25/06: Getting ready for Rainier
So, I am trying to get my knee healthy again and will be setting off to hike Mount Rainier in August. We are all very excited and I can't wait to see if we make it to the top! I am also trying to train for the 100k on September 19! I am also working hard to tackle my fears but this rain is getting in the way of my plans! On the list are flight lessons, paragliding lessons, and tandem hangliding! Hopefully this weather breaks and we get some sunny days!
14/06: Back from Alaska
Don and I started out for Alaska on May 30. We met our friend Todd at the airport where he and his girlfriend picked us up and brought us to his awesome house in the mountains! He was an awesome host and treated us beyond well. The three of us went out for some last minute food and gear shopping and then made our way to the Fireweed Station in Talkeetna. We walked around Talkeetna for a bit and ran into our guide Eric in the ranger station. We had lunch at West Rib and discussed plans for the next day. We then headed back to the Fireweed for a short walk down the Alaska Railroad tracks and then a steak dinner.
The lack of darkness was really messing with Don and I but we tried our best to get some sleep. The next morning we woke up early and were treated to Tom and Hobbs' awesome pecan waffles. We then packed up and drove to the hanger to sort gear and do our final packing.
After we finished we drove to TAT and waited for a spot on the plane. We sat on the runway and waited for our pilot. As soon as it arrived we were putting gear on the plane and then flying into the Alaska Range. It was a beautiful clear day when we landed at the Mountain House glacier landing. We sorted out our sleds and packs and were soon on our way to camp one.
Eric led the way, navigating through crevasses. I got a bit nervous jumping over one of them, but Eric tugged on the rope and I had no time to think, I was soon jumping over it. We set up camp between Mooses Tooth and Mount Barille. Our plans were to do snow school the next day and then climb the Japanese Coloiur the day after.
We had burgers for dinner and went to bed. We woke up and headed over to a crevasse to practice two person crevasse rescue. (This is for a 2 person rope team). It was really fun and we learned a ton. The bottom of our crevasse had beautiful blue water in the bottom of it. After practice we scouted out a route to the start of Japenese Coloiur. Eric did a fine job navigating through the crevasse field! We went back to camp and had dinner and prepared for the next morning.
We woke at 2am to heavy rain. We ended up staying at camp and practicing skills for navigation and crevasse rescue. We made plans to climb the next day and then Don and I decided to build a snow cave in our spare time. It was super fun and we even dug down to the glacier ice! Todd came in and joined us in the cave.
It rained that night and the temperature was 50 degrees! Everything was so soft and we were postholing around camp! Todd cooked a nice breakfast with bacon and we packed up camp and headed for 747 pass.
On our way to the pass we saw a bear wandering around on the glacier! We couldn't believe how high up the glacier he was! We all decided he smelled our bacon and we were glad we packed up camp. We did not want to have a bear ripping our campsite up on us!
747 pass was pretty tough. We had to move as quick as possible due to huge seracs overhead and rockfall. We were post holing in snowshoes and the sleds were slowing us down as well. Our packs were about 65lbs each and I struggled with putting the pack on and off (which aggravated our guide a bit). I also struggled with dragging the sled behind me on the steep hills while carrying a pack. (I now know what I need to work on) At the bottom of the second hill we all dropped our sleds and hiked up the pass to set up camp below Mount Dickey.
Don was chosen to do the double carry and go get the sleds with Eric and Todd and I were chosen to make more water and dig out a cook tent and latrine, and set up the tents. We all settled in for an early evening. The campsite was so beautiful!
We woke up at 1am to hike up Dickey while the temperature was cooler. It does not get dark on the glacier at night but it does get cooler. Eric led us up a couple of snow slopes and scree fields until the post holing got to be too much. We took in a few views and then headed back down to camp. We had lunch and then hiked out to Pitock Pass to see if we could find a route down it. There was a lot of rockfall and many crevasses so we decided an early start would be the safest time to move. We had an early bedtime so we could wake up at midnight to travel through Pitock Pass the next day.
