Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Snowshoe Trail Addition Approved
Lynn Bjorkland of the Forest Service announced that we now have approval to clear the dead and downed timber off the new addition to the Pajarito Snowshoe Trail. Shown in Blue on the map on the right, we will begin work on the addition once the fire danger has moderated up there.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
XTERRA Moab 2011
First off, refer to the pics on the Triatomics album for the visuals. Moab is interesting to the eye, for sure:
XTERRA Moab Album
This race is a revived version of the XTERRA they last held here about six years ago and before. The course was changed somewhat from those years, which also had other variations. It worked well, except for the fact that we had on-coming traffic on the far end of the bike. Since it was on a Jeep road, there was room to pass, but the lines were sketchy and people didn't give them up easily. Anyway, it was a great race course.
The swim was in pretty cold water -- between 55 and about 58 degrees, depending on how far out it was measured. XTERRA races always seem to be two lap swims, which is strange. The water was so cold that people had trouble staying upright after exiting the water. I had a slow transition because my hands were so numb and I had trouble getting things off from the swim, then on for the bike.
The bike course is held on the infamous "Steelbender" (a.k.a. Flat Pass) Jeep trail. It had some gnarly rock slaps, big ledges, etc. It was physically and technically tough and took a real toll on you back, arms, and hamstrings. It was also pretty scary in parts and required some committed moves to stay on and not walk down them. That made a big difference in times, I think. The drops actually made stuff around here seem pretty tame in comparison.
This was also the longest XTERRA I've done. The bike was a long one (taking me 1:51) and the run was a full 10km on a pretty tough trail (my time of 54:08 was not the fastest, but among the fastest). I think the winner did a 48-something run, which was fast on that course. So, it was a longish race and there were a lot of tired folks afterward.
Laury Goddard had been to a Moab XTERRA training camp about 6 weeks prior, so he knew how bad the bike course was. I thought he was exaggerating, but he certainly wasn't. He was rather understating the difficulty, in fact, and to see it for yourself was absolutely necessary. We pre-rode on the Thursday before, and we had to practice certain spots several time to get it down, and get the guts up to do the drops in the race.
Both Laury and Orion had great races. Here's an amazing fact: this was young Orion's FIRST ever triathlon! He's only 16 and we just started to teach him how to "race swim" this year. He had taken to it quite well, and despite being more of a mountain biker, he's turned into a good swimmer and even better runner. I am pushing him to also run cross country for the Hilltoppers this fall.
We did Los Alamos and the Triatomics proud, with age-group medals for all three of us. Laury got 2nd in the 60-64 (...a tough field, no lie!) and Orion got 2nd in the juniors <18 after a hard-fought battle with two other very good triathletes. The guy who ended up winning was a faster swimmer/runner, but Orion was hands-down the best mtn biker. The other juniors were amazed with his mtn biking strength and ability. I think he has a future in both road and off-road triathlons.
I got 3rd in the M40-44, with a 9th OVERALL! The M40-44 class had the most placings of the other age groups in the top ten...well, maybe the 25-29ers had more if you count the overall. I also had a girl beat me! She was awesome and had a stellar bike leg. She can also swim and run well, so I'm not ashamed =)
Overall, this was a great race, but not for the faint of heart, or the under-trained. The course is hard and requires good mtn bike skills. It's also physically tough with all of the rock ledges to climb and a lot of granny-gear, gut-busting mega-steep climbing...throw in two stream crossings, and some deep sand, and you've got a lot of work to do. They do have a much shorter "Sport" version that has some of the stuff, but not nearly as bad.
Moab is also a lot of fun. It's a total circus with the National Park tourists, the jeepers and other off-road vehiculars, the motorcycles, the mtn bikers, the river rafters, the Germans...you get the idea! It's all a lot of fun too, except that they only serve that dang Utah 3.2 beer =)
XTERRA Moab Album
This race is a revived version of the XTERRA they last held here about six years ago and before. The course was changed somewhat from those years, which also had other variations. It worked well, except for the fact that we had on-coming traffic on the far end of the bike. Since it was on a Jeep road, there was room to pass, but the lines were sketchy and people didn't give them up easily. Anyway, it was a great race course.
The swim was in pretty cold water -- between 55 and about 58 degrees, depending on how far out it was measured. XTERRA races always seem to be two lap swims, which is strange. The water was so cold that people had trouble staying upright after exiting the water. I had a slow transition because my hands were so numb and I had trouble getting things off from the swim, then on for the bike.
