September is flying by as I’m getting race ready for another ultra marathon and raising funds for the non-profit, Outdoor Outreach.
September is the month of sunsets in San Diego.
From hiking and climbing in the mountains to backyard barbecues and sun on beach, Labor Day weekend was full of great times, amazing people and beautiful scenery.
On Friday afternoon my climbing partner, Kam, and I drove from San Diego to South Lake in Bishop, CA for another go at the Palisades Traverse. The drive took about 7 hours; we got in at 10 p.m. and were asleep by 11 p.m. By 4:45 a.m., we were on the trail and reached Bishop Pass in 2 hours, traveling with only daypacks for our car-to-car attempt. 
We charged through the 3-mile boulder field between Bishop Pass and Thunderbolt Pass and were ascending SW Chute #1 an hour later. We cruised up a steep gully filled with talus and scree until we hit the ledge system and solo climbed a Class 5 section to bypass more technical climb and rejoin the chute above it. From here, it was more talus and scree until a Class 4 climb to the 13,850’ ridge below Thunderbolt peak.
It was during this final section before the top that my head began to pound painfully with every heartbeat. It hurt so bad it made me nauseous, and I felt as if I was going to puke. Once I got to the ridge, I sat with my back against a boulder and rested my head while looking out over the tops of the mountains below. I must have dozed off for a bit because I sat up startled and confused and took a second to make sense of the beautiful view below. Was this heaven?
No; I was experiencing the worst altitude sickness I’d ever had just 10 miles into the day. I tried to wait it out and it only got worse, so we made the responsible decision to turn back. I was a mess for the down climb and the descent to the car but started to feel good enough at around 11,000’ to run for a mile. We totaled 20 miles and 13 hours for the day.
This is a difficult multi-day route so attempting it in one day without acclimating made it impossible for me this time around. To properly attempt this route, I’m going to set up a camp above Bishop Pass and spend the night before the ridge traverse the next day. I may give it another try in October or just hold off until next year so it doesn’t get old.
Speaking of getting old, Kam has had to turn back the last two attempts because of someone else getting sick from the altitude. These experiences sure can be frustrating, but we are both running Noble Canyon 50K on 9/26 in Pine Valley, CA and still count the miles, time, altitude and suffering as great training for the race. I’m really excited to see how much faster I can run this year. Here’s my 2007 NC50K Race Report.
I got back to San Diego on Sunday just in time for a BBQ that my friend hosted to raise funds for this year’s Outdoor Outreach Joshua Tree Experience (now accepting online donations). I met a bunch of really cool people and the food was amazing, as usual. He grilled shark, beer brats, burgers and tons of sides and salads. I ate like someone who had just returned from the mountains. And looked like one too!
The next day was Labor Day, and after sleeping in to catch up on rest, I was at the beach all afternoon with a bunch of good friends--many of whom were at the BBQ the night before. We ate leftovers from the BBQ and got in hours of body surfing and hanging in the hot sun.
I’m feeling recharged after a yoga class with Reegan at Sorrento Valley Yoga yesterday and now I’m dialing in my training with a mix of ActiveX and trail running for the next 2.5 weeks before Noble Canyon 50K. I hope you all had a great Labor Day Weekend!
View the Flickr Photos Slideshow
Read my first and second trip report:
CA 14ers: Palisades Traverse (Fail #1)
CA 14ers: Palisades Traverse (Fail #2)
The perfect Labor Day Weekend recipe!
Boil them in a pot of water for 15 on the stove while chopping up (the long way) 1 red and 1 green pepper, 1 white onion and 2 green apples.
Once the brats are done boiling, add them to one of those large aluminum trays (make sure it will fit on your grill). Next, add the chopped veggies, cover them with 2 bags of sauerkraut and then pour in the German (pilsner) beer to top it off.
Then put the whole tray on the grill and cook for 30 minutes of med/high heat.
Toast the bun (whole wheat of course) and serve with a little of every ingredient. Top with a spicy mustard and wash it down with more beer.
Enjoy!
Boil them in a pot of water for 15 on the stove while chopping up (the long way) 1 red and 1 green pepper, 1 white onion and 2 green apples.
Once the brats are done boiling, add them to one of those large aluminum trays (make sure it will fit on your grill). Next, add the chopped veggies, cover them with 2 bags of sauerkraut and then pour in the German (pilsner) beer to top it off.
Then put the whole tray on the grill and cook for 30 minutes of med/high heat.
Toast the bun (whole wheat of course) and serve with a little of every ingredient. Top with a spicy mustard and wash it down with more beer.
Enjoy!
Four years ago today was my first day in San Diego. I originally moved here with the goal of working in the outdoor industry while awaiting my assignment in the Peace Corps. My intentions shifted when I began to explore and discover my potential through the truth and beauty of the outdoors and endurance sports.
Needless to say, I didn’t serve in the Peace Corps. And in fact, I never mailed in my application. Instead, I worked at REI and took up rock climbing and peak bagging in the great outdoors of southern California.
This developed my network, led to my current job at Active and laid the foundation for running ultra marathons.
Since I started running three years ago, I have raced at nearly every competitive distance and completed seven ultra marathons, including two 100-mile ultra marathons and a full iron-distance triathlon.
The knowledge acquired through these experiences and my role as the online community specialist on Active.com, enables me to connect, educate and motivate new athletes across the globe. In doing so, I found a way to utilize my degree in sociology while helping people live healthier and more productive lives.
Today I begin my fifth year in San Diego and I do so passionately because I love what I’m doing and I’m truly happy. I’m especially grateful for my family, friends and all the incredible individuals I continue to connect with. Thank you all for your trust, for your support and for inspiring me to be the best version of myself.
I’m setting some big goals for the next year, but first thing is first. I’m excited to really get after it this weekend in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for the Palisades Traverse. We postponed the trip two weeks ago due to inclement weather. Since then, my climbing partner and I fine-tuned our strategy: we’re attempting a “car-to-car” light and fast effort on Saturday. This means we’re climbing five 14,000’ peaks in one day with only the following gear:
Personal gear:
Daypack, headlamp, harness, belay device, hydration reservoir, snacks, TP
Clothing:
Hat, sunglasses, shirt, shorts, trail running shoes, climbing shoes
Shared:
Camera, SteriPen, First-Aid Kit, 30-meter rope
Here’s another shot of the Palisades Traverse:
From right to left: Thunderbolt, Starlight, North Palisade, Polemonium and Sill.
Yours in Adventure,
~Toby