We put on our heavy packs and Don and Eric pulled two very lightly packed sleds up to the top of the pass. We lowered the sleds down the steep part of the slope and rapelled ourselves down as well. When we got to the bottom of the rapell we re-organized our rope team and gear and then made our way back to the Mountain House. We move really quick through here to avoid the hazards hanging over our heads. We got to camp and set everything up. I built an awesome latrine while everyone else made the cook tent! We took a short nap and then headed out at 11pm to climb Japanese Coloiur.
The snow was still soft, but we made our way over to the coloiur and snowshoed up the avalanche cone. We put on our crampons, climbed over the berchshrund, and then followed the runnel up the coloir. The snow was so deep in areas that it felt more like swimming than climbing. We made it to the top of the coloiur and then started rappelling and plunge stepping down. We got down just as the sun was hitting the coloiur and then we threw on our snowshoes and made our way back to camp.
Eric radioed for a flight out and we soon found that we had about 15 minutes to break down camp! We were just finishing up as the pilot was walking up the hill to help us get into the plane. We had a beautiful ride back in the plane and then had lunch at the West Rib and drove back to Todds House where we took nice hot showers for the first time in 7 days! We reeked so bad!!!!
The next day we got up and did some shopping with Todd (he and Eric talked me into trying on double leather boots and I walked out of Alaska Mountaineering with a shiny new pair of Spantiks! I will use them on Rainier and Denali, so I was able to justify the investment. We also went to the doctor with Todd where he had 80cc's of blood removed from his knee! Todd drove us down the Cook Inlet that night where we saw Sheep, Goats, and Eagles! We also got to see tons of waterfalls and a glacier lake. We even saw a small bore tide! He took us to dinner at this great little restaurant before heading back home for some sleep.
For our last day in Alaska Todd let us borrow his car while he was at work and he showed us a great place to go hiking. We hiked up to False Peak where we were above the clouds. It was so much fun and there were so many beautiful mountains! I was sad that it was our last day. We picked up Todd later that day and then headed to Todds home after having dinner. We left the next day at 6am. I was so sad to leave. On the plane ride home, as we neared CT, I looked out of the window and for the first time in 2 weeks saw darkness. Thinking back I become sad. My heart is still in the mountains. I miss the never-ending daylight and lying in my tent listening to the sounds of the mountains. The views from my tent were amazing. I find so much peace and simplicity in the mountains. I miss all of the sounds of rockfall when the sun hits the slopes and the popping noises around me while I sleep. I miss the beautiful blue hanging ice that is so deadly but so amazing all at the same time. The warm sun and cool air make for such a happy feeling. In my tent I sleep more soundly than anywhere else and I have no worries while I am there. Life is simple in the mountains, you are either walking, sleeping, or eating.
I learned so much about not only glacier travel and climbing during this trip, but also a lot about myself. I found my strengths and weaknesses as well as the drive to try harder to be not only a better athlete, but a better person. I learned patience and how to be a team player.
Most of all I learned to enjoy the moment because when I do, I am truly living my dream.
The lack of darkness was really messing with Don and I but we tried our best to get some sleep. The next morning we woke up early and were treated to Tom and Hobbs' awesome pecan waffles. We then packed up and drove to the hanger to sort gear and do our final packing.
After we finished we drove to TAT and waited for a spot on the plane. We sat on the runway and waited for our pilot. As soon as it arrived we were putting gear on the plane and then flying into the Alaska Range. It was a beautiful clear day when we landed at the Mountain House glacier landing. We sorted out our sleds and packs and were soon on our way to camp one.
Eric led the way, navigating through crevasses. I got a bit nervous jumping over one of them, but Eric tugged on the rope and I had no time to think, I was soon jumping over it. We set up camp between Mooses Tooth and Mount Barille. Our plans were to do snow school the next day and then climb the Japanese Coloiur the day after.
We had burgers for dinner and went to bed. We woke up and headed over to a crevasse to practice two person crevasse rescue. (This is for a 2 person rope team). It was really fun and we learned a ton. The bottom of our crevasse had beautiful blue water in the bottom of it. After practice we scouted out a route to the start of Japenese Coloiur. Eric did a fine job navigating through the crevasse field! We went back to camp and had dinner and prepared for the next morning.