The bike course is held on the infamous "Steelbender" (a.k.a. Flat Pass) Jeep trail. It had some gnarly rock slaps, big ledges, etc. It was physically and technically tough and took a real toll on you back, arms, and hamstrings. It was also pretty scary in parts and required some committed moves to stay on and not walk down them. That made a big difference in times, I think. The drops actually made stuff around here seem pretty tame in comparison.
This was also the longest XTERRA I've done. The bike was a long one (taking me 1:51) and the run was a full 10km on a pretty tough trail (my time of 54:08 was not the fastest, but among the fastest). I think the winner did a 48-something run, which was fast on that course. So, it was a longish race and there were a lot of tired folks afterward.
Laury Goddard had been to a Moab XTERRA training camp about 6 weeks prior, so he knew how bad the bike course was. I thought he was exaggerating, but he certainly wasn't. He was rather understating the difficulty, in fact, and to see it for yourself was absolutely necessary. We pre-rode on the Thursday before, and we had to practice certain spots several time to get it down, and get the guts up to do the drops in the race.
Both Laury and Orion had great races. Here's an amazing fact: this was young Orion's FIRST ever triathlon! He's only 16 and we just started to teach him how to "race swim" this year. He had taken to it quite well, and despite being more of a mountain biker, he's turned into a good swimmer and even better runner. I am pushing him to also run cross country for the Hilltoppers this fall.
We did Los Alamos and the Triatomics proud, with age-group medals for all three of us. Laury got 2nd in the 60-64 (...a tough field, no lie!) and Orion got 2nd in the juniors <18 after a hard-fought battle with two other very good triathletes. The guy who ended up winning was a faster swimmer/runner, but Orion was hands-down the best mtn biker. The other juniors were amazed with his mtn biking strength and ability. I think he has a future in both road and off-road triathlons.
I got 3rd in the M40-44, with a 9th OVERALL! The M40-44 class had the most placings of the other age groups in the top ten...well, maybe the 25-29ers had more if you count the overall. I also had a girl beat me! She was awesome and had a stellar bike leg. She can also swim and run well, so I'm not ashamed =)
Overall, this was a great race, but not for the faint of heart, or the under-trained. The course is hard and requires good mtn bike skills. It's also physically tough with all of the rock ledges to climb and a lot of granny-gear, gut-busting mega-steep climbing...throw in two stream crossings, and some deep sand, and you've got a lot of work to do. They do have a much shorter "Sport" version that has some of the stuff, but not nearly as bad.
Moab is also a lot of fun. It's a total circus with the National Park tourists, the jeepers and other off-road vehiculars, the motorcycles, the mtn bikers, the river rafters, the Germans...you get the idea! It's all a lot of fun too, except that they only serve that dang Utah 3.2 beer =)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Snowshoe Trail Proposal
Here is a map of the proposed new trail addition: in Blue, existing snowshoe trail is shown in Violet. We hope to secure permission for the additional trail by Fall.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Things in the works for SWNSC right now!
It may be off season but things are happening with SWNSC! This is all possible thanks to all of your continued support and donations!! Huge thanks for keeping the donations and volunteer help coming! Here are some highlights of things in the works right now (ideas always welcome! comment here, or use Contact Us form on our homepage):
1. A new snowshoe trail extension has been surveyed and marked this past weekend and is up for USFS approval. Once approved, clearing work will begin on it in late August.
2. There is talk of holding weekly hill-climb roller-ski time trials up Camp May road in the early fall!
3. We have a new member who is working with us to get a junior nordic ski group going at the Los Alamos High School next season!
4. Research is under way to purchase a modern and efficient grooming device (to be pulled by our new snowmo 'Viking') in time for next season's grooming!
1. A new snowshoe trail extension has been surveyed and marked this past weekend and is up for USFS approval. Once approved, clearing work will begin on it in late August.
2. There is talk of holding weekly hill-climb roller-ski time trials up Camp May road in the early fall!
3. We have a new member who is working with us to get a junior nordic ski group going at the Los Alamos High School next season!
4. Research is under way to purchase a modern and efficient grooming device (to be pulled by our new snowmo 'Viking') in time for next season's grooming!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Trail work this Sunday
April 3rd at 10:30 AM.
Pulling the steel posts on the front hill. Should be a short session as Clay and the Juniors have already done most of the work up there.
