Yesterday the "DC Peaks 50" contingent of masochist marathoners held an 'ultra marathon', whatever that might be, along the Wasatch Front. The mountainous Wasatch Front. The really rugged and dang high up Wasatch Front. So it is not uncommon for storms to bring rain to the valley and snow to the higher elevations especially in October. That's Utah. Anyway and, the 'ultra marathon' had been scheduled for some time and the marathoners were not about to let a little inclement weather spoil their fun. Fun? The runners began their 'ultra marathon' at 05:00 hours and that would be in the a.m.. About four hours later and as the runners were heading to the top of Francis Peak which by the way is at 9,560 feet in elevation, pretty dang high up there no doubt, the winter storm that had been predicted by ALL the weather folk in and around the localized area hit with a blizzard like vengeance. Estimated totals for the top of Francis Peak were estimated to be at 12 to 18 inches of early winter snow. What that means in regular Utah terms is that the snow will NOT be like that ever so famous Utah powder snow oh hell no. Early winter snow along the Wasatch is wet cold slushy icy-like snow and the runners were running their way right into the heart of aforementioned storm. Snowstorms at the upper elevations of Francis Peak aren't like regular snowstorms, pretty much the entire mountain is shrouded in blinding blizzard snow and the wind is a real bitch. Cuts right through a person. So the runners being prepared for all manner of running conditions, not, are wearing running shoes, shorts, and teeshirts with those fancy marathon numbers hanging off the front of a teeshirt. Not a one of the well prepared runners was prepared for what they met when they started one serious damn climb to Francis Peak. I've been to the top of Frances Peak more than a few times and you do NOT want to be up there IF the weather turns a crapper. The Davis County Sheriff Search and Rescue team had to be called in to get the runners off the mountain while there were runners still alive. Runners had to be treated for hypothermia, one runner was treated for a fall, and Davis County Sheriff Kelly Sparks said that none of the runners had to be hospitalized. However just about all the marathoners were soaked to the bone and their feets were freezing damn cold. Wet running shoes are so uncomfortable. Just a few of the weather highlights on top of Francis Peak where the ambient air temperature is about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, wind speeds at about 30 mph and swirling, and maybe 18 inches of snow. The ancillary weather details are accurate as the National Weather Service has a weather station at the top of Francis Peak so the conditions a way up there are Weather Service accurate. Damn lousy conditions for a marathon ultra or otherwise. Now the weather forecast had called for exactly what was happening along the ultra marathon route and it isn't like the runners hadn't been informed of what to expect. The marathon planners maintain their ultra-freeze out race will go on next year come hell or deep snow. That just might be exactly what the runners will get. A mountain marathon in October is just begging for trouble. But the Davis County Sheriff Search and Rescue squad got all the runners off the mountain and that's probably a good thing. Personally, I think the fuckers are just nuts (the marathoners). Especially so if a marathon is scheduled for October when the snow begins to fly in mountainous Utah. Oh well, what are you gonna do? I know what I'm gonna do and that would be to post up the machine art and be grateful I'm not an "ultra marathoner."
cherry -
Vincent's boots -
those ultra marathoners are probably lucky they still have all their toes. frostbite will take those toes in a blink. 😆
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