We woke at 2am to heavy rain. We ended up staying at camp and practicing skills for navigation and crevasse rescue. We made plans to climb the next day and then Don and I decided to build a snow cave in our spare time. It was super fun and we even dug down to the glacier ice! Todd came in and joined us in the cave.
It rained that night and the temperature was 50 degrees! Everything was so soft and we were postholing around camp! Todd cooked a nice breakfast with bacon and we packed up camp and headed for 747 pass.
On our way to the pass we saw a bear wandering around on the glacier! We couldn't believe how high up the glacier he was! We all decided he smelled our bacon and we were glad we packed up camp. We did not want to have a bear ripping our campsite up on us!
747 pass was pretty tough. We had to move as quick as possible due to huge seracs overhead and rockfall. We were post holing in snowshoes and the sleds were slowing us down as well. Our packs were about 65lbs each and I struggled with putting the pack on and off (which aggravated our guide a bit). I also struggled with dragging the sled behind me on the steep hills while carrying a pack. (I now know what I need to work on) At the bottom of the second hill we all dropped our sleds and hiked up the pass to set up camp below Mount Dickey.
Don was chosen to do the double carry and go get the sleds with Eric and Todd and I were chosen to make more water and dig out a cook tent and latrine, and set up the tents. We all settled in for an early evening. The campsite was so beautiful!
We woke up at 1am to hike up Dickey while the temperature was cooler. It does not get dark on the glacier at night but it does get cooler. Eric led us up a couple of snow slopes and scree fields until the post holing got to be too much. We took in a few views and then headed back down to camp. We had lunch and then hiked out to Pitock Pass to see if we could find a route down it. There was a lot of rockfall and many crevasses so we decided an early start would be the safest time to move. We had an early bedtime so we could wake up at midnight to travel through Pitock Pass the next day.
We put on our heavy packs and Don and Eric pulled two very lightly packed sleds up to the top of the pass. We lowered the sleds down the steep part of the slope and rapelled ourselves down as well. When we got to the bottom of the rapell we re-organized our rope team and gear and then made our way back to the Mountain House. We move really quick through here to avoid the hazards hanging over our heads. We got to camp and set everything up. I built an awesome latrine while everyone else made the cook tent! We took a short nap and then headed out at 11pm to climb Japanese Coloiur.
The snow was still soft, but we made our way over to the coloiur and snowshoed up the avalanche cone. We put on our crampons, climbed over the berchshrund, and then followed the runnel up the coloir. The snow was so deep in areas that it felt more like swimming than climbing. We made it to the top of the coloiur and then started rappelling and plunge stepping down. We got down just as the sun was hitting the coloiur and then we threw on our snowshoes and made our way back to camp.
Eric radioed for a flight out and we soon found that we had about 15 minutes to break down camp! We were just finishing up as the pilot was walking up the hill to help us get into the plane. We had a beautiful ride back in the plane and then had lunch at the West Rib and drove back to Todds House where we took nice hot showers for the first time in 7 days! We reeked so bad!!!!
The next day we got up and did some shopping with Todd (he and Eric talked me into trying on double leather boots and I walked out of Alaska Mountaineering with a shiny new pair of Spantiks! I will use them on Rainier and Denali, so I was able to justify the investment. We also went to the doctor with Todd where he had 80cc's of blood removed from his knee! Todd drove us down the Cook Inlet that night where we saw Sheep, Goats, and Eagles! We also got to see tons of waterfalls and a glacier lake. We even saw a small bore tide! He took us to dinner at this great little restaurant before heading back home for some sleep.
