 Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1040 on: May 30, 2011, 08:09:58 AM
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Nathan Jones
Posts: 129
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« Reply #1040 on: May 30, 2011, 08:09:58 AM » |
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That looks like what I was thinking for up north, not sure how whitefish divide is going to be either, columbine alt might me needed. Not sure about Boreas, looks like it could be bad. And then there's the whole question of getting into WY, looks bad as well.
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1041 on: May 30, 2011, 08:27:20 AM
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6thElement
Posts: 234
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« Reply #1041 on: May 30, 2011, 08:27:20 AM » |
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WY looks to depend entirely on whether Ashton-Flagg Ranch Rd is open/ploughed/clear to get you across from Warm River ID toward US-191 and Flagg Ranch for the Jackson Spur alternative. Then to avoid Togwotee and Union Pass it would have to be US-191 down through Jackson to Pinedale.
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« Last Edit: May 30, 2011, 08:39:26 AM by 6thElement »
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1042 on: May 30, 2011, 08:29:46 AM
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Nathan Jones
Posts: 129
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« Reply #1042 on: May 30, 2011, 08:29:46 AM » |
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Yeah, looks like Union Pass might be manageable by then, just maybe, if we can get to it!
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1043 on: May 30, 2011, 08:58:23 AM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #1043 on: May 30, 2011, 08:58:23 AM » |
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Yeah, looks like Union Pass might be manageable by then, just maybe, if we can get to it!
I doubt it, unless you're planning on more than a day-long snow slog. It's going to take a lot more than 2-3 weeks to for 20 miles of 25+ inches SWE to melt. It's also snowing heavily up there right now (webcam at 8500' just after the start of the climb up toward Union Pass: http://webcam.rangefamily.net/~snokater/) WY looks to depend entirely on whether Ashton-Flagg Ranch Rd is open/ploughed/clear to get you across from Warm River ID to US-191 and Flagg Ranch. Then to avoid Togwotee and Union Pass it would have to be US-191 down through Jackson to Pinedale.
This road doesn't get plowed, so as of today, there's still guaranteed to be somewhere between 6 and 10 miles of deep snow through that section. The Grassy Lake SNOTEL is hovering around 35" SWE, which is probably 100"+ of snow depth. A neat detour could be around the west side of the Tetons, hop over into Jackson, 191 south around the Gros Ventre Range, and then east back to the GDMBR somewhere north of Pinedale. I'm not sure how much dirt could be included in that, but it's beautiful country and [should be] snow-free riding if nothing else. Tougher to predict are the flooding and slides in Montana and Wyoming that are dominating the news in those states. One pass through the Tetons is closed from a slide, I90 in central MT is closed due to flooding, and the snowmelt hasn't even started in earnest at higher elevations! |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1044 on: May 30, 2011, 09:01:33 AM
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Nathan Jones
Posts: 129
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« Reply #1044 on: May 30, 2011, 09:01:33 AM » |
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I doubt it, unless you're planning on more than a day-long snow slog.
Hah, yeah, wishful thinking I guess, oh well then, let 2011 be the year of the reroute! |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1045 on: May 30, 2011, 09:56:48 AM
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mikepro
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 559
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« Reply #1045 on: May 30, 2011, 09:56:48 AM » |
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.... let 2011 be the year of the reroute!
Well that may turn out to be the case, but I say: Let 2011 be the year that one (or more) on the TD Start List stick to the GDMBR proper from Start to Fin, and nail it under 20 days .... a true adventure race. My gut feelin' is that there's more than one race entrant currently at home making gear/time/planning/mental adjustment(s) in order to give it a go "sans alternate" while sticking to the "common" start date. I will be following the race from my home/office to see who, and how many, will pull it off. |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1046 on: May 30, 2011, 10:10:23 AM
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6thElement
Posts: 234
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« Reply #1046 on: May 30, 2011, 10:10:23 AM » |
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This road doesn't get plowed, so as of today, there's still guaranteed to be somewhere between 6 and 10 miles of deep snow through that section. The Grassy Lake SNOTEL is hovering around 35" SWE, which is probably 100"+ of snow depth. A neat detour could be around the west side of the Tetons, hop over into Jackson, 191 south around the Gros Ventre Range, and then east back to the GDMBR somewhere north of Pinedale. I'm not sure how much dirt could be included in that, but it's beautiful country and [should be] snow-free riding if nothing else.
I didn't think it would be, but appreciate the confirmation. 10 miles should be doable in snowshoes if I get a day off the next day  I was particularly looking foward to the section heading down past the Tetons and Jackson Lake. |
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« Last Edit: May 30, 2011, 11:57:41 AM by 6thElement »
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1047 on: May 30, 2011, 04:10:52 PM
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BigPoppa
Posts: 211
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« Reply #1047 on: May 30, 2011, 04:10:52 PM » |
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Who is planning on bringing snowshoes?
Seriously.
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1048 on: May 30, 2011, 04:12:01 PM
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JayP
Posts: 130
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« Reply #1048 on: May 30, 2011, 04:12:01 PM » |
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just to let you know, flagg ranch road has snow from the very start. a friend was there several days ago...it wouldnt be a boring walk...lots of good wildlife up there...
