Jared Campbell's Blog

Spectacular view from the West Rim Trail, looking West

Two weekends ago Mindy and I had a few dreamy days in Zion National Park.  The weather was perfect for running and the forecast was more of the same through the following weekend.  So, on a whim I decided to get off my lazy butt and run the Trans Zion Traverse (TZT).  With just a few emails I had two good friends, Jay Aldous and Christian Johnson, sign up for the journey.  Christian’s experience of Zion thus far had been the standard tourist trails and sites so I was excited to show him this incredible run.  Plus, he’s running the HURT 100 in January so this would make for a great training run for him.

Jay Aldous in Hop Valley

After stuffing ourselves with a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner Mindy and I hopped in the car and drove down to Cedar City where we quietly snuck into the hotel room that Christian and Jay were staying in.  At 6AM we woke to some fine gas-station coffee compliments of Jay, quickly packed our stuff, and headed out, bound for the Kolob entrance of Zion National Park.  Just after 7:00 AM we left Lee’s Pass down the La Verkin Creek Trail.  We reached the Kolob Arch trail intersection in about an hour and started the small climb up into Hop Valley.  We were moving quite well and enjoying good conversation.  Jay shared some stories of his past endurance activities, which really are amazing.  For example, back when I was in diapers, Jay was into REALLY long distance cycling.  He tackled a circumnavigation of the lower 48 United States, and then moved on to set the record (which stood for 18 years!) for circumnavigating…. the entire globe!  Something like 13,000 miles in 100 days.  Jay is an amazing guy.  And, at 48 years old, this year he pulled off a 22:03 at the Wasatch 100 after taking a 26 year hiatus from the race.

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Running into Lambs Canyon aid station with Chaz (~mile 52)

Just when I thought this summer couldn’t get much better, it did!  This past weekend was the 30th running of the Wasatch 100.  For the past few years I have been a pacer/support crew, running with Jenn Kuhlmann from Brighton to the finish 3 years ago, with Ryan McDermott from Lambs to the end 2 years ago, and with Ryan from Brighton to the end last year.  I really enjoy being a pacer, but I was excited to be toeing the start line myself this time.  The line-up was very exciting with some big names like Karl Meltzer, Hal Koerner, Geoff Roes, Josh Brimhall, Jon Anderson, and the amazing local talent of Mandy Hosford, Erik Storheim, Christian Johnson, David Hunt, and Jay Aldous to name a few.  Almost all of my running since Hardrock had been weekend-warrior trips for adventure runs in the beautiful Tetons, so switching into “race” mode was different and exciting.

At 5AM we took off and I took stride right behind Karl and Geoff for the first ~5 mile warm-up section.  Then we started the climb, mmmmm uphill… tasty.  I lead up to Chinskraper and then a mile or so more, which was fun.  Since it was a big uphill climb I didn’t mind being at the front of the group, knowing that once it opened up the testosterone freight-train behind me would start going rediculously fast on the ripper descent road to the Francis Sheds.  And I was right!  Once the climbing let up a group of 4-5 dudes passed me at a very fast pace and I let them go, figuring that I’d see several of them before the end.

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Finish line Update:

Mindy finished her first 50 mile trail race at the Grand Teton Run race series with a very strong 2nd place overall female standing in a time of 11:00:33.  She was smiles all the way.  Check out the photos and videos here!

After Mindy crossed the finish line I had the pleasure of pacing Ty Draney for part of his record breaking run.  We took off together at mile 70 and busted out the Rick’s Basin 5 mile loop in 42 minutes, Ty was moving great!  Then, we dropped into first gear for the climb up Fred’s.  Once at the top we turned around for the descent back down the same trail.  What Ty Draney did downhill in the dark after 78 miles of running was absolutely amazing.  We did the 2.8 mile descent in 19 minutes, including a pee break.  He was ripping!  This equated to nearly 6.5 minute miles on steep and rocky downhill in the dark.  We came into the lodge aid station at full speed, as if we were running a 10k.  It was so cool to see Ty moving the way he was and so incredibly focused and psyched.  Matt Hart took him from there to the finish a stretch which brought about some low points for Ty (including losing it out both ends!), but he still managed to pull off a record time of 19 hrs 19 minutes.  Way to go Ty!

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The Grand (left) and Middle (right) tetons as viewed from a small lake south of Table Mtn

Matt Hart and I got out for an outstanding loop in the Tetons.   17.5 miles, +5700kft of vert and incredible views the entire way.  We started with a march up to Table Mtn, then descended off the southern side of it.  A bit of cross-country travel brought us to the Schoolroom Glacier.  Then we hoofed it up to Avalanche Pass (off-trail), descended into the upper part of Avalanche canyon and skirted just above Snowdrift Lake (there is no trail in Avalanche Canyon, but it’s pretty easy going).  Then a short climb up to a rarely visited saddle which we then dropped off the southern side of and hooked up with the main trail leading back to Sunset Lake.  A short connector trail tooks us to the main Alaska Basin trail and then a nice 7.7 mile run back to the trailhead.  What a stellar run.

Picture here.

A map of the journey below:

Overview of the Table Mountain to Alaska Basin Loop

Run Details:

• Distance : 17.5 miles
• Vert : +5,700′

View from Kessler looking into Cardiff Fork

Well, it’s that time again…. time to give back and do some trail clean-up.  This event will be held on Thursday August 20th, 2009 in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  We’ve had great success with past events because we’ve had very capable volunteers.  This event is certainly no exception and will require folks to be in top shape, ready for some good vertical gain, and also comfortable with some 3rd class exposure (encountered on the summit of Kessler Peak).  The event will start at 6PM, leaving the Spruces campground in BCC and as with previous events, volunteers can proceed at their own pace navigating the loop in a clockwise direction.  It is strongly advised that you arrive at the start at 5:45 PM.  Please notify me (jared [at] door5 [dot] com) if you plan to make it. Details below:

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Summit Park Voluntary Clean-up Event Course 7/29/2009

Keeping with the spirit of the Wednesday night voluntary clean-up event, Chad Brackelsberg has put together a great 10.5 mile run (with 3K of vert!), scheduled for next Wednesday in Summit Park (top of Parley’s Canyon).  Chad is the race director for the Wasatch Powder Keg so he knows how to put together a good adventure in the mountains. Check out the link below and email him if you can make it. Chad has graciously offered up his house for the after-run gathering/BBQ so we’ll have some fun socializing afterwards. Hopefully you can make it!

http://www.wasatchpowderkeg.com/running/summit-park-run-2009.htm

Jared

AF Twin Peaks as seen from the Hidden Peak Aid Station

Speedgoat 50km Trail Race – Snowbird Utah

Mindy running over to Mt. Baldy

You know the saying “third times the charm”?  Well, that’s a good way to describe the Speedgoat 50k, held on Saturday July18th 2009.  Karl’s stellar race went so smooth this year with some changes to the course, some fabulous glissading, and beautiful weather.  With temps in the Salt Lake Valley over 100F, 70s and 80s were sounding nice to most folks.  Karl chose to hold it this weekend given the that the trade show is in town, with hopes of attracting some of the countries best runners.  But, alas it was dominated a strong local crew.  Erik Storheim pulled off the win with Jay Aldous only minutes behind.  Luke Nelson, who added on a few extra miles (got lost) finished third.  Mandy Hosford left the start line without another woman in front of her and ran the entire race that way.  More results soon once they get compiled…..

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