For our last day in Alaska Todd let us borrow his car while he was at work and he showed us a great place to go hiking. We hiked up to False Peak where we were above the clouds. It was so much fun and there were so many beautiful mountains! I was sad that it was our last day. We picked up Todd later that day and then headed to Todds home after having dinner. We left the next day at 6am. I was so sad to leave. On the plane ride home, as we neared CT, I looked out of the window and for the first time in 2 weeks saw darkness. Thinking back I become sad. My heart is still in the mountains. I miss the never-ending daylight and lying in my tent listening to the sounds of the mountains. The views from my tent were amazing. I find so much peace and simplicity in the mountains. I miss all of the sounds of rockfall when the sun hits the slopes and the popping noises around me while I sleep. I miss the beautiful blue hanging ice that is so deadly but so amazing all at the same time. The warm sun and cool air make for such a happy feeling. In my tent I sleep more soundly than anywhere else and I have no worries while I am there. Life is simple in the mountains, you are either walking, sleeping, or eating.
I learned so much about not only glacier travel and climbing during this trip, but also a lot about myself. I found my strengths and weaknesses as well as the drive to try harder to be not only a better athlete, but a better person. I learned patience and how to be a team player.
Most of all I learned to enjoy the moment because when I do, I am truly living my dream.
27/05: Getting ready for Alaska
Well, we are almost off for Alaska. We are packing and doing final preparations for our trip. I am both excited and nervous about what our guide plans to climb. He is looking at Mooses Tooth and Mount Barille, both on the Ruth Glacier. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we all stay safe! If we get off of the glacier on time this year we may even try to go fishing or rent dual sport motorcycles!
I managed to get in a great mountain bike ride yesterday and plan on doing some more pack carrying and then finishing up the week with a short run. I will be posting more after my trip!
I managed to get in a great mountain bike ride yesterday and plan on doing some more pack carrying and then finishing up the week with a short run. I will be posting more after my trip!
17/05: Soapstone 24k running race
Well, today I ran in the Soapstone 24k trail running race. With all of the rain we got last night I woke up feeling lazy and almost didn't go. But, that wouldn't be like me! So, I had a light breakfast and headed out to the race. It was really cold but once we started running I warmed right up! We were fortunate to only have cloudy skies. The trails were quite slick and I think a kayak would have been handy in a couple of sections, but overall the course was awesome!
I have been training for so many things that right now I am focused on mountain climbing. So, once I accepted the fact that I would be slow today I relaxed and had fun! I maintained a nice comfortable heartrate and focused on not getting hurt. I am headed out to do some climbing on the Ruth Glacier in Alaska in less than two weeks and my focus is on being strong enough to carry a 65lb pack for a week!
I set a goal for myself to finish the race in less than 2.5 hours. I was thrilled to cross the finish line in 2:29:47! I beat my goal by less than 30 seconds! It really made my day, and so did the food they had at the end of the race! So, now I will be focused on training for Alaska until May 29th. I can't wait to get out there! I am a little nervous about some of the routes we will be doing, but I will have good company and a top notch guide. Don, Todd, and myself along with our guide Eric will be on the glacier June 3-9th!
When I get back from Alaska my focus will be on preparing to climb Mount Rainier. This will mean a ton of strength, endurance, and pack carrying training. I also hope to get some climbing and camping trips in up north. I also hope to pull of a run of the presi traverse and to run the pemi loop (both in NH) in July. If things go really well I am hoping to throw in the "great traverse", AKA the "Solstice Hike" out in the Adirondaks.
Along the way I will be accumulating running miles to prepare for my 100k on September 19 in Virgil, NY. It will be a huge challenge! I also hope to get in lots of mountain biking too! Between Rainier and my 100k I will be shifting gears and training hard for the 100k by decreasing strength training and focusing on becoming lean, fast, and having lots of endurance! Then after the race I will be on a mission to train my butt off for an attempt at climbing Denali next summer! 22 Days on the glacier will be fun, exciting, and tiring!
Anyway, thanks for following and I will keep you updated on my adventures!
I have been training for so many things that right now I am focused on mountain climbing. So, once I accepted the fact that I would be slow today I relaxed and had fun! I maintained a nice comfortable heartrate and focused on not getting hurt. I am headed out to do some climbing on the Ruth Glacier in Alaska in less than two weeks and my focus is on being strong enough to carry a 65lb pack for a week!
