Grand Loop 2010

[DaveH]

Anybody know of any lightweight snowshoes? 

Dang!  Seems to be a common theme this year.

October on the Tab sounds awesome, I'll put that on the list.

[ScottM]

All I hear are crickets...

Will there be no GL attempts this spring?  A first since... 2005?

Someone, anyone?  Too much snow?

[DaveH]

Too much Dixie, although I'll be surprised if Kurt doesn't give it a go...

[gbach]

Once my addled brain clears from teaching high school students, I'm planning on heading out there... exact date TBD.  Snow... we will see what we see, this could be more of an attempt at experience and miles vs. finishing the exact route.

[JimL]

I'm committed to another GL attempt.  June 4th, Tab TH, 6pm.  Going counterclockwise, Bedrock route.

Snow is a concern, hard to tell how those Snotel graphs translate to what's really happening on the ground.  If any scouting reports turn up about poor conditions, I'll move my start date to the 11th.

Jim

[ScottM]

Excellent.  Glad someone will be there to keep the torch lit.

Let us know how it goes, for sure you guys.  If you finish I would love to list you on Grand Loop's page here at bp.net.

[krefs]

No go for me.  I've got a couple tendons in the ankles that seem to be about recovered from the AZT, but I don't want to risk setting them back any, and the snow is enough to keep me convinced that's the right decision.  Perhaps in the fall?  This weekend will instead be a big volume, high elevation training binge for the running muscles...not quite as fun, but a good excuse to take on a few 14ers.

Best of luck to anyone (like Jim!) that's going for the GL adventure!

[JimL]

Hmm...  I'm thinking it's going to be a go.

This link is pretty interesting.  My take is the (localized) snow disappeared around the 18th.  That slight aberration seems to be a spring squall, as it melted off pretty quickly.  Weather looks fairly nice out there this week too.  Beware, the graphics are set fairly large to see the detail and the end date is the 31st of May (today).  I put a better link for bookmarking below.

http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/graph.html?station=CPSC2&w=1162&h=864&uc=0&by=2010&bm=5&bd=1&bh=17&ey=2010&em=5&ed=31&eh=17&data=0&units=0&x=0&y=0

I'll have a spot.  Scott, are you going to run a tracker on this?  Anyone else in?  Or been up there and know the graphs are all forged from erroneous data?

Jim


/* begin links - second is more site info, not real time */

http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/graph.html?units=0&station=CPSC2
http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/static/station/html/C/CPSC2.html

/* end links */

[ScottM]

Hey Jim -- I can resurrect the GL tracker if you've got a share page for me.  Send it along and I'll get it going.

When are you starting?

Last year, around this time, the models were showing no snow anywhere on or near the trail... but there were still drifts and soupy mud on the Tab singletrack.  I'd be surprised if there isn't some snow there, but I'll bet it is just a minor slowdown.

Buena suerte!  Bringing a liter of mountain dew and coke again? 

[JimL]

Gracias!  Scott, I sent you my share page in a pm.

Helz yes!  Those sodas, a large pepperoni pie and a few burritos thrown in for good measure.  Not much into warm beer.   

I figure there will be sporadic sections of snow in some places, and soggy/muddy areas in others.

Planning on rolling out of the Tab TH in GJ at 6pm sharp on Friday.

[DaveH]

6 PM Friday, the tradition lives on!  Have a great ride, may the force be with you.   

[Bob_P]

Good luck , guys!  I'll be watching the tracker!  Looks like the heat will be on!

[ScottM]

Alrighty then, here is a tracker for Jim, and anyone else that has a SPOT and is riding the GL:

http://trackleaders.com/grandloop

There's no 'red line' on purpose!  Just 'way points.'  I may add a very crude red line if I get the motivation.

Any know of other starters at the traditional 6pm from Loma time?  Gbach, are you still on track for a start later in the month?

[gbach]

Just to let y'all know - I've downgraded to just getting out on the Paradox and Tab to get a GPS track, look at the different routes on the paradox, test equipment and clear my head.  Wishing JimL the best.  Visions of dixie are running through my head...

[Stefan_G]

Planning on rolling out of the Tab TH in GJ at 6pm sharp on Friday.

Awesome, Jim!  Have a great time out there!

[dkirk]

Have a great time out there Jim! May the snow of Pool Creek on the Uncompahgre be firm under your feet.

[ScottM]

Looks like Jim may have started an hour or two later than 6pm, but is making good headway.

He's into the shandies right now.  I almost, kinda, wish I were out there right now.  Weather looks great today, but heating up to 99 in GJ in a couple days.

[Stefan_G]

Oooof, highs of 100 today and 105 in Moab tomorrow.  I can only imagine ( ) how Jim is feeling out there now.  I can't believe he's still moving, but he is!  And even hotter tomorrow... Hope he can get up to the high country this afternoon, evening, or early tomorrow AM.  Paradox is gonna be roasting, but, with these temps snow on the Uncompahgre Plateau will be the last of his worries! 

[ScottM]

Oooof indeed.  Looks like a nap at Hideout Creek for Jim.

Heading out now, hopefully with plentiful shade.

[Stefan_G]

Noooo!!! His Spot's heading back across Fisher Valley.  Totally understandable, and probably the smartest course of action with the demoralizing heat, but bummed to see nonetheless.