Monthly Archives: July 2014

WHY RUN MISSOULA…

 

Fireworks at the start. Sun rising over the distant mountains. The only hill worth mentioning was so gentle and brought you up along a ridge line overlooking the river on one side and endless supply of shady trees on the other. Two spectators sitting atop their horses to encourage runners up said climb, which was also the image on the well-designed race shirt. The number of spectators is about what you would expect from a relatively rural marathon, but their enthusiasm and offering of support (food and mist stations) was enormously helpful – one guy played his piano on his yard. A truly enjoyable event!” — SK from New York

 

Earliest race time to date – 630am start – but no argument here.  Hottest day of the year forecasted for Missoula.  Ugh – not a fan of heat. After securing primo parking downtown (near the finish line), walked to UM where runners took a yellow school bus to neighboring Frenchtown for the Marathon start.

Firework ignited start – took a mile to work my way thru the initial herd of runners.  Surprisingly, today’s course was relatively flat.  After spending the last few days in Glacier, I had expected a lotta hills.  Folks flew by until the first stretch of rolling hills at mile 12 – hills proved to be my strength, wow how times change.

Duluth spoiled me.  I now know sub-4 is possible – that’s the new bar, my expectation.

The sun soared & I seared.  At mile 17, I felt its heat on my cheek & neck.  At mile 21, the 4 hour pacers caught me in a quiet neighborhood, turning on 4th heading downtown.  Stayed close for a half mile.  Mentally knew I could not match their pace 5 more miles.  And then they were gone.

Many residents turned on lawn sprinklers to help [runners] combat the heat – thanks!  Steadied myself on an orange traffic cone at mile 24.  I struggled.  A lady asked if I wanted ice.  Back of my neck, exactly what I needed.

The day topped out at 97 degrees – crazy hot, but I finished.  8 consecutive marathon months, 9 states completed.

K R Haga

2014 Missoula Marathon

Full Marathon – July 13, 2014

4:27.21

Overall Place 580

Age Place 35

 

Body felt good so spent my last day whitewater rafting on the Clark Fork River through Alberton Gorge.  No grizzlies this day, but spotted a lotta bald eagles – ‘baldies’ to locals.

BIG, beautiful, imaginative, scenic, inspiring.  I’ll be back Montana.

 

How could I possibly top two days of tenting in Glacier National Park?  How ‘bout a heli tour?

Just prior to entering the Park on Thursday, drove past a sign advertising helicopter tours over Glacier.  Quick pull-off, U-ey across Hwy 2 & I was on my way back to Glacier Heli Tours.  Laid down a deposit – BAM that’s how I vacation.

Saturday morning, packed up the rental (last day of tenting), grabbed breakfast at a truck stop diner, signed waivers & received brief instructions at Glacier Heli Tours, then joined a family from Jersey for the trip of a lifetime.

Lucky for me, not only did I get to take advantage of the 4-6 person rate but also got to sit up front.  Pilot asked me not to touch any buttons or open the door while we were in the air.  Check, done 🙂

Over the past 2 days, I thought I had seen much of Glacier National Park – West Glacier on Thursday, hiked Grinnell from Many Glaciers trailhead on Friday (east entrance), plus drove the swath across the Park on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Honestly, I had only scratched the surface of this amazing park.

Soaring over snow-capped peaks & glaciers, multiple waterfalls & tarns (glacial lakes) via helicopter, re-awoke my inner love of high peaks & everything mountain.  One WOW moment, followed by another.  INSPIRED – just couldn’t stop smiling.  Massive mineral plates pushed together, shooting upward from Earth toward the heavens.  SPECTACULAR!

Briefly crossed over the Canadian border to Waterton Lakes Nat’l Park.

Welcome to Canada. Incoming Calls/Text are active.  Calls: $0.89/min. TXT: Send=$0.5,Receive=$0.05. WiFi may be used where available.

After next month’s Ironman, my immediate plans include the mountains.  Hiking, backpacking, trail running, shoeing, ski mountaineering & winter camping – I see high altitude peaks, ice axes & the Arctic North in my 20-15.

 

Social Media RoundUp

Anish  I had an architect friend who once said

Where the eye can see

the mind stretches…

Anish  We were talking about people from the hills and I have always believed that they are different from people from the plains…I was born at Almora…could see the Himalayas!

 

Up at dawn & on the road by 6am – must be on vacation 🙂

Drove 2 hours around the south rim of Glacier, then north to Many Glacier Trailhead.  Country 95 FM on the radio, Southern Alberta’s best country – only 18 miles from Canada.  Stopped a mile before the Visitors Center – first view of Glacier’s big peaks, horse & riders cutting across the valley.  WOW, just beautiful – well worth the 2 hour drive.

Far away in northwestern Montana, hidden from view by clustering mountain peaks, lies an unmapped corner—the Crown of the Continent —George Bird Grinnell (1901)

George Grinnell worked to establish Glacier National Park in 1910.  Additionally, he was prominent in movements to preserve wildlife and conservation in the American West.  Notably, Grinnell worked to pass the National Park Protective Act in 1894 – protecting the last 200 bison remaining in Yellowstone.

In George Grinnell’s honor chose Grinnell Glacier for my day hike.

Passed 2 signs just past the Trailhead.  “Grinnell Glacier hike is not recommended because of snow.”  Second sign – Beware of Grizzlies. Not fearsome of snow, bears however…hmmm.

Lotta people on the trail early on — meadows overflowing with mountains flowers.  Additionally, crossed over numerous waterfalls created from recent snow melt (snowed 18 inches just 3 weeks ago).

Saw my first Grizzly.  Took a minute for me to register what was happening.  I’m outside & there’s a bear – a real bear, not in a zoo…but on my hike.  A ranger came out of nowhere & sternly told me to keep moving.  Wasn’t the nicest guy but good to know I wasn’t alone.  He told me this was a juvenile Grizzly foraging for summer berries.  WOW – a bear!

Ducked under the ‘Not Recommended’ sign & hiked above glacier-fed Grinnell Lake before stopping for lunch.  Soaked in scenery & lost myself staring into a large waterfall.  Solitude & solo hikes can be a-ok.  Amazing experience.

CLICK to WATCH ‘Grinnell Glacier (Montana)’

Saw my second bear on the hike return.  Seriously, my second bear.  No ranger this time.  Was I suppose to curl up & play dead? Should I run downhill?  Decided to keep moving, eyes straight ahead & not make a lot of noise.

Later came across a couple wearing jingle bell-covered hiking boots.  Have you seen a bear today?  Heck yeah I say enthusiastically – look at my pics!  Don’t think that’s the answer they were looking for 🙂

Reported 2nd bear at the ranger station, then traveled Going-to-the-Sun Road across the Park to West Glacier.  Stopped by Lake McDonald for one last chilly swim (felt good to wash the hike sweat off).

Ended the day with spaghetti at a diner.  9am heli tour tomorrow.  Super excited!