down that which will fit in our official duffel. 32 GU energy gels, 8 GU chomps, 2 jars of almond butter, 8 shirts, 5 shorts, 3 hats, 2 pairs of shoes, the list goes on and on. We will have to do laundry mid-race on our short day. Hopefully the weather will allow time for clothes to dry. It looks like it will be quite warm tomorrow and rainy on Sunday and Monday, our two toughest days. Below I've included a description of each stage of the race. I won't have access to my blog or twitter during the race, but my mom might post something, or better yet you can see how we are doing each day (#262, Team Oski) on the race website.
If you are so moved, please take time to contribute to the Sierra Club soon. I am not quite to my goal, but with your help I know I will reach it soon. We need not just your dollars but your membership also, as there is strength in numbers. If you prefer not to join, but would like to make a one-time gift, please let me know in the memo box on the donation form.
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Team Oski enjoys a Pre-Race meal in Oberstdorf: Fish, Potatoes, & Spinach for Sarah |
TransAlpine, Day by Day
Day 1: 16.9 miles, 5925 feet ascent
Oberstdorf, Germany to Hirschegg, Kleinwalsertal, Austria
The beginning to the 7th Gore-Tex Transalpine-Run alone will have a different face from the one of two years ago. The Western route starts out with a high percentage of trails and leads into Kleinwalsertal on a very varied course. Across the Allgaeu Alps and past Fiderepass Hut (2,060 m), it continues to the finish in Hirschegg. 27 km of distance and 1,806 meters of climb are the ideal starter to the following "killer stages."
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Team Oski at TransAlpine Race Registration |
Day 2: 26.8 miles; 8766 feet ascent
Hirschegg, Kleinwalsertal, Austria to Schruns, Austria (Longest day!)
The stage from Hirschegg to Schruns is the King's stage of the Gore-Tex Transalpine-Run 2011. With its tough 53 kilometers of distance and 2,481 meters of difference in elevation, it poses an extreme challenge where just making it to Schruns within the time limit will be an athletic feat. The best hiking paths and challenging trails lead through an impressive high mountain landscape. With the Allgaeu Alps, the Lechtal Alps and the Verwall group, this stage alone crosses three mountain ranges.
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Aunt Jo Ann, Mom, and I enjoy dinner in Füssen. I had venison goulash, yum! |
Day 3: 26.8 miles, 8766 feet ascent (Steepest day!)
Schruns, Austria to Galtur, Austria
Demanding almost as much stamina as the King's stage, this stage from Schruns to Galtür offers excellent, almost endless trails on the so-called "Wormser Höhenweg" high above the Montafon. Completing no less than a marathon distance and 2,672 m in elevation difference, participants arrive in Galtür, thus making it right into the middle of the Silvretta group of the central Alps. From the runner's point of view, the third stage of the Gore-Tex Transalpine-Run 2011 is probably one of the highlights of the whole route.
Day 4: 24.8 miles, 7674 feet ascent
Galtur, Autria to Scuol, Switzerland
The fourth stage has also got the lot and awaits runners with nearly 40 km of distance and 2,339 m of elevation difference. After the rhythmical opening on a steadily ascending forest road through the Jamtal to the hut of the same name, the road changes into a trail which leads to the Futschölpass (2,768 m) and further on to the Swiss border. Here begins the long descent toward Alp Valmala before another climb begins onto the 2,370 m high Piz Clünas.Day 5: 3.8 miles, 3071 feet ascent
Scuol, Switzerland
Day five calls especially for mountain runners among the participants: For the mountain sprint from Scuol onto the 2,130 meter high Motta Naluns, runners will not only need endurance and stamina but especially good mountain running skills. This steep ascent over 6.19 km and 936 m of elevation on uneven ground will demand everything of the athletes. The ideal program for the highly anticipated "rest day" on the Western route.
Day 6: 23 miles, 4370 feet ascent
Scuol, Switzerland to Mals, Italy
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Another new pair of shoes. Hopefully the third pair is a charm? I will mostly be wear my old Sauconys, but these are back up. |
Day 7: 22.9 miles, 6768 feet ascent
Mals, Italy to Schlanders, Italy
The "roof of the Western route" will be taken on stage 7. From Mals to Schlanders, participants must cross the infamous Rappenscharte (3,012 m) and thus the three-thousand-meter peak, which will be especially demanding and energy-sapping due to the extreme climbs and almost trail-less terrain above 2,000 meters. This stage's course takes participants through the southern Ötztal Alps and, with its incredibly long descent across Kortscher Alm toward Schlanders, poses another real challenge.Day 8: 18.8 miles, 5928 feet ascent
Schlanders, Italy to Latsch, Italy
With the eighth stage from Schlanders to Latsch, Gore-Tex Transalpine-Run 2011 participants take on their last obstacle on their long way across the Alps. The final turn of the 30.20 kilometer-long route, which still covers 1,807 m of elevation difference, takes participants into the foothills of the Ortler group and thus into the seventh mountain range of the Eastern Alps. After the peak at the Göflaner Scharte (2,396 m) the finish line in Latsch will soon come into view, where those 273 kilometers and 15,436 m of altitude difference finally come to a long wished-for end.
Time to get a good night's sleep before the race! Go Team Oski!