Hope you'll join Paul, Donna and me up there.
tom
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Sandia Peak Update
Skating still quite good on service road. Alpine area closes tomorrow (3/6) so no more grooming by their snowcat. Snow is beginning to disappear (can see bare ground) at one spot on service road so without significant new snow skiing won't last much longer up there.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Skiesta/Pinhead challenge update
From organizers Jean and Karen
Skiesta is on for Sat 3/12 at Pajarito Mountain! There should be an
announcement in this weekend's LA Monitor and on the web site.
There isn't sufficient snow to pull off the Pajarito Pinhead challenge . . .
. so, Karen Hill and I are going to try to offer an up/down snowshoe race.
Most probably on the Wildcat slope.
Here is how it will go
Registration: 10 am - 11:45
Snowshoes available to rent at the Walkup Center (LA County
pool) for $5 at 10 am on Saturday
Meet at the deck on the lodge at noon for racer briefing
(we'll have to walk up to Wildcat for the start)
Race will be to the top of Wildcat and back to the bottom.
We'll make a final decision on Friday 3/11 . . . .if we have a huge melt
off, there is a chance we won't be able to do it.
Skiesta is on for Sat 3/12 at Pajarito Mountain! There should be an
announcement in this weekend's LA Monitor and on the web site.
There isn't sufficient snow to pull off the Pajarito Pinhead challenge . . .
. so, Karen Hill and I are going to try to offer an up/down snowshoe race.
Most probably on the Wildcat slope.
Here is how it will go
Registration: 10 am - 11:45
Snowshoes available to rent at the Walkup Center (LA County
pool) for $5 at 10 am on Saturday
Meet at the deck on the lodge at noon for racer briefing
(we'll have to walk up to Wildcat for the start)
Race will be to the top of Wildcat and back to the bottom.
We'll make a final decision on Friday 3/11 . . . .if we have a huge melt
off, there is a chance we won't be able to do it.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sandia Peak Update
The service road was recently groomed (very nicely) by Sandia Peak and skating looked excellent (unfortunately I was unaware and didn't take skating skis, etc.).
Tracks set by UNM week before last are still intact in the woods but were groomed over on the service road (unfortunately).
If anyone wants to donate to the UNM ski team, the money goes directly to a ski team fund; contact Fredrik Landstedt at UNM.
Tracks set by UNM week before last are still intact in the woods but were groomed over on the service road (unfortunately).
If anyone wants to donate to the UNM ski team, the money goes directly to a ski team fund; contact Fredrik Landstedt at UNM.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sandia Peak Update
Attention Albuquerque skiers: As you know if you've been reading the Sandia Peak posts, Sandia Peak ski area (contact is Steve Gallegos) has been kind enough to regularly groom the service road with a piston bully for us nordic skiers. It wouldn't be a bad idea to show some appreciation for that. Any ideas?
Also the UNM ski team coach, Fredrik Landstedt, has done some grooming, including classic tracks, up there as well.
Also the UNM ski team coach, Fredrik Landstedt, has done some grooming, including classic tracks, up there as well.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sandia Peak Update
Skied classic on the service road in the same tracks Fredrik set last week. They are in good shape fortunately as foot traffic has missed them. Conditions vary from icy slush to packed powder so tricky to wax for; I used no wax for that reason.
I'm guessing the tracks in the woods are all still in good shape as well. Skating looked a bit tricky due to the icy conditions and pitting from foot traffic but doable.
Still plenty of snow up there (about 30") so as long as we continue to get some grooming, skiing can continue.
Saw the infamous Phil Book up there (first time I've seen him up there this year) --he told me he's been very busy with work, etc.
I'm guessing the tracks in the woods are all still in good shape as well. Skating looked a bit tricky due to the icy conditions and pitting from foot traffic but doable.
Still plenty of snow up there (about 30") so as long as we continue to get some grooming, skiing can continue.
Saw the infamous Phil Book up there (first time I've seen him up there this year) --he told me he's been very busy with work, etc.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Trail/Grooming Report 2/21/2011
The trails got about an inch of new snow, which turned them white again, at least. Looks like this will be the last week of grooming if we don't receive a significant amount of snow very soon...
I groomed everything (mostly just for classic) that is still hanging on by a thread. Lots of it looks really good, mostly the upper trails. The lower road track didn't set as well because I got in a rush. The track and snow gets better as you go up, but be very careful around the "rock" just below Point J...it's burning out quickly.
You'll need to walk in to point B, but it's spotty for the next 200 meters thereafter, and a big tree had to be cut out, which left a big mess just over the next little hill, so be careful there too...things improve after that.
Like I said, it's best for classic, so go up and get in some striding! There are some very good stretches, so maybe pull out the old skis and go have fun! The meadows also got a nice classic track installed.
