Grindstone Getting Ready for the Start - David Horton

Grindstone Pre-Race Show - David Horton

Annual Night Run - 2008

In addition to other random night-runs, for years we've held our annual night run before the VA 10-miler.  The last several years we've run the Peaks of Otter: Flat Top Mtn, Harkening Hill, & Sharp Top Mtn, in that order for a total of 17 Horton miles.  It's always a good time.

This year we started around 8:30 PM.  A light rain kept things relatively cool throughout an otherwise humid evening.  We didn't have any views on Sharp Top though; we were socked in by the rain and clouds.

Jared Hesse, Jeremy Ramsey, & ME!

Grindstone around the corner

Two weeks from right now (as I write), Grindstone will be underway. Currently, there are 94 entrants and the race is going to be amazing!!!

One thing I'm going to try to do, in addition to our live webcast, is to audio blog about the race like David & I did when David was on the CDT this summer.

Should provide an interesting perspective for those tuning in....

Grindstone Training Run

Last weekend about 20 brave souls showed up to take a sneak-peak at the inaugural Grindstone 100 course.  The training run was over two days, starting at the official turn-around point - Briery Branch Gap. The first day finished at Dowells Draft, leaving approx. 23 miles for the second day back to the start/finish area at Camp Shenandoah.

Both Friday & Saturday evenings we ate in Staunton together and had a great time entertaining each other.  I think this training run helped us all (including myself) get a sense of the reality that we will soon experience in just 4 weeks!  Jeremy Ramsey & Steve (shock the world) Baker saw 7 bears in just 14 miles! I think there will be some interesting stories to tell after the race...

I'm really excited about this event and eager to see a year of planning come to fruition.  See you all very soon! CZ

ALT Speed Attempt

What seems to be the summer of long trail record attempts, continues with another attempt on another trail by two great ultra runners.

Adam Casseday and Bradley Mongold are taking a stab at the Allegheny Trail (ALT) Speed Record starting on August 28th, and continuing on over Labor Day weekend.

They will have Live Updates beginning on August 26, which will capture the long trail experience for readers. You can check out their dedicated blog at:

www.alleghenytrailrun.wordpress.com

Go Adam & Brad!!!

My license plate

Fall Events Shaping up

Things are really shaping up for the fall events!

The 26th Annual Mountain Masochist filled in 41 days back in early June and I have several wait-list entries.

The inaugural Grindstone 100 has 90 current entries with a cap of 100.  This event is going to be awesome!

If you still want to enter either event, go to www.eco-xsports.com and enter with a paper wait-list app for MMTR or online for Grindstone.  Do it while there is still time!!!!

Rocky Mtns National Parks Trip

Just back from my trip to the Rockies.  This was a last-minute trip that resulted from Horton not continuing on the CDT.  I was all set to fly to CO to crew Horty but then plans changed and my Dad wanted to go west - I HAD to oblige...

We flew from Toronto to Calgary and then blitzed the Rocky Mtn National Parks...wish I could have spent more time in each but I'm very glad to see all that I did.  We went to the Canadian National Parks of Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay & Waterton Lakes.  And we also visited Glacier & Yellowstone in the U.S.A.  It was a trip we'll not soon forget.  All in all, we saw 5 Grizzlies, 4 Moose, a Bald Eagle & Great Horned Owl, 2 Coyotes, 1 Black Bear, and too many Marmots, Pikas, American Bison, Deer & Elk to count.  In addition, we saw Grizzly cubs, Elk calves, Bison calves, & Moose calves.

I won't even attempt to describe the beauty of each area but the Canadian Rocky Mtns are especially magnificent (and I'm not writing this just because I am Canadian!).  Glacier N.P. in the U.S. provides a little taste of what the Canadian Rockies have to offer.  Furthermore, the north-of-the-border Rocky Mtns are some of the most inhospitable mtns I've seen, perhaps contributing to their astounding scenery.  In addition, the lakes and rivers run a bright blue-teal colour I've never seen elsewhere.

Just amazing!

Headed West...

For the next week I'll be in Banff, Jasper, Glacier, & (hopefully) Yellowstone National Parks..just play time.  Hope to send in some pictures during the trip.  Cheers!  I'm flying out of Toronto in just a few hours...better go!

CZ

Horton reflects on his CDT attempt

Video Clips from CDT

The following are 4 short video clips shot while at the Mexican/U.S. border and during Day 1 on the CDT. (Video by Neal Bryant)

CDT speed attempt is over

And now for the rest of the story...

I knew David was in rough shape when he called last night, I just didn't know how bad.

Yesterday, when David lost the trail in the last few miles, he was in really bad shape.  So bad that he was on the verge of passing out. David was completely out of water, severely dehydrated with cramping and swollen hands. He found a windpump (hikers use these and are scattered throughout the area) and, before he laid down, hung up his shoes and hat so he could be found in case he passed out. David laid there for 50 minutes drinking the water and eating what little food he had left. He told me that at that point all he thought about was survival and not wanting to die. 

Shortly after he finished the 45 miles yesterday he tried to eat some dinner.  He was so dehydrated and now, nauseous, he started to throw-up whatever he ate.  David decided he might as well go to bed but cramping in his stomach and extremities, especially his hands, kept him awake all night.