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1049 on: May 30, 2011, 07:08:31 PM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #1049 on: May 30, 2011, 07:08:31 PM » |
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just to let you know, flagg ranch road has snow from the very start. a friend was there several days ago...it wouldnt be a boring walk...lots of good wildlife up there...
Lots of good wildlife indeed. It sounds like there might be more bear sightings in this edition of the TD based on recent trends in MT: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/05/30/ap/national/main20067331.shtml |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1050 on: May 30, 2011, 10:20:33 PM
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DaveC
Location: Kalispell, MT
Posts: 249
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« Reply #1050 on: May 30, 2011, 10:20:33 PM » |
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Just to help stoke the fear:
I was in the Bob Marshall this weekend and woke up Sunday to 2-3" of snow. At 5200'. Saw plenty of fresh bear tracks, too.
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1051 on: May 31, 2011, 12:11:11 AM
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Martin W
Location: Derby UK
Posts: 18
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« Reply #1051 on: May 31, 2011, 12:11:11 AM » |
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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/05/30/ap/national/main20067331.shtmlThat’s made my mind up about the bear spray – definitely carrying some. With regards to snow shoes (seriously!) will they be necessary? If so I presume they are readily available in Calgary or Banff – right? P.S. I’ve been hovering over this forum for a few weeks now picking up a lot of useful advice on kit and the route - so just a quick thanks from someone who doesn’t know the area. At this point in time I’m not sure whether I will be taking the alternatives or not (hopefully not) and will see what the general consensus is when I am there.
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1052 on: May 31, 2011, 12:23:42 AM
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Blackhound
Location: Derby, UK
Posts: 126
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« Reply #1052 on: May 31, 2011, 12:23:42 AM » |
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Unless I have missed an email or a posting or something I understand that as of now the route is still the main ACA route, allowing for the three alternates in the rules (Gold Crest Trail and 2 x NM).
Matthew did mention a couple of weeks ago that the Fernie alternate might be allowed and possibly one in NW Montana.
Anything else is just speculation, mild or wild, on our part by people who should be training - or packing in my case;-)
I guess we still need to wait to find out what the route will be in 2011. Looking unlikely to count for overall GC but it is still going to be a great few weeks wherever we end up. My excuse for a second visit to the race is looking good, already planted the seed with my partner....
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1053 on: May 31, 2011, 12:45:21 AM
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BigPoppa
Posts: 211
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« Reply #1053 on: May 31, 2011, 12:45:21 AM » |
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Unless I have missed an email or a posting or something I understand that as of now the route is still the main ACA route, allowing for the three alternates in the rules (Gold Crest Trail and 2 x NM).
Matthew did mention a couple of weeks ago that the Fernie alternate might be allowed and possibly one in NW Montana.
Anything else is just speculation, mild or wild, on our part by people who should be training - or packing in my case;-)
I guess we still need to wait to find out what the route will be in 2011. Looking unlikely to count for overall GC but it is still going to be a great few weeks wherever we end up. My excuse for a second visit to the race is looking good, already planted the seed with my partner....
Same here. I made an offering to my spouse... "Sounds like this year might just be an adventure/tour then I can come back next year and whip it good." She just nodded her head in agreement! |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1054 on: May 31, 2011, 04:40:52 AM
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BobM
Location: The Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan
Posts: 936
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« Reply #1054 on: May 31, 2011, 04:40:52 AM » |
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Same here. I made an offering to my spouse... "Sounds like this year might just be an adventure/tour then I can come back next year and whip it good."
She just nodded her head in agreement!
You're sure that was agreement? Could have been just her trying not to upset the crazy man. |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1055 on: May 31, 2011, 04:43:35 AM
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BigPoppa
Posts: 211
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« Reply #1055 on: May 31, 2011, 04:43:35 AM » |
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You're sure that was agreement? Could have been just her trying not to upset the crazy man.
Well, at least down the road I can claim she was in agreement! |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1056 on: May 31, 2011, 06:46:06 AM
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6thElement
Posts: 234
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« Reply #1056 on: May 31, 2011, 06:46:06 AM » |
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With the snowpack still epic in the passes and the runoff looking like it's not even going to start peaking until we've started things are definitely going to be interesting. Backtracking to avoid dangerously swollen river crossings or 10 mile+ hikes through the snow mean that in my opinion the 120+ mile days on the bike just aren't going to be possible for large parts of the trip if attempting to follow the race route. It may be a last minute decision on whether my snow shoes come with me. Elkford sure looks nice this morning though  |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1057 on: May 31, 2011, 09:18:19 AM
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mikepro
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 559
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« Reply #1057 on: May 31, 2011, 09:18:19 AM » |
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... people who should be training - or packing in my case;-)
By packing, according to Kurt's news link above, you mean "packin' a .22" - right? |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1058 on: May 31, 2011, 09:24:17 AM
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mikepro
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 559
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« Reply #1058 on: May 31, 2011, 09:24:17 AM » |
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She just nodded her head in agreement!
Behind, or next to, every married or partnered TD Adventurer is a spouse/partner that is 1,000x more awesome. |
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Topic Name: 2011 Tour Divide
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Reply #1059 on: May 31, 2011, 09:37:58 AM
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Area45
Posts: 59
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« Reply #1059 on: May 31, 2011, 09:37:58 AM » |
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Behind, or next to, every married or partnered TD Adventurer is a spouse/partner that is 1,000x more awesome.
That is the truth! |
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