I set a goal for myself to finish the race in less than 2.5 hours. I was thrilled to cross the finish line in 2:29:47! I beat my goal by less than 30 seconds! It really made my day, and so did the food they had at the end of the race! So, now I will be focused on training for Alaska until May 29th. I can't wait to get out there! I am a little nervous about some of the routes we will be doing, but I will have good company and a top notch guide. Don, Todd, and myself along with our guide Eric will be on the glacier June 3-9th!
When I get back from Alaska my focus will be on preparing to climb Mount Rainier. This will mean a ton of strength, endurance, and pack carrying training. I also hope to get some climbing and camping trips in up north. I also hope to pull of a run of the presi traverse and to run the pemi loop (both in NH) in July. If things go really well I am hoping to throw in the "great traverse", AKA the "Solstice Hike" out in the Adirondaks.
Along the way I will be accumulating running miles to prepare for my 100k on September 19 in Virgil, NY. It will be a huge challenge! I also hope to get in lots of mountain biking too! Between Rainier and my 100k I will be shifting gears and training hard for the 100k by decreasing strength training and focusing on becoming lean, fast, and having lots of endurance! Then after the race I will be on a mission to train my butt off for an attempt at climbing Denali next summer! 22 Days on the glacier will be fun, exciting, and tiring!
Anyway, thanks for following and I will keep you updated on my adventures!
09/05: Chasing my Dreams!
Well, I am going to try to keep this blog current. I have been really lazy with it but I think I will start doing updates. Life has been great lately! We have such an exciting summer planned I can hardly contain my excitement! For starters we are headed off to Alaska soon to do some climbing on the Ruth Glacier with our friend Todd and our guide Eric. Hopefully we have great weather and stay safe! Then comes August where six of us will be heading out to Mount Rainier to attempt an unguided climb to the summit via Camp Muir. September 19 will bring on a huge challenge for me where I plan to run in a 100k in New York. I hope to cross the finish line in under 14 hours. Right now I am running about 40 miles a week so only time will tell if this training thing will pay off. I have never trained for anything formally and it is definately like having a second job.
Next June we plan to attempt a guided climb of Mount McKinley (Denali). Denali stands high at 20,320 feet. It takes about 21 days to summit this mountain. I have been working very hard at preparing myself physically and mentally for this challenge. I will be carrying about 65lbs on my back while hauling 50lbs in a sled behind me for 21 days! It will be the biggest challenge of my life. It is also one of my biggest dreams. Fitness is the only thing I have control over and I want to be in the best shape of my life before attempting this climb.
From there time will only tell what is next. I have aspirations of climbing Cho Oyo in the Himilayas and Acancogua in South America. I also have many other mountains and climbs that I want to tackle here in the US. I haven't given up on my other hobbies and have been using them to gain fitness and to just get out and have fun. I am still running, biking, dirtbiking, rock and ice climbing, backpacking, and doing any other thing that seems fun!
Thanks for following along and check back soon for more updates! - K :)
Next June we plan to attempt a guided climb of Mount McKinley (Denali). Denali stands high at 20,320 feet. It takes about 21 days to summit this mountain. I have been working very hard at preparing myself physically and mentally for this challenge. I will be carrying about 65lbs on my back while hauling 50lbs in a sled behind me for 21 days! It will be the biggest challenge of my life. It is also one of my biggest dreams. Fitness is the only thing I have control over and I want to be in the best shape of my life before attempting this climb.
From there time will only tell what is next. I have aspirations of climbing Cho Oyo in the Himilayas and Acancogua in South America. I also have many other mountains and climbs that I want to tackle here in the US. I haven't given up on my other hobbies and have been using them to gain fitness and to just get out and have fun. I am still running, biking, dirtbiking, rock and ice climbing, backpacking, and doing any other thing that seems fun!
Thanks for following along and check back soon for more updates! - K :)
27/01: Photos
so, I have been busy ice climbing this winter and even got a chance to sneak out to go snowboarding. Here is a link to my photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kfolcik/
11/01: Website
I am going to be re-doing this web site. It is currently under construction. I will try to get it fully up and running as well as updated as soon as possible!