The topic of not going on first came up last night but all thought it would be better to wait until morning.  Initially thinking a 'zero day' might be enough, David, JB, & Neal drove back into Deming, NM.  They spent the day at the Motel looking over maps and discussing the situation as well as waiting to see David's condition improve.  In addition, the only clinic in the area where David could get an IV was closed on weekends.

The decision to not continue was finally made and was based primarily on:

• David's condition was not improving rapidly and would take too many days to improve to continue a speed attempt
• The next section was more remote desert bushwacking
• David was consuming 2litres of water every 4 miles and not able to carry enough water to compensate
• The temps were forecasted to continue to be over 100 degrees

Talking to JB, who has seen David in rough times, described David's condition as one of the worst he has seen. David feels as though he is letting down the many people who are involved with this adventure and all those who are following along.

From my own perspective, I have seen David push through hard times; times when I would not have continued and have no doubt that his condition is worse than he has experienced before.  Furthermore, the decision to not continue was incredibly difficult for David.  This is not a result of not being in shape or being psychologically unprepared.  A successful CDT speed attempt was not a foregone conclusion and I would be kidding myself if I said David would easily finish. However, it's easy to think how tough the mountains will be but how about traversing 45 miles of desert in 108 degrees with no shade, being cut by sage and briars for 16 hours and staggered your last 7 miles after narrowly avoiding a black-out, alone and in the dark, just for starters?

It's hard to know what else to say; here it is (in 2 parts) in David's own words:

Part 1

Part 2

Please leave a comment and a word of encouragement to pass along to David!

CDT Day 1: Long Day, Hot Temps

Today's Mileage: 45

Time: 16:04

It was a long and hard day in the desert for David.  Earlier today, David decided to cover the originally planned 45 miles for the day, instead of the 56 he had considered. Hence, his end point for today is N.M. Hwy. 9.

For the first 29 miles of the CDT there is no 'real' trail, meaning there's no cleared treadway of any kind.  For several hours David was bushwacking through Sagebrush and Briars and commented on how 'cut-up' he is now.  The temperature soared to a high of 108 degrees and David struggled with some cramping and swollen hands for part of the day, although his knee appears to be fine.  Having no respite from the sun in that heat is a major challenge!

David was slightly 'turned-around' (since he says he's never lost!) in the last 7 miles and I had several phones calls from JB regarding his possible whereabouts. All turned out okay and they're ready for some food & rest!

Sleeping on the Border

The following GPS coordinates will locate where JB, Neal, & David are sleeping tonight at the CDT southern terminus on the U.S./Mexican border (copy & paste in Google maps, etc):

+31° 29' 42.62", -108° 12' 31.09"

To get to the terminus, they had to drive 28 miles of very rough desert road that, in David's words, "seemed to go on & on". When they arrived around 6:00 PM, the temperature was 103 degrees.  David mentioned as they were setting up camp, several Mexican border patrols rode by in camouflaged Jeeps, with plenty of weaponry.

Horton's first audio blog

Click on the player to listen to David as he prepares to head south to the Mexican border.

David is planning on covering an extra 10 miles tomorrow, which will change his first day total to 56 miles. He is making this adjustment mostly for logistical reasons as plans for the next few days.  Approximately the first 100 miles are through the Chihuahuan Desert.

Only one more day...

Only one more day 'til the CDT adventure [officially] begins...for David, yes, but also for each of us who are hoping and praying for him and joining him in his journey through this blog and on the trail.

Today David called and reported that his Knee is feeling better - thanks for the effective prayers - keep sending them up!

Tonight David & JB are staying in Deming, NM and tomorrow will be traveling to the U.S./Mexican border. Neal (Rosie) Bryant will be joining them as well for the first few days for support and laughs (keeping David in his place, so to speak).

Here we go...

 

The mountains are calling and I must go.

- John Muir

Horton Pic

I got my hands on this pic of Horton...interview to be published in the Liberty Journal later this summer.  Great photo!

Photography by Les Schofer.  © Liberty Journal 2007

Rough roads, rough scouting

Since they left Los Alamos, Horton & JB have been scouting out the New Mexican CDT route. 

Initially, they drove north to Cumbres Pass, CO, where David plans to arrive on June 22, and saw plenty of snow - no surprise.  Heading south towards the Mexican border they are finding out that locating the actual trail (the official CDT route) is a formidable challenge.

Here's their first little adventure:

Driving down a rough dirt road, they suddenly hit a large rock and heard a loud pop.  They thought they blew out a tire and, after looking, realized that the tire was fine but the rim was bent (David shared this story as he was standing in the garage waiting for the repairs).  After changing the tire (and accompanying rim), they continued down the road and soon came across a guy with a blown tire on his truck!  They stopped to help which was both a charitable and hospitable act given the physical condition of the driver.  David was concerned this guy might pass out on them because of the 16 empty beer cans in the back of his truck - apparently he wasn't too excited with his flat tire.

Tonight they are probably staying in Pie Town, NM and will continue southward tomorrow.

Please pray for David - he is experiencing some problems with a knee.

Hittin' the Road!

On Friday they loaded up the truck and Saturday morning, David & JB hit the road for New Mexico. JB spent a couple days prior making a few modifications to the truck. He added extra lights (front & back), installed the camper and cargo shells, as well as his own ingenious tarp system that extends immediately off the rear of the truck for protection from sun and inclement weather.

 

On their trip to the southern CDT terminus, the guys are staying with David's parents in Arkansas and then with Blake Wood. Over the next week they will be scouting parts of the trail in NM.