Get it while the gettin's good!
I groomed everything (mostly just for classic) that is still hanging on by a thread. Lots of it looks really good, mostly the upper trails. The lower road track didn't set as well because I got in a rush. The track and snow gets better as you go up, but be very careful around the "rock" just below Point J...it's burning out quickly.
You'll need to walk in to point B, but it's spotty for the next 200 meters thereafter, and a big tree had to be cut out, which left a big mess just over the next little hill, so be careful there too...things improve after that.
Like I said, it's best for classic, so go up and get in some striding! There are some very good stretches, so maybe pull out the old skis and go have fun! The meadows also got a nice classic track installed.
Get it while the gettin's good!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Sandia Peak Update
As promised, Fredrik (UNM ski coach) regroomed the service road for skating and also set classic tracks on both sides. He also groomed and set a classic track on the UNM loop in the woods (very nice) and then went about setting a classic track up the switchback trail all the way up to the upper
road cut which runs out of the lower parking lot at the crest; he also set a classic track on this road. I skied this track on the upper road several times because it was such good classic skiing. There is also a track running up to Kiwanis meadow from the service road-- I didn't ski there. Haven't seen this kind of classic grooming up there for a long time; it was ski heaven (for the Sandias).
Skating was obviously very good on the service as well (Steve Roholt was enjoying that).
road cut which runs out of the lower parking lot at the crest; he also set a classic track on this road. I skied this track on the upper road several times because it was such good classic skiing. There is also a track running up to Kiwanis meadow from the service road-- I didn't ski there. Haven't seen this kind of classic grooming up there for a long time; it was ski heaven (for the Sandias).
Skating was obviously very good on the service as well (Steve Roholt was enjoying that).
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Sandia Peak Update
Decided to update because today I worked on improving the UNM loop through the woods mostly the meadow section which needed a lot of work; so I shoveled snow over a significant part of that section in an attempt to enable Fredrik (UNM ski coach) to groom that loop on Friday. It is certainly significantly more skiable now. Could have used more work but I was getting wasted. I will update Friday if Fredrik grooms.
Ron
Ron
Tuesday evening grooming
The skate lane was ground up and re-combed last night. Conditions are pretty challenging up there for groomers right now, and it was felt best to just leave the classic tracks as is. This means they are hard and icy, so be careful up there.
However the skating should be pretty good today. The plan is to regroom on Thursday evening.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Sandia Peak Update
Newest update is that as of Friday, Feb. 11, the service road was groomed wide by the alpine area's piston bully for skating, beautiful job.
Ron
Ron
Nordic Skiing Pajarito - Los Alamos: High Desert Dirt
Nordic Skiing Pajarito - Los Alamos: High Desert Dirt
Great review of our ski trails on this site. Impressed that he saw it as good when we only had an inch of snow over that awful icy crap we were grooming and skiing on for the last weeks of January!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Trails groomed by the estimable Dave Wykoff
Dave Wykoff put in a big day of grooming today. He finished late this afternoon, grooming the entire trail system, with all the shortcuts and cutoffs. Conditions are amazing. Wide corduroy for skating, plus classic tracks. Today was green wax, tomorrow is forecast to be green warming up to blue by afternoon, a refreshing change after the couple weeks of warm, trashy and icy conditions we've all had to put up with.
Important Notice! Only certain portions of the front hill are skiable. I recommend that after you have skiied up to the beginning of the sunfence, that you remove your skiis and walk all the way to point A and above a ways, as well. The reverse applies for descending afterward, don't try to ski down the front hill.
It's worth the walk into the trail system, conditions from Point B (the coat tree) are just great!
tom
Sandia Peak Update
Thought I would post a new update even though Sandia Peak didn't get any significant snow out of the last storm and no new grooming has been done since last Tuesday. The service road has a decent classic track over much of it's length which is fortunate given the amount of wind and foot traffic on parts of it. The loop in the woods Fredrik groomed a couple weeks ago is getting some ski and snowshoe traffic and I encourage more skiers to start using it on a regular basis; it is a nice wide trail (averages about an estimated 10' width). This trail, if done in a counter clockwise direction (which I recommend), start just above the gate at the north end of the service road (first right once you head up into the woods from the gate) and from there is easily followed by following the ski tracks. Hopefully next year we can have some signs posted on the trail. It has stayed cold up at Ellis trailhead so the snow has remained at powder and packed powder. Skating is possible on the service road but far from ideal given the foot traffic over parts of it and the windblown condition of the snow.
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